Which Gps??

[Dave]

I am just learning how to troll with leadline. I fish mainly one or two lakes in SD and I would like to troll over the same path. Which gps would work the best for the buck? I have been thinking about getting a Lowrance 3200.... All input would be appreciated!!
Thanks Dave in South Dakota

[pwrfshn]

Dave,

Garmin really has great units. My GPS162 really serves the purpose and more. At first I thought I might use the speed feature and some waypoints, but now I utilize all sorts of features with the unit. It is very user friendly and can get you going without too steep a learning curve.

Garmin (Craig) also monitors the board and helps out if someone really gets in a jam.

Good luck,

[ck85abc]

If you like the globalmap 3200 check out the eagle intellimap 320. Exact same thing for 350 dollars. Im going to get it but have no experiance with GPS like you.

[Dave in Mpls]

It depends what you want to run for custom maps, if anything. Garmin makes great units that are easy to use and their customer support is great as well. However, you cannot utilize the Navionics MMC chips in most of the units. You can utilize Garmins proprietary software such as hot maps and blue charts, but these must be loaded off a CD into the unit.

http://www.garmin.com/cartography/ontheWater/

The Lowrance units have the capability of running MMC chips, so no download is necessary - you simply insert the chip(s) into the unit. I went with a LMS-320 this year and will be running the Navionics LakeMap software when available.

http://www.navionics.com/HotMaps/Default.asp

http://www.lakemap.com/navionics/navionics.html

Regards

[pwrfshn]

I may be wrong about this, but I thought the higher end Garmins all took chips of some sort.

Heard good things about them also. Used a 188 last year on Erie and it was very easy.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap188s/

[Dave in Mpls]

Some of the Garmins (2010, 2006, 182, 176, & others) accept the Garmin BlueChart Data Cards. They don't accept any Navioncs MMCs that I am aware of. I was making a general statement in regard to South Dakota waters :)

[bob]

The BlueCharts are great, but I think only available for bigger waters. I use one on a chip for Lake Erie and really like it....

[pwrfshn]

Gotcha!

Thanks,

[redbeard]

I just bought a Lowrance global map 3200 and pre ordered the lapmaps mmc card w one foot contours of Mille Lacs and Leech. Spent about $600.00. But I am hoping it is worth it.