Handheld GPS

[tnduc]

I have been wanting to get a handheld GPS which will work well on the boat, in the car, hiking, etc... After doing my homework, which included opinions on this site, I bought a Lowrance H2O. Just using it around town it updates quickly and tracks properly. Can't wait to get it out on the water this weekend. I think I will eventually buy some mapping software. Any opinions on the Lowrance MapCreate program? It looks like it will do everything I need: marine mapping along with streets and cities.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Handheld GPS

Map Create is the best option between streets and water. It is pretty limited on water however. No where near as good as Lakemaster or Navonics. The other advantage of map create is that with the card reader you are able to update the firmware from Lowrance. Lake master has some street information and Navonics has none. It is strictly a water program.

 

[John_S]

Re: Handheld GPS

FYI, The MapCreate S/W is a little bit of a mis-nomer. You can not create, edit, or make your own maps. It is basicly a large map database which you choose the size, area, and detail you may need, to fit within a certain file size and download on a chip for your gps.

I have been using MapCreate 6.3 on an Eagle 502c gps. Version 7 is the latest. The road maps are OK but any recent road changes (5-7 years) appear not to be included. I found a local bridge that connects to an interstate missing. I saw reports on the net that version 7 is still lacking in this area. I have been using it in my suv as a "map assitant".

Just a clarification: You do not need the MapCreate card reader to update the firmware. Any card reader will work. The one that comes with MapCreate can be a bit tempermental, because of the copy protection to allow use on only 5 chips. You do need the MapCreate card reader to use with the S/W. Do not purchase the s/w without it.