Thread: GPS recomendations

If you dont use a map card I would look at the Humminbird 196ci. I use it to keep track of my trolling passes and speed and it works well. The only downside is that you cant display the chart recorder and the fish finder at the same time. Not a problem for me because I use a Lowrance MARK 5 pro for that.

Originally Posted by tjcostanzo

If you dont use a map card I would look at the Humminbird 196ci. I use it to keep track of my trolling passes and speed and it works well. The only downside is that you cant display the chart recorder and the fish finder at the same time. Not a problem for me because I use a Lowrance MARK 5 pro for that.

I looked up this model and I can't download waypoints from my computer on it. It doesn't have a card.Does anybody have the 386 or 581? They have a card and I can put waypoints on them. I wander if these units are hard to operate? I want something simple.

If you just want a GPS, take a look at the Garmin 421. They can be bought for about $300. The 421 just has basic mapping, but has an SD card slot for better mapping and loading and downloading waypoint. If you need inland lake mapping, let me know what lakes, and I'll check if Garmin covers them. I had a 421 myself, and have map chips for US inland lakes, US coastal waters, and Ontario Canada inland lakes.

I just need something to run little lakes in Illinios. I have a couple 100-200 acre lakes that I fish. I know the lakes but I have waypoints allready marked on a hand held unit that I want to load into the new unit. I have 2 hand helds one in front with trolling motor and one at the stearing wheel. One of the hand helds are dieing on me. I want to load my waypoints from my computer to the new unit. That Garmin might work out for me.

Both the 386ci and the 581i HD DI units will allow you to upload and download waypoints plus you will have sonar (Down Imaging sonar with the 581i HD DI unit). You can also use HumminbirdPC (free program) to help manage those waypoints.