Best quality handheld GPS

I’m sure there had been many discussions on the best all round hand held GPS, but wanted to get a discussion on it for my future purchase. I want something for my ice fishing that is easy to use, can create way points for my spots but would also be able to look at contour maps for of lakes? Is there anything out there like that? My thought was an etrec but I heard that is more for snowmobiling. Any info would be . Thanks in advance

My opinion is the Magellan eXplorist. Is a little more $$$, but does a lot and has a lot of easy to use features. Reads Navionics maps. The down fall at this price point is you can buy a GPS/fish finder for about the same money and have a larger screeen

Flytomap.com has a good app for about $5. I’ve been using the MN lake maps for two years now on my iphone and works great. The downside is that it doesn’t include all the lakes in MN like red, minnetonka, LOTW, or some of the smaller lakes and rivers around town. But it does include Mille Lacs. Then another downside could be that its on a phone and battery life could pose a problem. The app works great for the money. Just wish it showed more lakes, rivers, and streams.

The best handheld GPS is your smartphone and one of those external battery packs.

Navionics app is $10 and there are several other good on-land GPS programs as well, all for around $10.

I can’t see buying a stand-alone unit. They now look like total ripoffs to me for a 1 trick pony. Plus, then it’s just another eGadget I have to carry.

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

I can’t see buying a stand-alone unit. They now look like total ripoffs to me for a 1 trick pony. Plus, then it’s just another eGadget I have to carry.

Grouse

Until your in an area with no data connection….then you’ll wish you had one. I know, been there and frustrated with that.

Garmin units imo the best. Starting with the 62 and 64 series, they float! A bigger screen the oregon but pricier.
The nuvi 450 is a good unit that multi purposes.
The garmin lake maps are riveled by none, pay more but you get more states and more lakes for Mn than lakemaster or navionics.

One thing you want to make sure you have on your unit is an electric compass.
A good handheld you don’t need an extra battery pack. The 62 or 64 series you will get 16 to 18 hours of use on 2 double a batteries. Get your self some good rechargeables, I love the rayovac pluss over others. You also becable to read it better in the sunlight.

I didn’t want another unit as I like Navionics but I got a Lowrance H20c for $50 bucks. It might crap out at any time, but like Randy said, if i was in Ontario and had service, I need a backup GPS

I went with garmin 62s and bought upper midwest fishing chip. Dead on accurate with water depths on my local lakes. Easy to use also. Garmin has excellent CS if you need something explained on how to use.

What chips do you buy that have all the Wisconsin and Minnesota public hunting land. Or do you download them?

I don’t think the Garmin in will read lakemaster or navionics chips, though, correct? That is my biggest hangup regarding buying a new Garmin.

I wish Lowrance would bring back the old XOG in a little bigger screen size. It was my favorite handheld I have ever had – easy to use, user friendly, and touchscreen.

Will a Garmin Montana650 read a lakemaster chip?

Not the Johnson outdoors produced for humminbird. Yes on the older pre acquisition chips. I have one for WI that works in my Colorado and Montana. They come up on Ebay every once in a while.

castle-rock-clown wrote:

Not the Johnson outdoors produced for humminbird. Yes on the older pre acquisition chips. I have one for WI that works in my Colorado and Montana. They come up on Ebay every once in a while.

Thank you CRC.