Help Me!!!

[Rowdy]

am buying a new GPS. All my LCR's are Garman, I have an old Lowerance Global Map 100 handheld.

I want a large screen, and the unit to show conture lines and be able to be down loadable to my PC.

I have the Ky lake HydroGrafx sidescan CD and it is great, also have topo-log Ky maps on CD.I would like to be able use them.

It dont have to be Color but it would nice.

I Crappie fish most and want somthing to mark brush.

The lowerance 3500 is $499 at bass and cabelas I have about $50 points at Cabelas

Any Tips?
Rowdy

[crappie cowboy]

Hey Rowdy, I'm not a pro with gps so, with that said, I have Garmin map60cs.
It's a nice unit but, I think for me [ my first gps ] it was a big learning cruve.
For me being my very first gps it drove me crazy and mean crazy, I should have started with something more simple. eek:
I have the complete package with it,auto navigation, u.s. recreational lakes,
so you can imagine how over whamed I was.
It has the contour lines, but not without the hot spots maps that I load from
cd-rom maps, but now I think they come with a chip tab.
I didn't buy the unit it was a gift and I think it cost around $500 dollars, I would be wrong.
I don't think I have been much help but, just telling about map60cs.

spider rig man

[Cane Pole]

How good are you with gadgets?

If I were good with gadgets I would get me a garmin gps60 and an Ipaq pocket pc. I would use Oziexplorer with the moving map feature. This is a super nice setup if you can use gadgets.

Advantages.

1. You can use many (most) map files with Oziexplorer.

( Dedicated gps only use the manufactures maps. You are locked in to their maps with their products.) Ozie can run all of the major maps.

2. You get color and moving maps with this arrangement.

3. You can have 10,000 waypoints. Many more by changing memory card.

4. You can create your own maps. YEP!!!

5. Ipaq have functional waterproof boxes available now. You can use it in the rain if you want.

6. you can use those Ky Hydrographics maps with this arrangement ( both topo and the side scan). I know, I use it. I can get dead on stuff. No hunting involved.

Disadvantages.

1. Requires 2 units.

2. Takes time to learn how to use these devices.

[Rowdy]

I use oziexplorer now on Ky hydroGrafx,
can I not use my pc the same way ?

Rowdy

[Cane Pole]

I use oziexplorer now on Ky hydroGrafx,
can I not use my pc the same way ?

Rowdy

PC kinda big to put in the boat, but yes you can. Do u mean a laptop pc???

[Rowdy]

No Im talking about down loading everything at home,This is how i do it now, If I mark new stuff on the lake ,I load it on my PC when I get home.

My Lowrance I have now allowes me to do this?

Rowdy

[Cane Pole]

I understand. You can do the same thing with a pocket pc.

[Rowdy]

Is it worth $500 or more, over my old unit ???:rolleyes:

Rowdy

[Cane Pole]

I understand. You can do the same thing with a pocket pc.

Download maps and waypoints from your Home PC to Pocket pc. Hook gps to pocket pc. Upload waypoints from pocket pc to gps. Use moving map feature of Oziexplorer. Check out Oziexplorer web site on this info. Pat Hahs (ky Hydrographics) prob has the scoop about this. I know several people using this now. they like it. I like it. Not for everyone......But it is a powerful tool....

Charter having problems. I keep loosing my connections. Oh well....

[Rowdy]

Thanks for Your Info! I wish I had a hydro map of all the lakes, Its amazing what you can see!
Rowdy