Re: what gps to buy
I have a Garmin GPSMAP 76 and a Lowrance IFinder H2O C both handhelds with small screens less than 3 inches. Both have the insland lakes I fish and play at. The maps are not detailed maps and do not have water depths or conture lines. Water depth in my case would be useless since lake levels change by over 100 feet from summer to winter.
Only way to be sure if it has a map of your lakes is go to a store or boat show that has the units your interested in and see if your lake is there and in what detail. In my case the base map has been plenty good for me. The Lowrance base map is much better than the Garmin. Both have many types of upgraded maps. Lowrance maps are much like a Marine chart. Garmin has that as well as ones that are like a picture of the lake.
Between my two units I like the Lowrance Ifinder H2O C much better. It screen is a little bigger and much brighter. It also is much faster to redraw maps which is very important if you run in track up mode. Also the Lowrance is more sensitive and has more routes.
If You going to get a fixed mount unit get the biggest screen you can afford unless your 18 with perfect eyesite.
All the units that I have see will have a compass anytime your moving. Some units also have and electronic compass that will work even if your stopped. In my case I never use the compass on the unit. If I need a compass I use the one on the boat. GPS units will have a steering indicator to indicate which way to steer to get to the waypoint you want to go to. Also you can just look at your postion on the map and steer to where you want to go.
One thing Lowrance has is emulator you can down load to your PC for free and run the units on your PC useing your mouse to hit the same buttons you would if you were out on the water. Most you have to set your screen resoultion to 1024 by 768 or higher for the larger screen units.
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Emulators/
http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Mapping/Enhanced-Lake-Maps/
Some of the maps can be downloaded for free also.
The only way to know for sure if the units has any details of your lake is to go look at the units. Zoom in close to the area your interested in and see if it has the aid to navigation and details you need.
Last point if you do not have a depthfinder before you buy You should decide if you want a GPS / Fishfinder combo unit or two seperate units.
Good Luck and take your time picking a unit. IF you take GOOD CARE of your unit should last at least 20 years but they are constatly changing and getting better.
