Lowrance iFinder Hunt Color VS. Garmin GPSMAP 76CS

[TJB]

I would like a hand held color unit.

Lowrance iFinder Hunt Color or the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS

I want to use it for both driving and fishing lake structures with the lakemasters chip.

Any ideas, pros or cons to either?

[hoggs222]

Fishing & Driving....I've got the iFinder H20c. Great color unit. Plus...........It floats!

[hanson]

TJB-

If you want to use the Lakemaster MMC chip with the lake maps, you'll have to go with the Lowrance unit. The Garmin works with Lakemaster software as well but you have to purchase the CD-ROM and load the maps to your GPS through your home computer. My opinion, I'd go with the Lowrance Hunt or H20. Simple plug & play if you know what I mean.

[jerkin'm]

I have the Garmin Gpsmap 76 and will be buying a Lowrance H20 unit...does that tell you something? Downloading things on the Garmin gets old, also, depending on the unit, you may need to delete as you add to keep in the memory guidelines...total pain...the chip system seems like the way to go...

[gspman]

Hoggs,

Can you see the display on your H2Oc without using the backlight? Mine is so dark it's almost unuseable without the backlight on. I've tried every setting and nothing seems to help much. Thanks.

gspman

[hanson]

gspman-

Mine is dark too. I've just given into the fact that you have to have the backlight on. I try to run the unit off of external power as much as I can and then the backlight stays on constantly.

[dockehr]

Invest in some rechargable AA batteries. Then you can access the "screen" page, scroll down to "light delay", and change it to "continuous" or whatever delay you want.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle Company

[gspman]

Yeah I can run it on external too and have the delay set to the max of 30 secs when on Batteries. It just doesn't seem right to advertise a crisp clear color display when you can't see it without having it backlit. That means it's not crisp and clear in my book. I love the thing but this dark, unreadable display issue really torque's me.

I'm going to call Lowrance and gnaw on their arm for awhile about this.

[TJB]

Ok now help me out again PLEASE...

Do I need the PLUS?

From what I can tell I get a CD/Software, MMC/SDI and a card reader.

If I do not need the software and I have an MMC/SDI reader on my laptop do I care about this?

Also how much are the lakemaster chips?

I see 1 for 99.00 that includes Mille Lacs with several others. Then I see just 1 chip that is Mille Lacs only for 69 is this the same map lay that is on the 99 one?

[hoggs222]

I just keep my backlight on and stock up on batteries at Home Depot!

[TJB]

Also I know several p[laces sell them. Any recommendations on a place to buy at a good price?

Or better yet can you email mail me as to what you paid for your unit and include unit you bought the PLUS or NOT.

Thanks guys!

[email protected]

[Northlander]

I can get my H2Oc to go continuos light but I run mine on the 4 minute setting. I agree its very dark without the backlight on. I use the cheapest batteries I can or rechargables. Seems like everything I have on the ice needs recharging when I get back.

[Hookmaster]

I have had the Garmin Map76 for about 5 years and use the Lakemaster CDs. That works well but it is nice to be fishing and see the contour lines as well as having the depth maps on the unit if you decide to go to a spot you didn't prefish on the CDs. The main thing with the Lowrance is it can take up to a 1 gigabyte (1000 megabytes) SD/MMC cards while the Map76 can take only 8 megabytes downloaded from a computer. I bought the H2OC Plus and the Lakemaster chip (the $99 one) for $390. This was the Fishing Minnesota Christmas special. I just called last week and it arrived Wednesday. Wade may still give you the special if you ask for it. It is the best deal out there especially if you want the plus package. The plus package (Mapcreate) gives you much better detailed road maps, topographical data and points of interest for the entire US plus it is a quick way to update the system software if needed. The Lakemaster $99 chip has about 260 lakes with depth contours (58 of them mapped by Lakemaster) and the Mapcreate information for Minnesota only. I hope this helps.

[FZ]

I ordered a H20c online this week for $214 (plus $10 shipping, no tax). UPS tracking said it will arrive on Monday. This is without PLUS package and MMC chip. I had them both with my Lowrance X-17 in my boat.

[TJB]

UPDATE...

I ordered the Lowrance iFinder Hunt C plus today as well as the Lakemaster MN chip. I will give you a review in a few days.

On a side note I see that there is an update available as of 1/9 for this unit. Anyone have any ideas what this means and how you do the update?

Thanks to ALL of you for your help.

Oh yeah,

Thank you to Wade at Jolly Ann! Best deal around.

[olbaidhh]

Check out the Garmin GPSMAP 76CS X

It has the chip plug and play just like the Lowrance... I should have waited a year!

I think the Garmin without the chip is not as good but with the chip option now overall I think its a better unit. More features etc. unless your into MP3's

[JWB475]

I'll take the Lowrance over the 76CSx anyday. The 76CSx costs $550. I can get the Lowrance unit, the Lakemaster chip and a 5 year supply of batteries for $550...

[randallt]

I just ordered the Ifinder Expedition C for $239. It is basically the Hunt C with the larger H20 screen. The only thing the Hunt has that the Expedition doesn't is the additional 17 Hunting icons. The expedition has the barometric altimator; electronic compass; scout mode; microphone for recording messages with waypoints and is able to play mp3 files. I also plan to use the lakemaster chip. The only downside is I won't get it for 2 weeks, as Lowrance is releasing them for a February introduction.

[TJB]

GOOD points, one thing you did miss the EXP only has 1000 waypoints.(MORE THAN PLENTY)

BETTER RESOLUTION!

I called and am on the list for the EXPPEDITION C PLUS.

[randallt]

TJB, yes I forgot that the Expedition only has 1000 waypoints vs 2000 for the Hunt. No way I would ever use more than a couple hundred, but for some it may be needed.

BTW: Where did you order your unit?

[TJB]

I think I will send it back but I did order it from Jolly Ann Marine. Wade has been AWESOME to work with and the price was GOOD.

I really like the Expedition. Wade said he does not think it will be out until mid Feb.