GPS help, please

[fowlmouth]

not sure what to buy, I think I want a chartplotter (?) I use a Furuno in the keys and it has depths, channels,reefs, you name it, its on it. Anything like that for small lakes in Michigan?
Do the normal marine GPS units give much detail as far as depths go?
Someone had a used unit on here a month or so ago and I have searched and cannot find it, if anyone recalls it please let me know. Thanks guys

[djkimmel]

I'm not sure about the details available on small inland lakes. I have a new Lowrance LMS-480, but I haven't hooked it up yet - probably this week. I believe the built-in background map only has shoreline and general features.

Some of the higher end extra chips you can buy might have some detail. Most I'm familiar with a little are for the Great Lakes and some major inland lakes.

Lakemaster (http://www.lakemap.com) has some new stuff coming out with a bunch of Michigan lakes, but it is probably more of the popular and larger lakes. But this is all changing constantly too. They have maps for newer Lowrance and Garmin GPS units. The Lakemaster Pro Maps of Michigan for Lowrance should be out soon. They are taking orders. Includes the Great Lakes, 54 high-def inland lakes and 400 enhanced inland lakes. http://www.lakemap.com/gpsdata/lowrance/michigan.html

Well, see - now they are saying: "Includes Great Lakes, 700 Michigan Inland Lakes, 94 Wisconsin Lakes, 23 Illinois Lakes, 4 Indiana Lakes, 4 Ohio Lakes" They have a list at the address above.

Computer mapping:
http://www.lakemap.com/pcmapping/index.html#4

[blakstr1]

I just bought the Navionics Premium map card.  It has almost every lake in Michigan shows cuts and contours and shoreline info, also shows bottom composition on most lakes.  Smaller inland lakes offer less detail but the larger lakes, Saginaw Bay, the Clair, Grand Traverse Bay areas are in HD and show contours in 1' increments in most situations.  The North Premium map covers Michigan, and additional 5 states.  I'm happy so far.

[fowlmouth]

I think I have it narrowed down to a Lowrance, but should I get internal or external antenna? not sure what the pros and cons are.

[djkimmel]

I've heard good things about the Navionics chips pretty consistently. Don't think I've ever heard complaints on them. That doesn't happen too often.

As far as internal verses external - are you indash-mounting or on the cap somewhere? If not indash, the internal might work out well. That has been the only thing I've heard about them is they may not connect quite as well if in the dash. Even that has been only from a couple comments.

[canvsbk]

I have a LMS 480 also. The Navionics North chip has about any lake you might want to fish.

All this stuff is starting to get goofy$$$$$$ a buddy of mine just put that $1900 Hummingbird 3D unit on. SPECTACULAR!

My wife adores me and is darn lucky to have a guy like me, but if I dropped 2 grand on a locator I'ld have to sleep with one eye open.

[Bulletproof]

When I had a boat, I had the Lowrance LCX Mt15 I think?  Anyhow I had real good luck with the Navionics Michigan Card.  I think it was the region 11 card.  Had most inland lakes, and good details of the larger bodies of waters as well.  Had like 224 lakes with bottom contours and drop offs as well as structure and vegetation for the larger bodies.  Like I said no probs with the navionics.

[fowlmouth]

good to know, I looked at the Navionics regions and they have two versions that cover Michigan, North premium and East premium the east has ohio and I think Kentucky as well.  I'm probably going to mount it on the cap rather than in-dash, I only plan on using this boat 1-2 seasons. thanks for the help!

[canvsbk]

I've fished in boats with Eagle units on them and even though I've heard many things from alot of guys, I see no difference at all between them the higher dollar Lowrance. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

[Revtro]

Correct, the Eagle units are essentially the same as the Lowrance units.  Same chassis and everything.  If you buy the Navionics card, get the best one you can... Gold?  Premium?...not sure which is better off the top of my head.  I have an XL map and a buddy of mine has the Gold and can zoom in farther than me.  We have the same units essentially, so it's definitely the chip.  I am eager to upgrade mine.  But I do love the Navionics card.  I have had good luck with it.  It seems quite accurate on St. Clair.