Garmin GPS unit? Which model for the lake?

GoodMamaRich · 04-29-2024, 03:01 PM

Looking at navigation! Any thoughts on the best Garmin GPS unit for the lake? Any features that you recommend? Our boat is an older 26' bowrider. Tired of trying to see chart/features on the cellphone! We never leave the lake so just for use here.

radioman · 04-29-2024, 04:08 PM

Make certain to buy a unit that accepts a Bizer Mapping Program. The larger the display the better, if you have the room and find a unit with an external antenna as it will be more dependable with adverse weather. Contact Bizer directly for the best current model and most current software chip. A good GPS unit will really make your life easier and safer.

GoodMamaRich · 04-29-2024, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioman

Make certain to buy a unit that accepts a Bizer Mapping Program. The larger the display the better, if you have the room and find a unit with an external antenna as it will be more dependable with adverse weather. Contact Bizer directly for the best current model and most current software chip. A good GPS unit will really make your life easier and safer.

EASIER and SAFER! That's the plan. We are super cautious to the point it is incredibly stressful. I am hoping the right unit will make things more enjoyable for all.

tummyman · 04-29-2024, 06:12 PM

Go to Bizer web site. They give you a link to search Garmin. Not many are available per their site.

thinkxingu · 04-29-2024, 06:24 PM

We've got a 50DV from 2014 that works perfectly, so I'd just recommend the newest version.

I don't think much about the different map options as Garmin's has served us without issue.

Edited to add steal of a deal right now.

Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk

Descant · 04-30-2024, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodMamaRich

EASIER and SAFER! That's the plan. We are super cautious to the point it is incredibly stressful. I am hoping the right unit will make things more enjoyable for all.

Sent you a PM.

brk-lnt · 04-30-2024, 03:06 PM

Bizer has been the go-to for a long time, but I don't think most modern MFD's support their electronic charts.

I would suggest a 9" Raymarine Axiom, along with a Navionics chart. You can go to the Navionics web page and see the level of detail they have for Winnipesaukee, and I think you'll find it more than sufficient.

You could go with even a 7" Axiom, but they are a tad small, IMO.

The Raymarine MFDs are more responsive than the standard Garmin units (plus they are based in NH).

ishoot308 · 04-30-2024, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Bizer has been the go-to for a long time, but I don't think most modern MFD's support their electronic charts.

I would suggest a 9" Raymarine Axiom, along with a Navionics chart. You can go to the Navionics web page and see the level of detail they have for Winnipesaukee, and I think you'll find it more than sufficient.

You could go with even a 7" Axiom, but they are a tad small, IMO.

The Raymarine MFDs are more responsive than the standard Garmin units (plus they are based in NH).

Agree on the Navionics chart. The level of detail and their support is second to none!

Dan

rick35 · 04-30-2024, 06:39 PM

I use Navionics on my Garmin but find that the markers are smaller than I'd like. I also use the Navionics iphone app and like the feature it offers to make the markers bigger. But the screen is smaller and there's no night mode.

rick35 · 07-04-2024, 08:30 PM

I stand corrected. The Navionics app does have a night mode. I think it may be a new feature. It just appeared when I turned it on the other night.

Rich · 07-06-2024, 07:35 AM

There is also a way to have the markers larger. I'd like even larger than their largest setting, but it helps.

bumpye · 07-09-2024, 11:28 AM

I used a Garmin Echomap 94v but the factory chip did not display the lake at all. I had to purchase their US Coastal Canada-Lakes and Rivers for $200. After that it worked great.

tummyman · 07-09-2024, 04:01 PM

Same issue...had to by the chip. But not happy....markers are so small and ahrd to read. Anyone find a fix for this marker issue?

rick35 · 07-09-2024, 08:57 PM

I've gone back and forth with the Navionics people at Garmin and I wasn't able to find a way to make the markers larger. The tech support person I last emailed with was giving me info that was for the Navionics app and not for the Navionics software for my plotter. I've been through all the menu options and can't find an equivalent feature for the plotter. And I paid extra for new software that didn't solve the problem. I'm living with it.

Dave R · 07-14-2024, 06:16 AM

I have two Garmin plotters (MFDs) without touch screens and one with a touch screen. I vastly prefer the touch screen and highly recommend it. One of my plotters came with clearvu sonar and it's pretty cool, it produces something like a monochromatic photo of the bottom. Two of my plotters have auto guidance which plots a safe route automatically, which is very handy for long trips. The one without auto guidance is in a little RIB that I only used for short trips. I think any of the Garmin plotters will work fine on the lake with the right chart loaded.

mofn · 07-15-2024, 12:10 PM

I use a EchoMap Plus 43 CV, very happy with it, although it has a small screen, but you get what you pay for.
One thing to watch out for, check the accuracy setting it came with...you can adjust it, mine came set at 300-feet, we won't get into that story!

04-29-2024, 03:01 PM	#1
GoodMamaRich Junior Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Garmin GPS unit? Which model for the lake? Looking at navigation! Any thoughts on the best Garmin GPS unit for the lake? Any features that you recommend? Our boat is an older 26' bowrider. Tired of trying to see chart/features on the cellphone! We never leave the lake so just for use here.

04-29-2024, 04:08 PM	#2
radioman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilford Posts: 216 Thanks: 6 Thanked 75 Times in 50 Posts	GPS Units Make certain to buy a unit that accepts a Bizer Mapping Program. The larger the display the better, if you have the room and find a unit with an external antenna as it will be more dependable with adverse weather. Contact Bizer directly for the best current model and most current software chip. A good GPS unit will really make your life easier and safer.

04-29-2024, 06:24 PM	#5
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,212 Thanks: 1,167 Thanked 2,048 Times in 1,271 Posts	We've got a 50DV from 2014 that works perfectly, so I'd just recommend the newest version. I don't think much about the different map options as Garmin's has served us without issue. Edited to add steal of a deal right now. Sent from my SM-S911U using Tapatalk Last edited by thinkxingu; 04-29-2024 at 06:56 PM.

04-30-2024, 03:06 PM	#7
brk-lnt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: South Down Shores Posts: 1,944 Thanks: 544 Thanked 570 Times in 335 Posts	Bizer has been the go-to for a long time, but I don't think most modern MFD's support their electronic charts. I would suggest a 9" Raymarine Axiom, along with a Navionics chart. You can go to the Navionics web page and see the level of detail they have for Winnipesaukee, and I think you'll find it more than sufficient. You could go with even a 7" Axiom, but they are a tad small, IMO. The Raymarine MFDs are more responsive than the standard Garmin units (plus they are based in NH). __________________ [insert witty phrase here]

07-06-2024, 07:35 AM	#11
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,244 Thanks: 72 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	There is also a way to have the markers larger. I'd like even larger than their largest setting, but it helps. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

04-29-2024, 06:12 PM	#4
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 832 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	Go to Bizer web site. They give you a link to search Garmin. Not many are available per their site.

04-30-2024, 06:39 PM	#9
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 807 Thanks: 58 Thanked 203 Times in 130 Posts	I use Navionics on my Garmin but find that the markers are smaller than I'd like. I also use the Navionics iphone app and like the feature it offers to make the markers bigger. But the screen is smaller and there's no night mode.

07-04-2024, 08:30 PM	#10
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 807 Thanks: 58 Thanked 203 Times in 130 Posts	I stand corrected. The Navionics app does have a night mode. I think it may be a new feature. It just appeared when I turned it on the other night.

07-09-2024, 11:28 AM	#12
bumpye Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 6 Thanks: 4 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Garmin 94v I used a Garmin Echomap 94v but the factory chip did not display the lake at all. I had to purchase their US Coastal Canada-Lakes and Rivers for $200. After that it worked great.

07-09-2024, 04:01 PM	#13
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 832 Thanks: 256 Thanked 672 Times in 243 Posts	Same issue...had to by the chip. But not happy....markers are so small and ahrd to read. Anyone find a fix for this marker issue?

07-09-2024, 08:57 PM	#14
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 807 Thanks: 58 Thanked 203 Times in 130 Posts	I've gone back and forth with the Navionics people at Garmin and I wasn't able to find a way to make the markers larger. The tech support person I last emailed with was giving me info that was for the Navionics app and not for the Navionics software for my plotter. I've been through all the menu options and can't find an equivalent feature for the plotter. And I paid extra for new software that didn't solve the problem. I'm living with it.

07-14-2024, 06:16 AM	#15
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	I have two Garmin plotters (MFDs) without touch screens and one with a touch screen. I vastly prefer the touch screen and highly recommend it. One of my plotters came with clearvu sonar and it's pretty cool, it produces something like a monochromatic photo of the bottom. Two of my plotters have auto guidance which plots a safe route automatically, which is very handy for long trips. The one without auto guidance is in a little RIB that I only used for short trips. I think any of the Garmin plotters will work fine on the lake with the right chart loaded.

07-15-2024, 12:10 PM	#16
mofn Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 67 Thanks: 0 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	I use a EchoMap Plus 43 CV, very happy with it, although it has a small screen, but you get what you pay for. One thing to watch out for, check the accuracy setting it came with...you can adjust it, mine came set at 300-feet, we won't get into that story!