GPS unit

[magic_minnow]

Howdy fisherman & woman:

I now know that it will be beneficial to have a GPS unit....marking them honey holes, looking at structure, etc. But I have no prior knowledge of GPS units. Can anyone recommend a unit? What should I look for? How do I access lake maps on a GPS unit?? Im perplexed. Looking the best for the cheapest. haha. Thanks all!

[Glockwinger]

I had limited GPS experience and bought a color Lowrance H20 with a Lakemaster chip for under $300. Very easy to use and navigate through menus. You can save a few bucks and go Black and White, but I love my color version!

[jwhjr]

I did the same as Glockwinger and haven't been disappointed. Good luck!

[Flaco651]

Lowrance H20c.

[Orlip]

If you keep your eyes and ears open there is usually someone giving a class on how to operate these gizmos. I would definitely do that if you are new to Gps's.

[BobT]

If money is not an option my recommendation is the Garmin GPSMap76CSx. This unit has plenty of memory, SD card slot to expand memory, electronic compass, color screen, plus many more features. If I could afford it this is my unit of choice.

You can complement this with the MN Lakemaster software and my personal choice would be the PC version rather than the memory card. This adds the ability to see the maps on you PC for more detailed analysis and download what portions you want to your handheld GPS.

There is a whole line of Garmin handheld GPS units available at a wide range of prices. The Map76 is their top of the line so it is the pricy one.

If price is a concern they have the eTrex series.

Bob

[CrappieAttitude]

For someone fairly new to GPS units, the H20 (monochrome or color) would be a good choice paired up with the lake master chip. I have an H20C and absolutely love it. I was pretty unfamiliar with electronic gadgets, but I found this particular unit very user friendly.

I'm sure that there are many other models which can do more, but i don't need anything more than what the H20 offers. One thing, make sure you keep the owners manuel near your favorite chair, and in a few sittings you should be able to move around pretty easy.

Good luck,

CA

[magic_minnow]

Thanks for the feedback! I've been looking online at the H20 for the whole morning now haha. Any1 know where I can find information of those GPS classe? Thanks again everyone!

[WingNut]

H20c is the way to go.Bought one last year about this time and liked it so much my father in-law had me pick one up for him two weeks ago at Gander in St.Cloud. $249.99 plus $99 for Lakemaster chip.

[PerchJerker]

Overall Garmin is probably a better product than Lowrance, but Lowrance is definately leading the way for fisherman (and hunters) and definately focuses on that portion of the market. Garmin has much more focus on aviation and general travel. While I wouldn't recommend against Garmin (now that their contour mapping capabilities have caught up), if I was looking for a GPS for hunting or fishing I would go with Lowrance.

Same goes for depthfinders / graphs, Garmin just doesn't put much emphasis in that market segment.

[DinkADunk]

I have a Lowrance Global Map 3300 on my boat and use a Navionics chip. Since I have that it only made sense to pickup a Lowrance H2O when it was time to pick up a handheld unit. I can transfer way points from the unit on my boat to the handheld and both units can share the Navionics (or Lakemaster) chip. Since I do a fair bit of fly fishing I also wanted a unit that I can download maps to so I picked up the MapCreate software which allows me to create maps (limited topo capability but good enough) that I can put on an SD card.

[CrappieAttitude]

Quote:

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Any1 know where I can find information of those GPS classe? Thanks again everyone!

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I know that in the past some Gander Mountain stores have offered classes. You may want to make a call to your local GM and see if they have anything lined up for this year. The Forest Lake gander had a couple offered last year.

CA

[Bigtime22]

No doubt the H20c from Lowrance, just purchased mine about a month ago. I did months of research of what would be best for me fishing wise, and this unit was the one. I couldnt find another unit that put more fishing power into my hand than the lowrance. If you are going to go this route, definitely have to get the lakemaster chip. otherwise the unit is simply a mapping unit to store your locations.