Gps

[northernsportman]

How are the new 09 lakemaster chips with the Lowrance H2O? I am thinking about buying one but i wont if it is too slow. What would you guys reccommend?

[Eckie]

I wasn't aware that the 09 version has been released yet...

[PerchJerker]

There is an '09 Nav card but not an '09 LakeMaster card yet, the '09 LakeMaster card should be coming sooner or later but there is no date for it yet.

The LakeMaster card is faster than the Nav card.

[northernsportman]

oh dang. what should i get far as a GPS then.

[Ed Carlson]

I would recommend you check out the new Oregon series by Garmin, and the Garmin Rhino 530 HCX series that also offers GMRS and FMS radio with NOAH Weather Radio. I run the 530 HCX's, and find them indispensable tools in the field and on the water/ice.

The Oregon 400i has preloaded maps, but if you wish to run the LakeMaster software then consider buying the Oregon 200 or 300 versions without the Garmin preloaded maps to save some $$$ and then apply that to the LakeMaster mapping of your choice.

Both Garmin units I mentioned will run LakeMaster and also use MMC Cards or upload LakeMaster/Garmin Vision mapping from the LakeMaster DVD's.

The Oregon is fully touch screen, and loaded with features, very user friendly menus, highly accurate GPS, runs Garmin Vision data cards (3D underwater maps) very Sweet!

Now Garmin units and software also work seamlessly with Google Earth, and the upgraded Google Earth Pro. This allows you to build your own mapping and overlay it on Google Earth....that is amazingly easy to do and handy for areas that has no mapping.

[PerchJerker]

oh dang. what should i get far as a GPS then.

There's no reason not to go with the H2O if that's the unit you're interested in. It gives you the flexibility to use Nav or LM cards. Check out the lists of lakes to see if the lakes you want are on the latest versions of the cards --- if they are, there's no reason to wait.

[Ed Carlson]

Not many folks know this but......they do plan to replace the H2o C this season. There is an upgraded new version on the way.

[PerchJerker]

Not many folks know this but......they do plan to replace the H2o C this season. There is an upgraded new version on the way.

Ed's right, there are 3 new Lowrance Handheld models on the way this year, in the Endura series. They are due in May and you can check them out, including pricing, HERE.

Some of the iFinder units like the H2Oc and the Hunt models are being discontinued, other iFinder models like the H2O and the Expedition are staying in production.

[Jim Cramer]

I have owned several hand helds over the years but now have a XOG, this unit is not as handy as a hand held but I like it way better. I hardly ever bring the hand held unit along anymore.

[northernsportman]

Thats what i thought i heard, that lowrance is coming out with a new lineup. Which one would be most suited for fishing purposes? or are they all about the same? thats why i was holding off.

[coombia21]

i would wait for the new lowrance unit to come out it is the same internals at the h2o but in a smaller case faster lighter and a color screen along with the ability to have turn by turn navigation to help you get to your fishing hole

[PerchJerker]

The new units have some nice features, although I wouldn't say that any of those features make it better suited for fishing.

The new units use micro SD cards, so you won't be able to use any of the LakeMaster or Nav cards that are out there right now. Nav and LakeMaster are supposed to be coming out with microSD cards that will work in these new handhelds, and the microSD cards will have converters so they can also be used in any unit that takes the full size SD card right now, like the H2Oc or the LMS-520c or the LCX-27c, etc.

[elkrivermn]

I was looking for a hand held gps that I could use for fishing, hunting, hikeing, maybe use in the car also, which Lowrance unit would be the best? i thought about H2Oc or the Huntc or the Expedition c or would I be better off to wait for one of the newer units? Any feedback guys?

[Caleb S]

I have the XOG and for my uses I like it much better than the H20. The touch screen is the way to go.

[Caleb S]

elkrivermn,

I could be wrong but I don't think any of the models you described has voice command turn by turn directions. Take a look at the XOG, it has the voice command and has been great for me so far. It does everything I have wanted it to and more. I think the XOG is one of the best bang for your buck models out there.

[elkrivermn]

Thanks for the info Caleb I will check it out!

[soldoncass]

Jim,

I'm NOT a techi, so these "gadgets" confuse me some...I hope I am not the only one.... Would you share what you like better about the xog? Why do you say it isn't as handy? size, portability, battery longevity?

The h2o's seem most popular, those who have them, tell us WHY you chose that one.

No need to cut another product down.....just tell us features you like about yours.... Thanks!

[Northlander]

remember the XOG is not waterproof so its not a good choice in the rain. Its great if covered up like in a car/truck but exposed in a boat or walking I would look at another option.

I really like my H20C for snowmobiling, ice fishing, shed hunting etc.

I have used the Xog in a vehicle and its great at that. Remember that the XOG battery life wont be very good at all if not plugged in.

[fishwater]

As long as you dim the monitor a bit you can get a long runtime with the internal battery in the XOG. I've used one over 4 hours without plugging in. It is true that with the unit running on the brightest setting does run it down pretty quick.

[Caleb S]

The XOG battery will last a long time if you adjust the settings. There is a setting that will allow you to adjust the screen to stay on at all times or to go off after a determined amount of time. If you do this the battery is fine. If I am fishing the unit is only on long enough to find my spot(s). Correct me if I am wrong but I think all GPS units will eat through the batteries quickly. With the H20 you can of course keep changing the batteries when a power source is not available. They do make very small and slim battery packs that hook to the XOG and run/recharge the unit. The cost of the battery pack is about the same price as AA rechargeable batteries and a charger.

[Ed Carlson]

I wish the NEW Lowrance units would have went to a rechargeable lithium ION battery pack system, and stayed away from AA's, The Garmins use high capacity ION packs and they last longer and recharge quickly, 16 hours on a single charge is very doable, recharge again in less than a half hour.

The switch over to the Micro SD cards is wise, all electronics will head that way eventually.

Odds are the peripherally supplied enhanced mapping chips will come out only in the MMC and SD converter combo style ships from now on. That way the end user will be able to use the SD or the MMC in his or her various card capable units.

Garmin has been this way for years already... the MMC converter chips are a very handy system and the Garmin GPS units are also there own card readers and programmers so that adds ease of use, less cables to tote, adds programmable conveniences like Goodle Earth compilation of GPS data you gather in the field and reduces user end costs.

[elkrivermn]

Well today I won a auction on *bay it i a Lowrance Ifinder Expedtion c color with a case. $ 150.00 free shipping, it seemed like a decent deal. The seller claims it was new and he had no time to try to figure out how to work it.

Do you have any suggestions as to which sd card I need to buy? I will be using it for Hunting, Fishing, Hikeing and maybe trying to find the 1/2" open end wrench that is in my back pocket that I tottaly forgot I left it there.

[PerchJerker]

The Nav card gives you lake info only, so if you want to use it for hunting, hiking, etc you are going to want the LakeMaster card.

[Iambjm]

Just a note, I recently purchased Navionics Hotmaps Explorer for my PC so that I could premap my trips easier. While comparing it to the Lakemaster chip in my H20C I noticed it was way off compared to the Lakemaster chip. I compared it to the map for Wabana Lake on the LM chip and it is completely missing a shallow rock covered hump that I know is there. Not sure about other lakes, but will closely compare the 2 different map sources before I plan any trips. While the H20C is a great little unit, I have difficulty reading it in the sunlight. Must be my tired old eyes.

[elkrivermn]

Thanks for the info PerchJerker and lambjm