What is the best hand held GPS unit?

[eyedabassman]

I would like your input to a good hand held GPS> I was thinking of spending about $ 300 to $400. I am not sure how much extra, the lake chip would cost also.

[burleytog]

Lowrance H2Oc

[ring fry]

Got to go with the H20 as well.  And, if I had it to do again, I would get the color.  I have the map-create chip and the navionics chip.  I don't leave home without it.  

[Catt]

Lowrance H2Oc

X3  

[ChazfromVA]

X4  

[RobbyZ5001]

Is this the unit?

http://www.bestboatingdeals.com/product_info.php?pName=lowrance-ifinder-h2oc-wcig-pc

Do the same Navonics chips for the graphs work on this unit?

Would this unit be good enough to use for fishing contours?

Does the unit zoom in to zone in on a marked structure?

[ring fry]

Yes

Yes

and Yes

And that is a really good price on that unit.  The only drawback is that the screen is fairly small.  I've got the suction cup ram mount for my vehicle windshield and an adapter for my boat.

[MichBassMan]

I've had several models of a couple brands. The one I have now does it all for me, on land and the water, all year long. H2OC (color) with lakemaster chip. Use only good lithium batteries and by all means get a cheap plastic screen saver. The screens will scratch otherwise. You won't be sorry.

[Long Mike]

It looks to me as if you need to buy the H2Oc.  One of the great, and less understood features about it is that it is great for land navigation as well.  I can't speak for the Navionics chip, but with a FHS chip installed I can plan and navigate a route down to the exact address.  Believe it or not, it's better than the Garmin Nuvi units when you start getting into out-of the-way places, such as National Parks.

[TommyBass]

Personally I have not had much luck with many brands on their handhelds.  Never have taken one on the water though.  I bought a Garmin GPS map60csx though and havn't looked back.  It has a highly sensitive receiever that allows you to get almost perfect signal pickup under the thickest of tree tops or even around tall objects.  What most people dont tell you is that most brands basic GPS units barely work underneath the thick tree tops of the midwest, especially when you get into valleys.  If they do pick up their accuracy is greatly decreased and can cut in and out.  If mostly using for water activities you may be alright on that part though.  I hunt alot in the winter though and use mine for that as well.  Just my 0.02

[kms399]

h20c for sure I have the lake master chip in mine and it gives me all the roads in MN as well as depth contours of most of the more popular lakes in MN. when in the highway i can look up exits and what is there, mcdonalds, rest stop, comfort in what ever is listed on the exit sign. awesome, awesome unit

[eyedabassman]

h20c for sure I have the lake master chip in mine and it gives me all the roads in MN as well as depth contours of most of the more popular lakes in MN. when in the highway i can look up exits and what is there, mcdonalds, rest stop, comfort in what ever is listed on the exit sign. awesome, awesome unit

What did the chip cost?  I just need a GPS for fishing and marking way points and to take on a trip with my wife too.

[burleytog]

Navionics HotMaps usually run $100 or so per region.

[kms399]

h20c for sure I have the lake master chip in mine and it gives me all the roads in MN as well as depth contours of most of the more popular lakes in MN. when in the highway i can look up exits and what is there, mcdonalds, rest stop, comfort in what ever is listed on the exit sign. awesome, awesome unit

What did the chip cost? I just need a GPS for fishing and marking way points and to take on a trip with my wife too.

I bought the lake master chip. the one for MN is $100 and in my opinion is alot better than the navionics chip. I don't think they make one for every state so you will have to check if they have one for you.

[princecraft papa]

the H2O is a great unit, the only problem is the screen size. I have poor vision & needed a larger screen, I bought a Lorence XOG crossover, I also added fishing hot spots SD card. what I find amazing with this unit is that I can sit at home the day befor fishing and plan my trip from start to finish (street directions & set weighpoints of areas I want to fish)

all in gps + software cost me about $300

[Crestliner2008]

I have a Garmin eTrex CX, a color handheld and I love it! Problem is, you end up with so many waypoints that's it's hard to remember what goes where!  ;D Whereas with a GPS built into the sonar, with mapping, it becomes a lot easier.

[South FLA]

Personally I have not had much luck with many brands on their handhelds. Never have taken one on the water though. I bought a Garmin GPS map60csx though and havn't looked back. It has a highly sensitive receiever that allows you to get almost perfect signal pickup under the thickest of tree tops or even around tall objects. What most people dont tell you is that most brands basic GPS units barely work underneath the thick tree tops of the midwest, especially when you get into valleys. If they do pick up their accuracy is greatly decreased and can cut in and out. If mostly using for water activities you may be alright on that part though. I hunt alot in the winter though and use mine for that as well. Just my 0.02

Exactly 100% correct. GARMIN is the best you can have!  Other units may have some gimmick type features, but Garmin has excellent reception!  I have a Garmin Oregon 400i. The Colorado series is great also.