Handheld GPS with /Navionics chip

Which one would you buy ?

Picked up a Lowrance Endura Safari off of ebay not too long ago, haven’t had any issues with it and love the fact it fits neatly in my pocket. It uses the micro sd cards from Navionics which I believe they’re not making anymore so, they can be hard to find. Other than that, I have no other experience with any other hand held units. It’s probably best to talk with an “expert” at Cabelas, Gander, etc. Good luck in your search!

Great question as since Lake Master was purchased by Johnson Outdoors (Hummingbird) They only support the Hummingbird product. If Humming Bird or a company under the Johnson outdoors umbrella made a hand held GPS that would run their chips it would be the ideal situation. I don’t know??

I currently run a Lowrance H2Oc (hate it hard to read it bright lite and difficult menu compared to others I have used but I’m keeping it till something better comes along.) but run the the Lakemaster chips with Contour Elite software. (Love the chip and software)

I recently downloaded the Navionics USA and Canada app on a Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx. Seems OK but have not used it on the ice yet. Also has many other lakes not mapped on Lakemaster it is a good complement to Lakemaster. I would not recommend relying solely on a phone as they are not water proof and when the battery dies your done (no spare batteries at least with the RAZR Maxx)It would be a good complement to a good handheld.

I too would be interested in a good GPS that would run good lake data software. I actually think the software is more important then the GPS device.

The Lowrance Endura models don’t actually run the Navionics chip as one would expect. It only allows you to use the chart data in a generic browser without waypoint or route management.

I ran the Navionics App on my Samsung all last year with great sucess. Best $10 I ever spent for ice fishing. While it may not be as precise as a true GPS with maps, I was always able to locate points, drop offs, holes and structure with ease. I recommend the App if you have a smart phone.

lowarance needs to bring back the XOG! i still use mine works great no issues.