Hand held GPS, are they Good for Fishing?

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

I am in the market for a new Hand held GPS, and I want to know if there is one out there that is good for fishing.  Like Good Topo map detail, waterproof, user friendly ECT.  If there are not any like that out there what would you suggest. Your input is much appreciated!

[ga_hawghauler]

i have a garmin etrax and it has the Southeast US Fishing Hot Spots Topo Maps downloaded on it. It is great another feature i like about it is i can also download way points using my pc.

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

I have herd that the etrex are hard to use, because there are so few buttons, is this true?

[gatrboy53]

lowrance H2O is designed for fishing and is a good hh gps

also, garmin 76 is designed for fishing the c on either unit is preferred (color screen)

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

Feild and Streem tested that H2O and they said that it sucks the big one, and is not waterproof which it clams to be

[The_Bass_Whisperer]

Does any one have a Garman 76 or 76 S.  I saw online that they weremade for fishing, is that true?

[fishin_fool]

I have the E-trex Vista and it has served me great for three years easy to operate ,you can download any maps.I like it better than my lowrance for waypoint navigation and it is very accurate within 6 foot

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Just don't drop it in the water when you are reeling in a fish

[MickD]

More important than having detailed contour maps are two other issues where any gps can really contribute to your fishing success and safety.

First, most units have floating navigation aids preprogrammed into them.  If not, don't buy.  With this you can always, when fishing in areas that have them, like Saginaw Bay, Lake St Clair, NYC harbor, SF Bay, and so many other areas, find where you are by sliding up to a nav aid and correlating its number and location with what you are viewing on your gps.

Second, you can go back to the same hot spot over and over with ease.  My old Magellan takes me back to a small perch hole in Canada year after year, accurate to less than 6 feet even though it has no WAAS.

These two features of any good gps are much more valuable than detailed contour maps.

[kbkindle]

kbkindle here    i bought a garmin e trex  just a cheap one about $100.00 the yellow one   . and i want to tell you ia'm not smart enough to use it i have tryed  but guess ia'm just dumb  so its in the dresser drawer   kb

[RoLo]

Garmin GPS Map76Cx - $400

Display Size: 2.2" x 1.5"

Resolution: 240 x 160 pixels

Memory Card: 128mb

SiRF High-Sensitivity Receiver

Waterproof <> Floats

Roger

[MickD]

Garmin GPS Map76Cx - $400

Display Size:    2.2" x 1.5"

Resolution:      240 x 160 pixels

Memory Card: 128mb

SiRF High-Sensitivity Receiver

Waterproof <> Floats  

Better test it in your sink before trusting the "floats" claim.  While researching gps on line I read a review by a person who bought one of these, tested it by dropping it over the side, and watched it disappear.  I don't know what the truth is, but don't count  on it floating without more/better info.  Take it into the bathroom of the store and try it before you buy.

Mick

[RoLo]

Garmin GPS Map76Cx - $400

Better test it in your sink before trusting the "floats" claim. While researching gps on line I read a review by a person who bought one of these, tested it by dropping it over the side, and watched it disappear. I don't know what the truth is, but don't count on it floating without more/better info. Take it into the bathroom of the store and try it before you buy.

Mick

Garmin claims that it floats, and that's good enough for me.

Personally I couldn't care less, because my GPS unit is only held in my hand between my house and my boat in the driveway.

On the water, the GPS unit is securely mounted in its bracket on the console, so if mine finds it way into the drink,

I'm probably dead!

Roger