GPS Question

sgold44 · 07-25-2006, 08:40 AM

I have a Standard Horizon 180 Color Chartplotter (I bought it online for $389). I bought a cmap cartridge from Bizer for it, & it's fantastic. It shows every bouy, all the depth contours, every marina along w/the amenities offered at each. I strongly recommend it.

Phantom · 07-25-2006, 10:00 AM

Thanks sgold -- that sounds far easier than all the software dowloads and what nots (which will surely go wrong) as it also adds up $$ for the various softwares -- starting with Garmin's. The $389 is perfect -- I believe this gift was purchased at Overtons for almost that exact price -- with the giver clearly indicating "change / exchange" as I wish.

I'll explore the Standard Horizon unit.

cowisl · 07-25-2006, 11:42 AM

Just ordered a chip for my garmin 172c that has the lake on it. Its called fishing hotspots east...

Phantom · 07-25-2006, 01:12 PM

Cowisl -- I saw that on the site, but in the listings of Lakes depicted -- NOTHING in NH was listed!!

Have you seen the "chip" working ?

Further thoughts -- check your Priv msg

secondcurve · 07-26-2006, 09:02 PM

Phantom:

I, too, recently purchased the Standard Horizon 180 and put the Bizer chip in. It is an excellent tool. I use my paper chart and then cross reference with the chartplotter. It helps you to learn the lake quickly and see landmarks you might have missed in the past.

One piece of advice: this model comes in two versions. One version has an internal antenae (sp?) and the other an external (mounting required) antenae. I selected the model with the external antenae since I wanted to put the hardware in my instrument compartment. I found out, as others on the Forum have alluded to, that the extrenal antenae works just fine sitting in the instrument compartment. Therefore, I wish I had gotten the model with the internal antenae so I could have avoided the coil of cable and the antenae bouncing around in my instrument compartment. I'll eventually mount the antenae when I get time, but it is a step you might be able to avoid.

Mee-n-Mac · 07-26-2006, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phantom

Mee n Mac -- when you purchased the software it had "good" detail of the Lake i.e. islands & shore?? The markers I can deal with by adding as waypoints.

I haven't purchased the Fishing Hot Spots (or other) charts from Garmin. I have seen the standard map that came pre-installed on a Garmin GPS MAP76. It shows a crude depiction of the large islands while losing the smaller ones altogether. I don't know if the optional maps Garmin sells are any better. I would say that if all you want is a quick visual reference as to where you are on the lake (assuming you kinda know the lake already) then this is "good enough". It certainly wouldn't replace a paper chart as the rocks and shoals (and small islands) and preferred routes aren't shown. My gut feeling is that if you want to use a GPS as a paper chart replacement you're either doing the hack I mentioned above or going with another GPS. Given you have the no added cost option of an alternative GPS, unless the Fishing Hot Spots map is much better than the "standard" map, I'd recommend doing the exchange. Remember the C-MAP chip/chart of Winni is something like another $100 on top of the GPS itself. You can get the electronic Bizer chart for $50 (from Bizer), which has the same details as the paper version, and then try the hack route but there's no guarantee of success or quality. Personally I'd only do this if I already owned a Garmin chart-plotter.

sgold44 · 07-27-2006, 01:47 PM

I have the Standard 180 w/the internal antenna. It works great.

07-25-2006, 10:00 AM	#2
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Thanks sgold -- that sounds far easier than all the software dowloads and what nots (which will surely go wrong) as it also adds up $$ for the various softwares -- starting with Garmin's. The $389 is perfect -- I believe this gift was purchased at Overtons for almost that exact price -- with the giver clearly indicating "change / exchange" as I wish. I'll explore the Standard Horizon unit. __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

07-25-2006, 01:12 PM	#4
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	Cowisl -- I saw that on the site, but in the listings of Lakes depicted -- NOTHING in NH was listed!! Have you seen the "chip" working ? Further thoughts -- check your Priv msg __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

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07-25-2006, 08:40 AM	#1
sgold44 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Middleton, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have a Standard Horizon 180 Color Chartplotter (I bought it online for $389). I bought a cmap cartridge from Bizer for it, & it's fantastic. It shows every bouy, all the depth contours, every marina along w/the amenities offered at each. I strongly recommend it.

07-25-2006, 11:42 AM	#3
cowisl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cow Island Posts: 168 Thanks: 6 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Just ordered a chip for my garmin 172c that has the lake on it. Its called fishing hotspots east...

07-26-2006, 09:02 PM	#5
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,118 Thanks: 1,331 Thanked 559 Times in 288 Posts	Phantom: I, too, recently purchased the Standard Horizon 180 and put the Bizer chip in. It is an excellent tool. I use my paper chart and then cross reference with the chartplotter. It helps you to learn the lake quickly and see landmarks you might have missed in the past. One piece of advice: this model comes in two versions. One version has an internal antenae (sp?) and the other an external (mounting required) antenae. I selected the model with the external antenae since I wanted to put the hardware in my instrument compartment. I found out, as others on the Forum have alluded to, that the extrenal antenae works just fine sitting in the instrument compartment. Therefore, I wish I had gotten the model with the internal antenae so I could have avoided the coil of cable and the antenae bouncing around in my instrument compartment. I'll eventually mount the antenae when I get time, but it is a step you might be able to avoid.

07-27-2006, 01:47 PM	#7
sgold44 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Middleton, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 46 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I have the Standard 180 w/the internal antenna. It works great.