Pinpoints GPS

[DHD]

Just wanting to know if anybody has one and how is the mapping software ?

Thanks

[?]

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[BigBass]

I am also looking for info on the PinPoint GPS unit???

BB~

[TTT]

TTT

[Brian_MN]

Pinpoint GPS will start shipping around April 15th. MSRP is $399. If you want one, get your name on a list at your favorite retailer. Best bet in the MN area will be at Thorne Brothers.

I've had the opportunity to play with the GPS unit for about 6 days at the Pinpoint display in the Mpls Sport Show and while it's still immature from a functionality point of view (we can't download our own maps to it yet), I'm really pumped about the potential of it.

Right now, on the included media card, is a base maps system that includes 844 lakes covering the entire US. Most lakes with more than 10 miles or so of shoreline are already on the map. They've got the hardware platform in place now to start doing some really cool things.

It already does a few things that no other unit can do, or probably ever will be able to do, for that matter. Pinpoint's GPS and Sonar are integrated, which allows it to not only plot a trail of where you've been, but also drop down digital depth numbers along your plot trail. Imagine what this will do for your ability to run structure and then develop a mental picture of what's down there. You'll be able to zig zag around on a hump, for instance, and then go directly to the little points, inside turns, etc that are the spots on the spot. I think this will be a very powerful feature.

They've also elected to use Smartmedia cards for their removable data storage. Right now, you can use the Card Merge feature to transfer waypoints and plot trails between cards, and I have to believe that it's only a matter of time before we'll be able to load maps onto those cards. Smartmedia readers for PC's and laptops are already available and inexpensive, and I think Pinpoint made a great move in choosing a media type that can go between a computer and the unit itself.

The GPS option works on 7320, 7420, and 7520 graphs that have at least 4.0 code on them, and you simply plug in the cables, power up, watch an automatic software update happen, and you're in business.

Like I said, the product is brand new, and I'm optimistic about the possibilities that are opened up now that we have all the hard pieces in place. From here, it's just a matter of writing the code to generate and upload maps, waypoints, and who knows what else. I've been supporting Pinpoint for almost 5 years now, and though we've had some ups and downs, I think they've hit a home run with the GPS upgrade option.

[BigBass]

Brian,

What are the costs for the 7520 with GPS? What are you getting for the $399.00?

Thanks for shedding some light! When are you expecting your unit? WBL will be open soon!

BigBass~
Brian

[Brian_MN]

BigBass - At the Show, one retailer is selling the 7520 with speed and temp for $549. These are brand new 7520's with current software, not the older ones that Gander was blowing out for $399. The GPS option MSRP is another $399, not sure how much of a discount retailers will actually give you off that, but you should be able to get done for a bit over $900.

[BigBass]

Brian,

So the standard 3700 series motor will work?

Is this right?
So the new GPS unit will have mapping capability and this will actually show the location of the boat on the map and will also show me the contour lines that I am riding on. So using the depth track feature of the motor, I can better choose the right depth setting to maximize my trolling over the best depth for the most structure? The Smart Card is the only bad part I see (maybe). I have the X-15 with GPS on my dash and am looking for this PinPoint GPS for the bow. I would really like it if I only had to deal with one type of memory card! MMC... Now, do you know if my Hot Spots Maps/Novonics will be downloadable onto the Smart Card? or is it a different format!

Thanks Brian....

BigBass~
Brian

[luckyketch]

Brian you said that Ganders Mtns 7520's were old version. I have bought 3 since Nov. 2001 from them and they were all version 4. I just looked at a 7520 at both Bass Pro Shop in Auburn Hills and Franks in Linden to day and they were exactly the same as the ones I bought from Gander. If there is newer version they don't know about it either. If there is please post the new version number.

Thanks

Tony