What % of persons that fish use a computer let alone a GPS?

[Mike's Reilly]

I realize all persons reading this are using a computer, but of the total persons that fish, how many do you think actually own a computer? Of those who own a computer, how many use GPS?
Mike Reilly
www.mikesmaps.com

[EyeJacker]

I for one. Purchased a Garmin eTrex Vista last year...what a sweet little device. I also have GPS on my Bottomline Champion HR.
Wouldn't leave home without it, especially on big water.

[Backwater Eddy]

My guess is many sportspersons who had more basic GPS units are now upgrading to GPS's systems that do inter-phase with a home PC.

In my experience most sportsman and sportswoman who are into GPS navigation are also computer savvy or working on it pretty darn hard, myself included.

GPS inter-phase software is a hot ticket this season and will grow fast in the next few years is my prediction.

GPS is just too valuable of a tool to leave out of your skills inventory.

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

[Chad]

I would guess that only 30% have a GPS. And maybe 1/3 of those have one that interfaces with a computer.

I read a report which stated only 70% use a depthfinder. It may have been a few years old but not more then 2 yrs old.

We gotta remember that we are the fanatics. I eat, sleep, live for fishing. Most anglers may go 2-3 times per year, not 2-3 times per week.

[Backwater Eddy]

Yes, I am a member of the fanatical fringe element called fisherman.

:D

Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>

[Eyez]

Never thought of yourself as part of a fringe group I bet! :)

I don't use a gps in my boat. I'd like to get one, but I haven't been able to justify the cost, when there's other things I need that are more necessary. Of all the guys I know and fish with, only maybe 1/4 have a gps of any kind, and of those that have one, most of them have 2, one handheld and one on the dash of their boat.


Eyez

[livebait]

Mike, Its about time to put your maps onto a format that will download directly to gps, I have a great deal of people that want them for s.d. Including myself. If your really feeling generous work on the memory cards for the lowrance x15 first. I hope this is why your asking your question.

P.S. When are you going to get a map done on Sinai?

[bob oh]

I would bet the number of GPS users would be pretty high on big water. Everyone I fish with on Erie has GPS.

[Eyecrosser]

I don't know what I would do without my GPS's. I have a hand-held and one on my boat. I can't imagine how people navigated big water like Mille Lacs. Trying to find 7-mile flat without a GPS seems pretty difficult to me anyways. I guess modern technology has really spoiled this guy! I use a computer almost exclusivily at work(hope the boss isn't here).

[Mike]

Livebait
Are you saying persons using GPS would rather not have a hard copy of the map, for lakes or rivers they fish and are willing to use plain paper maps printed off their computer?

I would like to discuss this more, email me.

Thanks
Mike
www.mikesmaps.com

[livebait]

Not at all, ill always have a hard copy of your maps in my box, however, it would be awesome to have the ability, like alot of the other maps of lakes (the great lakes as an example) that you can have already downloaded onto a gps (get the lowrance products done first. hint hint) provided we purchase the disc that you would have to have made.

I hope you see what im saying if not ill try explaining again.

[Atomic Eye]

Please consider asking this as a poll question. You're not getting the feedback that I would have anticipated. Thanks.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!"