GPS Question

[Langer]

I have been wanting to get a GPS unit for my boat (I should of paid the extra money to keep the one that was on it when I bought it), but dont have the money to spend on a sonar/gps unit.

I was browsing the Catalog I picked up while at Bass Pro and noticed the iFinder H20 by Lowrance.  It sells for $170, throw in the Navonics card and a Ram mount and Im looking at about $325. I figure I could get another ball mount adapter for the front and move it up there for easy access while fishing.

Does anyone use one of these? If you do have one let me know how they work for you. How accurate is it? How long do the batteries last? Basically just the pro/comns of the unit.
~Thanks

[MBell]

I have a Ifinder H2O.  It's a good unit reliable and accurate.  I use lithium batteries which will last a few days, but I mainly use the cigarete lighter plug it came with.  I'm not sure I would waste money on the H2O model, it doesn't seem any more water proof than any of my old handheld gps units.  If you store it in a moist area, the screen will fog up just like the other ones. 
-Matt 

[djkimmel]

I have the iFinder Pro and it works really well. Lasts a day to two on alkaline batteries. Seems very accurate. I use it up front at times. I use the cigaretter lighter adapter when I can. I put in a cheap water-resistant plug up front for it.

Not hard to do if you look for an external plug encased in plastic with a cap. Just run the wires under your cover for you bow wiring after you attach the plug somewhere at the bow (external meaning I did not have to drill a hole in something to fit the plug to).

[Bender]

I plan on getting the H2Oc here in the next couple of weeks. From what I have read it is a pretty good unit and I will post back later.

[Revtro]

BigGame: Wait!  Eagle and Lowrance are the same.  The Eagle's are made in the same factory with the same insides and everything...both sold and made by LEI.  So you can save a lot of money by buying an Eagle.  It is just a Lowrance with a different color shell. 

Consider the Eagle Fish Elite 480 Combo GPS/Sonar for $360. (cheaper if you buy it on eBay)

I saw a Lowrance LMS-320 with no cables on eBay for a starting bid of $100.  If you buy it with Paypal, you are protected against fraud.  The 320 is a combo unit and you can get the cables cheap from LEI.  I had a 320 and it's a good unit.

There are a couple of Eagle 480's on eBay too that look as though they may sell for less than your spending limit.

Lastly, if you don't mind a smaller unit (like the H20 will be) check out this: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Eagle-Cuda-250-s-Map-Fishfinder-with-built-in-GPS_W0QQitemZ7238811423QQihZ015QQcategoryZ29723QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Here it is from Cabelas for $199.  http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0038098018278a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=cuda+250&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=cuda+250&noImage=0

I think you'd be much happier with a mounted combo unit than a handheld that is hard to read at high speeds.  Just trying to help. 

[MYNAME]

You beat me to it.  I was going to suggest the same thing.  Even look on ebay for an older   lowrance globalmap 2400.  or similar. 

[yukonjack2]

PM me for a secret on winning e-bay auctions as well within your budget - I'd put it out here, but don't want everyone bidding against me from time to time - lol.

I've had and older gamin 12 for a long time, and that worked well in its day-  the handhelds are ver very accurate now with the new software, but not easy to read at running speeds -  I would suggest a larger used unit like revtro metioned on e-bay - you'll be much happier.

Jack

[bshaner]

Rev has given you very solid advice.  Take it. 

Good call Rev.

B

[Revtro]

Now if I could only get my congregation to listen to my advice, I'd be doing great!  DOH!!!!   

[huston]

I've got two of the Eagle 480 fishelites and  it's a great unit. I think you can get those for $ 347.00 . That's how much I paid and I traded in my 320 and got ninety dollars for that. The Lowrance has a few more features and power, but the Eagle is just as good and will accept the new Navionics cards.

[Langer]

My reasoning behind the handheld was I could get everything for around 350, navonics card included, as well as use it in both the front and the console of the boat. Whereas if I went with the Eagle Fish Elite, I would need the navonics on top of the 350, and it would be mounted at the console, guess I could put it on a swivel mount so I can see it from the front too.  I will check out Ebay. Maybe just keep saving my money and go with the fish elite and get a card for my birthday or something. Thanks for all the help.

[Revtro]

In the long run, I think you'd be happier with using a ram mount and swiveling it so you can see it from the front.  Another good tactice might be to buy a Cuda and eventually move it to the front when you can replace it with a bigger unit on the dash. 

[BASS FISHERMAN]

i to was in surch of a fine gps fur me boat but the USA grean backs runs alitle short fur now 
with all thems spinners bait i ben buyin an that othur fishin pole i buy fur tossin out dare deveals i juss plum out of cash 
maybe in a coople of weeks i buy me one of thens gps 

RANGERS BOAT RULE 

[2 backlashers]

BigGame: Wait!  Eagle and Lowrance are the same.  The Eagle's are made in the same factory with the same insides and everything...both sold and made by LEI.  So you can save a lot of money by buying an Eagle.  It is just a Lowrance with a different color shell. 

Consider the Eagle Fish Elite 480 Combo GPS/Sonar for $360. (cheaper if you buy it on eBay)

I saw a Lowrance LMS-320 with no cables on eBay for a starting bid of $100.  If you buy it with Paypal, you are protected against fraud.  The 320 is a combo unit and you can get the cables cheap from LEI.  I had a 320 and it's a good unit.

There are a couple of Eagle 480's on eBay too that look as though they may sell for less than your spending limit.

Lastly, if you don't mind a smaller unit (like the H20 will be) check out this: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Eagle-Cuda-250-s-Map-Fishfinder-with-built-in-GPS_W0QQitemZ7238811423QQihZ015QQcategoryZ29723QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Here it is from Cabelas for $199.  http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0038098018278a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=cuda+250&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=cuda+250&noImage=0

I think you'd be much happier with a mounted combo unit than a handheld that is hard to read at high speeds.  Just trying to help. 


There is a differance between the Lowrance and Eagle products. For instance look at the power that the Lowrance LMS480 has compared to the Eagle 480.

[Revtro]

True, but most of the differences are minor and won't affect much unless you're fishing deeper than most water here in Michigan.  For the most part the features are the same. 

BTW - BigGame, I may have a mapping card I'm gonna unload.  I bought the Lakemaster Pro this year and may no longer need the Navionics card.  I'm gonna use them both for a week to be sure, but then I'll know if I'm going to get rid of it.  I'll PM you and let you know.

[Langer]

I was just looking at the Lakemaster website after reading 2 backlashers post about which card is better, so I was reading up on the different cards.  I wanted to check the price of the Lakemaster pro so I added it to the cart.  In smallish print below the item it said check box to add the Lowrance H20 I-finder and save 40 bucks instantly.  So I can get an H20 I-Fiinder and a Lakemaster pro card for less then 250 shipped to my door.  I think this is a really good deal, and will probably go ahead and pick one up. Even if I upgrade my console to a GPS Combo at a later date I can still have a Handheld for when I go out on other boats, only with their permission of course.

Bender16V this deal works for the H2O Color as well, I know you mentioned buying one soon.

[Bassman]

I have a lowrance H2OC with the Premium East chip from navionics which covers Michigan, Indiana, and OHio and a host of other states.  These coupled with  GPS/sonar make a deadly weapon for fishing new waters.  The H20C works great for me, and the H2O will do the same except with a black and white screen.  As for finding cheaper GPS on ebay, try to stay current.  As fast as technology is progressing its harder to find older chips for the older GPS, plus the new chips have more water coverage and better contour maps.  However, the maps found on the navionics chips are only as accurate as the map they downloaded into the chip, but are still quite accurate.

[Bender]

Just ordered the H2Oc and Lakemaster maps since there is a good deal that Langer found. I may pick up the Navonics later to cover the lakes not shown though. Thanks for all of the advice.