Handheld GPS for fishing what is a good one??

[K. Bartolerio]

I am looking to get a GPS for fishing mainly. I would like a hand held model for fishing in differt boats and also in Canada. If an one could assist me on Brand, Model, and experience with yours that would be great. thanks a lot

[Jersey John]

I have a Garmin 12. It works great for fishing and is compatable for your pc. You can also get a lighter adpator for it to save on the 10 year batt. I am pleased with the way mine has worked over the last 4 years from the deep woods of Maine to the Great Lakes, never had a problem and always brought me home. I trust it completely. JJ

[Strikeking]

I agree the Garmin GPS 12 is a great unit. Easy to use, locks on quickly, and lots of features for the money.

[fshman]

Have been investigating same.

Believe the Magellan 330M is best play at this time.

Also, of great interest with same is PC software like MapTech or Wildflowers TOPO so that you can work with accurate USGS topo maps at home on PC...upload, confirm and use on water.

MapTech also makes a chart program for NOAA maps and looks as good. Still learning.

Don't know if LOW maps by Canada work with either program.

Goodluck -- (PS several have told me the 410 Magellan is not very good and 330M (marine) is better

[rngrfshm]

I have a globalmap 100 and really like the unit. Several friends had tried mine and ended up buying one. I had a garmin non map one and seemed like a good unit, but at that time the globalmap 100 one them all hands down for its mapping even the II and III models didnt compare. I had a friend trade his garmin III for a 100.

[Backwater Eddy]

I am very happy with my Garmin 12 for all the same reasons already mentioned plus it is simple to use.

I like simple, simple likes me.

Backwater Eddy

“February is the month designed to teach people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” Garrison Keilor

[Bosbar]

I have a Globalmap 100, It has a built-in map of the world plus you get a CD for downloading detailed mapping. It works great. I got the cigarette lighter adapter and the Ram mount, sits right in front of my face while I'm driving. It's a good unit for a hand-held.

[ScottL]

I have a Garmin E-map with the cigarette lighter adapter, computer interface and ram mount. It works excellent. I use it year around. In the boat, on the ice, traveling in my vehicle.(has a detailed road map of all major highways and cities), hunting (caution if you spend a lot of time in heavy woods, you might want one with an external antenna for better reception)and in my occupation farming(it's great for marking large rocks, weed patches or other problems I encounter) Cost for the basic E-map is roughly $190. With the expanded memory chip, computer interface, cigarette lighter adapter,leather case and RAM mount about $300.00. Good Luck

[Big Sky]

Garmin 12!! Easy to use.

[rangerv]

Garmin makes easy to use units with as much detail as you want. I use and trust mine.

[T.Ryan]

Garmin 12 has not let me down, came across Kap. one night in heavy waves, partner couldn't see up front because of the waves coming over so I just put my head down and watched the track back right to the landing. I will never leave a landing with out one, it has made fishing Mille lacs more relaxing. I have it connected with batteries and external power plus carry extra batteries just to make sure.

[Hoss]

I Have a magellan 330. Get the 330M marine. The streets are fine but the detail on the marine is what the issue is for us fisherman. I have the MapSend Streets CD. Great stuff to download to the handheld. Was waiting the the MapSend Marine to come out - quit waiting - talked to their service and "products futures" depts. They have no plans to come out w/Marine CD for standard 330.

[Mike M]

I just wanted to add a tip for the electronically challenged. I had purchased and Eagle hand held unit a couple years ago just before heading out to Canada. I have never used a unit previously and the instructions were a little overwhelming. This was the first time I was going on Eagle Lake (68,000 acres) without the security of a guide.

To practice using my new GPS, I jumped on my Schwinn and traveled the neighborhood testing all of the features. This gave me the confidence as I was able to determing accuracy very simply without wasting alot of time on the water. Just a thought.

[Jeff]

I have a Garmin 12, it's easy to use without having to be a rocket scientist, but the extras are on it if you want them.

[Ron C]

I ahve used my Garmin 12 for three years and find it easy to use and very reliable. Hands down on the Garmin 12, for fishing you do not need to many bells and whistles.

[Walleye2k]

GPS 12 and do not get the Garmin Mount.. Get a RAM Mount if you install it in a boat. Its much much better and will not fall out.

[REW]

Because the prices have come down so much in the last few years, it is really a good idea to get a "Mapping" GPS if at all possible, and also with the ability to have extra storage and a cd to upload and download maps.

These units are pretty reasonable, and it is really nice - even without loading any extra maps - to be able to use the background maps to be able to tell at a glance - where in the world you are.

Take care

REW

[K Crowley]

You are exactly right! The RAM mount is much more secure than the Garmin mount. I actually had to tape the unit into the Garmin mount to keep it from bouncing out in rough water. With the RAM mount it doesn't budge.

[eyejacker]

Garmin is coming out with the eTrex vista(March-April)which is computer compatible and has 24Megs of memory. This is the unit I am waiting for, however I suspect it will be a bit pricy($350-$400). It has lot of goddies and great battery life!

Eyejacker

[MIKE K]

I there a fish locator with built in maps that a Garmin 12 will plug into so you don't have to buy both?