GBUSA
04-27-2004, 04:59 PM
As I said in my last post I would post what I found in my research. I feel that I am done and ready to give it up.
First, as for as units: It is believed that Garmin is the leadert in the technology. I am not so sure, but with Garmin, Lowrance, and Huminbird you have to use their map software. In other words, you just can't use navionics, cmap and hotspots on any unit. So, that means that the unit manufactures just license one type of software or two and that iws it. I understand that juse MAYBE, Furino will accept all softwares.
Now for accuracy of detail that was my buying drive:
I had Navionics and hotspots send me a copy by email that I could observe. I got both for the same area of Erie (from ohio line to Erie, PA). The maps are and have nothing more than the NOAH maps that were printed many nmany years ago. You will find various depths that are in numbers all over the map but have no contours. The shore is where there is the most contours (up to 23').
Final conclusion is: The GPS manufactures run the situation if there is any tech problems, not the software companies. The GPS is only accurate from +/- 10-15 ft. Get WAAS with your unit if you get one(it is like an extra signal with GPS satelites to make sure that you get a signal in all conditions). If you hav any type of top on your boat you have to et an external antenna.
The maps need much more detail for my interest and investment of up to $1K. I see no good reason for my Central Erie fishing to get a GPS when the detail is not there. I do see where a Western Basin user will have more use due to the detail being more intense with more structure. I believe I will wait until they improve the detail (need to re-map) and use my Loran until 2008 when the signal is going to be illiminated.
My sugestion is what I have heard many captains say in the central basin. Improve the quality of the map contours and get the units accuracy less than +/- 10-15 ft (+/- 2-5 ft.) and you have a great tool worth adding.
Hope this helps.
GB&GBUSA,
First, as for as units: It is believed that Garmin is the leadert in the technology. I am not so sure, but with Garmin, Lowrance, and Huminbird you have to use their map software. In other words, you just can't use navionics, cmap and hotspots on any unit. So, that means that the unit manufactures just license one type of software or two and that iws it. I understand that juse MAYBE, Furino will accept all softwares.
Now for accuracy of detail that was my buying drive:
I had Navionics and hotspots send me a copy by email that I could observe. I got both for the same area of Erie (from ohio line to Erie, PA). The maps are and have nothing more than the NOAH maps that were printed many nmany years ago. You will find various depths that are in numbers all over the map but have no contours. The shore is where there is the most contours (up to 23').
Final conclusion is: The GPS manufactures run the situation if there is any tech problems, not the software companies. The GPS is only accurate from +/- 10-15 ft. Get WAAS with your unit if you get one(it is like an extra signal with GPS satelites to make sure that you get a signal in all conditions). If you hav any type of top on your boat you have to et an external antenna.
The maps need much more detail for my interest and investment of up to $1K. I see no good reason for my Central Erie fishing to get a GPS when the detail is not there. I do see where a Western Basin user will have more use due to the detail being more intense with more structure. I believe I will wait until they improve the detail (need to re-map) and use my Loran until 2008 when the signal is going to be illiminated.
My sugestion is what I have heard many captains say in the central basin. Improve the quality of the map contours and get the units accuracy less than +/- 10-15 ft (+/- 2-5 ft.) and you have a great tool worth adding.
Hope this helps.
GB&GBUSA,