Hey jkg,

If we both had the Elite-7 HDI on our boats (not the "x" model, but WITH GPS),and we both took off fishin back in the Okeefenokee swamps or somewhere, and then both of our Elite-7's blew up - I'd get lost or killed and you probably wouldn't! My complements to you on that skill Sir, I wish I could do that! But the point is not so much about getting lost or killed - there is a heck of a lot more to a mapplotter unit than "where I am, where I started from, and how I got here". For a hundred bucks or so, you get [insert Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin Promo here] - It's like saying "why do I need HDI - I know how to triangulate" - Just sayin'

all nite fishing trip and the next morning it is foggy as all get out. I want GPS

A few benefits of having gps on the boat. As mentioned, tracking and trails for navigation in less than ideal conditions. Marking fishing spots with way points saves time trying to triangulate to sit on underwater structure. Marking danger areas. marking schools of fish instead of throwing out buoys that everyone on the lake will sit on top of. Being able to follow contour lines when the fish are holding at certain depths.

All that said, I caught lots of fish for many years without GPS, and for years before that using nothing but the old round flashers. But, since I have upgraded to decent graphs (many years ago), and GPS (about 8yrs ago), I do catch fish more consistently.

It's not difficult to get turned around in fog, or be a little of course at night and run aground on a sandbar or long shallow point. As a back-up to my GPS on the boat (Elite 7 HDI), I also have the Navionics app on my iphone, and keep a simple compass in my gear box. Redundancy is never a bad thing.

I'm thinking about getting that navonics app too

Being of the older crowd, I can confirm that it is possible to fish/boat in fog without a GPS. I managed to survive while fishing/boating for about 50+ yrs before I got a GPS. Once followed my Uncle across Falcon from state park ramp to think it is Guerro over on Mexico side in dense fog. He watched his wake to be sure he was keeping a straight course while my aunt watched up front. Pretty long drive and he nailed it in dense fog, I was amazed.

Also, I seldom if ever use the GPS on my bow unit. If fishing a spot in open water, I use one of the highly technical marker buoys.

Of course I have driven in fog for a while to look up and realize I was back where I started. Not saying it is safest boating, but it can be done. Having a GPS does not guarantee you won't hit other boats also out in the fog, just need to use good sense like anything.

lake waco has 2 bad stumps that I know of , one we called the bear, just before you get to the S curve. When the lake was 5 foot low it stuck up about a foot out of the water. The other was along the west bank where there is a line of stumps along the bank. This stump is about a hundred yards or so out in the water. Now that the lake has risen 3-4 foot these two stumps are gonna get somebody. If you had a trail marked to avoid them, or had marked them as waypoints and color red to avoid them you are much much better off than someone who isnt aware of them being there. Thats one reason I want GPS.