GPS and Chips

[james_walleye]

Im thinking about getting the new Lowrance H20 handheld GPS and the chip too go with it. Just wondering if someone could explain a few things too me. First i see for $229 you get the H20 and for a hundred more you get some kit with it, whats in this one hundred dollar kit? Just wondering if theres anything i might find useful. Second i was wondering what the best chip too use? Is it Lakemaster? And how do these chips work? Do you just put them in the GPS and they go too work? If im on Mille Lacs does the lakemap with the contours just show up on the screen? Just curious as too how user friendly the system is? Thanks for any replys.

[beretta]

I just bought a lowrance 332c and it takes chips. I got the lakemaster chip and love it. On my unit all I have to do is put it in and it loads and comes on the screen. I would guess its the same with the H20. I have been looking at the H20 as well thinking it would be awesome for ice fishing but I havent coughed up the cash for it yet. You may want to move this to the equiptment forum. I think you'd get a lot more replies there. There are a lot of guys on there that really know their stuff! Good luck

[cliffy]

I have the H20 and just love it. I got the basic model...which was the gps unit and external plug in that can be plugged into a vehicle's cig lighter..etc. I dont know whatelse comes with the more spendy model.

I also purchased a chip for the unit...I dont recall which chip it was...I think it was Lakemaster but I am not sure....anyways, you put the chip in the gps and it just pops up! Its pretty simple and nice to have. I have used it several times and the maps seems to be dead on.

When I was thinking of getting this unit I went to the local sporting goods store and played with the unit and the chip for several minutes before making my decesion....and it was very simple.

Good luck.

[Guest]

I bought the 229 h20 which gives you the unit and a cigeratte lighter adapter and the road map,for the next unit up,you also get a software package and I personally dont know what that all gives you extra.I bought the LakemasterMinnesota Pro-map series mmc chip which gives you 273 lakes of which 58 are 1-3 foot contour maps and the rest are 5 ft maps.The chip plugs into your H20 and comes up on the first screen and then you arrow to the lake you want and then zoom in.The 1-3 ft maps have great detail and the 5ft maps are like DNR maps,just not as accurate as the Pro-maps.The price on the Mn.MMC chip is 99.00 and you can buy right here on Fishing Minnesota under Fishing Equipment.I have no problem running the H20 and it is pretty user friendly.Also,I would install lighter socket in boat to plug unit into as the unit can use up batteries pretty fast.Overall,nice unit and the maps are great for finding structure and depths on the lake.