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hey guys i have some questions about gps. i have a handheld, but am looking to upgrade to a bigger one for my boat. the ones im looking at are the lowrance global maps. i am posting this question here on the utah board because i need specific answers for fishing utah waters.
this is what i want to do... i want to be able to have good contour lines for fishing. i would like to be able to use my computer to set up routes and waypoints from home... to try in the future. i would also like to be able to save some of the routes that have been productive for me in the past. i plan on trolling (routes), and vertical jigging (waypoints)
the lake im most interested in is flaming gorge, but strawberry, jordanelle, fish lake, deer creek, and others would be nice too.
my question is, what mapping software do i need? is the base map enough? can i use their free map for flaming gorge on top of the base map, or do i have to buy mapcreate or something?
what are the advantages/di  vantages of internal vs internal antennas?
what do you guys use? what would you recommend?
any tips are greatly appreciated!
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What you are describing is tough... the waypoints for travelling are easy... like I said in a previous post I have a garmin gps60csx and I love it, I use it for hunting and fishing..
it is very easy to plan a trip, in fact it comes with software called waypoint manager... the gps unit also came standard with a basic internal map.. this includes major roads like I-15 and bangerter higway, if you want to get any more detailed than that you have to buy additional software...
I purchased a topo map of all of america and a fishing map which covers a number of lakes in the west...
try this link.. [url "http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/reclakesWest.jsp"]http://www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/reclakesWest.jsp[/url]
the only problem is there is not a gps company or mapping software that cover all of the lakes you are talking about...
the gps I have has a removable SD card so I put the topo map one one SD card and the fishing map on the other SD card.. I really like that setup..
I would be happy to let you look at mine and even borrow for a trip if you want to try it out.. let me know if this helps..
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thanks a lot! but, i couldnt borrow something like that. but, i do appreciate the offer.
i think ive settled on the global map 3600C which is 399.00 from cabelas.com (or at least narrowed my choices a bit)
i like the color feature, and it has 480 X 480 pixels too. it has an internal gps antenna, which i think i'll like for my open boat.
i imagine the base map is pretty basic. ive been doing some reading, including your reply, and have found that the base maps are pretty basic on all of the units. so, i guess i'll need some mapping software.
so, the question still remains... which mapping software is best for flaming gorge? (and decent for the other lakes in our state) is the mapcreate software any good? cabelas has this on sale...
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&id=0031044017117a&navCount=4&podId=0031044&parentId=cat602018&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602018&hasJS=true"]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&id=0031044017117a&navCount=4&podId=0031044&parentId=cat602018&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602018&hasJS=true[/url]
would this work, or is this more of a hunting program?
how about this one from navionics...
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&id=0031044018317a&navCount=6&podId=0031044&parentId=cat602018&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602018&hasJS=true"]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&id=0031044018317a&navCount=6&podId=0031044&parentId=cat602018&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602018&hasJS=true[/url]
i am going to order a card reader, and a 256mb card from cabelas as well. do these prices seem decent?...
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat602018&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=3&parentType=index&parentId=cat602018&id=0031044"]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602025-cat602018_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat602018&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=3&parentType=index&parentId=cat602018&id=0031044[/url]
thanks for the help!
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]A couple thoughts. The MapCreate software at Cabela's is version 6.3. MapCreate 7.0 is coming out real soon so it might be worth the wait. Also, you may want to try ExpertGPS ( [/size][/black][/font][url "http://www.expertgps.com/"][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]www.expertgps.com[/size][/black][/font][/url][font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3] ). They have a free 30 day trial download so you can use it and not buy anything unless you like it. There are also free utilities for managing waypoints on the Lowrance site and also EasyGPS at www.expertgps.com.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Depending what you want, you may be disappointed with any maps you get of Flaming Gorge. Most only show the lake with 40' contour intervals. I use the Navionics card of the western lakes and the Gorge is alright but like I said, I wish the contour line intervals were closer.[/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3][/size][/black][/font]
[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Lastly, don't buy the "Lowrance" card or card reader. Too expensive. Go to ebay and buy a 1 or 2 gig SD card and cheap reader. it works just as good and you'll save a few bucks in the process.[/size][/black][/font]
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thanks a lot rich. i'll explore those links when i get home this afternoon. i really appreciate your help. sounds like i need to save the money and just use the download. i guess i'll go to ebay later and get a reader and a card. that should save me quite a bit!
this may be a dumb question, but i want to be sure before i buy anything... the 3600 will show speed, right? i cant find that info from cabelas, or lowrance. maybe its just too dumb of a question! i know my handheld garmin does, but i dont know if this is standard on all gps units.
one other question- how important is pixel resolution. i know how important it is for sonars, but not sure on gps's. i can get the 3300c for 100 dollars less, but it has less resolution. other than that it looks very similar to the 3600c.
thanks again for your help guys!
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lowrance has a free enhanced lake map for the Gorge that is very good. the base maps and map create are ok for land but of no value on the water. navionics has good maps but I', not sure of the Wyo lake coverage, they do have powell on it and it is very good. I think the navionics is $150. you want bottom countors in the lake , the closer together say 5' countours the better. you might consider a combo unit so that you have a backup sonar if needed? I use a lowrance h20 for ice fishing that will also take the navionics chip, best of both worlds.
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As I had said to you in the PM, I have the 3300C and it works just fine. It zooms in enough that the pixel count is insignificant. It does, however, use an external antenna.
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I'm in the same boat as far as maps go. I wan to purchase one, probably the Navionics West, but I know as soon as I buy they will come out with something better !!!
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thanks a lot jim! i really appreciated your pm. how many guides will answer those kinds of questions for a non-client? and in such short time! really nice of you!
i hadnt noticed that the 3300 had an external antenna. thanks for pointing that out. i think i'll go with the 3600 and use the free download map, as a lot of you suggested. i will get the card and reader from ebay, as jim and rich suggested.
thanks a lot guys! i think you saved me money, and helped me narrow down my decision!
take care, bkidder
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The Navionics map of the Gorge (on the $140 chip) has the same 40' contours as the free map of the Gorge from Lowrance. I compared them side by side on color units oit at Bass Pro and actually liked the free one better, thought it was easier on the eyes.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3]I paid $150 for Navionics HotMaps West last year, but there's a 2007 edition out now that costs $150, and you can get the 2006 version now for $100. I don't really know why - - I don't think there are any new lakes added, and Jordanelle STILL isn't on it. RATS.[/size][/font]
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If you have a Lowrance unit, you can download a free "enhanced lake map" of Jordanelle from the Lowrance website:
[url "http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/LakeMaps/index.asp"]http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/LakeMaps/index.asp[/url]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]With the right software, you can import it in and export as one of many formats compatible with about any GPS out there.[/size][/black][/font]
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I didn't know that! You really do learn something new every day! What software?
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Go check out ExpertGPS.com. It is mapping software that will export files to Garmin, Magellan, and Lowrance. I downloaded it, it has a 30 day free trial, and have been playing with it for a week or so. Not very good with it but hey, I'm starting to understand it a little more. It's a heck of a lot cheaper than MapCreate. Check it out.[/size][/black][/font]
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And it works with the Lowrance enhanced lake maps?? Whoda thunk it! [  ]
Thanks!
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