handheld gps

[mnwa]

I'm looking at purchasing a handheld gps and I'd like some advice on which brand/models are good. I don't want to spend over 350 dollars.

[rebs]

I have a garmin 48 which has the marine information on it
under 200.00 I believe

rebs

[tryton99]

I have a Lorwrance GlobalMap 100. Nice hand held,
has mapping software that is nice. Very little ram
for maps, slightly smaller display screen and hard
on batteries. Priced under $200. Still a very handy GPS.
no complaints other then what I listed above.

[Redpete]

I have a Garmin Legend and I love it!

I think they cost about $185 after rebate...

I have a PC application called GPSDB to store/manage waypoints on my PC...in addition to keeping them as a backup...I was able to load waypoint data from Reelbottom maps into the application and then upload it to the Legend...

I have a mount on my 4-wheeler and another mount in my boat...I don't know how I lived before I got the GPS...

[retire55]

MNWA:

If you did a search of walleyecentral on handheld GPS units, you'd find fairly general acceptance of Garmin as being the most user friendly and with good technical support via telephone or internet. That being said, others will stump for whatever brand they use.

How much money you need to spend will be determined exactly by what your requirements are for the GPS. Do you require a unit with mapping capabilities? If not, then screen resolution can be another dertermining factor, as can be number of waypoints and routes. Most units are now WAAS enabled. I would recommend a visit to the Garmin site: http://www.garmin.com/

Once there, under consumer, click on marine and then click on handheld GPS on the page that comes up. Scroll to the top of the page and click on product comparison. There you can compare the features of Garmin GPS products as well as their suggested retail price. Armed with the knowledge of what you want/need, you can compare products that meet your requiremnts. Make sure you actually view GPS units working so that you can realistically compare units with lower screen resolutions (pixel counts). Another good GPS site to visit is http://gpsinformation.net/

[ALAN]

I HAVE A GARMIN ETREX LEGEND AND LOVE IT RIGHT KNOW THEY HAVE A REBATE GOING ON TILL JUNE OR JULY ITS A MAPPING UNIT AND IT WILL ACCEPT D/L OFF OF YOU COMPUTER

[T-Mac]

I just got a Lowrance iFINDER. I already had MapCreate-6 for my X-15, so it was a logical choice for me. I was able to use my X-15 reader, and so forth.
I like it.
Using it is really similar to using the GPS mode on my X-15.
Price was right at about $150.00.(with no mapcreate).

[woodsdweller]

Good advice above. After you research, play with them in the stores to make sure you know what your getting will be sufficient. If you choose a mapping unit, check that there are maps available for the lakes you fish, and that the quality will be satisfactory for you. When you're ready to buy, compare prices on the internet. I checked many sites and found mall24-7.com to be the best. Garmin Map76 for $300 and Garmin Map76S for $362 are both excellent units (and prices).

Woodsdweller

[old fisherman]

I just paid $200.00 for a Garmin GPS 76. So far so good. I really like the screen size and feel I got a good unit for my purposes.

[lobo1]

you figure out how to put numbered waypoints into that thing yet ? I've been messing around with my dad's 76 and I can get from point A to point B and I can enter a current position. What I cant seem to do is enter a point when somebody gives long and lat numbers. Im missing something - you got any ideas ?

lobo1

[retire55]

lobo1:

The steps to accomplish what you want are fairly simple. Unfortunately, Garmin didn't include the steps in their manual. Steps to create a waypoint by text entry are:

Power up and go into simulator mode.
Select menu and then select points.
Select waypoints to get the waypoints by name page.
Hit enter and select a waypoint.
Hit enter again to get the page for that waypoint. You can now edit any area on that page.
Use the scroll to get to the location area and hit enter.
Cursor appears at first digit of previous waypoint data.
Enter the coordinates of your new waypoint and hit enter.
Edit the name area to identify your new waypoint.
Hit OK to save new waypoint and its data.

[lobo1]

RETIRE 55,

thanks. kind of goofy that they left it out of the manual.

lobo1

[Larry M]

Just bought a 76 and was wondering the same thing. Thanks for the info . Why do you go into simulator mode to start with?

[lobo1]

Larry M,

I dont have access to my unit but I think if you you follow all of the rest of the instructions except the simulator part you'll have it.

lobo1

[retire55]

Larry M:

Chances are you'll do most text entries of waypoints inside at a desk. Consequently, its not likely your GPS receiver will be able to pick up signals but it will try. Putting the unit into simulator mode turns the receiver off and helps preserve battery power. That being said, one could certainly edit waypoint information (e.g. do a text entry) outside with the receiver on.

[ackermannsacre]

I was wondering the same thing with a Magellan SporTrak, it doesn't seem to be in the manual either.

[larry IA]

Thanks...that makes sense.

[Ristorapper]

I have the same unit and like it. I did get the cigarette lighter adapter to take care of going through so many batteries. Generally $199 for basic unit and $299 for global map 100 plus which includes the mapcreate 4 software and the cable to connect to your computer.

Best price source is here:

http://www.mall24-7.com/lowrance.htm

there the global map 100 is $184.
and the global map 100 plus is $262.

bw.

[Smokey]

I have a Garmin ETrex. Wonderful little unit. Good battery life, easy to store way points. Nice backlight for night walleye fishing. We hit one walleye and lost it this past weekend. Stored point, went back and caught two 5.5# at the same location within about 45 minutes. Great to know where you are at night.

[Capt. Paul]

Buy anything Garmin, either 76 unit is great.

[Bob]

Buy anything Lowrance.

[JackSalmon]

I just bought, today, a Garmin Etrex Legend. I'll let you know how it turns out. JackSalmon.

[Riverrat55]

I also like my Lowrance Global Map 100. I put it in a universal R>A>M> mount in the boat off my right knee and can steal a glance or pop a waypoint on it. It is easy to see and has many features. As far as battery use, I would concur with the other post that it is a hog. I solved that problem with Nimh rechargeables. I bought 8 for a spare set. Don't get less than 1600mA and 1800mA's are much better. Two sets last about 12 hours. You can get 1200mA at Wal-Mart with a charger for about $25. They last about 4 hours a set of 4. Or, if you don't mind the chord just waiting to get hooked on something, use the cig. plug accessory.

[ALAN]

good choice on the etrex legend i got it but still trying to figure it out im new to it

"If it doesn't have teeth and a white spot on it's tail, I don't want it in my boat"