gps mapping, Magellen 6500 vs. Lowrance Global Map 2000

[Tim]

I am looking at buying either of the two. Was wondering if I could get some input as to how these two units would compare. I am under the impression that the Magellan will show bottom contour in more detail than the global map 2000.

[Mike]

The Lowrance unit will offer Fishing Hot Spots freshwater contour and structure data available on screen! Navionics, who provides the data cartridges to Lowrance, is putting a product to market later this summer. It might be worth it when you can plot those GPS waypoints over the structure on the map!!
While the Global Map is weaker in the power department, they make it up in display resolution (200x320). It's a bit pricy, but worth every penny when it puts you on fish...

[Schmitty]

I have ran the 6500 with the C-Map cartriges for three years now from
Lake Erie to Greenbay.
There is not a finner unit on the market for detail and accuracy.
It's simply amazing.
Hope this helps.
Schmitty

[SeaCat]

Which system is going to be best I think really depends on the waters you plan to fish and if you only plan to use it for marine navigation.

I have a Magellan 6000 (hand held version of the 6500) and have 2 NT chips - a Southern Lk Mich and an Eastern Lk Erie. Another $200 is probably going to go into one for Saginaw Bay by next year! Detail for most areas is just plain amazing! Right down to docks along the river. Since this is where I fish most of the time, works great.

Now then, if I want a cartridge that would cover an inland lake such as Houghton Lk in Michigan.... I'm pretty much out of luck with CMap-NT. The Lowrance system looks like it covers more small bodies of water -- maybe not the detail of the CMap-NT??? I don't know since my system does not use them. Navionics makes both so???

I have also heard that Navionics is planning to release more NT cartridges. I know the Global Map can do roads too, so I'm hoping they will expand the NT system to do this as well -- anyone from Navionics listening???

Ryan

[Mike]

SeaCat...
Mike here from Fishing Hot Spots. We have an agreement signed with Navionics and will provide our digital data for inland fresh water to them in total. That will give you guys over 500 lakes across the country. While the actual product is out of our hands, we're expecting cartridges and/or downloads to be ready later this summer. We should have a prototype at the ICAST show in Chicago in July.
I know Lowrance should be offering it in the LMS-160 and their Global Map units, and they're coming up with some new stuff. I'm not sure what that's going to entail though.
The data will give you contours and structure on the screen with the live GPS over the top. It's pretty powerful stuff. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly. I'll be seeing it for the first time this morning, as Navionics sent out a review copy of the cartridge. We'll keep you guys posted...

[Lund_Dude]

Mike,

Do I correctly understand that this enhanced data will work with existing units? I am currently running a Lowrance GM100 (Handheld mapping unit) and it has 2Meg of EEPROM memory. I have always thought that your maps would fit into this storage. THis is a GREAT idea if it works with our existing gear. Good job guys!