GPS help

[Bryman02]

Im looking to buy a GPS soon. Whats a good name to buy? Im looking to spend around $200. I dont need that PC and color screen dump. Is it Lowrance you can put chips into?

[Northlander]

Lots of guys have the Lowrance H2O and H2Oc and are pleased with them. I have the H2Oc and have been very happy with it. They will both take Navionics or Lakemaster chips.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

I would second the H2Oc highly versitile and the operating process is an easy transfer to a Lowrance Locator later on.

[WildBill33]

I was wondering if u guys think its worth the extra money for the color or not thanks for any input..

WildBill

[Bobb-o]

i have the black and white and dont see any reason for needing the color, i have also heard that the color is pretty hard on batteries and is hard to see in bright sunlight (a lot of fishing scenarios)

[MinnesotaMuskie]

You are correct...the color eats up batteries. 2 batteries lasted me 4 days deer hunting. In always use external power in the boat and vehicle.

[SSSTaxidermy]

I too would suggest the H2O black & white. The color version really isn't worth the extra money. Chews up batteries and much harder to see when your sun light is very bright.

[Hookmaster]

Ditto on the H20 black and white. The color is hard to see in bright sunlight. Depending on what lakes you fish, you could get the old LakeMaster chip and the H2O and stay close to $200.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have the I-Finder Pro.. black/white... its pretty much the exact same unit as the H2O but the H2O is water proof... and the I-finder pro is water resistant...

[doser]

Just recieved my H2O C in the mail yesterday and started monkeying with it last night. So far I love it. Had it in my truck this morning on the way to work and didn't have any problems with the reading the screen, but I wasn't exactly in direct sunlight either. Paid $211.95 for it after doing a google search on line. That was with free shipping. Ordered on Fri. afternoon and recieved Mon.

[Hotspotter]

I'm with doser in that the color version of the unit is completely worth it if you can find a deal on it. I got mine from the Cabelas Bargain Cave. Make sure to haggle with them and get an additional $20 or so off of the already low price. Inspect the unit thoroughly!

Joel

[schweady]

I like my color unit. Call me crazy, I like my color TV, too. Personal preference. Higher cost. To me, it's worth it.

[Fish&Fowl]

H20c is a great unit. Navionics hotspots premimum chip also the best I've found. The black and whites are nice but I don't think they compare at all to the color.

[CrappieAttitude]

I have the H20c as well and am glad I have the color screen. What I really like is the fact that I can save my trails in different colors and see what part of the lakes i have covered in different fishing outings. They are a little tough on batteries, but between my vehicle and boat, I typically only use the external power. There is just something about looking at a color screen. One of the reasons why I purchased the color version is that I didn't want to find myself one month down the road wishing I had the color unit. These aren't those low buck items that one upgrades every year. There's my two cents.

[schweady]

Quote:

---

What I really like is the fact that I can save my trails in different colors and see what part of the lakes i have covered in different fishing outings.

---

Exactly. Last August, I brought it on our canoe trip in the BDub. We went out on 6 different fishing excursions from our base camp. Having them each in a different color and naming them by day and time really helped isolate all those overlapping trails. -- Now, just need to get in the habit of beginning a new trail each time...

[Bobb-o]

definitely make sure you look around to try and find some deals i got my H2O for $129 with free shipping and i found the lakemaster chip at the cabelas bargain cave for $40

[John Henderson]

I have to agree with the H2OC! I have had mine since spring and love it. Combined with the lake master chip its a great unit with great detail. I wont go fishing without it hard or open water! To me it's like going fishing without a flasher! Find a flat, rock pile, or some other structure and then you can move around searching for breaks, etc. Mark your spot and it's very easy to get back to where you are or were catching fish. Awesome tool!!!

[CrappieAttitude]

Bobb-o was that a h20 or h20c? That was one heck of a bargain.

[doser]

You guys are already mentioning things I didn't know it could do. I haven't been able to read the whole manual yet though. Also I found some black and white units on-line for around $120 too. Make sure to do a search. google or Froogle. BTW what are the new chips selling for ? I heard $ 99 and that's what I read on Lakemasters site. I also talked to a guy that works at a Gander Mt. a couple weeks ago and he heard that they would probably cost $150 . I'm just curious what they are going for at retail stores.

[Bobb-o]

crappie, it was the black and white version

[schweady]

Quote:

---

I also talked to a guy that works at a Gander Mt. a couple weeks ago and he heard that they would probably cost $150 . I'm just curious what they are going for at retail stores.

---

doser - The Navionics chip is $150, but then has a $50 mail-in rebate. (I'm still waiting...) The LM chip is $99. A lot of those guys at the stores are far less informed than your average FMer. I was at Gander in Fargo last Sat. and the youngster at the electronics counter said he went with the Navionics cuz it had more lakes. I agreed, and then mentioned the roads and points of interest on the LakeMaster. He had no idea that such a thing existed, so we popped one into the H2O in the display case, but the batteries were dead. Hope he gets around to seeing that so he can show it to his customers.

[CrappieAttitude]

Doser... When I purchased my H20c from reeds, I asked the guy how much of the manuel I should read. His response was this. You will learn more about the unit by punching buttons and seeing what each one of them does, than sitting down and reading the "bible". I have looked through the manuel numerous times, but I think the more you putz with it the more you will truely understand how everything works.

[John Henderson]

Lakemaster chips retail for $99.00 at Gander Mountain.

[Reynolds]

I would highly reccommend reading the manual. If you have never used a gps before it is crucial. I still have to refer to the manual from time to time.

[Fish&Fowl]

If you get a chance, and have time, try getting in on a basic introduction GPS class. I had to take one for school using the old school garmins, and once I got my H20 it was basically the same unit but with a lot more capabilities. You get so much more comfortable and confident with "pushing those buttons." To me it was well worth the time, I haven't needed the manual for very much help.