Lowrance H2o vs Navionics phone app?

Does the H2o unit have any advantages over the Navionics phone app that are “must haves” when ice fishing?

I might have a line on an H2o but don’t want to waste money

H2o is waterproof, shockproof if dropped and floats with lithium batteries, something to consider.

What phone do you have? Here is a link to the Nav Phone app it does have a lot of cool features. There are a number of protective devices for phones

Mobile App

Mobile App Upgrades

Here is a Lifeproof piece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKRajOeoubg

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What phone do you have? Here is a link to the Nav Phone app it does have a lot of cool features. There are a number of protective devices for phones

Mobile App

Mobile App Upgrades

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I have the iPhone 3 and I already have downloaded the Avionics app

Hands down the H 2/0.Much better detail then the Navionics app.The app works, its cheaper and definately better then nothing.My lowrance went down last winter and I used the app all winter just fine but would have much rather had my lowrance.

I have the navionics app. Good detail but lakemaster is better I think. Fun to look at and game plan the night before a trip, but I have never used it on ice since I want save the battery in case of an emergency. I have a lowrance endura with lakemaster chip that I’ve used the past three years.

The H2O with the lakemaster chip is better, the Navionics chip in it is ok also. The problem is, the H2O is useless without the chips and they are hard to find.

The newer chips do NOT work in it so be careful on what chips you buy. The Nav App is OK, the thing some people don’t realize is the Nav app wants you to sign up for a Navionics Account, if you do sign up, your waypoints are made public to everyone else that has an account!!!!!

I have been dreading the day I need to replace my H2o but its coming soon. What an iconic GPS! Hopefully I find a replacement that does everything an H2O can do and more.

To clarify, you can add waypoints to Navionics and not have them show up as a community edit. Just add the way point as a “favorite”. If you choose to edit map and add information there, that will be shared on the Navionics community. I believe you can uncheck Community Edits in settings as well. If you do, I am not sure if you will see other people’s edits and I can’t guarantee that it is not shared.

I can tell you that adding a favorite doesn’t show up, if it did, people would see about 2 dozen or so markers on the Horseshoe chain that I added when doing some planning.

What does an H20 do that’s so great besides reading an old lakemaster chip? I have no idea so just curious.

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What does an H20 do that’s so great besides reading an old lakemaster trip? I have no idea so just curious.

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It does it well and in all conditions.

Detail and accuracy on the lakes I fish are not even comparable. The navionics map is nice considering the price, but the H2O with lakemaster is much better. This will vary depending on the lakes you fish but for me there is no question which one is superior.

I compare it to this, you can fish mille lacs in a canoe, but a 2025 prov is better. The smartphone with the app works fine but do you really want to expose your $600 phone that is not made to withstand the elements of a hard day/night on the water/ice. If you use the right tool for the job at hand, the end result will be easier to accomplish and with less headaches

For me personally the Navionics app on my phone gives me everything I need….unless it is raining out.

Speaking on chart detail. Has anyone ever researched a 10’X10′ area on their map that they went and fished and hammered them, all because the chart showed it? For me a chart is useful for finding the structure, but the details come from working that structure with a sonar.

my H20 isn’t color, and the screen on my droid is much bigger than my old H20. So it was a no-brainer for me to buy the app. Last winter i wasn’t getting reception on my phone for some reason and i was heading out on mille lacs in the dark. Pulled out my backup H20. Man it was hard to revert back to that tiny screen with no color.

I’m putting my HBird 898 on a genz blue box this week, and that’ll be my chart, and i’m undetermined whether it’ll replace my marcum as primary flasher or just act as a backup. Time will tell…Have to build the setup first.

Forgot about reception, as smart as smartphones are, they don’t always get reception. GPS units always get reception while exposed to the sky, anywhere in the world. So depending on where you fish, a smartphone with a app might not be a good choice

If you want more detail with the Navionics app add the Nav + add on you will get even more detail thru SonarCharts. When you go to the web app in the link above click on the Sonar Icon in the lower left for the Sonar Charts detail. Some lakes may not be different and others a lot of difference in added detail.

These GPS and Chip mfgs have really messed things up. I don’t think there is a handheld that accepts LakeMaster and it doesn’t look like Garmin takes Navionics? I cant believe such a massive niche (that was solved before) now goes unfilled. I know there are good GPS units out there and I see some nice Garmin units but if they cannot do what my H2o currently does well like accept high quality lake maps and show me public hunting areas then I will continue to wait for a product that does. If I am missing something please tell me. I want to know. I just emailed Garmin an inquiry.

The Garmin charts aren’t any good? Sure wish hbird would come out with a handheld, for now my navionics app will due.

When/if my H2O dies, I will be turning my HB597ci hd di into an ice unit.

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When/if my H2O dies, I will be turning my HB597ci hd di into an ice unit.

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I bought the stuff to convert mine for ice. I like that I can sit in my family room and look at a lake I’m interested in and mark some waypoints on spots that look good and then work them and find the spot on the spot when I’m out there.

The Navionics maps are downloaded onto your phone and there should be no issue with GPS reception on the phone on open water.