Ifinder H2O, your opinions

  • blackduck
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 325
    March 19, 2006 at 4:14 am #1234065

    A couple weeks ago I went on a trip with my brother and he has the H2O Ifinder and I have this simple little Garmin GPS 72. I was really looking hard at getting the H2O, and my brother picked one up at my suggestion. Short story is we used mine all weekend. His took for ever to get a signal and lost signal ALL THE TIME!! I didn’t have a problem with mine, and never have. It works great for what I need. I was just considering getting one with more options and ability to use chips, etc… But if all of them work like that I am way better off with my cheap little 72. Do you need an external antenna to get this unit to work. I had mine side by side with his on the dash and mine never lost signal and the H2O hardly ever had enough signal to navigate. I removed my unit and it didn’t help a bit. I am really wanting to upgrade my handheld, is there anything anyone can suggest as far as the H2O, or is there a better unit out there that I can use chips, mapping, etc…????

    Thanks much

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    March 19, 2006 at 4:29 am #431301

    I have used my H20 ifinder in my jon boat and had no problems at all. A friend borrowed it for a trip over Christmas and it worked fine for him too.

    Thanks, Bill

    blackduck
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 325
    March 19, 2006 at 4:57 am #431306

    We always mount ours up in the dash of vehicles and have never had a problem until my brothers H20. How does yours work Bill while going down the highway? I really like this unit and want to get it, but don’t want to pay if I’m always searching for signal and losing it. Also, how close will the chips get you on the lakes. I would be mainly using it for ice fishing and would like to find breaks without having to drill holes.

    shaley
    Milford IA
    Posts: 2178
    March 19, 2006 at 5:02 am #431307

    We just got the Expeditions and during a trip last weekend mine on the front seat never lost signal, my buddy ran his in the back seat and did lose his on occasion, but thats to be expected. I ran an Eagle before this and I’m more than happy with the upgrade. Cant wait to get the boat out and play with the chip on the water.

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    March 19, 2006 at 5:31 am #431313

    Quote:

    A couple weeks ago I went on a trip with my brother and he has the H2O Ifinder and I have this simple little Garmin GPS 72. I was really looking hard at getting the H2O, and my brother picked one up at my suggestion. Short story is we used mine all weekend. His took for ever to get a signal and lost signal ALL THE TIME!! I didn’t have a problem with mine, and never have. It works great for what I need. I was just considering getting one with more options and ability to use chips, etc… But if all of them work like that I am way better off with my cheap little 72. Do you need an external antenna to get this unit to work. I had mine side by side with his on the dash and mine never lost signal and the H2O hardly ever had enough signal to navigate. I removed my unit and it didn’t help a bit. I am really wanting to upgrade my handheld, is there anything anyone can suggest as far as the H2O, or is there a better unit out there that I can use chips, mapping, etc…????

    Thanks much

    He’s got a defective unit and should contact Lowrance.

    The H2O and H2OC are two of the better handhelds out there. The Expedition C is the same but add electronic compass and barometric altimeter. They all run the Lakemaster chip or the Navionics Premium chip. If you want to stick with Garmin I would look at the 60C or 76C. There is a MN Lakemaster CD-Rom for these Garmin units.

    ggoody
    Mpls MN
    Posts: 2603
    March 19, 2006 at 5:39 am #431316

    Wade I thought the Expedition had noticably better resolution also.

    Thanks Pier.

    blackduck
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 325
    March 19, 2006 at 10:00 am #431324

    I will inform my brother, thanks jolly. I will still consider this unit. I have had my 72 for 3-4 years now and will be in the market for an upgrade by next ice season.
    Thanks

    jeremy2323
    Posts: 116
    March 19, 2006 at 12:52 pm #431328

    I also have the H2o Color and LOVe it, it is right on all the time, and i always have signal, i would highly reccomend one!!!!!!!!!!!

    shadrap23
    Ramsey, MN
    Posts: 178
    March 19, 2006 at 2:11 pm #431336

    Blackduck,
    I just upgraded my handheld to the H20 and it works great! Very happy with my decision . Take Jolly’s advice and ship it back to Lowrance. They have great customer service and will be very helpful.

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    March 19, 2006 at 3:12 pm #431341

    Quote:

    We always mount ours up in the dash of vehicles and have never had a problem until my brothers H20. How does yours work Bill while going down the highway? I really like this unit and want to get it, but don’t want to pay if I’m always searching for signal and losing it. Also, how close will the chips get you on the lakes. I would be mainly using it for ice fishing and would like to find breaks without having to drill holes.

    I myself have never used it in a vehicle, only my friend has and worked fine for him. What conditions are the batteries in? I always use rechargeable ones so I can recharge them to make sure they are in good condition.
    Thanks, Bill

    mark_johnson
    St. Croix River
    Posts: 940
    March 19, 2006 at 4:24 pm #431349

    Wade is right…send it back to Lowrance. I have the H2OC(color) and use the Lakemaster pro card. No problems at all in the car. I highly recommend the color unit. Its $100 more but worth it, much easier to read depths and see the big picture(it is higher resolution also). The quality of the map depends on what chip you have and what lake you are on. The more popular lakes are higher definition like Mille Lacs is 1′ contours and is extremely accurate….a little pothole lake 15 miles to the east of there is just an enhanced DNR map with 5′ contours. Do your research on the card to find the best one for the lakes that you fish.
    Swerv

    wade_kuehl
    Northwest Iowa
    Posts: 6167
    March 19, 2006 at 4:35 pm #431350

    Quote:

    Wade I thought the Expedition had noticably better resolution also.

    Thanks Pier.

    Pier,

    You’re probably thinking in comparison to the HuntC. Both the H2OC and the ExpeditionC have 320V x 240H resolution while the HuntC has 240V x 160H pixel resolution. If one is choosing between the H2OC and the ExpeditionC, the main question to ask is “do I want to spend a little extra money on the electronics compass and barometric altimeter?”. The Expedition C has a couple other bells and whistles such as Scout Mode and MP3 ability.

    For you guys are trying to choose between these Lowrance GPS units, here’s a nice feature to help you in the process.
    Lowrance Product Comparison Feature – Use this to select the products you are considering and you can compare their features side-by-side.

    Todd_NE
    Posts: 701
    March 19, 2006 at 6:00 pm #431363

    I LOVE my H20 b & w. I got it from Wade. I have it on a RAM suction cup mount for my suburban.

    I had a buddy that kind of laughed about getting it. Smart guy, doctor in fact. He thought it wasn’t needed.

    We go ice fishing and he used it more than I did. We take a trip and he’s contantly snooping around on it. Hmmm, he suddenly wanted me to download all the roads from here to Orlando and back so he can borrow it this week for a family trip.

    Ya, I’d get it again. But don’t show your friends how to use it!

    Todd

    luke_haugland
    Iowa City, Iowa
    Posts: 3037
    March 20, 2006 at 5:23 am #431519

    I would highly recommend the h20 Color..I had the black and white version before…the color is really nice!
    Wade is the go to guy for great prices and service on these units!

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