What do you recommend for a portable GPS for car and boat?

[TSCTSC]

I am in the market for a GPS device that I can use in the car and the boat. I want to be able to upload maps so that even if I go travelling in Asia or Europe, I can see where I am. At the same time, I want to be able to use the GPS on the water too to let me know which part of the lake I am on and preferably, let me know the depth contours of the lake. What make and model do you all recommend? Thanks!

[engadine52]

I recommed Garmin products. You can have as few or as many features as you would like, and are willing to pay for....

When I was shopping for mine, a basic unit, several years ago, I had friends that owned Magellan and Lowrance units. So played with all 3, side by side. Garmin performed better and was easier (for a non-techie) to use. I have traveled with friends who owned Magellans and Lowrances, and my little Garmin would locate and lock position quicker then theirs also, as well as hold the sattelite lock better in the mountians and forests. Out on the open lake this is seldom a problem with any of them. Ten or more years later, mine still works flawlessly. You can see why I am a fan.

I also have a (techie oriented) friend who compared the big 3 for accuracy readings twice, a few years apart. The Garmins where always more consistent & accurate. (Science fair project with his 2 kids)

DN

[Slyster]

This exact question was asked and addressed on this forum (on page 2).. here's a direct link.

FishMN Post

[BassManDuluth]

I agree, the Garmin brands are pretty easy to use. I own 3 brands and it is the bee's knees.

[TSCTSC]

Well, I went to Cabelas and was convinced by the guy there to go Lowrance GPS and Lowrance Fishfinders. I have not made my decision yet though and am still thinking. My options now are the LMS 332c for the fishfinder and the LMS GPS Pro hand held portable. Or I will go for the cheaper LMS 87c.

In any case, I do have a Garmin and am quite pleased with it actually. But it is the base model and does not have any map function. I would love that together with the lake maps and international maps. Also, does Garmin do fishfinders? Are they good?

[DanL]

If you plan to use lake mapping chips do a little research in that area before you buy. Not all units are compatable with all maps. I use Lowrance products and what puts them above the rest is the ability to go online and update the unit's software. These updates add features, fix gitches and more. The I-Finder Hunt is an awsome unit.

[Macgyver55]

Quote:

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I use Lowrance products and what puts them above the rest is the ability to go online and update the unit's software. These updates add features, fix gitches and more.

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Not saying there is anything bad about Lowrance units, but if you are only using this reason to decide, Garmin, Magellan and others have the same updates available online.

[korn_fish]

Quote:

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I use Lowrance products and what puts them above the rest is the ability to go online and update the unit's software. These updates add features, fix gitches and more. The I-Finder Hunt is an awsome unit.

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Garmin has this as well. Actually asked a question to the support team there, and they informed me that I uncovered a defect and it was passed onto the technical team. Was just informed that a system update was availabe and one of the fixes in this update was for the issue I logged with them just weeks prior to the release of the update.

so I guess I am wondering what type of updates are you referring to that Garmin and others don't allow? I have the Garmin GPSMAP 76cs wich doesn't use the chips.

I guess if I had a fishfinder that took chips, I would probably get the handheld that also took chips if the handheld chip could still provide holding road maps of 5 complete states with autorouting. Oh, and Garmin does make fishfinders.

What I did is mount my Lowrance fishfinder and Garmin GPS unit next to each other. For me, it does what I would assume that a fishfinder with GPS capabilities would provide. It's just in two seperate screens instead of one split screen.

Also look at what you are going to use your handheld for. Since you mentioned auto and boat, you might be looking at autorouting capabilities. I do a lot of motorcycle trips and will be using the 76cs' auto routing capabilities alot. That is what took many other units out of the picture because I thought the Garmin autorouting was superior to others and some other brands didn't allow that. And make sure your unit will have enough memory for the maps that you want to store or get one with expandable memory. auto routing maps take up a lot more room than just fishing or road maps. You will need a computer though if you use Garmin mapping units that do not use chips.

the only disappointment I have with my Garmin is that the mapping software for Canada TOPO lacks in comparison with the MAgellan Mapsend Canada TOPO in that the mapsend software showed some submerged hazards in the waters that I fish where the Garmin Mapsource didn't have those pre-marked. Who knows how accurate those hazard waypoints in Mapsend would be anyway.

Garmin does have Europe maps, and I think Africa etc. Look at their HSOforum and you can see what they have.

My set up

Garmin GPSMAP 76CS

city select - auto routing of all of North America

Central fishing hotspots - most laeks in central U.S. with lake contours and non-routing road detail for central U.S. (lake contours are the same as the lakemaster basic)

Canada TOPO. - entire Canada which shows detaild shoreline information but no lake contours.