Locators with chips availability?

[LwnmwnMan2]

Are there any locators where you can put a Lakemaster or Navionics chip into?

I know I can get ones with GPS, but I'm wondering about a fixed mount locator where it would show different depths on the locator, a split screen perhaps, where I could be on a lake that I'm not familiar with, and it would show the sandbars, sunken islands, etc.?

Also, for what it's worth, and I know alot of guys aren't going to agree here, but I'm also partial to Humminbird, so if someone knows of a model there, it would be even more helpful, thanks.

[aanderud]

Every manufacturer(garmin, hummingbird, lowrance/eagle, bottom line, etc) has GPS/Locator combos, which will show a split screen with structure and a map on one side and current depth and fish location on the other side. I've seen combo units as low as $299, and as high as a couple thousand. It all depends on if you want color or black and white screen, how big of a screen do you want, how many pixels, what other features you want, etc. Check them out at any sporting goods store or HSOforum, or even the hummingbird HSOforum yourself. Look for "Combo" units, that seems to be the key word that indicates whether it is a standalong GPS, a locator only, or both, which is what you're looking for.

[hugonian1]

I have the Humminbird 787c which has the capability you are looking for. I really like this unit.

[PerchJerker]

Sounds like you're wanting to use a map chip, but not have a gps? The problem with that is the map chip won't show your current location (need a gps to do that), so you would never know where you are on the chip, or where you are in relation to the structure shown on the chip, etc.

[trollingguy]

Great point, PerchJerker!

[Sandmannd]

Agree with perchjerker on this one. Without a GPS the chip isn't going to work for ya.

[LwnmwnMan2]

No, that's what I was checking.

I want one with GPS / map capabilities.

In all honesty, I pretty much work 12-16 hour days now, and get a chance to search online and buy stuff when I see a sale, or send the wife after it.

What I couldn't really tell online, was, does a combo unit work like H20 / chip and flasher combo in the winter?

I've got a cheaper Lowrance unit on the steering console that I'd like to upgrade to a unit, where when we're cruising across a lake, it'll show me where there are points that are 2' deep, sandbars, etc., for those lakes that we're not completely familiar with.

I get so few days to actually get out fishing, that it seems like we always go back to the same places to fish, because we're familiar with them and the 6 and 3 year olds can catch fish.

However, if I could upgrade the one locator to something that would not only show me depths and structure, but also give me some sort of idea where hazards are in a lake, I would feel more comfortable exploring more lakes.

I live out by Deitz, and to be honest with you, we only fish about 4 different lakes out here.

I'd like to start covering more, but I also don't want to be running across a lake and all of a sudden run up on a sandbar and shoot my afternoon.

[Sandmannd]

I just got a Lowrance 522c. I'm very impressed with the unit. Got it on sale at Cabela's for $599 and I think Thorne Bros had them for $600. If you have the money I would go that route. Great to split the screen and see a map and the sonar at the same time. Keep in mind the map chips don't really show all hazards, but I've found they are accurate enough so you can find your way around. Most will show shallow spots coming up and such.

[Ed Carlson]

The Lowrance 520 is a good choice for walk through windshield style boats, the external GPS antenna provides a more reliable signal. (I recommend mounting the GPS receiver to the Bow of the boat away from dash and motor for best GPS reliability)

The Lowrance 522 internal GPS antenna has more freedom of movement and is a better fit for open boats with no windshields, fair signal reliability, not perfect.

Both have a good base map of lakes preloaded at the time of purchase. A chip of your choice would greatly enhance this units capabilities. Hotmaps MN, Navionics Lake of the Woods, the new Navionics 08 Premium North, are a few I would recommend for the region.

Both units are priced the same $649 with transducers and full package included. A word of caution, some retailers offer a cheaper package but they do not include transducers, and buying that separate will likely increase the total package price to over $649. These units are MAP priced so the only way the price could be dropped significantly is if the package has been altered.

OK...now for some really Good news...These units now have a mail in coupon that offers a free Navionics ship or Hotmaps chip. A $99 to $149 value depending on your ship of choice. You can get the coupon at the retailer in the fishing department. Mail in proof of purchase with coupon and they will send you the chip requested.

The chip coupon significantly reduces the package price and makes this a honest deal for the consumer.

I hope this is of help to you in making your decision on a new GPS/Sonar package.

[hitthebricks]

If your interested in a Humminbird checkout sideimageing at yahoogroups dot com, its a good forum with a lot of answers about their products. I have a 997csi and it allows me to cover a wider area ( up to 640' ) looking for stucture, fish, bait etc. When I find something interesting I just move the cursor and mark it, then the GPS will show me where it is. It also will use Nav. map chips. I sure like the Humminbirds but like my wife says, "Fishing is not just a sport, Its your addiction"

HTB

[eyebjim]

I just recently picked up a humminbird 797 c2 side imaging unit and I love it. Just yesterday I was out fishing walleye and the fish were tough to find. They were not in their typical locations on this lake I fish a lot. I trolled around with the side imagining on with the GPS/navionics view also. I was not seeing much anywhere on the vertical sonar ecept a fish here or there. Well after motoring around for a while I spotted a tightly schooled pod of fish about 75-100 feet out to the left so I moved the cursor to the spot marked it and then motored over the spot and there were many fish on the vertical sonar. We fished the spot and caught several walleye, catfish, crappie and pike. I am 100% sure we would not have found these fish without the side imaging. I was surprised to find all of these species together so whartever they were eating was in a small defined area. This was in a basin area without structure that rarely sees a boat.

[MetroWalleye]

I have a Lowrance LMS-480. It's a mono-chrome unit, but I got a really good deal on it. I suppose someday that I'll upgrade to a color unit, but my unit does the job quite well. The only recommendation I'll make is that whatever GPS/Sonar you purchase, you'll want to make sure it is compatible with the Navionics or Lakemaster chips...

[MuleShack]

I just recently picked up a humminbird 797 c2 side imaging unit and I love it. Just yesterday I was out fishing walleye and the fish were tough to find. They were not in their typical locations on this lake I fish a lot. I trolled around with the side imagining on with the GPS/navionics view also. I was not seeing much anywhere on the vertical sonar ecept a fish here or there. Well after motoring around for a while I spotted a tightly schooled pod of fish about 75-100 feet out to the left so I moved the cursor to the spot marked it and then motored over the spot and there were many fish on the vertical sonar. We fished the spot and caught several walleye, catfish, crappie and pike. I am 100% sure we would not have found these fish without the side imaging. I was surprised to find all of these species together so whartever they were eating was in a small defined area. This was in a basin area without structure that rarely sees a boat.

I just got to try my 797 out last weekend also and i was very impressed with it. It is easy to learn the screens adn switch views. Unlike jim, i wasn't lucky enought to spot any schools on the screen, but the potential is there. you can see the ripples on the bottom of the lake and see how it slopes down on a drop off etc. Has mapping/gps and regular locator. A little spendy, but it would give the kids something to watch on the screen