Need info on best GPS for Lake

[mimi58]

I am brand new to this website so am not sure I am in the right forum. Here is my question. My Father, who has charted with paper charts on both lake and ocean his whole life and has trouble turning on the computer has now asked for a navigation system for the lake he is on. I have read alot of the garmin system but not being much more computer savvy than him get lost in the details. Here is the basic question: Does a simple navigation system exist on the market strictly for marine use (ideally a lake). I have read up on the c-chip ? and also the standard horizon but it's all too complicated. I just really need to know which system is the least complicated and has doesn't have all the bells and whistles on it so he can use it. Thank you so much!

Mimi58

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

One thing you may want to consider is a hand held GPS. I've been studying a little on them, been thinking of getting one myself. If he wanted to he could use it in his car or truck as well.

As for getting a basic setup, that might be satisfactory for a while but then again it might be to basic, for instance a black and white screen compared to a color screen.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

get a color one... it's worth the extra bread....
got me a h20c last spring... then ya gotta get a card for the area ya boat in to see the lakes.
only thing i'll say about it is that the charts i have are a little off... granted lakes change yearly. but i usually go over land on my gps to get to my favorite dock... obviously that don't really happen, but that's where my gps says i'm at....
i used it once on a unfamilar lake last season. i used it as a depth chart as i don't have a depth finder... it worked well for that... i went into a shallow area. chart said it was 11'. i guessed the lake was down 7' which left me 4'. i draft 3'. i was going slow as i knew i was in a shallow area.... good thing. the lake was down 9' compared to the chart. but the gps chart allowed me to know i was into a shallow area, so i was going slow.... i ran aground..... with no damage as i was hip to the depth change before going into the area...
the h20c is pretty straight fwd. in it's operation... for any gps you'll need to read the manual though prior to use.... nature of the beast i think......

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

Yes, there are numerous units available for marine use. I'd go Garmin or Humminbird, they seem to have the best value. I've been looking into getting a fishfinder/gps combo system and I'm leaning towards the Garmin. Of course these units are really only practical for use on a boat. The handheld unit mentioned above is the best option if your father wants to use it elsewhere. Good luck.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

how big of a lake, most are only good for pinpointing to 50 yards. if he is wanting to pinpoint fishing spots. he needs a real good one.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

Make sure the screen is easy to read in daylight. I got a handheld black & white unit and I can't read it unless it is a cloudy day or I'm in the shade. The color screens are brighter.

 

[QC]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

What he needs is good charts. Or these With a compatible Garmin unit. Amzimg detail and mine, which is older is pretty darn accurate on the Lakes included.

 

[mimi58]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

Thank you all very much for your input. Let me just tell you that we are in New Hampshire and on Lake Winnapasaukee which is the largest lake in New England. It is about 182 miles around. My Dad has been navigating by memory since he was a kid and also looking at mountain ranges to guide him but there are so many new buoys up now and I think he has lost a little confidence especially when navigating at night. So what he wants is something strictly for the lake to navigate alongside his paper charts (doesn't fish) and something very easy to use. I have looked at Garmin but just like any computer or electronic gadget there are a billions to choose from and I just don't have the technical expertise to understand all the jargon that's why I posted here. I have read that the garmin 500 is a good one but then start to see all sorts of other garmins that people post. And from there what chip to use (read about c-chip) Just looking for something to navigate the lake day and night and I agree color is the way to go. I have trouble reading my cell phone in the sun, I am betting this is the same problem with gps systems for boats. He doesn't need anything other than for the boat, he has gps system in the car already. Any suggestions with this information? Thanks again.

 

[ButchC]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

The big three are Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance. I would recommend one of their combo units that have GPS, Plotting and Depth Finder. Make sure you get one that can read 3rd party map chips. Navionics provides extremely detailed maps for your lake. After you set these up the first time you can just turn them on and your boat will be shown as an icon on the map. You can zoom in or out to the detail you want. Pretty easy to use.

ButchC

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

I checked and garmin and lowrance dont offer maps for your lake only Navionics does so you will need a unit that is compatable with Navionics.
I would get a Lowrance Xog crossover that way you can use it in the car and boat and it will work with navionics maps. the only problem is the battery life is only around 2 hours so you will need a 12v adapter in your boat to charge it while you use it. I have one with nauticpath for coastal coverage and couldnt be happier. you will spend about 150 for the unit and about 150 for the maps. also the Water resistance of the xog is questionable so i doubt it would survive submersion only rain and spray. I think this is about the cheapest way you could go but you could buy a basic cheap unit and a good paper chart. If you want to take the next step up i would suggest a good garmin colorado unit with the navionics maps below but add about 200 to your total.

http://www.iboats.com/HotMaps_Premi...4505344--**********.398047178--view_id.391361

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Automotive/XOG/

 

[chrisg]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

I was asking a simular question on this forum.

I just got the Garmin Quest 2. Its small, portable and water proof, you can use it on foot, or on the water, but also it can be used in a car. ( with turn by turn directions ' turn left in 500 feet..."). Its winter, so I wont be testing it out on water ( or hiking) for several months. But you can get the charts for it.


If you look up my threads in this forum, some people had suggested some good models ideal for boating, and the car, that way you get double use.

good luck

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

Related question that may help mimi ( and myself as well):
Are the imbedded maps in the Humminbird 595C series of any decient detial for this kind of use? I'm also looking for a simple as a hammer gps and was wondering what to expect from this machine without adding chips. All i want is shoreline, island etc and I can add my own hazards, channel markers etc as I go.

 

[QC]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

turbowessx is right. Need Navionics compatible. Do NOT buy anything without software that specifically covers that lake!!!

 

[timdan94]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

do you want color or bw? I just bought the humminbird fishfinder 580 with gps for $349. It looks like a nice unit and is navtronics capable. I haven't used it yet seeing its winter and the boat is in storage but I'm probably going to hook it up to a battery to see how the maps look so I know if I want to upgrade the maps or not.

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

Feel a need to throw in my 2 cent in. I have been using the Lowrance Globalmap 5300c iGPS. I am not going to go out on a limb and say it is any better then other brands (I do like it), but I do agree the need to get a color unit, with the largest screen you can afford, with the best resolution in your price range. Also a unit that is compatable with Navionics chips is a must.
A depth finder is a plus, so you can compare it with the paper map depth readings. It never hurts to now how much water is under your keel.
You stated you only wanted it for the boat, so I would suggest that is what you do. I also have one built in my car and have a potable unit for my walking and I still purchased one for my boat. Use the right tool for the right job mentality. Not to say these other suggustions are wrong, but that's my 2 cent.

 

[KeyWestBoater]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

I have a Humminbird 757C Chartplotter/Fishfinder/GPS. The color screen is good and right now the built in maps are sufficient. Someday I may add a Navionics card. I got it at West Marine for about $260. Amazon had it for around the same price. It can use dual, wide or quad beam transducer. Gives speed, depth & water temp. I like it!

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

I have a Humminbird 757C Chartplotter/Fishfinder/GPS. The color screen is good and right now the built in maps are sufficient. Someday I may add a Navionics card. I got it at West Marine for about $260. Amazon had it for around the same price. It can use dual, wide or quad beam transducer. Gives speed, depth & water temp. I like it!

If you got the 757C for $260 you got one heck of a deal! Wish I could find one for that...

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

If you got the 757C for $260 you got one heck of a deal! Wish I could find one for that...

Yeah, that's 50% off MSRP and doesn't included the transducer. A bit pricey but not expensive by all mean. For someone that doesn't fish and don't care for fine bottom details, that graph makes a fine gift.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

FWIW, the Humminbird 597C comes with a $50 rebate from Humminbird through the end of December. That puts it in the $350 range at most dealers.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Need info on best GPS for Lake

forget the handhelds, way to complicated, forget the combo car boat units, again too complicated, i am 54 and consider myself able to use most electronics gadgets but, those are way to hard. the eagle 502 igps seems to be very easy to use and navonics has maps for your lake and works with that unit. just plug and play. thanks bob. by the way i spent good money on a handheld that stays in a drawer, 2 auto units for the cars, and a magellen crossover that stays in a drawer as well.