Need to upgrade my GPS

[Ride_Red]

I currently have a garmin gpsmap 76, the original no problems with it, but would like to upgrade to one with a color screen more memory, and internal compass. Garmin makes the same model now with all the features that I am looking for, I just don't know anything about any other brands out there. What do you think would be a good model for ice, water, and on the atv. I have a garmin NUVI in the truck and it is great.

[63ihharvester4x4]

as for driving down the road the garmin would probably be better, i have a lowrance h20C i use it on the lake with the lakemasters and it works good for me, im just throwing a suggestion out there, not trying to bash on any other makes, im sure somebody will jump in that has a quite a bit more knowledge then me on this topic

[L_Cappo]

the lowrance h2oc is a great unit.i use it for everything.it is very easy to use with just a click of the thumb.

[BobT]

I'd stick with the GPSMap76CSx. They're all good units but with Lowrance you get them geared toward a particular passion like the H2O for on the water and the Hunt for land. Can be used either way but they are designed toward those purposes. Garmin is more general.

I believe Garmin has a better all-around product when it comes to global positioning as well. From the discussing threads I've read it seems Garmin's accuracy is better and it would appear there are more threads discussing problems with Lowrance products. Of course, it also appears there are more lowrance users on this site too so that may explain why.

Just my opinion.

Bob

[croixflats]

BobT I was going to say that.

Ya, I would stick to the 76CSx I got the 76Cx and I love it kinda wish I would have gotten the 76CSx and got the barometer and e compass. The e compass is realy nice but I think it drains the battery a little faster when on, if I remember that was the reason I went with the 76Cx

Honestly the issues lowrance has been having kept me from them. I even went with Garmin fish finder for the boat.

Never heard anything bad about Garmin but as Bob mentioned there are more lowrence units out there and on the most part people are happy with them. Though I think Lowrance is more of a fad and people not willing to try something differant that may be better. Its like do you fish the shanty towns or do you hit a spot no one else is fishing.

Check out Profishingsupply.com He has both Garmin and Lowrance products with some good descriptions of differant models.

[Northland Sportsman]

I got a garmin colorado a couple of weeks ago and it seems to be a really solid unit so far, although I have only used it a few times. It is very easy to use and I like the display. The base map does not have a lot of detail but a chip will fix that and I plan to get one soon, actually have one ordered that should be here any day. I updated from a garmin etrex legend, which was a great unit but limited in its capabilities without ability to take a chip. you can get some great deals on these right now if you look around, I got mine cheaper then an h20 and I think it is an upgrade.

[PolarBond]

I would go slow. I think the Garmin (76cx) you mentioned is getting rather long in the tooth. The display is dim and small, and the pushbutton control is difficult.

I feel the same way about the H2O line. I have had both devices, and they worked OK, but have since sold both and am currently using a XOG. It is not great leap forward, but I think the display is somewhat better (on the ice, anyway), and is easier to use. It scrolls and zooms nicely.

The Colorado was mentioned, I think that hints at the next generation of devices. These will have larger, brighter screens with touch screen control. I assume Lowrance and others are readying similar devices.

So, I wouldn't recommend an "upgrade" to any of the Garmin 76 devices. I would watch the GPS market for one of the newer styles. This might mean sticking with what you have for now.

[croixflats]

Garmin has a touch screen called the oregon great unit but you pay for it. The colorado is basicly the same as the 76 models just differant controls, same screen and great visabillity and prety much the same features. You also pay for it.

The 76 witch is the one he was talking of upgrading is a world apart from the 76Cx and 76CSx. The Cx and the CSx have the surfii chipset for much better, the best, reception and it has a brilliant color display. Also has more features.

Up grading the 76 is worth it.

[Rope]

You need to get ahold of Dave Weber at Pro Fishing Supply.He can answer all of your questions and shoot you a heck of a deal on a new unit.Great to deal with.

[DonBo]

Here's a really good response from this same question just a few days ago.

This is a quite long response but will be helpfull. Read when you have a minute to spare.

Here's a tip. Instead of getting the Lowrance Ifinder H2O get the Lowrance Ifinder Expedition C. I know, all "the best" fishermen have the H20 and claim's thats "The Best". Here's the scoop. If you hunt, fish and otherwise spend alot of time outdoors I suggest the Epedition C. Functionally, they are essentially the same unit other than the fact that the H2O is a cute light blue color and the Expedition, in my opinion, is a much more appealing plain black. You may also consider the same unit in camo called the Ifinder Hunt. But I wont talk about that here. It's much like the H2O hut tailored more for hunting.

What the Expedition C has that the H20 doesn't is a digital magnetic compass. This means that the unit will tell you which direction your pointing regardless of the unit detecting movement or having sattelite reception. I use it ALOT. It works just like a pocket compass that you probably carry when your in the field. What the H2O includes that the Expedition C does not have is more of a variety of fishing related selectable icons used for marking waypoints. Where as the Expedition C has a larger variety of land(hunting, hiking, climbing) related icons. Both have many of the same icons though. Enough for what you'll ever need. The H2O may have the capability to save slightly more waypoints as well but dont worry about it. It's in the thousands!! Here's the best part. The Expedition C will cost you about 50 dollars less than the H20. Why?, because most people think the only "real" GPS is the H2O. You may not find it at the typical sporting stores (perhaps by order). I bought mine new and in the package from an [YouNeedAuthorization] store for about 240 dollars. You'll find them there if you do an [YouNeedAuthorization] search. I'm really happy with it. The only improvement I suggest Lowrance make for all of the Ifinder series is a rechargable battery pack for it. It will eat through a couple lithium batteries after a reasonable amount of time especially when the backlight is on (which needs to be on most of the time to see the color screen). When in the vehicle/ boat you may plug it into a cigarette lighter socket to save your batteries.

As with map software, for fishing I suggest Lakemaster of course. But don't rush out to buy the chip rite now. There's some considerations before making a final decision. One is that the 2009 version will be in stores soon. I know Gander Mntn in Eden Prairie is out of 2008 Lakemaster cards and should be getting 2009 chips soon. The Lakemaster software is good for great detail on most lakes and exceptional on a select few. Mille Lacs being one. Lakemaster also has many land surface features as well. Public Hunting lands, trails, parks ect. I don't believe topography is included. If you decide to get the Lakemaster software for your Ifinder (or other unit that accepts an SD card) you'll need to buy one that covers a particular state. I assume you'll be picking Minnesota but others are available. If you buy this software you will get 1 SD card. DO NOT try to make a copy of it as I understand that that will disable your card renderring all of the data lost. You can buy the Lakemaster software for about 100 dollars.

Ok, another option that I greatly suggest, if you want an "all terrain" application is to consider Lowrances "Map Create" software. The advantage here is that you gain an incredible amount of land navigation data and good water navigation data. If you hunt, you'll love the data this software provides. If you fish, you'll be pleased with it, at least until you pitch for a Lakemaster chip too. Having both covers you 360 degrees. The awsome thing about Map Create is that with the software pack you get, you have the ability to select geographic locations around the country to save to one of 5 permitted SD cards to use. Remember, with Lakemaster you get one and one only. Upon selecting the location that you want from your computer software, you'll chose the map layers you want. IE- lake depth charts, roads, parks, topographical detail ect. The lakes included with the Lake depth charts will be the exact same lakes included with Lakemaster but with less detail. Most Lakemaaster depth charts depicted depths are in increments of 2 feet. Map create lake data depths are in inrements of 5 feet, which can make a difference when finding a specific location on a lake.

So, to sum up my suggestion to you I first recommend doing your research on whats best for you. There are many different choices for one who is looking for GPS/GPS software products and remember that the 2009 Lakemaster package will be out soon if not now. It sounds like you fish and hunt like me, so go with the Lowrance Ifinder C. Forget the Ifinder H2O. That thing gets way too much hype for being 50 dollars more with no real advantage. I like to be in my bow stand and duck blind with my dark black Ifinder as opposed to a cute baby blue H2O anyways. It's like the difference between Walley and Sauger. Everyone talks about Walleys but I haven't met a fishermen that wouldn't want to hook into a trophy Sauger on any day. And they taste the same too! As with map software if you fish more get the Lakemaster chip. If you do the same amount of hunting as fishing take your pick between Lakemaster or Map Create. You may, in this case want both eventually, but start with Map create. If you do more hunting choose Map Create. If you hunt and fish around the region or country and not just Minnesota, chose Map Create. I should mention that many sportsmen in the twin cities hunt and fish in both MN and WI. Both Software packs are made specially for Lowrance units and cost the same price. Hope I can help!

~Jeff

If you'd like to know more let me know by posting a reply.

[deadeye]

That was a lot of good info!

I could't find a Expedidtion C that was cheaper than a H2oC though. Thats what I was originally looking at when I got my H2oc but it was 100$ more. I have a old Garmin Etrex Vista that had the compass on it and I personally never used it so I went with the H20c for 100$ less. It depends on what you want to do with it. I still like to have a Silva Ranger compass with me at all times because I dont completely trust any electronic device 100%.

I second the mapcreate software if you are a big hunter. It really pops with the color screen and makes navigating the woods easier. There is a lot of info on there that is amazing. I was suprised to find that most of the lakes that are on the lakemaster chip were on mapcreate too. They are not to the high level of detail that the the lakemaster has, but it gets the job done.

If all you do is fish then the Lakemaster chip is wonderful.

I use my H2oC with the mapcreate for hunting and with the lakemaster chip for fishing. I have been more than impressed with it for these purposes.

With either one you will be happy.

[Far-I]

magellian

[Hard617]

magellian

They have been bought out. I dont think you will see them around too much longer. When I talked to a store clerk, they told me to stay far away from magellan. "they are made real cheap, use a cheap plastic for the unit and break real easy"

[dan z]

That was a lot of good info!

I could't find a Expedidtion C that was cheaper than a H2oC though. Thats what I was originally looking at when I got my H2oc but it was 100$ more. I have a old Garmin Etrex Vista that had the compass on it and I personally never used it so I went with the H20c for 100$ less. It depends on what you want to do with it. I still like to have a Silva Ranger compass with me at all times because I dont completely trust any electronic device 100%.

the explorer comes to mind when he mentions the 240 package price that unit is the same as the expidetion but it is black and white not color. most GPS systems are on lock down( price protected unless they are not making that particular unit and such. the software or chips go on sale everyonce in awhile to help in overall cost. hope this helps on your choice...

[Jakesmude]

Let me know if you are selling your old one! I am looking for an older model garmin just to mark a few spots while out on the ice! Thanks Jake

[Ride_Red]

Jakesmude:

As for my old gps it one I will be keeping for my son, Thanks for all the input, I have been in contact with both garmin and lowrance, Garmin stated the colorado and oregon are very user-friendly units geared towards first time users, lacking some of the more advanced features of the 76 series, Are the map sets for one company better or worse? Or from what I understand from above they are the same maker lakemaster or am I wrong?

[deadeye]

MapCreate and Lakemaster are both from LEI which is owned by Lowrance if im correct. Mapcreate is a program for your computer where you choose the maps on your computer you want on a chip and download them to the chip. It has some lakes, a good topographic map and roads. I believe with Mapcreate you can make like 4-5 different chips, but its only for Lowrance units. Lakemaster is just the chip with highly detailed lakes, roads, and some data on recreational areas, but no topo.

I know that they made some Garmin units that accept chips and Lakemaster has one that works with them if your leaning towards Garmin. Garmin also has a program called MapSource that is similar to Mapcreate. I have the old version of mapsource for my garmin and its ok, but im sure the new version is much better. Either way they are good units.

The Navionics chips are a different company all together, I havent had much experience with them so I cant comment on it. I plan to get their chip this summer just to have the complete setup for my H2oC.

I must have looked at 50 different ones when my Garmin died and I bought my H2oC this fall. I guess I really was leaning towards Garmin at first but the display on the H2oC and the plethora of accessories is what sold me on it. They are both easy to use and do the job (it beats a map and compass). I would just get to a sporting goods store and play around with them. There is nothing like actually holding it and trying it out. I was going into the store to buy a Garmin and walked out with the Lowrance.

Sorry Im so long winded but I know how much these things cost and it nice to know as much as possible when buying one.

[IndyEFI500]

If you go Garmin, be ware of the Colorado. I am on my second one because they have issues with water. They may have fixed this since I got mine in July but it sure made me mad when it got splashed and then died. It is a beautiful screen though. When I got mine, many people told me to stay with the 76CSX. Wish I had listened. If you go Colorado, be sure to get a waterproof case right away.

[shnelson]

As in the other recent posts, I'll continue to recommend the garmin rino series. Especially since you already have a couple garmin units, the computer software will play nicely with all of you devices.

They are also waterproof for up to 30 minutes - i've had mine fully submerged a couple of times and she's still kicking just fine (be aware that they do not float well though!).

Some models are loaded with features, including barometer (this appears to be increasingly important based on recent posts i've seen!).

With my 530hcx, I have both Garmin TOPO 2008 and US Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot spots - giving full lake/land contours and lake structure descriptions.

[Ride_Red]

well thanks for all the info, after talking with garmin direct and many other gps users I went the gps map76csx. Ordered it tonight, I still need to order a map set, but am wondering when the new lake master is coming out???