Handheld G.P.S.

[Porter]

I am going to buy a handheld G.P.S. and I am just wondering what your opinions are on them and which ones you like best. I plan on spending about $150 to $200 and I don't need anything fancy, just something that is fairly simple to use and is good quality. Thanks , Porter

[Will]

I recently purchased a Garmin 12 and it is very simple to use. Maybe not all the bells and whistles, but works for my needs. Less than $200.00

Will

[AquaMan]

Ditto on the Garmin 12, 12X or 12XL. All three will do what you need for $129-$199.

I have the 12 and have loaded it with several new way points from my Minnesota Lake Master CD. Now if I could find some time to use all this on the water, we would be in "bid-ness."

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"It all begins and ends at the water's edge!"
...<{

[Porter]

AquaMan, I also live in MN, and was just wondering what exactly is Lake Master and how do you use it on your G.P.S. As you can tell, I am a little G.P.S. ignorant. Thanks again, Porter

[Sunshine]

Ditto on the Garmin 12. You do not, I repeat do not need to spend any more money. They are ALL just as accurate. The only thing that you would get for more money is the mapping ability but I question the need if you become proficient with the plotting abilities. Just returned from Lake of the Woods whetre I put on over 500 miles last week by boat. The plotter screen saved the transom more than once from shallow rocks on return trips.

[AquaMan]

Go to:

www.lakemap.com

and get your self the 101 Minnesota lakes for $50. It will give you all the depths of 101 most popular Minnesota lakes (They have one for Wisconsin, too) and you can either pinpoint spots on those lake that look good, have been identified in Lake Maps weekly tips or the HotSpots maps and down load them to your GPS. You can reverse the process and load actual spots from your GPS to the Lake Master on your PC. Either way it is a great way to keep a good backup of your favorite waypoints and keep a log of the fish caught, weather, landmarks, etc at those points. Very intuitive package with easy results.

Also check out this site for other software programs and equipment/cables for your GPS:

www.gpscables.com/links.htm


AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Toobworm]

Check out the Garmin Etrex at Cabelas online. The thing retails for about $119 through Cabelas, which is one of the best prices I've seen anywhere. It is also waterproof (you can drop it into the drink for up to a half hour). It doesn't display maps like the larger units, but you can store wayfinding paths, etc. which will help you navigate safely at night or get you to/return you to exactly any spot you want to get to. Have fun!

[rngrfshm]

The Globalmap 100 from cabelas for 179.99. I had mine for about two years and have tried the garmin, magelan and an eagle before going with the globalmap 100. The features on it are the best.

[Scales&Tales]

I have a Garmin 12 and a Magellan 1200XL. I like the Magellan better because it has several navigation screens to pick from. The Garmin 12 has only one, which works just fine but I like the Magellan navigation screens better, Just my personal choice is all.

[Scott]

I have a magellan 315. 150.00 at most places. I love it. I carry it as a back up to my Global Map 2000, or if I go in a buddy's boat. Easy to use, tons of features. You can make it as complex or as easy as you like. I have had mine in wide open great lakes and in flooded timber. It worked equally well in each. If I lost it, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

[INSTIGATOR]

GARMIN ETREX IS ONLY 120 BUCKS AND CAN DO ANYTHING INCLUDING DOWNLOADING MAPS OFF THE COMP HAD MINE ON ERIE ALL YEAR ALWAYS BRINGS ME BACK TO THE FISH TIGHT LINES

[The Great Guide]

I purchased a Garmin 12 in 1999 on the recommendation of people on this board. I have not been disappointed. The only complaint I have is the input of letters and numbers to mark waypoints can be a little tedious. This is a good value for the the $150. Be sure to ask the dealer to throw in the case, ac adapter, and dash mount. I did and he did it. TGG

[FacefullOTuna]

Can you get "speed over ground" with a Garmin 12?

[Spinner]

Garmin GPS 12 Period! Speed, Altitude, Current Postion, Current Direction, etc., etc.

Use a GPS to get in the general area, then utilize your depth/fish finder to find the "Spot".