Marine GPS
Marine GPS, The Latest in Fishing & Boating Gear
GPS technology has made the sport of fishing more scientific. Not only can a GPS device guide you to a lake or river, it can also tell you precisely where to find fish and how to navigate a particular body of water. In fact, marine GPS devices are almost indispensable when it come to charting a successful fishing expedition in unknown territory.
Make no mistake. Marine GPS systems aren’t some type of miracle product or a cheater’s way of finding fish. They are simply measuring devices that let you know where to go to find the fish you want to catch. For instance, if you aren’t exactly sure how to get to an ideal fishing spot in a lake, the first thing that a GPS unit can do is pick out a preplanned route for the drive there. This includes finding a boat ramp and a camping ground or lodge if necessary. If you do further research on your own, you can figure out what kinds of fish are indigenous to the area. Once you launch your boat, a marine GPS system can guide you to the right fishing spot using time, distance, depth, and temperature measurements. If you find a place where you have a successful fishing experience, you can record a track log right in your GPS navigator so that you or anyone else can find the exact same location in the future. On the other hand, if you don’t have any luck in that location, you can go over your recoded track log and figure out where things went wrong
Handheld GPS units like the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSX and the Magellan Crossover GPS North America (2500T) are handy because they can be used everyday to find directions on highways, and with the right optional software, can be turned into Marine GPS systems for weekend getaways or vacations. Magellan’s Mapsend BlueNav Local Charts offer some of the most advanced marine cartography available. By using it, you can get information on currents, tides and even port services right from your handheld.
The next step up from handhelds is mounted marine GPS systems. These devices are actually attached to your boat and are used specifically for marine navigation. They are a little bit more expensive, but well worth the investment, especially if you go out on larger bodies of water. One of the least expensive units is the Garmin GPSMAP 3006C. This is a 12 channel maritime global positioning device. This system has a 6.4” screen and accepts radio signals which increases the accuracy of the positioning data to within three meters. The user can add new programs and maps to the already included international Garmin marine basemap, and the unit automatically records track logs for future use. The E120 marine GPS device from Raymarine is similar, but this more expensive model has a 12.1” screen with additional radar, chart plotter and fish finder features. These are great devices for larger lakes, but there are even more sophisticated marine GPS devices for the ocean.
The GlobalMap 9300C HD GPS Chartplotter from Lowrance is probably one of the best marine GPS devices on the market. With a 30GB hard rive, hundreds of electronic charts and maps, a 12-parallel channel GPS plus a WAAS receiver and an easy to read color 10.4” screen, it is a navigators dream. It is also compatible with Lowrance radar systems and is ready to be used for navigation in US coastal waters including Hawaii. This navigational tool is really meant for the serious deep sea fishing enthusiast and comes with all of the knowledge and back-up that Lowrance provides for its customers.
So, whether you want to find a new favorite fishing spot or sail around the world, there is a marine GPS device that will take you there quickly, safely, and accurately.
Posted in General GPS Information
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