Old Dog New Tricks

[1FASTLASER]

Finally gonna get with the program and get a handheld GPS. Since my sometimers kicks in more than I care for it to LOL I need to get one to remember some of the hotspots I find. So my question is which handheld unit do ya'll recommend. Now keep in mind that I do want to be able to download to my computer from the unit. I dont need the basemaps of the entire world. LOL. I was looking at the Garmin Legend but dont think it can be hooked up to the puter. I also need the GPS speed reading. So tell me which one I need folks.

[zooker]

i have a garmin etrek legend my self. i use the u.s. recreational lakes software with hot spots.. i have the east addition. got it from bps. it does cost $100 but you don't have to unlock the lakes or nothing. plus an added bonus i have it loaded in to the computer. but never need the disk i can save way points, tracks,maps to an disk for review at later times only thing i suguesst you get with the legend is the computer hook up cable. that and some rechargable batties i use duracell 1800mahz.
any more questions let me know..

zooker

[bassinbob]

Zook, I got a question for you. When saving spots how often and how long will they produce? Week after week or year after year. Or is it more for reference to say a old road bed or ledge or such? I guess maybe you could save a lot of good spots on a particular lake so if one fails another might produce. Do the maps show bottom contours? Any other thoughts?

Bob

[zooker]

bob
i only have found about 3 real consitaint spots so far. consistaint as in pull up catch at least one fish every time. i use mine to find rock piles ,big stumps, river channel drops. some of the lakes have a topo map -some not all-the gps also will lie they are good at what they do. but not perfect. if the water level is up or down all the depth contours will be off. also remember the satellites are moving. the gps speed is close but also will lie a bit the compurter program shows track points and speed. i have seen track speeds of 85 & 54 mph from my lil boat that goes no faster than 36mph gps.

even for all its flaws still the best thing to show up in years..

zooker

[1FASTLASER]

Zook

So the Etrek Legend does have or is capable of computer interface and does have Gps speed reading capabilities (even though they can be off). This sounds like the unit I am gonna get then. I know I have seen them ...different models from $100 to 3 and 400 dollars but the Legend sounds like it will do what I want and not cost the farm.

[Christopherkeene9]

We will have to second the etrek legend. We use it as our back up and in our bail box so if something conchs out 30 miles offshore we will at least know where we are or how to get back home.


Chris

[Basspro wannabe]

Laser, I have the Magellan Meridian Platinum and I really like it. The thing that sets this GPS apart from the rest is it has a built in Electrical Compass which will tell you exactly how fast you are going and the direction without even locking in on satelites which can take a while for some units in the boonies of Arkie-in-slaw (as Zooker says). With 2 cds the topo maps and road maps. With road maps you can search any street or put in an address and find any house in the US. With topo maps you can see the names of any lakes even small lakes (down to an acre or so), rivers, streams, names of bends in rivers. It also gives distance traveled which is handy on the river telling the milage from point A to point B accounting for bends (instead of a strait line from point to point). The GPS also is durable, water resistant, and it floats in case you knock it out of the boat. You can store waypoints, trackpoints, and routes. No matter what GPS you get check out www.gpsonsale.com because they have some good deals.

[1FASTLASER]

Basspro wannabe. That looks like a very good unit as well. Went to the site that you suggested and they have great prices on the Etrex legend but cant find the price on the magellan. Could you tell me what you paid for yours? I really like the expansion capabilities of the magelan. If it aint outta my price range I might get this one. According to the site the legend doesnt have all the accessories the magellan does so I am down to the price thing. Holler at me as soon as you can please.

[Basspro wannabe]

Laser think about what you want out of the GPS. If you just want a GPS to mark fishing or hunting hot spots a cheap unit will do the job. But if you want a GPS that would be handy on family trips in showing roads or restraunts. Also if you want a GPS to show topography, elevation, about all(basemaps just show big lakes, big rivers, major interstates) lakes and rivers. You need a GPS that will take a memory card and I don't think the Legend will take a memory card. Laser I checked the site and they were sold out(you might call the store if you want this unit and ask when they will get some in) of the Meridian Platinum and that is why the price wouldn't come up. My GPS was sold as a package with the GPS, 128MB SD memory card, and topography map CD for $339.99 (in stores GPS runs $350 alone) and I got the Direct Route road map CD for $109.99 (in stores $150).

[1FASTLASER]

BassPro Wannabe

Thanks for the info. I couldnt find the price of the magellan on the site you requested thats why I asked you. I really like the added benefits that the Magellan has over the Legend. The barometric pressure and the real time speed are of special interest to me plus the added benefit of the extra memory. I do want it to mark hotspots but also have the topographic elevations that the magellan has. Looks like Im gonna have to call around and see you has this one in stock. Once again thanks for the info.

[zooker]

yes laser it does have a comptuer inter face.. it plugs in the back of you computer and hooks in the top of the gps..



zooker

[zooker]

laser
take my word for it once you mess with a gps unit that you borrowed 2 things happen#1 you aint going to stop playing with and #2 you will buy one as soon as you get enough $$$$.. trust me it happened to me...


zooker

[1FASTLASER]

Fish2Win

LMAO!! That was good. Had me rolling there for a minute then I forgot about what.

ZOOK

I know your right I just got to make up my mind do I want to spend $250 for the magellan or $140 for the legend.

[bassnman30]

I got an Etrex Legend. But the memory is not that good for lakes that aren't on the computor chip.Granted,the maps on the chip will stay. On the maps that aren't on the computor chip, I go to the menue and see if the maps are still there. (they only last a coupe days). In the event that they are not then I put the items back on, this is usually derectly before I go.

[1FASTLASER]

Well my mind was made for me. The wife had the Legend under the tree for me. LOL Hope she doesnt know I am still thinking bout getting the Magellan. HAve to find a good spot to hide this one.

[zooker]

hey laser remember they work a whole lot better OUTSIDE...

zooker

[1FASTLASER]

LMAO!! Figured that out after 30mins of waiting on the da@@ thing to acclimate itself to the satellites. Then I went outside and got lost in my backyard.

[Basspro wannabe]

Sounds like your wife must have seen the cost of the magellan and made up her mind which one you were getting

[zooker]

getting lost in the back can be a great thing.. just as long as your hiding from the honey do list....

did you get your wife a cowboy hat for chirstmas???

zooker

[1FASTLASER]

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ZOOK
Dont you DARE!!!!

[zooker]

laser


who me?

zooker

[Basspro wannabe]

Laser how do you like the Legend

[Rebbasser]

Cowboy hat? I didn't think they had cowboy hats in Arkansas-only hog hats

[1FASTLASER]

LOL After gettin lost in my backyard figured out I better read the DIRECTIONS. Good advise to anyone not really familiar with these littlee wonders. ANyway after reading found my way back and man I gotta tell ya this unit is pretty cool. Already had it on the water in Felsenthal and found some spots been looking for for awhile. The more I use it the better it gets. No reb they have cowboy hats EVERYWHERE and man are they WONDERFUL.LOL

[zooker]

i am waitin till i call him and he trys to answer the legend lol -hey i have done it-


zooker