Fish-Hawk.Net

I am looking for advice on waterproof handheld gps for boat? My buddy has a Lowrance H2OC and looking at possible other options. All comments appreciated.

I've been using the iFinder H2OC, great unit! I use it with Canadian topo maps for hunting etc, and the Navionics Gold chip for fishing.

Jim

I have the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx which is a nice unit - Colour screen, WAAS, USB for computer interface, batteries last for days... The Legend Cx can be expanded with microSD cards and comes with a 64M card but you'll likely want to replace it with a larger 1G card when you get mapping software.

For this thing to be useful, you need detailed map content. I have Canadian Topo which work pretty well. I use it on my computer to plan out trips and pre-print maps for them. very handy. I don't have any maps with lake information or depths ... not sure you can get any good ones for any GPS for local lakes - most lake info is for the US it seems

I have been using a Garmin 60csx and have been happy. Great looking machine with the colour display. I use it for both land and water with Garmin Topo and looking at getting the bluecharts program for it.

For lake maps the Navionics Gold chip for the Eastern Great Lakes (I believe that is the right chip) has detailed maps with depths...etc for the Ottawa River and the Rideau system. The Navionics Hot Maps has a chip for Canadian lakes now, I have not used the hot maps so I can not comment on quality of maps. I know the Lowrance iFinder H2Oc works with the Navionics chips, not sure about Garmin or other brands.

Jim

I have this unit also with garmin bluechart americas with unlock maps of newboro, indian, clear, benson, dog, cranberry, etc....it's great...!

I have a Garmin map60Cx

I use it for hunting, fishing and road travel. I have mapsource topo maps for all of canada. I also have city navigator for turn by turn directions. even things like gas stations and resturants for all of canada can be found on this unit.

Its very fast. can be used in doors. or in the truck with no extra antenna.

I love this unit! It does it all. like i said it goes from my truck to my atv and i even use it in my boat!

I also have a Garmin MAP60CX, I had a few units and this one is by far the best.

Crawler

I bought an H2OC back in the spring after Plowjock was kind enough to lend me his for a weekend to check it out. I checked out the Garmin's as well but what swayed me was the Navionics chip also works in Lowrance and Humminbird fishfinder/GPS combos. AFAIK, the Garmin maps only work with Garmin products.

I also picked up a RAM mount with the big suction cup to attach the GPS in the boat. I bought it online from GPS City. This gives me the ability to remove the whole shebang and mount it in my little aluminum boat when I go trolling or in someone else's boat.

I have been using a Garmin 76s for about seven years and am very happy with it.

I have a 2 year old Garmin GPSMAP 76C. I use it for fishing and travel. The down loadable after market "TRAK" maps for specific lakes work great! It's an all around excellent unit and they advertise that it floats but I don't want to test that part out.
fnn