My technology delima...gripe...etc.

I have no grudge against any equipment manuf. I got good stuff from all of them. Never had any to fail. That is Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance. The problem is I have no preference in my electronics and am not, nor will I be a dedicated 1 system owner. They all good. My stuff, as most all of us, now requires some type of PC interface to effectively manage its data.

I got a Lowrance 522, a Garmin 276, garmin 76, a Humminbird 797, a couple of etrex, and garmin gpsmap76 (family stuff). I just wish there was a simple way to manage these devices instead of the dedicated software. All I want is serial port access (but prefer USB) to all units so I can handle waypoints, routes, etcetera without having to massage every little detail with dedicated crap. The handhelds are easy so why not the big guns? I don't think this is too much to as of the manufs. And, I know they could do this if they wanted to.

If I had serial access with a generic management program such as EasyGPS, I could really simplify my life. Give an old man a break here.

I agree CP. I have been trying to manage 2000 waypoints with OziExplorer for a few years and it gets frustrating moving around in different formats. I've gone back to printed maps just because of the scale of everything. The laptop I have is hard to see outside with moving map so I am thinking of upgrading to what you are using.How do you like EasyGPS? Have you tried managing waypoints in Excel yet. I have been playing with EXcel for OxiExplorer and its hard to keep the name and number together. I am trying to make a Hotspot style map but the three digit numbers takes up a lot of space on the map. Glad to get some rain in Grand Rivers !!!! Have a great day !

If the clonensters know there was this much $$$$ in this ole hummin greg would be singen a new tune. For what we pay it's not to much to ask. one unit=two big hdtv's.

When do you guys find time to fish? Sounds like ya`ll spend most of your time playing with gadgets. I would like to learn more about my 797, but I am addicted to fishing. As long as I can find waypoints,structure, fish and manage speed I am happy. Also the fish Id helps finding the depth of fish, such as in the thermocline so the hot depth is easy to find. I think we are getting alot of bang for our buck. Especially, when you compare to the LCX-113c from Lowrance.

For the first part I’ll keep it simple. You download some mp3’s from your pc and copy them. You play it on your pc, entertainment center, your car and your wife’s car. All different player but they still work. Open source. Bill Gates was sued many times for being prioritized. Will the gps systems are all prioritized. You are a captive to them. I should be able to take my way points from one unit to another as easy as you do with a cd.

Man....I bet I don't catch as many fish as ya'll with gps and the fancy sonar units...but my cuba 128 from Wal-Mart does a descent job, water temp and showing the structure. All for less than a hundred bucks. Of course i guess I don't really know what I am missing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fessum

Man....I bet I don't catch as many fish as ya'll with gps and the fancy sonar units...but my cuba 128 from Wal-Mart does a descent job, water temp and showing the structure. All for less than a hundred bucks. Of course i guess I don't really know what I am missing.

---

Sometimes I wish I could take the pressure off and just fish. Leave all the hi-tek stuff alone. We sure don`t do like granpa used to anymore and that is part of my heritage. I sometimes go alone and out of the normal traffic to just cast a jig and enjoy pure fishing. I love the wintertime for this reason. The weatther is starting get right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ifish

I agree CP. I have been trying to manage 2000 waypoints with OziExplorer for a few years and it gets frustrating moving around in different formats. I've gone back to printed maps just because of the scale of everything. The laptop I have is hard to see outside with moving map so I am thinking of upgrading to what you are using.How do you like EasyGPS? Have you tried managing waypoints in Excel yet. I have been playing with EXcel for OxiExplorer and its hard to keep the name and number together. I am trying to make a Hotspot style map but the three digit numbers takes up a lot of space on the map. Glad to get some rain in Grand Rivers !!!! Have a great day !

---

I don't name 'em. Too much hassle. I've got over 8,000 to manipulate. None with names. I use ozzie. I can modify fonts, font sizes, symbols, all that stuff. You can do this individually, or as a group in the waypoint properties window. Really flexible. I got EasyGPS for my grandkids. Easy GPS too limited. I have not tried excell yet.

Do you have Ky Hydrographics maps? My waypoints are based on a "per section" of his sidescan maps. Easy to keep up with that way. Like fore instant: If I am in area 4d, I load waypoints from a file labeled 4d. Makes managing waypoints easy. Lots of my waypoints have the same number. But it don't matter since I pull up waypoints only associated with sections. Gps don't care what number you give it.

I like this LE1600 tablet pc. See it pretty good in any light condition. Prices are coming down on them too. It's not for everybody, but it is right up my alley. I like buttons.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crip47

For the first part I’ll keep it simple. You download some mp3’s from your pc and copy them. You play it on your pc, entertainment center, your car and your wife’s car. All different player but they still work. Open source. Bill Gates was sued many times for being prioritized. Will the gps systems are all prioritized. You are a captive to them. I should be able to take my way points from one unit to another as easy as you do with a cd.

---

That ( in red) is my gripe too. Souldn't be that way. It is not fair to us, the users.

I do lots of fishing trips with friends and family. (Crappiefest) in oct. I prefish most of the time. NNNow, My Navionics chip will work in all the units. Gar. HB and Lowr., But in order for me to share my way points with you I have to go to a pc go through numerous steps. If it can record it can be played But they don’t want you to have control of your information. You might find you like someone’s unit better. This would benefit most of you

Cane Pole you are the voice of the people. :D I agree with you! There is no reason these units can't be more user/pc friendly! I hope I get to see some of the stuff you've been work'n on while I'm down for the Classic.

I was talking trash yesterday about my fish finder from wal-mart for under a hundred bucks doing such a great job......well I should have kept my pie hole closed, went out this morning, and low and behold unit wouldn't come on. i did what I could on the water...I didn't have my test meter but fuse wasn't blown, I'll look at it closer this weekend.

The good units and a GPS come in handy when you fish waters that you have not fished for years.
Just like the old days. Shoot they fished one lake biggest part of the time. Even hunted it when it was the north 40 or south 40 for that matter.
So they know the water.
But for me the good stuff is worth it. And I still can't find fish.

Now tom I am with you each and every one of them should be user friendly and let us work the way points. Not get mad at trying to swap them form on unit to the other.
Pete

Crip and all,

I got the Garmin 276 map. It has prioritized ram. It has Garmin Hot Spots maps. 128 mb cost about 200 bucks. Hotspot maps 100 bucks. 276 new about 600 bucks. Here is a 900 dollar investment, and it is only a GPS. I ain't gonna fuss too much at Humminbird about costs.

They all tick me off with their priority crap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by crappielimits

Sometimes I wish I could take the pressure off and just fish. Leave all the hi-tek stuff alone. We sure don`t do like granpa used to anymore and that is part of my heritage. I sometimes go alone and out of the normal traffic to just cast a jig and enjoy pure fishing. I love the wintertime for this reason. The weatther is starting get right.

---

If I did like Gramps, I wouldn't fish much. Gramps useta say: fish ain't biting, let's go home. Now I know they biting somewhere. I like the finding part just as much as the fishing part. My wife does most of the catching.

Ever up my way, stop by. I will show you some nifty stuff you can't get at Wal Mart.

I always like to look at cool stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fessum

I always like to look at cool stuff.

---

Your lake come up any with the rain?

If my rain gauge is correct we got just about 3 inch's of rain over the last couple of days. I haven't been out in two days, so I'm not sure about lake levels. I've got to hang close to the house today, waiting on body shop to call. My wife got a new jeep liberty on about the 9th of August, well, we didn't even have it a week and a lady tried to pass her as she was turning into the drive. The lady hit my wife in front quarter panel, front tire area. Well it's a 4 wheel drive, tore alot of stuff up. We hope to get it back today...tommorrow..I had to make the first payment yesterday online. That stinks ! we have only driven it about 5 days. hmmm... i think it was blue...lol

We had about half inch of rain here yesterday and ten minutes after it quit the ground was dry. There was very little run off so I'm sure it didn't help the water level here any. We need a lot more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fessum

If my rain gauge is correct we got just about 3 inch's of rain over the last couple of days. I haven't been out in two days, so I'm not sure about lake levels. I've got to hang close to the house today, waiting on body shop to call. My wife got a new jeep liberty on about the 9th of August, well, we didn't even have it a week and a lady tried to pass her as she was turning into the drive. The lady hit my wife in front quarter panel, front tire area. Well it's a 4 wheel drive, tore alot of stuff up. We hope to get it back today...tommorrow..I had to make the first payment yesterday online. That stinks ! we have only driven it about 5 days. hmmm... i think it was blue...lol

---

Think that lady should be buying you a new one. AS now yours is not worth anything. When and if you were to trade it in tomorrow. The price its worth is down by half or better. Sure hate that . Been there done that .
Pete