Mapping GPSs - Man, am I confused!

[Dave in Mpls]

Has anybody seen any liturature or other description dealing with the various mapping GPSs, data storage and transfer mechanisms, etc? I am going to be purchasing a permanent mount mapping GPS to replace the Garmin 45XL I am currently using, and am somewhat lost regarding the different products, etc.

My initial serach has me looking at the Garmin 162 or something else in that series, or Lowrance 2400/240.

It seems that Garmin has software available on CDs, which I assume are downloaded into the unit's memory. Is this the case for both their MapSource AND BlueChart data? Lowrance, on the other hand, uses MMC cards, which I assume can be used both for storing/accessing advanced map data and recording data. Seems with the Lowrance, info is loaded to the MMC card from CD or other source, vs the Garmin system where the info is loaded directly into the unit.

Any pros or cons to either system? It seems the MMC cards would be easier, as you wouldn't need to drag the unit into the house to the PC. Also, is the software any better for either system?

Both the 162 and 2400 appear to be in the same price range. What else is needed to operate the units? It seems neither system comes with any additional software - is MapSource or MapCreate necessary? It appears the Garmin unit is WAAS enabled, but the Lorance is not, unless an additional receiver is purchased. Correct?

I primarily fish Mille Lacs, Leech, Winni, if that makes any difference regarding software.

Thanks for any light you can shed!!

Regards

[FJH1]

Can't help ya with the Garmin or Lowrance stuff, but I did get the C-Map Mille Lacs chip for my BottomLine system. We'll see how that looks in about a month...

Best Regards,

FJH

[Barry]

You have an understanding 10 times better than the average fishing department clerk. Sympathize, and have experienced the same.

Here are some additions to what you have found out.

The 162 and 240 is not as fair of a comparison as the 168 and 240. 162 and 2400 are GPS only, 240 and 168 are GPS and Sonar.

Lowrance, I think, comes with a data cable, Garmin does not. To download any CD data you will need one. Check on availability, still waiting for mine from Garmin...

MMC Cards vs internal storage. Your pretty much on target. Add you may buy a larger MMC card to increase your storage, with internal storage it is fixed and can not be increased. MMC units will cost substantially more, internal storage units will become obsolete faster. Tommorrows software will need more storage than todays, that is for sure.

I think the 240 is WAAS capable too, not too familiar with the feature. I know what it does, but I have the same quesiton, do you have to buy something else to get the accuracy?

168 is available with either an internal or external antenna. 240 external only. I like the internal option so I can move the unit to a different mounting postion in the boat depending on where I am fishing, as well as hook it up in the pickup. Being able to play with it on the drive to the lake will give you the opportunity to become familiar with the details and avoid wasting fishing time learning your electronics.

Since you mentioned you primarily fish Winni, Leech and Mille Lacs, all three of these lakes are contour mapped on the CD for the Garmin units. The CD is typically not part of the GPS unit Purchase, and be aware that you get one region only for the @ $100.00 cost of the CD. All three lakes you mention are in 1 region. You can purchase all regions for less than $100.00 more.

Garmin has a $50.00 rebate available on their website.

Hope this helps.

[Lindyrig]

I think you and I have the same boat motor setup, a 1800 Pro V with 175 EFI Merk. I am looking for a different prop. What have you had the best luck with? I am only getting 5000 rpm's with my 21p Tempest. Any info you have would be appreciated.

Lindyrig

[Pitts]

Dave I am thinking the same thoughts that you have to get a new GPS only and I have been studying them a bit.
My understanding is that if you want good shoreline detail you will need the extra mapcreate feature and then if you want to add contour lines you will have to get the Hot Spots lake maps which are pretty limited at this time and that is for the Lowrance product only. I have not checked into Garmin products but the feedback I get is that they are better in some ways and worse in others.
The biggest reason I will probably go Lowrance is they will give me 170$ for my nonrepairable 310 towards a 1600 and I will hope they will discount the 2400 when I get ready to purchase directly from them. They offered me the 1600 for 230$ but it is 160 pixel by 160 pixel and has only 2 mb of memory for mapcreate which is pretty small.
I cut my 310 apart and found the bad component so if I can fix it I am hoping to hold out for a while until the units come loaded with lakemaps from the start.
It is very confusing to decide but if I fail at the repair it may be soon anyway. We can talk at the next WA meeting about this if you can wait that long:)


Pitts

[JJ]

I just purchased a Garmin 176 (not the 76). It does take memory chips, up to 128 mb, does come with a data cable, and a power hook-up. It also can run on 4 AA batteries, which makes it very versatile. It comes with a mount for your boat, can purchase one for your car, snowmachine, etc. And because it also runs on batteries, you can carry it in the woods with you. Its screen is 320 x 240 pixels, compared to the 240 x 240 on the Garmin 162. I bought a couple of MapSource maps. It was not very difficult to down-load them to the 176, and I have just started to "play" with them. So far I like it very much.

[buzbait9]

Just to clarify, the Garmin 162 comes with the cable and Fishing Hot Spots CD. I just bought it and had to make sure that I asked for the FHS package but my dealer had them. Also a $50 rebate on now