GPS and Map Question

Aquia185

Aquia185

New Member
Nov 5, 2006
311
Stafford, VA
I currently have an IQue M4 that I really don't use for anything. I was thinking it might be nice to use for the boat. Would the Mapsource Topo US be best for this type of application? I honestly don't have a clue so I am open to any suggestions/ideas you might have. Thanks in advance...
 
I have a Lowrance H2O color handheld with the Nautic Path card. It works great for me and my boat. It's pretty much the same card, etc. as the large Lowance models but smaller and mobil.
 
Greg,
I have an iQue M5, that I was going to use as a backup, but after using it in the car, although it has been helpful, I find it is a labor intensive, high maintenance PIA.
Also, in order to read offshore, I had to purchase and download Blue Charts from Garmin.
Still, it will not display streets and Blue Charts simultaneously. You have to go into it and re-program what it is to display every time you change from land to sea. It is not water resistant.
Sorry I ever bought it. :smt009
 
Steve...thanks for the info. Since I really don't even use the M4...I am not worried about switching back and forth.... so that's not an issue for me... Did you get the blue chart east SD card for it? I think the SD card is selling for a bit over $100... The blue chart covers lakes and rivers, creeks etc... correct. Any info would be appreciated...thanks much.
 
Greg,
I bought the Bluechart America v7.
It is for coastal waterways, U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and South America. (a little overkill, don't you think?) I'm almost positive it does not include lakes.
It was a CD rom disc, that I had to download to my PC, and then download to the iQ memory stick. I believe I paid $130+ for it, and had to register and unlock it electronically. :smt101 A real pain.
Call Garmin, 1-800-800-1020, and they may be able to give you more info.
 
Steve...you're correct. It is the U.S. Recreational Lakes map that looks like it contains lakes, rivers, creeks etc... I have an email into Garmin just to clarify...thanks.
 
Hi Greg, the Rec Lakes data will cover freshwater lakes. The Bluecharts will cover anything that is tidal along with the great lakes. You can buy either of these on CD. They only sell the preprogrammed cards as Bluecharts or Micro SD cards, so I think you will need to go the CD route.
 
Hi Jim...

Looking at the Garmin site and looking at the U.S Recreational Map with FHS East, it looks like it covers the following...

Potomac River
Occoquan River
Aquia Creek
and freshwater lakes in our area

These are the areas I would be using the boat in...

Am I correct with the above?

The site also lists a preprogrammed SD card for the above map that I could use with the iQue M4... GFH020R Is this also correct?

Finally, do you guys handle this product?

Thanks...
 
I can't confirm those areas are included from the info I have, hopefully the response you get from Garmin will confirm. We do sell the chart you listed above but it only comes as a Bluechart Data Card, not in SD card format. Garmin sells three types of chips - Bluechart Data Cards, SD cards and micro SD cards. Not all cartography comes in every format. The lakes and hot spots only come as Bluechart Data Cards and CD's. You would need the CD.

http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=20895&cat=0&page=1
 
Greg,

I've got the U.S Recreational Map with FHS East, in both Card and CD format. The CD is the only way to go IMHO. On the Garmin site you can search what area are covered if you don't hear back from Garmin in time. Sometimes there is not much details on the smaller lakes.
 
Greg

Just pulled up the area you talked about and here is what I've found.

Potomac River No details

Occoquan River No details

Aquia Creek No Details

looks like you have to go with the Blue Charts to get detail info on the area you are talking about.

Chuck
 
Thanks much Chuck... So if you want to cruise the creeks and rivers you need blue chart and if you go on the lakes you need the recreational map... at least with Garmin.

Is there a better GPS/Mapping system out there that would contain all of this information for a region in one?

An additional question... anyone have a blue chart that they use to lookup

Potomac River (up to the Occoquan)
Occoquan River
Aquia Creek

and let me know if there are enough details listed to even make the blue chart worthwhile? Thanks in advance...
 
Greg,

Jim hit the nail on the head with the comment

"Hi Greg, the Rec Lakes data will cover freshwater lakes. The Bluecharts will cover anything that is tidal along with the great lakes"

Somebody else will have to chime in about another system, I got the Garmin GPSMAP276C for both the car and boat uses and works great for me.
 
Chuck... I saw that from Jim. What I am trying to decide is whether there is much data on these bodies of water in the bluechart. If there isn't, then I would probably better off going with the Lakes one. Thanks mate...
 
No response from Garmin...go figure.

Jim... do you have a link to the blue chart CD? There are like 10 pages of maps up there :smt101

Also...once you get the CD it includes activation for your area right? Thanks...
 
Aquia185 said:
No response from Garmin...go figure.

Also...once you get the CD it includes activation for your area right? Thanks...
Click to expand...

Give them a call, always have been able to answer my question in a very timely manner. Yes you get one unlock code with the cd.
 
Anytime, They have great service. Called once about a problem with my temp and they sent a new transducer out ASAP at no cost. Got it in 2-3 Days.
 
Hey All... After doing some research I am not going to use the M5 because of too many limitations...

So my options are the Garmin 76CSX with Bluechart or the Lowrance IFINDER H2O with NauticPath...

Anybody have experience with these and in particular which chart might be better?

Thanks in advance...
 
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