Lowrance h20

[beretta]

Hey guys, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but I'm looking for a GPS. I have done a search on them and I think I know what I want. I will be using this GPS in the Bemidji and Aitkin areas for the most part (Mille Lacs, Bemidji, Cass, Winni)I will also be getting the lakemaster chip of course. I would use it for hard and soft water fishing along with using them to run to my duck hunting spots in my big boat. The problem is that I need a depth finder as well. I am trying to decide between a H20 and a depth finder like the X125 or getting the 332C and the H20. I dont know though because money doesnt grow on trees...especially for a college boy. Im also wondering if the H20's screen is big enough for use in the boat or if I need something bigger. OR is there another unit that you would reccomend? I have hear that once you go color you never go back Is this true? Basically I need a depth finder for summer fishing, and a gps that I can use both summer fishing and winter fishing for as little as I can without buying cheap dump. What would you reccomend.

[ScoutII]

If you don't need a hand held GPS, maybe go with a depth finder with GPS built in.

[LocalGuide]

Hey man, IMO I would get a H20 and a any depth finder that your expenses allow.

You are right, color depth finders are the sh*t and wont dont go back once you have one. But the other units are just as good.

You can almost look at it like this. You get what you pay for. Color will be more expensive and of course a better unit.

So its just up to you on how much money your going to fork out.

I know the feeling too, Im going to college this year at BSU and need some kind of GPS for ice fishing up there and back at home. I haven't broke down and done it yet but I think im going to get a H20. They seem like a nice unit and will get the job done just fine.

[beretta]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I am seriously thinking about getting the 332c and the H20. Like I said I want something with a big screen and I need a depth finder for fishing, but I also need something I can take ice fishing and I think that haveing both would be the best way to go. I still havent really decided but I think Im going to go to Reeds today to take a look.

LocalGuide- Im going to be going to BSU too. We'll have to hook up sometime and chase some muskies or walleyes up there. I will be bringing my boat.

Thanks again guys

[LocalGuide]

Yeah I think the 332C would be a great unit.

On our boat we have a 3500C GPS unit and a X-87. We used to run it with a older Global map 100 hand held then got rid of that and got a whole separate unit. Plus we wanted the lakemaster chip so this was the way to go.

So now I need to hold up my end of the deal yet and get a H20 for ice fishing.

Actually on the LMS-330C you can have use the GPS module on there also. Which that is awesome in color on a slightly bigger screen. But then your view is much smaller for depth/fish readings. So all-in-all its a horse a piece. IMO if you can go with the 330c and H20, you'll be happy!

beretta, I need a fishing partner in college. I wont have a boat up this year and would love to get some eyes or get into muskie fishing a bit. We'll have to keep in touch.

[beretta]

For sure. If you want, my email is kyle _ mlynar at hotmail dot com. Im on here a quite a bit though too. I think I am going to be going up there to do a little fishing next week. I will try to let you know how I do.

[dockehr]

beretta,

your searches probably revealed a number of GPS-related posts attributed to me. I currently have the LMS-332C, the LCX-25C, and the i-Finder H2O.

If I were you I would get the 332C first. It's quite hard to see the H2O screen and run your boat at the same time. THat being said, if you get the 332C DON'T mount the antenna puck permanently on your boat. Use some imagination and creativity to secure it firmly but not permanently. Do the same with your power connections. Use male/female connectors so that you can hook the power to a cigarette lighter adapter when using the unit out of the boat. Again, get someone to help you with this if you need to.

Why all the "instructions"? Because if you keep your GPS antenna puck mobile and your wiring mobile you can use your 332C in your vehicle during the ice season.

Last year I mounted my LCX-18C to a small ram mount setup just to the left of my steering wheel on my Tahoe. Most of the unit's weight was borne by the dashboard and the ram mount just kept it from bouncing around. The GPS antenna puck could sit on your dashboard or, with its long cord, on the roof of your vehicle. The power is via your cigarette lighter.

As I stated earlier, I also have the H2O, but found the screen rather small while driving, watching the screen and having to hit the zoom button as I arrived at a fishing spot.

Now, if your ice fishing is going to be pretty much by snowmobile or ATV, then get the i-Finder H2O also, but again look at getting the cigarette lighter adapter so that you can access the machine's battery. Cold weather REALLY shortens effective battery time.

You will love the color screen of the 332C. Hope all this makes sense and helps.

I have developed an articulating GPS puck antenna adapter that works with any Lowrance unit that uses the LCG-12 or the LCG-2000 puck antennas. Combined with quick connect/disconnect wiring any unit can be used elsewhere on the same boat, in a vehicle, or on a rental boat ( used in fly-in fishing trips).This setup has been used successfully over the past five years with various Lowrance and Garmin units that I have used.If I decide not to market it I will post photos sometime in the future.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle Company

[beretta]

Dockehr- Thanks for the tips. It all makes sense and sounds like a good plan. Today I went to Reeds in Baxter and bought the 332-c. Im pumped! I got the lakemaster chip as well! This was all before reading your post Dockehr....after reading it I feel pretty good about my decision...im glad you didnt say get the H20 first or dont worry about getting the 332!

I am going to mount it tomorrow and after Im done, Im leaving for a couple days worth of fishing on Cass lake and Bemidji. Thanks again for all your help everybody.

-Beretta

[Borch]

I just ordered a H2O and can't wait to use it. I do a lot of running and boring holes until I find fish. Not a lot of time in the truck. I'll just transfer coordinated from my fullsized unit in the boat. I've also got some plans for hunting with it as well.

[Guest]

I guess I'm posting a little late but I went with the x100c and the H20 which is about 10.00 more total. Nice having the handheld when you go out with your friends and stumble on some nice structure. I have the marcum LX-3 for ice fishing and like having the other just for the boat as Ice season can be pretty tough on equipment. I think it is around 80.00-100.00 to get the others set-up with the ice fishing transducer. Looking to get the Navionics Premium North chip in the future as the others are lacking in Beltrami County lakes.

[BIG DS]

Something else to consider, there is an ice pack available from Lowrance for the 332c. It comes with the ice ducer, the mount, and the soft case for 149.99 MSRP from Lowrance. Check it out, you may not even need to buy the H2O.

[dockehr]

beretta,

Glad to read that you picked up the 332C first. The antenna for these new units is a POWERED antenna. When you wire your unit be sure to run BOTH red wires to the positive buss or tab on the battery. Likewise run BOTH black wires and the SILVER (ground) wire to the negative buss or tab on the battery. Otherwise you'll get the dreaded "gps module not responding" message. Tape back the white wire and completely tape the end. Do the same to the third wiring harness as you'll probably not be using it.

Another tip, as nice as these color units are, sometimes the background,while in GPS mode, with certain chips can be hard to read in bright sunlight. Under "SCREEN" in the menu change to "night view" from "normal" or "high contrast".

Good luck and good fishing.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[LocalGuide]

beretta, good choice here! That will be a awesome unit to use.

I'll drop you a email once we get closer to school and moving in. I'm a pretty diehard fisherman at times so it will be nice to get on the water thats less than a block away.

dockehr, I got a question that I'm not sure if you can answer or not...

I have a GlobalMap 3500C on our boat. Can we transfer this to the truck in the winter time with ease or will it be a hassle? Or is there some kind of way that I can make it portable? Like make a box for the battery/GPS receiver and then mount the unit on top? I have a few ideas but I'm not sure yet.

I just think this unit to too cool not to use it in the winter and on the road during the off-season.

[dockehr]

LocalGuide,

you can indeed use your GlobalMap 3500c unit in your vehicle. Send me your phone number via my e-mail address ([email protected]) and a good time to call. It's far easier to explain verbally than via e-mail. I leave Friday for Canada, but you really won't be in a hurry as winter is hopefully at least a month away!!

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[beretta]

Well I got it all rigged and ready to roll. Im heading out tomorow to give it a test run on a 3 day trip to Cass Lake- Lake Bemidji... who knows where else. Cant wait to try it out! Thanks again for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.