GPS Help!!!

[kvol]

It's time I catch up with the rest of the world in fishing technology. I have never used a GPS but would like to try one. What should I use for starters. Don't want to spend alot of money - I may not be able to use the thing. Would like to start cheap and move on to more advanced units later on. I would like to use it for things other than fishing (hunting/vacation trips etc). What advantages are there to handheld vs mounted units.

I need some suggestions/ideas/help.

Thanks in advance.

[Eyecrosser]

Check out the Magellian 315 hand held model. It's very user friendly and economical at around $140.00. It does not have mapping capibilities, but it will get you where you need to be. The only draw back I've noticed is that it really burns through batteries.

[Wallygetter]

My suggestion would be to try a hand held first, you mentioned that you would like to use it for traveling, hunting, etc.There are many different ones out there to choose from, but a Lowrance Global Map 100 is one neat unit, it has a Map Create disc you can download on your computor that shows Interstate Highways, City Streets, Rural Roads, Railways, Rivers, Lakes, Tributaries, Marine Navigation Aids, with over 60,000 Critical navigational Aids and 10,000 Wrecks and Obstructions in Coastal and Great Lakes Waters, and many more features. The disc costs addtional money, but if you purchase a Lowrance I have several different disc that you can use to download from, I'll just mail them to you and you can use them. It is also a very easy GPS to learn how to operate. I'm sure there are many more out there to choose from but I have had excellent service from all my Lowrance units, and no I'm not sponsored by Lowrance, but when I feel good about a product and am happy with the performance I pass it on.

[EyeJacker]

The Garmin eTrex Vista is a sweet handheld which can also be mounted in a boat or vehicle. Although it is a bit pricey, it has all the bells and whistles including a compass, alitmeter and WAAS (enabled) to name a few features. The handheld GPS is, of course, portable which is an all important factor in hunting and hiking activities!

[ryan the poor college kid]

if ou are going to buy one, GET A PORTABLE UNIT! i just did a report on GPS for my class and learned a lot. also, make sure you get a gps with the WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) it is new and not all gps' have them. it can increase your accuracy to around ten feet.
e-mail me if you have anymore questions. i have a bunch of information that would be great for a first time buyer.

[Thom]

Oh, how about this, go to E-Bay and pick up a used Garmin 12 for somewhere between $80 and $100 and give it a try. Its not only one of the easiest ones ever made to use but as luck would have it the thing has the same accuracy and every feature of models costing hundreds more. I would just gess and say that if you pick one up you won't be in any hurry to "move up" to a more expensive one. The 12 will do anything that any of the others will do, and for the most part will do it better than most of the others.

Thom

[4EYESONLY]

No doubt you will wonder why you didn't own one of these units before once you use one. I myself have the Lowrance 350 A on my boat and the garmin e-trex also. I would strongly suggest going with a hand held unit like the rest of the posts suggest because of its versatility. The mapping capablilities is almost more than one needs but once you learn how to use it you'll absolutely be amazed. It is a complete must to have one of these for fishing large bodies of water like Lake of the Woods , Mille Lacs , and any of the Great Lakes. I fish alot on Devils Lake in North Dakota and it would be impossible to find the sunken rock piles or gravel beds that produce lots of eyes. I just punch in the coordinates or pull them up on the saved menu and away I go........ the only way to go. The only advantage of the boat mounted 350-A is the larger plotting screen. Hope this helps some..........good luck!

[Suzuki]

I'll just add my 2 cents on top of the other good advice. I am a recent first time buyer as well. I bought the Garmin Map76 and like it.
Research the subject just like your doing. Another good place to research is http://joe.mehaffey.com/
Decide how much you want to spend then add about $100 and you will be in the ballpark. If you buy a lesser unit it's possible you will wish you spent more after the learning curve. Good Luck.