If you want a cheap GPS, Lowrance Ifinder H20

Miami · Post by **Miami** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:13 pm

portable is being discounted nicely by some web stores.

Ordered one today for $136.95 with free shipping.

I wanted a portable for using in both the SUV and the Mac, so this seems pretty ideal.

I have good charts of South Florida, so I may just use the built-in maps.

Has SD/MMC removable card, very sensitive antenna (one of the best in reviews), man overboard feature, waterproof, etc. Serial output built-in for autopilot systems or connecting to PCs. Very nice unit for very little money.

http://www.digitallyunique.com/112-15.html

http://www.tigergps.com/loifh2ohagps.html

http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/iFINDERH2O.asp

Sjack · Post by **Sjack** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 6:37 am

Ok GPS experts, at this price, what's the downside of this unit?

Miami · Post by **Miami** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:13 am

Also, just noticed that Lowrance has a new software package called Nauticpath, for $99 list (see it discounted to $79 on some websites) with COMPLETE US detailed charts for all US coastline, Great Lakes, and the Bahamas. It all comes loaded on a SD/MMC card, plug and play, no activation codes, etc.

Looks like detailed marine mapping is really dropping in price.

Has anyone tried this software?

http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/NauticPath/default.asp

Chip Hindes · Post by **Chip Hindes** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 7:54 am

My Garmin Geko backup cost about the same two years ago. It's the "upgraded" model 201 with serial and Garmin I/O but otherwise is pretty crude and has no mapping or chart display capability at all. Currently $140 at West Marine.

The $99 charts look like an incredible deal compared to the rather expensive Garmin Bluecharts, with which I've not made any secret of the fact I'm pretty unhappy.

I wonder what "complete detailed" means really. The Garmin Bluecharts are pretty complete and detailed; I'd have to see them side by side to make a comment, though.

Maybe the availability of way cheaper alternatives will make Garmin rethink their current strategy and bring their own prices and upgrade policy more into line.

RandyMoon · Post by **RandyMoon** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:11 am

The Lowrance 112-15 iFINDER looks fully featured.

I have the Eagle 500c which is made by Lowrance and has pretty much the same features. Plus I have the MapCreate software and recommend it.

argonaut · Post by **argonaut** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 9:57 am

Does MapCreate let you see depth contours?

RandyMoon · Post by **RandyMoon** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:50 am

"Does MapCreate let you see depth contours?"

No, MapCreate is pretty much a VERY detailed street map with hotels, resturants, etc. You can create routes, waypoints, etc. The lake areas detailed to the point of major attractions, hunting reserves, parks, etc. If you want to get detailed lake maps they have special lake maps on a chip that you can buy and some free ones to download.

Coastline - http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/NauticPath/default.asp

Lake maps to buy on a chip - http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/FHSelite/default.asp

Free maps to download - http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/LakeMaps/index.asp

MapCreate in general - http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/MapCrea ... t_topo.asp

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:57 pm

I have a Garmin 176CS unit with Bluechart as my primary GPS for cruising

My old Garmin X45 (which I won as an Employee of Year a long time ago) is my backup in the ditch bag.

Both interface to my VHF (mounted and portable backup) so I can transmit position in an emergency.

Expensive GPS and overpriced software - a lot of money

Getting the Admiral comfortable enough to cruise Cape Cod out of sight of land...priceless..

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:52 pm

Getting the Admiral comfortable enough to cruise Cape Cod out of sight of land...priceless.

I couldn't agree more.

Win · Post by **Win** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 2:37 pm

The nauticpath software is excellent. I have found it to have very accurate depth soundings on an inland man made lake in Alabama as well as in the Mississippi Sound and Pensacola Bay.

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 8:05 pm

The Lowrance Nautipath Coastlines is the direct equivilant of the Garmin BlueChart. All the same data including full depth info.

dennisdl · Post by **dennisdl** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:23 pm

Does anybody out there know if Nautipath maps cover Canadian west coast 'charts' ???

craiglaforce · Post by **craiglaforce** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:42 am

Thanks Miami,
I just ordered one. My old Garmin III display is getting hard to read and weely wasn't WAAS.

jmdefino · Post by **jmdefino** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:39 am

I also purchased one. They have a simulator that you can download. You can try all the features on your desktop.

http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoft ... efault.asp

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 7:49 am

dennisdl wrote:Does anybody out there know if Nautipath maps cover Canadian west coast 'charts' ???

Unfortunately, it seems none of the popular chart packages include the Canadian waters ... something to do with Canada having licensed the data to privateers who are now authorized to rape & pillage. But Lowrance continues to beat-down the cost of GPS. Their NauticPath USA chart package is an amazing bargain for a hundred bucks! I'll probably be snagging on of those iFinders too.

NauticPath USA

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

If you want a cheap GPS, Lowrance Ifinder H20

If you want a cheap GPS, Lowrance Ifinder H20

Costs

Nauticpath Software