GPS Recomendations?

[Whiskers]

So what do any of you recommend for a reasonable priced handheld gps unit?I will probably get one in the next few months but I've been looking around comparing and I still don't know much more about them than when I started.I don't need anything fancy just something to mark a couple fishing spots and the boat ramp for those foggy nights on the lake.When the fog sets in like pea soup and your 5 or more miles from the ramp sometimes it's hard to find your way into the right cove.

[showmebob]

I've had 2 Garmin GPS's and have had good luck with them. I currently have a Garmin GPS12. Garmin is a fantastic company for customer service. They replaced a unit for me that was years out of warranty. I have used mine to backtrack my route even going under the bridge on Pomme. Yeah, the bridge is still standing and there are no dents in the boat. I would not try this at speed if I couldn't see. Nothing is 100% accurate.

[Whiskers]

I've heard good things about Garmin from other folks too.I may look into them more.

[Sinker]

When the fog sets in like pea soup and your 5 or more miles from (quote)............................................It's time to keep fishin!!!

[Whiskers]

I'm all for that most of the time.One night last summer though I was out one night when the fog set in and I was supposed to come in and meet some people at the ramp at a certain time.I was about an hour and a half late trying to find my way in the fog.

[Sinker]

I got there fer a date bout a hour n a half late one time. Probly 10 more minutes an I'da only been married twice! I still say hang in there'n fish!

[Whiskers]

They say hindsight is 20/20.lol

[Hoot]

WHISKERS, WHAT DOES HINDSITE HAVE TO DO WITH IT, THE FOG ROLLS IN, AND YOUR STUCK IN THE PEA SOUP, PRAY THAT THERE IS ENOUGH BAIT TO FISH TILL YOU CAN SAFTLY GET BACK TO THE BOAT RAMP, AND BE THANKFUL THAT YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO FISH ALL NIGHT. ;D

[Whiskers]

I was just thinkin in hindsight it sounds like he missed a good opportunity to fish an extra 10 minutes..lol

[Wolfman]

Magellan GPS Units are the best. You can get a basic such as the explorist 100 or 200 fairly cheap.
Myself id reccomend the magellan meridian gold or platinum. Expnadable memory, base map of North and south america. Good units with some pretty decent software you can use with em.
The expandable memory is nice as you can upload topo maps of areas you hunt or bottom structure of lakes you fish. Ive got a meridian Gold myself. Their down around $200, less if you find one at the returns store at bass pro.
I like em cause their bigger then a cigarette pack like many of them are. You want a decent sized screen on them or their d@mn near useless. To many of them have tiny screens.

[Whiskers]

I had been looking at the Explorist 200 but I will check out the Meridian's,I haven't seen them.I'm not in a big hurry to get one but figured I would start studying on them before I decide to get one.

[Wolfman]

The explorists has some upper end units like the 300 and 500 i think it is. Expandable maps ect.
Thing is get what you may want and not just what you need.. Cheaper then upgradeing to another unit later.
I like the meridians because of the way their laid out and screen size. They look sharp as well, not clunky or Ugly. They will also pick up the satalite signals where others wont, big plus. Make sure ANY gps you get is WAAS enabled, accurate to within about 3 feet. otherwise their only accurate to about 30 meters and picking up a satalite, especialy in cloudy, foggy or overhead cover can be a real pain.
You might check e-bay for a meridian Green unit. Their discontinued by magellan but use the same SD chips and map programs as the gold and platinum or color units. Last time i looked there were some news ones still on e-bay.
My reccomendation would be find you a meridian gold though. Got everything you need. Got the bucks go the platinum route, has a barometer and electronic compas built in.

[Whiskers]

I looked at the Meridian Gold tonight at Walley World in Lebanon.I think they were $189.It looked like a nice unit,had most of what I need.They also carry the Explorist 400(? i think)but they were out of stock so I didn't get to check it out.Whatever I do eventually get will be WASS enabled,I knew they were accurate within 3 meters(about 9 feet).I wouldn't mind finding one with an altimeter on it but I don't know how much that would be worth to me as for the extra $$$.I'm not in any big hurry to get one I've been finding my way without one for over 40 years but it would be nice to have one to play with I guess.

[Sinker]

Hey Whiskers, I've spent th last 40 years more or less LOST, an I cain't see as how it's made a he!!uva lotta difernce!!!

[Whiskers]

lol! I aint always known where I am,or where I'm going,or how to get back to where I was for that matter but as long as I don't have to stop and ask directions I aint technically lost.I'm just on an adventure...