OK folks, I am not a young man and have been ice fishing for about fifty years. This pursuit, which I find quite enjoyable, has traditionally seen me going to a likely-looking spot on the ice based on perhaps some experience, but mostly intuition (aka blind faith). Sometimes we get onto fish, sometimes not. I was out a couple days ago on a local lake that I know reasonably well and met a fellow from Fish Hawk that I consider to be something of a guru. He showed me an amazing hand-held device that was both a GPS and a chart of the lake with good bathymetric detail. So he could zoom in or out, look for underwater structure, mark likely-looking points, and generally find his way around the ice without ever drilling a hole. I have never seen such a rig, and asked him what it was and where can I get one. Long story short it is a Garmin, discontinued model, and he strongly advised me to get something that is compatible with my home computer - so for example when I am plotting my next assault on a frozen lake I can mark promising-looking spots (based on bathymetry) in the comfort of my own heated hovel, and get right onto the spot using the GPS function.
So here is the question: what make and model of gadget do I need to do what I want to do? I would LIKE to have a portable device that I can use in my boat and on the ice, and one that can plug in somehow to my home computer. I do not think I want something like a "fish finder" with dual use like I am reading about on the Lowrance website. I do NOT have a smart phone, and it is highly unlikely that I will get one, so I am thinking of a purpose-specific electronic hand-held something that an old fart can reasonably expect to operate without an advanced degree in engineering physics or similar.
What is it I am looking for, by make and model? THANKS for any advice!
Doug
Need advice/mobile charting
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
Doug
That high tech stuff can only get you so far... stick to the intuition buddy!!
That high tech stuff can only get you so far... stick to the intuition buddy!!
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
I do not recall making that video............. 
I am pleased that some folks sport proper facial hair and eschew electronic gadgets as I normally do. But I think this hand-held chart/GPS idea just beats the snot out of big paper charts (of which I have plenty, of course!)
Thanks for the laugh Len!
Doug
I am pleased that some folks sport proper facial hair and eschew electronic gadgets as I normally do. But I think this hand-held chart/GPS idea just beats the snot out of big paper charts (of which I have plenty, of course!)
Thanks for the laugh Len!
Doug
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
I use a Garmin Nuvu 40 vehicle gps.
I have a small 12v battery that I toss into the toboggan - have alligator clips that connect it to a cigarette lighter adapter for power. (as the internal battery is quite crap)
I then downloaded the Canada - Inland Lakes - Ontario Map package. (down load version)
The maps can also be done on SD card so you can use them on multiple devices.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/maps/on ... 37821.html
shows what GPS units the maps can be used with.
It doesn't show every lake but it has the 2 principles ones that I fish. Mississippi and WhiteLake.
Here is a list of the maps coverage - http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/inla ... ntario.pdf
It isn't a perfect system - as you can only view the road / driving data or the Water bodies data (no roads, towns etc.) at one time - not together as they use different base maps. Once you get used to switching base maps you don't really have a problem.
When you add way points they appear on both maps.
The lake maps show data in either meters or feet depending on what you have the GPS device set to display.
Maps can be viewed on your computer with the (free) BaseCamp Program from Garmin - where you can add / edit and view the route you took.
Best of all because the GPS is designed for use in a vehicle - the purchase doesn't count toward the fishing and hunting gear expenditures!
I have a small 12v battery that I toss into the toboggan - have alligator clips that connect it to a cigarette lighter adapter for power. (as the internal battery is quite crap)
I then downloaded the Canada - Inland Lakes - Ontario Map package. (down load version)
The maps can also be done on SD card so you can use them on multiple devices.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/maps/on ... 37821.html
shows what GPS units the maps can be used with.
It doesn't show every lake but it has the 2 principles ones that I fish. Mississippi and WhiteLake.
Here is a list of the maps coverage - http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/inla ... ntario.pdf
It isn't a perfect system - as you can only view the road / driving data or the Water bodies data (no roads, towns etc.) at one time - not together as they use different base maps. Once you get used to switching base maps you don't really have a problem.
When you add way points they appear on both maps.
The lake maps show data in either meters or feet depending on what you have the GPS device set to display.
Maps can be viewed on your computer with the (free) BaseCamp Program from Garmin - where you can add / edit and view the route you took.
Best of all because the GPS is designed for use in a vehicle - the purchase doesn't count toward the fishing and hunting gear expenditures!
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
back to MichaelGA: EXCELLENT information, and thanks very much! I do think I want a device that has a self-contained battery, but those charts are EXACTLY what I am looking for. Thanks!
Doug
Doug
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
Doug
Next time we are out you can have a look at the Navionics on my I-Phone. Seems to work OK, some lakes have more detail and some less, and some no bathymetry. The Garmin charts that Michael linked to cover quite a few more lakes (that I frequent) that Navionics does not.
Next time we are out you can have a look at the Navionics on my I-Phone. Seems to work OK, some lakes have more detail and some less, and some no bathymetry. The Garmin charts that Michael linked to cover quite a few more lakes (that I frequent) that Navionics does not.
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
Also note that maps on a Card (sd chip / micro chip) have different information and security features than a map that you down load and "link" to your GPS.
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
MichaelGA wrote:Also note that maps on a Card (sd chip / micro chip) have different information and security features than a map that you down load and "link" to your GPS.
So the SD card option is better?
Re: Need advice/mobile charting
I don't think either one is better...
The downloaded ones get linked to a single device. You can't change it at a later date and to view the maps on the computer you have to have that device plugged into the computer. More devices are supported.
The ones that you get on an SD card can be moved from device to device but their are fewer devices (as they have to have special security features).
It shouldn't be a problem as you're getting both at the same time - for me, I had the GPS so it was a matter of what would work with it.... which was only the downloaded maps (no SD card).
The downloaded ones get linked to a single device. You can't change it at a later date and to view the maps on the computer you have to have that device plugged into the computer. More devices are supported.
The ones that you get on an SD card can be moved from device to device but their are fewer devices (as they have to have special security features).
It shouldn't be a problem as you're getting both at the same time - for me, I had the GPS so it was a matter of what would work with it.... which was only the downloaded maps (no SD card).