GPS questions

[SEA DANCER]

I have a depth finder that I am happy with and I had a old gps unit with maps that I liked. They were two separate units and that is what I have used for years. My GPS went bad and will not even turn on anymore. The way I see it I have three options:

1. I can buy a combo unit

2. I can buy a marine GPS unit

3. I have heard about a GPS marine app for my phone

Most of my fishing is crappie in Jordan, Harris and I want to try Falls. I use the GPS for trolling speed when pulling cranks. I also use it to mark way points and keep from getting lost when fishing grass beds and channels at the coast for Trout and Reds.

Any Ideas?

[Nater]

For years I ran a handheld gps for trolling speed and mapping, along with a mid level eagle fishfinder.

When I designed my new boat I included a combo unit and I love it. I got a simrad go9 with cmap pro mapping. I link it to my iPhone and I can control it from my hand.

Its nice not to have to worry about batteries in the handheld and it’s convenient to have all the controls in the same place, but I can’t say I catch anymore fish with the fancier electronics.

[SEA DANCER]

Thanks for the reply. Not really after more fish but I cant fish the areas at the coast without GPS. If I get out of place it is one thing but if my thinks she might be lost it is another. LOL

[cwright]

I have never found a phone app for gps that I thought was as accurate as the combos that are available today. I tried it for a few months, but hated it. Also you have to continuously look at two different places when trolling. The phone for speed and the finder to check on fish and bait. Didn't work for me.

[Cray]

Get a good combo unit. Once you get used to it you will wonder how you got by without it.

[ofishlbizzness]

Go for the combo unit. You will never regret it.

[kelbro]

If you want us to tell you to buy a new combo unit, you've come to the right group of enablers!

Garmin handhelds are nice and RAM makes a mount for most of the good ones. I carry one for a spare but, knock on wood, my combo has never let me down.

Don't count on your phone GPS. The antennas are weak and they rely heavily on cell tower triangulation.

[SEA DANCER]

Thanks every one for the coments.

[JordanLimit]

For our three lakes, I very much prefer the Humminbird technology and charts. But, for salt water Down East, Navionics does a better job. We bought the Navionics for my Father's Helix so he could fish both places.

[ppowell]

I did the handheld GPS and fish finder combo for a while, thought it was ok. When I finally got a combo unit, I realized what I was missing out on. Here's what is different:

• You can mark waypoints on spots that are behind you but still on the sonar screen
• Waypoints are more accurate
• Boat orientation and direction. With handheld, it was nearly impossible to tell which way I was moving in relation to a waypoint when drifting
• Easier to line up waypoints while motoring

So the GPS combo is definitely the way to go.

Now, if you really want to change your life forever, get a GPS enabled trolling motor. Best money I've ever spent, period.