Garmin car GPS... Can you load lake maps on them?

[FishCrazy]

I bought one of these units for the car recently I think its a 255w. The guy at Best Buy said that you could load lake maps on the unit. I dont know if I believe him or not. It seems to me that the chart plotters that are made for the purpose are much more expensive than the auto gps units though. Wonder just why that is. I know they make several what they call crossover units that are said to do both topo on the water and roads for the car. Many say that these units dont do ether as good as one dedicated to either the roads or the water. Dont know why that would be though. Im thinking about a chart plotter for the boat and am sure twisted up in thinking what to get with all the side imaging stuff out there now. I think I could do fine with one of the split screen gps/ sounders. Thinking the Lowrance HDS5 maybe. Dont know the difference between the next steps up in these units is other than price and screen size? Seems that the larger screen really kicks the price in a$$ and that just doesnt make a lot of sense to me since flat panel technology is so cheep these days. Couldnt you hook one of these up to a laptop and use that display? I know some of you rocket scientist can answer some of these questions. Seems like to me the old saying that if its associated with a boat then the price gets doubled for no good reason.

[oldwun]

I bet Cane Pole will have an answer for you. He is one "Hi Tek Redneck" for sure.

[Cane Pole]

You can load some marine maps, but with limited capabilities. I have heard the nuvis are slow responding to movement.

It is an on the road device, so water may be an issue. I do not know the nuvi IP ratings.

I wouldn't recommend it. It's your money.

[rnvinc]

I think some on here have actually hooded their Si up to a separate monitor..(Jasen and Cane Pole chime in here please) to get a bigger viewing screen but the water enviroment is where the problem comes in with using most commercial monitors...

Also the unit you have/purchase has to have video out capabilities to do this...

[Cane Pole]

Good waterproof and daylight viewable monitors cost more than a complete fishing system. I know. 8.4 inch All-Weather Waterproof Sunlight Viewable LCD Display Monitors, IP67 NEMA 6, Military Marine Grade

I have a tablet pc made by Motion Computing which is daylight viewable. I have the tablet somewhat waterproofed. It is not cheap.

The tablet has 2D sonar capabilities and gps capabilities. I had all this working before side imaging was available.

You can add side imaging to tablet too.

By the time you get all the goodies, you have 6000 plus invested. I got most this stuff at deep discounts as I was doing some research for a company and writing some technical reports.

This is one of the reasons I keep asking about the HB video out.

I like peeing around with this stuff. Its a hobby. I am no expert.

I also have an on-board Windows based micro IPX computer. I just need a cheap monitor.

Every time JeffW shows up at my house, it all quits working.

[oldwun]

I knew CP would have an answer. I thought a trip to visit CP would be cool. I have a friend who says the same thing. I don't know where he is located at but we just might do that this summer.

[Cane Pole]

I knew CP would have an answer. I thought a trip to visit CP would be cool. I have a friend who says the same thing. I don't know where he is located at but we just might do that this summer.

Sounds fine to me. Give me a shout.

[Grumpa]

I have the Garmin 255W, an you can buy a inland lake map SD card for different regions of the country. They cost around 80-90 dollars. It is not a lot of detail but gives you basic depth and contour. I have marked several spots in a couple of lakes in IL and WI. when going back to these lakes it takes me awful close to the marked spot. might mot be dead on but will get me close enough that I can use my FF to find exact crib, drop or channel I am looking for. you can also trace your trail and follow it back, very handy when going to a chain of lakes and not being familar with everything. especially after dark

[Cane Pole]

Yep Grump,

It will work, but I was emphasizing practicality.
As you see, my 997 works in my truck, but......