Wanted

I am looking for a used handheld GPS unit. Before I buy a bigger onboard
model I want to make sure I will use it often enough to justify the
purchase, and that it will improve my fishing prospects. Would also
appreciate hearing from anglers who use them on a regular basis. Do you
feel it gives you a distinct advantage? Thanks.
Bill

Advantage? Yes. Especially when using Fishing Hotspots software, or any
other that shows the contours of the bottom of the lake.

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and get back
is a great feeling.

I used a handheld for about a year before buying a larger unit. The larger
one (Garmin 162) gives me a larger screen and connects to the batteries in
the boat so I don't have to carry around a bunch of AA's onboard.


"William Barger" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a used handheld GPS unit. Before I buy a bigger onboard
model I want to make sure I will use it often enough to justify the
purchase, and that it will improve my fishing prospects. Would also
appreciate hearing from anglers who use them on a regular basis. Do you
feel it gives you a distinct advantage? Thanks.
Bill

I did the same thing. The nice thing is you can take handheld unit when you
fish in other guys boats.
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in message
t...
Advantage? Yes. Especially when using Fishing Hotspots software, or any
other that shows the contours of the bottom of the lake.

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and get
back
is a great feeling.

I used a handheld for about a year before buying a larger unit. The larger
one (Garmin 162) gives me a larger screen and connects to the batteries in
the boat so I don't have to carry around a bunch of AA's onboard.


"William Barger" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a used handheld GPS unit. Before I buy a bigger onboard
model I want to make sure I will use it often enough to justify the
purchase, and that it will improve my fishing prospects. Would also
appreciate hearing from anglers who use them on a regular basis. Do you
feel it gives you a distinct advantage? Thanks.
Bill

Exactly what the two of them said. I made the mistake of buying both a
Lowrance handheld and a fixed mount unit. When I got to the 2003 Mid-Tenn
Classic and saw how much detail the Garmin software provided versus the
Lowrance, I returned home afterwards and sold both of those units and bought
2 Garmins, and I've never been disappointed with either.As Charlie said in
his post, the peace of mind knowing that you can go and return in the worst
weather, or conditions, is well worth the price no matter which brand you
choose. As Kevin posted, it's nice being able to carry the handheld with you
on another boat, especially when you're picked as a non-boater, then you can
take along your own waypoints.

"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I did the same thing. The nice thing is you can take handheld unit when
you
fish in other guys boats.
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in message
t...
Advantage? Yes. Especially when using Fishing Hotspots software, or any
other that shows the contours of the bottom of the lake.

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and get
back
is a great feeling.

I used a handheld for about a year before buying a larger unit. The
larger
one (Garmin 162) gives me a larger screen and connects to the batteries
in
the boat so I don't have to carry around a bunch of AA's onboard.


"William Barger" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a used handheld GPS unit. Before I buy a bigger
onboard
model I want to make sure I will use it often enough to justify the
purchase, and that it will improve my fishing prospects. Would also
appreciate hearing from anglers who use them on a regular basis. Do
you
feel it gives you a distinct advantage? Thanks.
Bill

"Charles B. Summers" wrote in
t:

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and
get back is a great feeling.

Yes, it does offer piece of mind, but just keep in mind that its really a
horrible idea to be dependent on the GPS. If without the GPS you would be
lost, and if being lost would be dangerous, then you're doing something
wrong.

Scott

Since I have two depth finders alredy I am leaning towards a handheld
model. Although Eagle makes a Cuda depth finder with integrated GPS that
sells for $199.00.Its major drawback is it has no map built in. If
buying a handheld unit, which manufacturer would you all recommend?
Thanks.
Bill

Garmin.


"William Barger" wrote in message
...
Since I have two depth finders alredy I am leaning towards a handheld
model. Although Eagle makes a Cuda depth finder with integrated GPS that
sells for $199.00.Its major drawback is it has no map built in. If
buying a handheld unit, which manufacturer would you all recommend?
Thanks.
Bill

There's been many a morning that fog has set in while I was already out in
my boat, and if I didn't have the GPS I would have had a real problem
finding my way around.


"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in
t:

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and
get back is a great feeling.

Yes, it does offer piece of mind, but just keep in mind that its really a
horrible idea to be dependent on the GPS. If without the GPS you would be
lost, and if being lost would be dangerous, then you're doing something
wrong.

Scott

Same here... even watched the driver drive around in a big circle trying to
find the marina.


"Jerry Barton (NervisRek)" wrote in message
...
There's been many a morning that fog has set in while I was already out in
my boat, and if I didn't have the GPS I would have had a real problem
finding my way around.


"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in
t:

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake and
get back is a great feeling.

Yes, it does offer piece of mind, but just keep in mind that its really
a
horrible idea to be dependent on the GPS. If without the GPS you would
be
lost, and if being lost would be dangerous, then you're doing something
wrong.

Scott

"Charles Summers" wrote in
:

Same here... even watched the driver drive around in a big circle
trying to find the marina.


"Jerry Barton (NervisRek)" wrote in message
...
There's been many a morning that fog has set in while I was already
out in my boat, and if I didn't have the GPS I would have had a real
problem finding my way around.


"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
"Charles B. Summers" wrote in
t:

Piece of Mind? Yes. Know that you can run anywhere, on any lake
and get back is a great feeling.

Yes, it does offer piece of mind, but just keep in mind that its
really
a
horrible idea to be dependent on the GPS. If without the GPS you
would
be
lost, and if being lost would be dangerous, then you're doing
something wrong.

Scott






All well and good if things are going right, as sitting a few hours waiting
for a fog to burn off if your GPS dies is just fine. But when things start
going wrong, like say its cold out, you fell in and managed to get back in
your boat, so you're fighting off hypothermia, and your GPS doesn't work,
you're up ****s creek. If, in this situation, you had a compass, and
practiced beforehand estimating your distance travelled, and kept up this
skill by practicing every once in a while, you'd have a better chance of
getting back to the dock (even if there's no visibility to take a siting).

A GPS is a very convenient thing, but relying on it too heavily can really
get you into some trouble by encouraging a false sense of security. A
pretty good compass will run you $15, learning to use it is fun, its an
outdoor skill you can be proud of, and its a really sensible backup for a
GPS

Scott