GPS- console mount or handheld

[Steve (CO)]

This board has been a tremendous resource for me as I equip my new Lund 1700 Fisherman. Thanks to all for responding. From a previous post, I conclude that I might be best to go with separate sonar and GPS units for my console. My next question is whether the handheld units are adequate for fishing. I know they have much smaller screens, but with a permanent console unit, what do you do when you are casting off the bow and find a hot spot? Do you drop the rod and hustle back to the dash to enter the spot? I also troll from the stern using my electric. Same problem. So...how much do I lose by going with a handheld vs. the larger screen console units? I gain the flexibility to use it from bow, console, or stern, obviously. Again, thanks for all the input and valuable information.
Steve (CO)

[EricCO]

I've been thinking about this as well. I am leaning towards a handheld for several reasons.

The biggest reason is that fishing in colorado waters the lakes really aren't big enough for the need. Landmarks should be adequate to get you back on the spot.

Hunting is the second reason. A handheld will work great for marking that old abandoned farm house tucked behind a draw that always produces pheasants. If you hunt western nebraska you know that there are no road signs.

Also the wife can use it to find the car in the Flatirons parking lot.

[CJW]

I have a eagle map guide pro handheld. Lowrance owns them now ,but have the same version. I like it for the simple fact that I can take it on or in anything. Plus enhance the detail in the area I'll be in. Has built in background map. You can also download all those spots you've marked into the program that comes with it on your computer. That way you never lose them. If you get a handheld make sure how long the backup battery lasts. Eagle- lowrance is ten years. Some are much less. If the one you get does not have computer backup when the battery dies so do all your spots you've marked over the years. I use it year round fishing, hunting,hiking,snowmobiling etc. Don't think you can do that with a console unit. Has batteries or 12 volt cig. adapter that I use in the motorized vehicles. You can go the way you want but I like the unit I have and doubt I'll ever go console. Too limited. Just my opinion! Craig

[ETT]

Are you going to carry it in your pocket? I think you'll get tired of that. Even the hand helds have an optional mounting bracket. (I'd lose it overboard if I didn't have it fastened down.) You are giving up speed, features, capacity and most of them really eat the batteries. Hope this helps, just my 2 cents worth. Good luck

[PRO-V]

I use a Garmin 175 handheld GPS with a chartplotter and I think it is great. Having the portability is a definite advantage. The screen is also large enough that I have no problem seeing the information.

PRO-V

[Fin Addict]

Depends what you want to do w/ it. The hand helds are nice for relocating hunting spots deep in the woods, nice maps for in the car and with a proper mount work well on the lake. That said, if you plan to use it only in the boat, the console mount with a larger screen is much easier to see when underway. I have both and greatly prefer the console unit when in the boat.

[Dave in Mpls]

Buy both

I would start with a handheld, like a Garmin 12, which can be had for a little over $100. You can use this to "learn" what you want and need in a permanent unit. You WILL eventually want a permanent in your boat, as the screens are just too small on a portable to read while rocking over 3'+ waves

Regards

[Gilligan]

I would lean to the full size unless you will need a portable to use afield.

I have the hand held and find that when it's rough or you are traveling fast the #'s are alot harder to see. To me GPS locations bringing me back to a hotspot is a bonus... it's most important function is helping to navigate safely. Nothing more irritating than taking your eye off the water to squint at tiny #'s with 6'ers rolling at you.

My handheld stays mounted on the dash so I do as you described, run back to dash to mark the spot. The small amount of time this takes should mean very little to the waypoint location.

[PRO-V]

All of you have great and valid points. Just couple of things I would like to add:

1) I broke down and spent more for the chartplotter. Advantages are a much larger screen than most units, mapping capability, and better overall features.

2) I always use the 12V adaptor when in the boat. One inherent negative about handhelds is that they suck up batteries. For about $20, I have saved the money in batteries.

3) I also recently installed a RAM mount on the dash. Best move I ever made.

With these slight additions, I have the best of both worlds...a nice, large display that I can take where ever I go.

PRO-V

[REW]

Get both -
Get a permenant mount for the console and for holding all of your navigation waypoints.

Use a hand held -- with a ram mount or equivalent for the bow. Use this unit when fishing in the bow - and for marking hot spots - or fish caught.

Since I have so many spots of each -- I have enough waypoints and icons in the two units together to do what I want.

Also get the pc upload / download cable for each -as well as the pc software. As soon as you get off the lake - download all of your recent waypoints.

Then when you go back -- you can upload all of these waypoints -- plus any more that you may have generated on your pc - while preparing for your trip. It is many times easier to enter waypoints -- move them around in the GPS by using the PC for editing and data entry and storage than -- just trying to enter by hand and save with a paper and pen.

Then, if you ever have the misfortune for a GPS meltdown or other type of failure -- you have only lost icons or waypoints from your very latest trip.

This really saved my bacon -- when my GPS of several years -- took it in the short ones -- when I had the misfortune of getting caught in a hail storm and the display got wiped out.

Because I had all the points saved on the PC -- the new gps was loaded in a few seconds after connecting the cable and hitting the upload button.

Take care

REW

p.s.
If you can -- go with one of the mapping units for the navigation GPS.

The point to point gps / non - mapping is just fine for the hand held unit.

[fish bait]

i have a eagle map guid pro -great unit!it does all the perment mounts do and more .comes with a cd with every thing you could need to make your fishing trip great .can down load to a pc to save all way points-750 if you could need that many.saves 3 plot trails to memorey.i could go on but go to your dealer and check them out P.S ground speed trek bearing long lat it's all there be safe and good fishing GLEN & SONS