Lowrance Ifinder question

[ameyers41]

After reading quite a few posts regarding handheld GPS units, I've decided on an ifinder. For those that have them, if you had your choice of an H20 b&w with the mapcreate software, or an h20c without the software for the same price, what would you go with? Is the mapcreate software worth the extra $100 or is the color unit (with 16 channel receiver instead of 12) where the extra money should be spent?

[KSW]

I got the H2Oc and I love it. It's the best toy I ever bought. I got the LakeMaster map with it. And that has most of the roads in MN. I was thinking of buying the Mapcreate software for the public hunting lands but have not done that yet. I got a map book that has all the hunting land on that and the land I hunted on this year, I put waypoints in the gps unit. After doing it this way this, I don't think I'm going to the software.

People have pros & cons for both units, but after using the color, I don't think I would want to use the b&W.

[schweady]

I got a lot of fishing toys last year, but my ExpeditionC (basically the same as the H2OC) and Lakemaster chip was perhaps the best of all of them. I will steer you toward color: easier to pick out different land areas, water depths, and the trails you've saved in contrasting colors. Others will say the color units are harder to read in direct sunlight, but it's not unbearable to me. I do think the 16 channels makes a noticeable difference. I didn't go with the Mapcreate software and card reader; just couldn't see the need at the time and the chip was more important to me. (Added the Navionics chip a couple of months ago, too.) I figure I can always add Mapcreate later if I still want it.

[anchor man]

ameyers,

I have heard several people say that the color version is hard to see in direct sunlight and that the b&w is just fine. I have the b&w myself and am very pleased. From the info. I've gathered, it sounds like it would be much more worth the b&w and extra software vs the color display with no software

[jtk15]

I would vote the other way. I have the b/w and simply cant add color. I could have bought the software at a later date though.....I was thinking I would, but have had such a minimal need for the software-and am still "stuck" with a b/w.

I do agree, talk a mutlti functional toy to have....The map chip is a must....in my opinion though...

jk

[ameyers41]

Thanks for all the feedback. I do intend to add a Navionics or Lakemaster chip, but that's a whole other post I'll ask about later. Well, actually, I've seen the posts debating those, and there are good reasons for both.

I'll let you all know what I end up with. I think I'm going to wait either way until the ice show. Anyone think there will be vendors there selling them for a deal?

[walldoggie]

I would suggest looking at prices from tiger gps....you know the rest. Got mine there last year great prices and great product, what i saved buying from them allowed me to buy the lake master chip at the ice show last year.

[Surface Tension]

Have the H20c and like the color because its so much easier to see details. Got mine on-line last Spring for under $200. Do a search and you can find sites that'll have price comparisons. I do use the back light often which isn't a a worry when using the power cord. I also use rechargeable batteries so

battery life doesn't concern me. One downside is the problems I've heard of with the contacts on the power cord.

Depending on what lakes you fish would determine what chip you'll want. You can go to Lake Master and Navionics sites to see the list of lakes they have and at what detail.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'd also recommend GPScity (look online), or if you or a friend is a member of BASS, you can get a killer deal on Lowrance products.

[schweady]

As long as we're listing possible vendors, don't overlook jollyannsales. Wade is great to deal with, and they're in IA so no tax. Free shipping, too.

Any folks who are having problems that seem like it's the power cord should hound Lowrance until their unit is replaced. That's what they did for me last month, and it's like I got a new toy all over again.

[KSW]

I don't how soon you are thinking of getting one, but if you can wait until the sportman's show, that's where I got my for I think around $215 and that was with the Lakemaster chip.

[Hookmaster]

I have the H2O with the Lakemaster chip and the MapCreate software. I originally bought the H2OC but it was too difficult to read in direct or indirect sunlight. I did a side-by-side comparison between the H2O and H2OC. My Garmin Map76 was easier to read in direct or indirect sunlight than the H2OC. In low light the H2OC is great. Definitely get a chip. Which one depends on the lakes you fish. The MapCreate software is a huge benifit if you travel a lot or hunt in other states. I made my own maps for my H2O when my family went to Washington, D.C. and also for hunting in North Dakota. The detail down to section roads is awesome. For cross-country trips you can see what exits (rest stops) are coming up, what restaurants are in the area, etc. You'll have to decide on your needs.

[ameyers41]

Thanks everyone for all your feedback. I ended up getting an Expedition C in the Bargain Cave for about the same price as a new H20 b&w. BTW, there was a post in the sales forum that alerted me to the extra 25% off everything in the cave, which was great. This was in Rogers. Didn't get the mapcreate software, but I'm looking for a navionics chip first. So many toys, so little money!

[schweady]

ameyers - You will love it.

One chip or another is a definite must-do, and I would do it before the MapCreate software. I lean toward the LakeMaster since it refreshes faster and you can zoom in further. But the Navionics definitely has a lot more data on it, especially the more remote northern lakes. (Probably the reason for both of the mentioned drawbacks...)

I made a few comments on that particular unit in a post called Lowrance ifinder Expedition C a while back. Don't let the boys razz you about trying to "Tommy Top-it" their H2O units! Enjoy!

[ameyers41]

Thanks Schweady. I can't stop buying toys. Last year was the first year I started ice fishing since I was a teenager, and now I'm addicted and just keep buying toys. Marcum, portable icehouse, building 4 ice rods, and now this... I'll definitely get a chip, probably the navionics either at the ice show or shortly after. I live in Brooklyn Park, and it seems to have more of the smaller lakes in the metro than the Lakemaster, and I think I'll be fishing the closer lakes much more. Of course, I'll probably get that one too eventually. Oh, and I'm sure I'll need a power auger after the ice is more than 6-8 inches. I'm having a hard time hiding all these things from my wife.