Lowrance GMap 160 ... help!!!

[Wallie]

Bought a Lowrance Global Map 160. It looks like a great unit (my first gps) but I thought I was going to be able to load in or be able to get maps that would let me see bottom conoturs.

That doesn';t look like the case. Man, I am afraid I spent a lot of money and am not going to be able to use it like a hydrographic map. Did I make a big mistake or can I add these maps??????

[Tyler Campbell]

Navionics sells supplement maps through their site, which you can find on the Lowrance site. The Hydrographic features will only be available on big bodies of water, like Erie.

I wouldn't be disappointed if you can't use it just that way. A GPS, with it's recently improved accuracy, is an excellent tool for locating spots. A good hydrographic map has so much content that it would be hard to get that on a screen like the 120's anyhow without being cluttered. You will find that the GPS, with map in hand, is an efficient way to locate spots and return to them time after time.

You will really enjoy it, and besides, there's nothing like sitting at the table in the morning with coffee in hand planning a strategy with your hydro map. That would be kind of hard with your graph! You can't draw on your GPS either!

Good fishin'

[Chris G]

Wallie,
The contour line part of the mapping GPS' units is really just getting started. Navionics has software out now that will give you countour lines and additional details. There goal is to have software for all lakes much like a Fishing Hot Spots Map. What is out now is good but it is definetly goint to get better soon.
And no, you didn't waste your money on the 160. I have used one for 2 years and its a great unit. The contour lines will just be a bonus.
Take Care,
Chris Gasser