GPS mapping vs non mapping

[Suzuki]

I will soon be purchasing my first GPS and have narrowed down my choices thanks to information from this forum. My last dilemma is whether or not to get mapping. I want to know from you guys with experience if you think I will be sorry if I don't purchase mapping. I plan to use the unit mostly for fishing. Just marking spots and returning to them another time. I'm sure I will take it with me hunting as well. I have my choices boiled down to the Garmin 76 or the Garmin Map 76. The Map unit is more expensive so I'm hoping to get some solid information from this forum to help me with my decision. Thanks in advance.

[Hans]

I use my GPS mostly as an aid in low visibility navigation (dark/fog), and to mark midlake structure. Each time I'm on "new" water I mark the boat ramp when I arrive, and then mark key waypoints as I explore the lake. This basically gives me a "trail of cookie crumbs" to find my way home. I bought it several years ago before mapping units were widely introduced, and every season I try to find a reason to upgrade to a mapping unit. Quite honestly, I haven't got there yet, and I have adequate funds and a kitchen-pass to buy whatever I want to put on the boat. None of the mapping units I've seen have decent detail/resolution that I'd trust without waypoints anyhow, so why pay for the eye-candy? Paper maps are just fine for me.

But, hey, I'm always ready to be shown a better mousetrap.

Hans

[KP]

I've been looking at the same Garmins and I believe both have mapping capability. The 76 Map just has more memory and an additional feature applicable to using it in a car to find a street. I'm going with the 76 as long as it will interface with my plotter.

A note for Hans. These two portables (hardly) are the first ones I've seen with really large, detailed screens. And they are WAAS units which is supposed to be accurate to 3 meters vs. the 15 to 20 meters of older units. Plus the Helix Antenna is supposed to lock on better and not lose satelite link up. Of course this is just what I've read and been told. No personal experience yet other than seeing the unit.

[Mattman]

I love having a mapping one!! Won't get one without it. Its in the truck on the way to the lake and in the boat at the lake. You can see roads, bodies of water.... So you know if your turn will be coming up soon, if there is a finger sticking out on the lake between point A and point B, how far away you are from certain landmarks, what is the name of the lake you're driving by........... Just makes things so much easier. I've NEVER regretting spending the extra money.

[ezmarc]

If you ever had to punch in 130 coordinates 3 times, like I've had to, with my old Eagle handheld, then you could really appreciate the mapping. With the mapping software from Lowrance all the reefs, bouys, islands and peninsulas are already on it and thats what most of my waypoints were.

I wouldn't be without it now and I wonder why it took me so long to bite the bullet and buy one. They do make life easier plus if they ever get the navionic maps down to a reasonable price you will also have lake contours available.

[whitetips]

Get mapping you wont be sorry.

[RANGER]

In all honesty, you have to go where your pocket can take you. The standard version will be a lot for you to handle, initially. But the learning curve is fast and, then, you'll be ready for the mapping. The question is: Buy the mapping now or later? Later means a whole new unit!? ie: $60 now (whatever) or $360 in a year or two.

Decisions, decisions! :7


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD!"

[Jay Thomas]

Suzuki:

I recently opted for the non-mapping Garmin 76 vs its mapping counterpart (the Garmin 76 Map) primarily because the lakes I frequent for fishing (primarily inland lakes in Ontario and Quebec ,Canada) are not slated for incorporation into mapping software by folks like Navionics or others. I also don't have a scanner whereby I could scan stuff into my computer and then into my GPS. Consequently, I think your intended use should determine what you purchase (my intended use is very similar to yours).

And what if these lakes I fish are made available in software in 4 or 5 years? Well, I'll just have an excuse to buy a new toy. Besides, who knows where GPS technology will be in 4 or 5 years in handheld units - just look at the improvements over the last 5 years. Jay