Is all this GPS and mapping technology beyond the reach of the common, everyday angler?

[Mike Michalak]

[SUPERTROLLER]

Just a bump to get more votes.

[Tom B]

Interesting topic... my experience is that most use the "mark" and "goto" buttons without understanding what they have marked. I have an older, pre mapping gps and I use maps with GPS grids and calculate waypoints to get to some spots. I have also mapped edges of large structure and things like that, making it very easy to drive right to the "spot on the spot."

Tom B

[Tom (mich)]

Great question. I voted "yes" on behalf of the "average" angler as posed in the original question. The feedback you receive here on WC will be somewhat skewed in the "no" direction. I doubt that regular WC visitors represent a good cross-section of the average fisherman.

[1775prov]

For me I feel so strongly that if you told me I had to get rid of either my sonar or my mapping system I'd say bye bye to the sonar. I'm amazed evertime I use my mapping units, I do alot of my fishing at night and it really has put me on to alot more fish. I spend alot less time diving around in "dead" areas and alot more time in productive areas. My hats off the FHS! Fantastic product at a fair price, keep those Hotmaps coming, I need to keep my database growing!

[RJ]

I'm running a GlobalMap 2000 which works adequately for my fishing and mapping needs here in Montana. However, that being said, I look at the new technology available and I feel like I'm in the dark ages with a piece of high dollar equipment that is only a couple of years old!! I would love to check into some of the new equipment but due to whatever reason there is very little to none of the new mapping equipment that focuses on our area's out here in the west. It seems all the latest and greatest of the chartting/mapping software is only beneficial to the residents of the Midwest and farther east. I understand that population density and popularity of those waters have to play a key role in these companies decisions as to which water systems to spend their time and research on but at the same time, if I could update my equipment and use some of this newer software, I would be digging in my pocket. I will admit that the last time I went online and looked to see what what was available for maps in my area was about 6-8 months ago, so if things have changed since then I stand corrected. I will do a search today and check FHS and Navionics and see if they have developed any maps for our areas.

[FreeByrd]

Mike,
As some others have stated, in general the people on WC are probably not exactly the "average" angler - or they wouldn't be on here. I fish Erie and Lake Ontario and occasionally Lake Michigan. Most everyone I know that would fall into the category of an "average" angler at least has a GPS on these waters. Until about last year, it wasn't too common for folks to have mapping units. They are becoming more and more common. In my opinion to target the "average" angler with your product, and ANY mapping detail technology - it needs to be EASY TO USE. By easy to use I mean, buy a cartridge, insert it in the unit and forget about it. Turn the unit on and go fishing. There are plenty of people on Walleye Central and hard core fishermen that will go through interfacing their GPS to a PC and downloading info. I can't see the "average" angler doing this. I understand and appreciate the benefits of having the PC interface capability, but don't want the hassle myself. Preprogrammed chips is the way to go in my opinion to target the greatest number of customers for your product.
Steve Carlson
steve199132@yahoo.com

[Mike]

Back up top