GPS mapping, are they useful?

[Timber]

I am very interested in a GPS with mapping capabilities, and am wondering if they are useful enough for the money they cost. If you have one, how do you use it? Is it that much of an advantage over a standard GPS? I'm interested in the Garmin 176. Little bigger screen and is portable.

Thanks!

[Walleye Express]

Timber.
I had a Eagle Accu-Nav GPS. It's antenna gave up the ghost and I couldn't get it replaced. So I went with a new Raytheon 620 Chartplotter with C map features. I bought the Saginaw Bay chip for a little over $150.00 and I've never been so glad I did. Now, instead of just knowing where I am via Latitude/Longitude. I know where I am, how deep it is where I am and my realtionship to the structure of the whole screen area. In other words, I now know that if I steer straight ahead I'm heading for deeper water and that sweet spot between those two hidden humps. No more running up on shallow water and goofing up all the trolling lines. No more wrong turns heading back to those humps I just caught fish on. You can finally figure out why your catching fish where you are, because you can see every hump, bump and reef up to a mile around you. Do yourself a favor buy the mapping featured GPS. Capt: Dan.

[AfterDawn]

Timber,
I agree with Capt. Dan. I find the mapping feature extremely useful. Going out without my GlobalMap100 would be almost like going out without my locator.
Look at the available maps for the unit you are considering. Some use cartridges, and some use downloadable maps. See what maps are available for the unit you choose, and how much they cost. There is quite a variety of formats and available maps.

Dave

[Suzuki]

Are you talking about the map76? I have that one. Sweet unit. The mapping may sound unnecessary now but after you start using it you'll shudder at the thought that you almost didn't get it.

[Timber]

No, I'm actually looking at a Garmin 176. It's an "in-between" size that can run on batteries or wired directly to a battery. Can "pop" out of its bracket and be carried. So, it can be used in a boat, car, snowmachine, carried in the woods, etc. Very versatile. Also uses cartridges for memory in various sizes. Window size is 320 x 240 pixels. Anybody use one?

[hiwayman]

I've had a garmin e-map hand held now for about three years and would never want to be without the mapping feature. Also bought a Lawrance x15 mt last year. the Garmin Map source topo CD is way ahead of the lawrance map create 5 as far as fine detail. Go with the Garmin Product.

[Pherris]

I had the e-map and got hooked on the mapping feature. Wont go without it. I upgraded to the Garmin GPSMAP 76 and it is a great unit. My vote go with mapping.

[SnellTier]

Timber,

I have a hand-held GPS I have been using for the past 5 years. It worked ok, but the ones that show the lake bottom contours are much nicer and easier to use. I just bought a Global Map 1600 on closeout at Cabela's because I am so impressed with such technology. I will mount it on my boat in about a week (it is still in storage here in Wisconsin due to our cold April). But, I would advise strongly that if you can afford such a tool ... buy it. I have a buddy with one and I have seen how nice they are ... which is why I bought mine.




A day spent fishing does not count against one's alloted life span