Well my ifinder H2O crapped the bed and I need a new GPS. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have a Lakemaster chip I'd like to use again, color is nice, and my budget is $250 give or take.

Thanks in advance,

WV

This might help. I have the Garmin S series and like it. The Oregon series is smaller and lighter but apparently doesn't work as well in cold temps.

GPS

There is a GPS Forum. For more detailed info from users.
I have no experience with Lowrance units, nor what may be compatible with your Lakemaster Chip.
Beyond that Garmin has the largest selection of styles, Delorme has a single handheld unit as capable as any. These 2 brands are probably the best supported consumer GPS units available.

butthead

I've had a Garmin 60CSX for about 5 years now. It's worked well for me all of these years. I use different cards in it for each states topos.

I feel that Garmin is the standard for handheld gps units these days. Unfortunately, LakeMaster is not compatible. However, Garmin was pretty sly in maintaining their rights to produce their own chips with the same data, and at a fraction of the cost. My Upper Midwest Fishing Guide chip (since discontinued) installed in my Garmin 62st covers 6 states and some of Canada at the price of one state from LakeMaster.

I have had an Oregon 450 for several years now. On a trip back in July I just happened to look down at a portage and it was laying at the bottom of the lake near my foot. I still don't know why I looked down. I could have easily just paddled away not knowing where it was. It was still working perfectly. I have the Red Pine Mapping software on it and it shows all the campsites and portages (you can also download these for free from the GPS File Depot but I could never get them to work). Overall it's a good unit. I have never tried it below freezing. I like that it uses AA batteries. I use it for hiking, biking, kayaking and geocaching as well.

quote Northwoodsman: "I have had an Oregon 450 for several years now. On a trip back in July I just happened to look down at a portage and it was laying at the bottom of the lake near my foot. I still don't know why I looked down. I could have easily just paddled away not knowing where it was. It was still working perfectly."

Which is one of the best arguments for a waterproof handheld rather than an app on a phone. They don't float much, however, so one of those sponge key fobs seen on most boat key rings is a good idea.

(also a good argument for a dependable mounting system, such as RAM Mount...)

I have a garmin foretrex and love it, but I use GPS mainly for goto in deep woods and finding my location on a real map with utm coordinates so I've had little use for a unit with detailed mapping, color, etc. I like the simplicity.

I'd take a look at the Garmin eTrex 20x. You can find the older versions cheaper, but the "x" series has much better resolution.

I have used a Garmin Dakota 20 for past three years. So far it's been problem free, easy to use, and with in your budget.

Garmin Oregon - look for a sale at Cabelas

Garmin

Add a Boundary Waters card
BW card

Garmin does make handheld units that float. I have an older Garmin GPSmap 76Cx and it does float (I tested it). Garmin has newer versions.

quote Ausable: "Garmin does make handheld units that float. I have an older Garmin GPSmap 76Cx and it does float (I tested it). Garmin has newer versions."

Because lithium batteries are so lite, a GPS60CSx would float with them installed (at least the one I used did). As schweady mentioned best is to secure the unit in a mount.

butthead

quote CardinalNation: "Garmin Oregon - look for a sale at Cabelas

Garmin


Add a Boundary Waters card
BW card
"

The problem with those Garmin map downloads (besides the price) is that they can be used only on one device... and if you upgrade to a new device, you are out of luck. I prefer the Red Pine products for the BWCA.

Not sure what is happening at RedPine Mapping, only product listed is GPS SledMap USA 2016. I could not retrieve my registered history.
I hope they do come back, was a good mapset.
sledzeppelin, are you still out there?

butthead

quote butthead: "Not sure what is happening at RedPine Mapping, only product listed is GPS SledMap USA 2016. I could not retrieve my registered history.
I hope they do come back, was a good mapset.
sledzeppelin, are you still out there?


butthead "

Interesting. I hadn't checked, but you're right... nothing on their site about the BWCA map.

Been using a Garmin e-trex for years. Only occasionally bring it out to confirm my location. I'm still a map and compass kind of guy.

Also a Garmin etrex user with the red pine card. However, we had one sink with lithium batteries. Yellow floaty is attached to the new one. They are very close to neutrally buoyant and so small differences between models could make the difference.

I don’t think you will be able to find anything that can use your lakemaster chip. Unless. You look on eBay and just replace your H2O. If you do upgrade to another unit, you might want to sell your lakemaster chip on eBay for some extra cash.

T