Education on Mapping GPSs

[Dave in Mpls]

The time has come to upgrade from the Garmin 45 XL I am currently using to a permanent GPS system.

My question is, what are the different technologies available, and which is best. For instance, the Lowrance GPSs (1600 and 160) come with IMS smartmap, which as near as I can tell is a CD. I assume these units have a background map built into them, and you use the CD to enhance the detail of the area you are interested in. Can these units also use chips or cartridges? I'm a little confused about the talk that they will be able to use Navionic cartridges, as I was under the impression you upload via CD?? Can you use both? And are C-charts the same type of deal as the other cartridges, or chips? Also, when Pinpoint adds GPS, will this simply be a plotter like the LMS 350, or will it have mapping and "reading" capabilities. Many questions, I know!!

Any info, or recommendation of some background reading material, would be mucho appreciated!

Regards

[ETT]

Dave, Where's REW when you need him? I'm not an expert, but I'd suggest you look at the unit your thinking about, with the cartridge or upgrade installed before you decide. I know some have alot better detail and topography than others. Good luck

[Dave S]

Sounds like Pinpoint will have mapping capabilities with their new GPS late this fall. See the chat discussion on Walleye Central 5/17/2000.

[PRO-V]

Dave,
I have no knowledge on the Pinpoint GPS. The advantage to Lowrance's units is that you get charts for roughly the entire U.S. on that CD ROM. You can load up any two locations simultaneously into the unit. The detail is not the best, but it works.

Personally, I use a Garmin 175 handheld chartplotter that uses the G-Charts. They're a little expensive, but the detail I get cannot be compared. I fish the Great Lakes and when the fog rolls in, this is a huge advantage.

PRO-V

[Fin Addict]

I am using a dash mount Garmin. When used w/ the G-maps the detail is incredible. I fish lake Superior and Michigan routinely and with the cartridge installed I can put the boat into a slip with 10' of visibility in the fog. The best part of this unit is they are simpler that the handheld you are using now. If you have a Garmin now, I would probably stay w/ Garmin because the menus etc are similar. Less learning curve.

[drizz]

I agree with Fin Addict. I started with a Garmin 12XL and recently bought a 162. Everything looks familiar and easy to operate. I haven't seen other units, but the Garmin mapping CDs aren't bad.

[Andy]

I like the Raytheon 420 with Navionics cartography..
Large screen, easy to use and many features..

[Dave in Mpls]

Thanks for the advice thus far. Perhaps I should have stated my question a bit differently. I'm not asking what boat to buy, per se, but what is the difference between a sailboat, rowboat, motor boat, and a pontoon. Can I put a sail on a pontoon boat?