GPS

[STEIN]

EVENING YALL.
I was hoping yall might tell me if any of yall use GPS. I have noticed that most performance & racing boats use GPS for accurate speed measurment. I would really like to find out how fast my boat runs but I cant justify such a pricey item just for that purpose(especially to the Mrs). What are the other uses for a GPS? Do they work right out of the box or do you have to subscribe to something to get satelite communication or service. Are there any decent units that are affordable for a workin man? I hope yall dont think I'm stupid, I have just never had any experience with a GPS.

emoWorthy

 

[rsimms]

No subscription or special service required. You turn the power on and they work. They offer incredibly, absolutely accurate speed measurement. That's my primary use of one... when I'm trolling for crappie. Prefer 0.6 to 0.8 mph... GPS is absolutely the only accurate way to gauge such slow speeds.

If you can figure out how to find me on the water sometime, I'd be glad to loan it to you just for a quick "speed check." But you can buy a simple little Garmin E-Trex for $100.

 

[STEIN]

Thanks for the reply rsimms, that info helps alot. I am almost always on Normandy lake when I'm out. My boy and I have been wanting to get down yalls way to catch some of those big cats. Im just trying to gain some more knowledge about when & where to go. I do hope to see yall out on the water one day. Thanks for the loan offer too neighbor. emoThumbsup

 

[Liveliner]

If you ever get down this way and you want to check your speed, I can help you out. If it is convenient for us, I'll meet you on the water and let you use one of my hand-held GPS units to check your speed. I thought by now everyone had some type of GPS. I don't leave home without one.

 

[Fuzzy]

One of the problems I see most people have with GPS is when they compare points in thier GPS to most fishing maps. In the mapping world there is a parameter called a "Datum". A datum is basically a reference for when they plotted that map. Most fishing maps I see are based on a datum from 1927 (NAD27). Most GPS's default to WGS84 a new datum. When you do get a gps and have one of these nice fishing maps, make sure, if you can, that your datums are the same. If you do, those nice little fishing maps are dead on. If you can't change the datum, search the internet for converting the points from one datum to the other. It's a pain, but its accurate. I use a little handheld right now and probably will always use it even if I upgrade one in a boat. I love the portability. No more triangulation. If you

 

[STEIN]

Hey I appreciate the invite Liveliner. I will get down that way in a few weeks, I've got to get caught up on my honeydo list, been spending all my free time tinkering with the boat. I will have to get more info from yall. I would probably like to make a trip during the week, round here saturdays & sundays are tuff to fish during daylight hours.
I usually go late evenings on weekends, I dont mind the dark when I am familiar with the water. I like to go straight from work on weekdays, usually only have to share the lake with 2 or 3 others and they are most likely fishing so no problem, and at 7 am on a weekday you rarely encounter jetskis and pleasure boaters.