Being lost on Dale Hollow..........*****......

[GeoFisher]

OK......I'm thinking of moving into the big time....being lost on DALE at night is no fun. Long story, but I'm thinking about getting a GPS Unit.

I don't need a thousand dollar unit.......just something that works.

I'm looking at a Garmin GPsMap 540s and getting the VisionMaps for it.

Does anyone use that particular unit.......also if not, what do you use.

Thanks,

Geo

[know1]

I saw this deal this morning. It may be gone now.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-20...=TheCheapskate

[mybentrod]

Don't know how advanced you are but my iPhone has gps on it via navionics maps they have for regions. Dale is in the East.....geo and an iPhone. Lol. Sorry, had to think about that one. It's about 99.00 for a low end phone and 10.00 for the app and it's easy to use.

[offdtop]

Geo, I have one of these and it would get you back home okay:

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEoQ8wIwAg#

[GeoFisher]

Don't know how advanced you are but my iPhone has gps on it via navionics maps they have for regions. Dale is in the East.....geo and an iPhone. Lol. Sorry, had to think about that one. It's about 99.00 for a low end phone and 10.00 for the app and it's easy to use.

My phone already has mapping, but guess what........NOT enough service. I was able to see the lake and the maps while at the cabin, but on the lake, it didn't work.........hm.

Later,

Geo

[wishniwasfishn]

geo, I have a garmin e-trex, the older yellow one that sells for about $70.00. plus I bought the ram mount that holds it, it has the suction cup mounting, instead of having to use screws. I will sell them both to you for $50.00 if you are interested.

[Embrey]

that was classic...bwaaaahaaaa

[Grumpy]

Geo,

I am a big Garmin fan and have two on the road GPS, a Garmin Fishfinder and a Garmin GPSMAP 430. The reason I like Garmin is first and foremost I have been pleased with each of the above products but also because I have found their Customer Service to be topnotch. I had trouble figuring something with my very first on the road GPS, called them and they explained everything. Since then have only had a couple of problems but they have fixed everything, and without long hold time on the phone.

Anyhow, the 430 has been replaced by the 431 both of which come preloaded with 5000 US Inland lakes, 300 of which are very detailed. So far every KY lake I have been on, including Cedar Creek, has been the VERY DETAILED type. Although the screen is a little smaller than what you are looking at, I have found it to be plenty big enough and very easy to see. Not sure why you picked the 540 but if you check the Garmin website you will see that the 540 series are preloaded with COASTAL WATERWAY not inland lakes. But you can get a SD card to add other lakes. Check E-Bay for good deals on new/refurbished in the box deals.

Hope this helps,

Grumpy

[apb]

I have used Garmin 76CSx GPS Map (hand held) for a number of years. Had the older verion and upgraded to the new one this year. You can get the fishing hotspots maps CD and upload to the unit to have contours and other lake stuff on the unit. Has worked well for me.

Andrew

[kc]

This raises the bar from a hand-held unit but I broke down and picked up a Lowrance LMS-520 gps graph last year as they closed them out. Adding the Navionics maps you have a unit that shows detailed views of the lake. I have had a chance on the big lakes this summer to use them exploring some ledges and it works pretty well. Not 100% accurate but I can find and hold in decent postion on the ledges using the maps. No doubt the such a unit will also help find your way if need be. With the unit and the navionics map I dropped about $500...

kc

[artcarney_agr]

I use a Garmin GPSMap 188c with the fishing Hot Spots maps.

It's an older unit, no longer made, but it works very well. The Hot Spots maps show the approximate location of buoys, as well as contours, hazards, and fishing information from local reports.

The 188c is probably the lowest I'd go on the Garmin GPS units - anything less, like a 168, has too slow of a processor and doesn't show real time location. I know because I had the 168 and tossed it for the 188c.

Having a GPS at night, or even on a lake you've never been to in the day, certainly makes the experience more enjoyable because it helps you keep your bearings and away from hazards or shallow water that you don't know about otherwise.

I picked up my unit on here in the Boat Discussion forum for very cheap - spent a few extra dollars on a chip and some maps and was good to go! Total investment was around $300, which has more than paid for itself with the use I've gotten out of it!

[mybentrod]

My phone already has mapping, but guess what........NOT enough service. I was able to see the lake and the maps while at the cabin, but on the lake, it didn't work.........hm.

Later,

Geo

Not sure which type phone you have but my iPhone doesn't need a signal. It goes off of a gps signal. I have been going to Dale since 1981 and still don't trust my eyes at night. I mix gps with my knowledge of how far to take turns away from the bank. If I had to do over I'd go iPhone again. The best use of technology that I can remember. A phone HAS put fish in my boat at Dale Hollow and Ky Lake.