Which GPS mapping software has the best coverage in Central Texas (Ausin area)?

I am thinking to get a GPS with mapping. There are a few good reviews on Lowrance iFinder H2O but it seems to need the SD card and mapping software (another $100+ on top of the device). Is the built-in map good enough for fishing? Can I download maps to the device through a free/low-cost 3rd party software? Thanks.

Scott

There is no easy answer for this. I use a
Lowrance Ifinder Pro, MapCreate is junk for
working with lake maps. I use Global Mapper
and a shareware program to write the LCM files
need for Lowrance products. I create a lot of
custom maps for my Ifinder. The shareware that
does this is only available from the
yahoo group below.

MapCreate can not deal with all of the
data you can download for free from the
state.

See
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mapcreate_format/
for the program to convert data to LCM format.

Here is a link to a Map I've done some work on
download it and the emulator for Lowrance for
the Ifinder.

http://tejascreations.com/LakeAquilla.zip
Extract the files in the

drive:\program files\Lowrance Electronics\unit demo\maps0

directory and then run the demo and go to this location

n 31.91779
w 97.19998

and start zooming in the map data will start
showing up at the 15 mile zoom range, keep zooming
in until you see it all.

Making your own maps for the Ifinder is not as hard
as a lot of people make it out to be.

Wood Dragon

scott_home, the base maps that come in GPS units usually show only the outlines of the lake shore. Detail such as channels, humps, etc, is not included. You have to load a detail map into your GPS either from software or from a memory card. Both Garmin and Lowrance have uploadable software and memory card maps, depending on the GPS unit. I have both. I have found that the Navionics map on the Lowrance memory card is a much more detailed map for the lakes I fish. The extra $100 is worth it for the detail that is available on the cards. You can go right to a structure rather than hunting for it. If you want to talk more, send me an email at ceudy48@hotmail.com.


dan

I have a H20. The card is a Fishing hot spot elite. It only seems that I only get the outline of the lakes. This is a new unit and new card. Am I doing something wrong. Really dont know how to use it yet., just playing with it around the house.
Thanks Cotton
I really dont know how to use the putter.

Lazycat, you are right. Out of all the available maps in Lowrance website, Navionics seems to have the best coverage in my area.

I have the hot spot card and use on a h20. The hot spot card has great detail. Love it if it is on the card. Several lakes I fish are not on it. I down load the enhanced maps from the Lowrance web site for the Lakes that are not on the hot spots card. It is amazing the detail on them if you zoom in.
Johnny

Ol'Sketter, most GPS units default to the built in base map even if you have uploaded a detail map or installed a map card. You have to go into one of the menus and choose the detail map rather than the base map. I have not used and H20 but my Gamin and my Lowrance sonar/GPS combo both work this way.

Scott, I own both the h20 and a 332c. I am not impressed with the h2o screen size for use in the boat however the 332 is the ticket. I plan on using the h2o for hunting. One of the earlier posts reported that updated chips would be available sometime in the first quarter of 07. I would wait and get one, when updated Navionics or hot spot chips are available. Ken

ttt, for later