Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - New to the lake- need a gps/chartplotter

Orion · 05-25-2009, 04:28 PM

Pilots are trained to develop a scan which includes instruments, charts, and out the window. Boaters should follow same. More information is NEVER a bad thing. A GPS is helpful when the old Mark-8 eyeball is playing tricks, as is a depth-sounder to a lesser extent. I am very familiar with the lake (boating here for almost 50 years) yet occasionally things are not what or where they seem between what you see and what's on the chart and the GPS is a sweet thing to have to give that extra measure of comfort while navigating. This is especially true at night, more so with no moon, and even critical in the Fall when the warm water meets the cold morning air. In the latter case, I wouldn't venture some mornings (from the Island) without a GPS as you can't see 10' past the bow.

I've been investigating the newer Lowrance HDS series chartplotters and the maps look beautiful. When you buy the Lake Insight equipped versions, they come pre-loaded with the Navionics detailed lake maps of the whole USA and I believe it includes the fishing Hot Spot data ($200 value). I should have it by next week to provide a comparison to the Bizer maps and will report.

05-25-2009, 04:28 PM	#13
Orion Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cow Island Posts: 914 Thanks: 602 Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts	Heads up with GPS Pilots are trained to develop a scan which includes instruments, charts, and out the window. Boaters should follow same. More information is NEVER a bad thing. A GPS is helpful when the old Mark-8 eyeball is playing tricks, as is a depth-sounder to a lesser extent. I am very familiar with the lake (boating here for almost 50 years) yet occasionally things are not what or where they seem between what you see and what's on the chart and the GPS is a sweet thing to have to give that extra measure of comfort while navigating. This is especially true at night, more so with no moon, and even critical in the Fall when the warm water meets the cold morning air. In the latter case, I wouldn't venture some mornings (from the Island) without a GPS as you can't see 10' past the bow. I've been investigating the newer Lowrance HDS series chartplotters and the maps look beautiful. When you buy the Lake Insight equipped versions, they come pre-loaded with the Navionics detailed lake maps of the whole USA and I believe it includes the fishing Hot Spot data ($200 value). I should have it by next week to provide a comparison to the Bizer maps and will report.