handheld gps

[DADDY228]

looking to upgrade from my old etrex to a unit that will except lake map chips. i would like to stay with the handheld because i use it for more than just fishing. also need a unit that has alot more memory. could u give me some ideas there is just to many handhelds out there to chose from

[hondo]

I am a fan of the Lowrance H2Oc --- it works with LakeMaster or Navionics, which are probably the 2 best mapping options for MI. And the price on the H2Oc is lower than a lot of handhelds, so you really get a lot of performance for the money. If you're looking for a handheld GPS for fishing then I think it's the way to go.

Garmin has some great handheld units and great mapping options too, if you'd rather go with one of their units. And Lowrance has a new series of handheld GPS units but there aren't any "good' lake map options for them yet.

[yarcraft91]

I run Navionics HotMaps Premium North in a Lowrance H2Oc and Lakemaster Michigan in a Garmin nuvi 650 (of all things!).

The H2Oc has a bigger screen than the eTrex, for certain, but I wish the screen was easier to read in direct sunlight- it's not as bright as the fixed mount units when the backlight is on and darn near invisible when the backlight is off. Use a cigarette lighter power adapter in your boat and the backlight will stay on all the time. RAM makes a nice mount for it.

I don't recommend the Garmin nuvi for boating- not waterproof. But, any Garmin that accepts SD map chips should work with the Lakemaster chips and I prefer Garmin to Lowrance for overall GPS performance. GPSmap 76cx looks like a good choice, but probably more $ than the H2Oc.

[W.W.]

I'd vote for the handheld Lowrance H2O.

I use it in the boat then on snowmobile for ice fishing.

I don't use it to navigate that much (I prefer a paper map).

The smaller handheld size sceen doesn't bother me since I just use it to help me find the "spot-on-the-spot" when I can't see shore markers/etc to line up on.

Also use it some for hunting.

Good Luck on your purchase decision...

W.W. in Iowa

[DADDY228]

can i input cordanates into the H2O to get to a fishing hole???

[yarcraft91]

can i input cordanates into the H2O to get to a fishing hole???

Yes, absolutely! In fact, there are at least 3 different ways.

[DADDY228]

h2o may be my choice going to take a look at them. looks like they are going for $250 at gander mt

[yarcraft91]

If gander Mt is sold out, like their website says, try Jolly Ann Sales- a sponsor for this board:
http://www.jollyannsales.com/GPS/lowrance_ifinder_h2o_c.htm
or try TigerGPS.
http://www.tigergps.com/lowranceifinderh2oc.html

[PRD1]

Cabelas has the H20C in their sales circular for $169! Try them quick.

[acar555]

The H2O's are discontinued and are being replaced with their new line of handhelds. The clearance prices are a good deal on them, but once they are gone their gone.

[DADDY228]

there is still some h2os to be had but would you recommend the 76cx or the 60cx over the h2o?

[worthsr]

I also need a handheld GPS. I'm specifically looking for something that will work for fishing Lac Seul. I want maps that include depths. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm currently leaning towards the Garmin GPSMAP76CSx but would love some suggestions from Lac Seul anglers.
Thanks,
Scott.

[walleyefreak]

You can't go wrong with the GPSMap 76 CSx. I love my unit and have had absolutely no problems with it. I don't run Lakemaster chips with it, as there is no coverage for the lakes I fish in PA. I would recommend it over the H2O

[DADDY228]

thanks to all for the info. the 76csx has been ordered for me for x-mas. its suppose to be a secret but i have found out. cant wait to play with my new toy. just need to buy map cards. what lake maps do u prefer and is there a big advantage to having the topo maps or should pass on them?

[JOHN L. HECKLSMILLER]

daddy228; i'm not addressing the "handheld gps" topic as my thoughts on use of electronic maps. Went to ear falls,ont. & lac seul this past june. Never been there before. Granted i used fixed mount lowrance unit, but without the "navionics--hot map" chip of canada i would never had any idea of where to fish or how to get there!!
its a big body of water. I found the map info. To be priceless. I believe you can obtain that chip from $99 to
$149 depending on what year vintage you decide on. Map chips are a very good investment. I also traveled onto "eagle lake" & the map chip kept me out of trouble. I have a summer home on "lake of the woods" & after thousands of miles on my pro-v i have not damaged any equip. All credit to map chips!

[MarkG]

The H2O's are discontinued and are being replaced with their new line of handhelds. The clearance prices are a good deal on them, but once they are gone their gone.

Any idea what the new ones are like? Hopefully they have a better or bigger screen than the H2Oc ?? Wouldn't mind one for $169 but if there is something significantly better would prefer to wait. The screen is always what held me from the H2Oc

[ejj]

Garmin Nuvi 500/550? Try talking to a store that really deals in these things.

[DADDY228]

i looked real hard at the new oregon 400t with us topo pre loaded but i looked at them side by side and the screen size was not that big of a deal. what i like the most about the 76csx is that it floats. it should never go overboard but i have seen stranger things on the water both in my boat and in others. and the wife found the 76csx on walmarts web site for $290 thats wy my father-in-law pulled the trigger on it. $399 at bass pro and cabelas. cant wait to open that toy on x-mas morn.

[Bluff]

thanks to all for the info. the 76csx has been ordered for me for x-mas. its suppose to be a secret but i have found out. cant wait to play with my new toy. just need to buy map cards. what lake maps do u prefer and is there a big advantage to having the topo maps or should pass on them?

Daddy - I have been using the 76csx for two years and really like it. None of the lakes I fish in Northern Wisconsin or Ontario have electronic maps available - but I do swap coordinates with a number of other fisherman. Try to get coordinates prior to a trip and plug them in through the MapSource software that comes with the unit. Spend the money and get the US Topo program and the Canadian Topo software if the lake charts are not available for the bodies of water you will be on. Alot of guys I fish with thought the unit was a waste of money - not any more. I can't say enough good things about the 76csx for fishing, biking, snowmobiling, hiking, etc.