Why You Need a Handheld GPS for Fishing?
If you have been a victim of getting lost on water during your fishing adventure or lost a favorite fishing spot since you could not trace it, then here are the reasons why you need a handheld GPS next time you are visiting waters:
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- Lock your coordinates to keep your favorite fishing spot•
- Don’t get lost in your fishing adventure•
- Locate where you are!
- Encourages anglers to try new fishing points
Things to Consider
It is important to understand the points filled with fish, and one that isn’t worthy of the visit. For long-term fishing, you must be aware of the water in a way. The process of marking your most successful catching spot is not easy without the right tracker.
This is the reason you need take into consideration the following aspects when you select the best fishing handheld GPS.
Also, check out the video below for a guideline to choosing the right GPS
Display
There are many amazing display technologies utilized in the design of hand-held GPS devices to fish. Displays with color, solar-focused TFTs and LCD displays are just a few of the most commonly used VDUs for these devices.
This is an important consideration when you’re in search of an accurate GPS.For example, buying a GPS with a sunlight-readable TFT display allows you to locate your exact location during a bright, sunny day.
It’s not necessary to look for shade to operate your GPS device.Consider that the Garmin Oregon 450 Handheld GPS Navigator (reviewed below) equipped with a larger 3-inch touchscreen with a sun-readable display It’s become popular in the current market because of its clarity and precision.
Waterproof Design
Purchase a waterproof handheld GPS to fish, such as Garmin’s 72H Waterproof Handheld GPS with High-Sensitivity minimizes the possibility of water damage that are caused by rain.
If you are an angler it is essential to be prepared and aware of incidents with water, so all of your equipment and equipment should be impervious to water.
GPS Receiver
The more efficient your GPS device is the faster it will be. That’s why it is recommended to choose fast access to handheld GPS devices that will improve your fishing spot finding speed. You should consider a the use of a handheld fishing GPS equipped with an ultra-sensitive receiver.
Most of the time, GPS devices with WAAS(Wide Area Augmentation System)enabled receivers are always worth keeping in mind. This system of air navigation improves the accuracy of navigation and speeds up the location of the target locations.
Basemaps In-Built
If you’re an experienced or casual angler You shouldn’t overlook the famous coastlines, landmarks or the bodies of water in the vicinity.
With a GPS equipped with base maps built-in it is not necessary to carry large maps around while fishing. The base map built-in ensures that you’re aware of all crucial locations that are on the fish-watching radar.
It is also possible to use portable GPS devices that permit you to download mapping software within these devices. Also, by using these global location devices you can look up the latest satellite maps quickly and make your fishing experience more enjoyable.
Mode of Operation
If you’re in in your kayak and trying to find your ideal location at the same you could be looking for an easy-to-use device to locate the device.
In this situation I’d recommend a using a handheld GPS with touchscreen to fish. They offer the most user-friendly interface, making point-of-sale along with general navigation more simple and quick.
Recommended Top 5 Fishing GPS
Editor Rating:
The Garmin Legend H is a user-friendly navigator from the eTrex series, which makes use of detailed Americas, Atlantic and Pacific maps to aid you in your fishing trip.
This handheld device has 24MB of internal storage for all your original maps, routes, waypoints and saved tracks, so that you know exactly where you and where your destination is when you are out on the water.
The compact and portable GPS device has a high-sensitivity GPS receiver which is WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled, so that you can precisely pinpoint your location to within three meters.
This reliable GPS device will perform reliably in challenging conditions, such as waterways with heavy foliage where other GPS signals usually get distorted.
Additionally, this 5.3 ounce Garmin Legend H has an inbuilt basemap, which shows all the rivers, lakes, landmarks and coastlines you need to be aware of when you are fishing.
All of this information is displayed on a brightly-colored high-contrast 2.4 inch LCD, with 64 by 128 pixel resolution for clear map viewing.
This high-performing device which comes in a rugged and waterproof case has inbuilt celestial tables for enhanced fishing, and is compatible with mapping software which can be operated with one hand.
Highlighted Features
- High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS
- Built-in basemap shows lakes, rivers, cities, roads coastlines and landmarks
- USB interface for faster map downloads; 24 MB of internal memory offers plenty of room for plenty of room for maps, waypoints, routes and saved tracks
- High-contrast, backlit 2.4-inch LCD display; four-way cursor for smooth, one hand operation
Editor Rating:
The GPSMAP 62stc from Garmin is a rugged and waterproof handheld navigator that comes with a camera.
This navigator comes with an inbuilt 3-axis electronic compass which is tilt-compensated, so that you can find the bearings of your destination even when you are standing completely still.
This compass is complemented by a high-sensitivity WAAS enabled GPS receiver, which can quickly and efficiently pinpoint your position even when the waterway in which you are fishing in is heavily covered by trees.
When it comes to the maps of the GPSMAP 62stc, you can benefit from detailed marine maps, a worldwide basemap and the pre-loaded TOPO 100K which are all stored on 4.3GB of internal memory.
These maps will fully cover all the waters found in the U.S and Puerto Rico, and can be supplemented with custom maps and satellite imagery that can be downloaded to your device for maximum water coverage.
When it comes to documenting your fishing journey you have the chance to utilize the 5MP autofocus camera to take geotagged pictures, which you can then share with your friends and save so that you can revisit the spot at a later date.
The lightweight Garmin GPSMAP 62stc also has a 2.6 inch color TFT display, as well as multiple sharing and analytical options that will make your fishing experience more efficient.
Highlighted Features
- Built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and barometric altimeter
- 1.7G of onboard memory and microSD card slot for adding a wide array of topographic, marine and road maps
- Rugged handheld navigator 2.6-inch
- Sunlight-readable TFT display with 160 x 240 pixel resolution
- Built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief download Garmin Connect photos for picture navigation
Editor Rating:
The Garmin eTrex 20 is a dependable satellite navigation tool, which makes use of geocaching features to make your fishing experience much more enjoyable.
Like the Garmin GPS navigators we have seen above, this handheld GPS navigator has a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, a pre-loaded worldwide relief basemap, and HotFix and GLONASS support that will assist in quick and reliable positioning in all conditions.
These maps are supported by paperless geocaching features which are stored on the internal memory of the navigator, making it simple to track where you are going and save where you have been.
This rugged GPS navigator also has a wide array of detailed marine maps that make finding your favorite fishing spots easier, and which can be viewed on a 2.2 inch color display which is readable in bright sunlight.
The design of this rugged handheld GPS is to be admired, with a total of five buttons on either side of the device that can be easily operated. This 5 ounce GPS navigator is waterproof so you need not worry about splashes, and it comes with 2 AA batteries that provide 20 hours of battery life.
Highlighted Features
- Marine and road maps.TOPO U.S. 24K, BlueChart g2, City Navigator, etc.
- Powered with two AA batteries
- Waterproof to IPX7 standards for protection against splashes, rain, etc
- Rugged handheld navigator with preloaded worldwide relief basemap
- 2.2-inch color display
- WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support
- Compatible with topographic
Editor Rating:
The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx is the big brother of the GPSMAP 60CS, using top notch craftsmanship and detailed features that are perfect for marine use.
This 7.5 ounce navigator is popular for its amazing accuracy delivered by its high-sensitivity GPS receiver, ensuring that you can precisely track your position in all conditions.
Furthermore, the GPS navigator is supported by 64MB of memory via a microSD card, giving you the chance to store all of your detailed marine maps and your track logs for an enhanced fishing experience.
The unit itself comes with a pre-loaded Americas auto-route basemap, a U.S TOPO and recreational map with fishing hot spots, and other Garmin MapSource products.
Once you have retrieved the map data, you can view it from the 2.6 inch TFT color display which is extremely clear in all lighting environments.
Other fun and convenient features on this GPS navigator include USB connectivity for charts/maps loading and transfer, an electronic compass for directional guidance, 2 AA batteries for 20 hours of battery life, a lightweight, waterproof and rugged case for easy portability, high-use buttons for easy operation, and a dedicated geocaching mode for outdoor adventures.
Highlighted Features
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver
- 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail
- Fast USB connectivity
- Color-handheld mapping ideal for both marine and outdoor use
- Bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display
Editor Rating:
The Garmin Oregon 450 is yet another handheld GPS innovation that allows you to fish with ease.
This next generation GPS navigator has an inbuilt worldwide basemap, with provisions for a Garmin MapSource card that provides you with extra access to detailed marine maps for your fishing needs.
Additionally, the Oregon 450 has a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which allows you to get the bearings of the destination in which you are heading so that you do not get lost.
This electronic compass is supported by HotFix satellite prediction and a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, which will deliver quick and precise locations of your current position.
Furthermore, the Oregon 450 has a 3 inch sunlight-readable color display, which provides enhanced clarity and grid references of your favorite fishing spots. The intuitive interface means that you can navigate the handheld GPS with supreme ease.
Additionally, this GPS navigator allows for quick USB map transfers, wireless data sharing, and geocaching file downloading. With the Garmin Oregon 450, fishing is made fun and easy!
Highlighted Features
- 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and barometric altimeter
- Wirelessly share routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches between units
- High-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix for improved performance and reception
- Improved 3″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen display
Final Verdict
I can finally say that the 5 handheld GPS navigators given above are the best that Garmin has to offer. Combining rugged and waterproof construction with an intuitive interface and detailed maps, you can now use these navigators to improve your fishing experience.
So stop wasting time, and choose which one of the aforementioned handheld GPS navigators you will be taking on your next fishing trip.
