View Full Version : Garmin238
What are your impression of the sonar aside of this unit? How well will it compare to a similiar priced Lowrance unit. I know it is very hard to beat the X15/X19 series Lowrance has to offer but will this Garmin be close?
Bryan
02-09-2003, 06:21 PM
I haven't used the 238 but I do own the 188 which is just a bit smaller. Overall I've been very please with the sonar performance. i like the verticle presentation better than having more history like on a horizontal screen. I have used both brands and my opinion is that there is comparable performance between the two. I do however prefer the Garmin GPS mapping. One thing that you can't deny is that garmin has everyone beat on GPS.
good luck
Bryan,
I totally agree on Garmin being years ahead on the GPS side of the equation. That is the reason I am looking at the 238, I want one unit for my bow with both GPSMapping and sonar. With your Garmin do you feel you miss any fish or is it pretty good and finding fish? Thanks for the info.
livebait
02-10-2003, 07:26 AM
Im curious why you say the garmin is better, they both have a 12 satelite hook up(thats all there is). Both offer reversable route, waypoints and trails along with both companies offering expandable memory chips.Ive used both and they are the same ease of use once one gets to know the units. Please fill me in a bit more with why you think garmin is years ahead.
The interface with the PC. I can download my waypoints off my Garmin, export the data to a Excel spreadsheet, edit/change what I want then upload that to my Garmin. The Garmin Bluecharts and HotMaps are both viewable on the PC. The waypoint name lengths are longer on the Garmin, there is a large description field for Garmin. With Lowrance the maps are not viewable on the PC, working/editing the data on a PC is a nightmare, the description field and waypoint names are so small you have to be very criptic with the naming. With Garmin I can associate with a waypoint enough information that in a year or so I am guessing what the waypoint is about. It is like having a mini log book on your unit.
Does Garmin use Navionics? While I don't have GPS at this point, I do need to get one. I wwant one that has the broadest range of number of lakes offered. I also would like to see depth contours of the lakes, but I don't think that's available on any units yet. I do like the fact that Navionics has the U.S. broken into regions. You buy the region you fish mose often and most lakes are there along with names of bays, boat ramps, and generally river channels are on there, etc. What I don't like is that I'm in Nebraska, and they only have 3 lakes on there. Also, some of the closer large Missouri river lakes in South Dakota are not on there either, namely Francis Case. How does Garmin work for sure? Do you buy the one CD rom Fishing Hotspots and if your lakes are not on there, then your s.o.l. or are there different CD's for different regions of the U.S.? Also, does Garmin use anything like Lowrance's MMC cards? Thanks!!!
on my above post is should read in a year or so I am 'not guessing' what the waypoint is about.
livebait
02-10-2003, 09:37 AM
Maps on the lowrance are viewable, I have done it without any problems at all, again it is just a matter of getting used to the system. Another thing I have done is to view the screen from the computer to see what my x15 is telling me struture wise, then have gone and added waypoints from the gps all off the computer(just plain great info that I missed on the water). You might be correct in the garmins having more space to name waypoints but my problem with that is that it will cluter a screen, its far easier for me to label the waypoints as numbers then put them in a log book I keep along with detailed info from the times fished and conditions.
I am curious on how you view Lowrance maps on a PC, I am not aware of the procedures. For the waypoint name lengths, just turn them off. If you need to know the name you can select the waypoint properties and see what you need to see.
livebait
02-10-2003, 10:08 AM
You just get map create 5 or 6 i recieved it free when I purchased my x15 or I am told that lakemaster will work shortly for the units.Also I have tried turning off the names but it just works easier for me to have a notebook (just always done it this way logging all my other info.)
Now I understand. But the Garmin maps also show the depth contours.