Does anyone still use an H2Oc ? I was wondering if any of the Mapping software you guys talk about here is compatible with such archaic technology.

I had a Lowrance ExpeditionC, which is pretty much the same unit. It kept losing satellite signal at the most inopportune times, so I went to the Garmin 62st. I thought I was in heaven when pairing the Lowrance with a LakeMaster chip for water depths, but realize now that I wasn't able to do 1% of what I presently do. Lack of a sensible method to connect to a computer really made installing and using maps upgrades a pain, if not downright impossible. Not very much available out there anymore for the Lowrance platform.

Really only 2 makes with any consumer success, in the handheld outdoors market, Garmin and Delorme. Other brands either have poor performance and/or limited mapping support.

butthead

Thanks guys. That's what I kind of figured. I'll try to save my pennies and upgrade.

I still have one that just won't die.

I use a Lowrance Lakemaster chip for Kabetogama/Namekon that also has the Quetico lakes on it and the MN map for the BWCAW. I am sure other options are better but it does all I need for now.

Since Lakemaster was bought out by Minnkota/hummingbird you have to look for old chips which can be hard to find.

T

Here's a pic of insula.

Mine won't die either Tim. I'm not sure what chip I have in it but I didn't think the Minnesota maps included the bdub. My last trip I never bothered to change it to NW MN and just used the way way points Cuz I didn't think the lakes would show. Now I'm excited to see.

wvevans: It's hit-and-miss. And it depends on the year of your LakeMaster chip. Basically, LM had much nicer graphics than the Navionics chip, but far fewer BW lakes mapped. It's one of the reasons that I abandoned the Lowrance format and went with Garmin... Garmin held the rights to the mapping on the LakeMaster chips that went into their devices and when they started producing lake mapping chips of their own, they took that ability with them.

If you know your chip model year and have a list of lakes you want me to check, I have a database for detail levels of lakes mapped on LM chips from 2006-2011.

May be some help.
Easy GPS
Expert GPS somewhat expensive to buy, but a free trial will let you see what you can do.

butthead

wvevans...somewhere along the way LM added the BWCAW to all the MN chips. I don't think the LOTW and Kabby chips have the BWCAW but not sure. My chip has all the campsites and portages many of the lakes have depths marked. Although not 100% accurate it is nice. I think it started with version 6?

I used the Navionics chip too---it has more depth contours on more lakes but not as accurate with camps and the depths are often off but it works good enough.

T

quote schweady: "wvevans: It's hit-and-miss. And it depends on the year of your LakeMaster chip. Basically, LM had much nicer graphics than the Navionics chip, but far fewer BW lakes mapped. It's one of the reasons that I abandoned the Lowrance format and went with Garmin... Garmin held the rights to the mapping on the LakeMaster chips that went into their devices and when they started producing lake mapping chips of their own, they took that ability with them.


If you know your chip model year and have a list of lakes you want me to check, I have a database for detail levels of lakes mapped on LM chips from 2006-2011.
"

Thanks A ton schweady ! As soon as I get home from work in an hr or so Im gonna look and post what i have- Not sure I can come up with the year but im gonna give it a shot. Ill be mad at myself if I had a great tool like that and never even used it or even knew I had it on all my past trips...

Dang. I have the Navionics Hot Maps Premium Chip Schweady. 2008. So tim your thinking my Navionics hot maps chip will have the Bdub lakes ? That would be awesome. Doing my first extended Solo this year and it would be great to use it along with my maps and compass. I never even thought to use it on all my past trips. Duh ! You guys have me fired up to try it out. If it works even just good enough to verify where I am that's good enough for me. It will be a sad day when it dies Tim. Out of 10 of my buddies that bought them mines the last one left. Thanks Butthead . Your always helping me out !

With Navionics, no need to pick a region, as I recall. Fire it up and scroll over to the lakes in question to take a look. Or, I have an Excel file for the 2008 Navionics Hotmaps Premium chip that lists the lakes and their depth detail. What lakes?

My 1st solo putting in June 20th and with the input from Butthead and a few others I decided im starting on the number chain , through Insula up to Alice, Thomas,Fraser up to Kek then on to the very east end of Knife then back down exiting on Snowbank. Don't go through any extra trouble Schweady if you run into roadblocks and get stuck. But I appreciate anything you can find.. Ill be much more confidant with my navigation if I have my GPS that has mapping as a back up

You should be able to put the chip in and fire it up---check out your route--see what navionics has to offer on the BWCAW

T

I can get the map to the bwca but I don't remember anymore how to change my chip from SW mn to NE mn . the lakes are not labled unless your in the correct region. Does anyone remember how ? This is why I shouldnt upgrade. I'd have a aneurism trying to figure out a newer unit. I'll have to get my manual out in the morning.

If ya don't find out I'll try to see how it works on my unit, but it won't be till the weekend most likely.

T

Am I remembering it backwards? You have to choose a map region for Navionics but not LakeMaster? Or vice versa? Jeez, it sure is great to not have to jump through hoops like that anymore...

It must be backwards Schweady- Ive always had to choose a map reigon for my Navionics chip... Your are right. Big Giant pain in the A**

quote wvevans: "I can get the map to the bwca but I don't remember anymore how to change my chip from SW mn to NE mn . the lakes are not labled unless your in the correct region. Does anyone remember how ? "

It's coming back to me, now.
(With more than just a little help from the H2OC Operating Instructions Manual.)

(Page 40) Make sure you are in Advanced Mode: Press MENU then arrow down to 'Advanced Mode' and ENTER.

(Page 80) Chose the region from a list of those on your chip: While viewing the map page, press MENU and arrow down to 'Map Data...' and ENTER. Arrow down to 'Navionics Map Choice' and ENTER. Arrow down or up to select the map name and ENTER then EXIT, EXIT. (Turn off this selection by selecting 'Lowrance' with this same procedure.

I can't remember the code used for NE MN, but it should be fairly obvious.

Still trouble? There is a 'Map Categories' item in the Map Data menu. Choose that and make sure that Navionics is checked. Then, go back and try your map choice.

Schweady you did it . Thanks man im in. You did your good deed for the day. A dozen trips and I never even thought to change the settings and use the mapping feature. I would have never thought they would have added BWCA lakes. Thanks again..

Nice work schweady! Sounds right.

T

Cool. So, are the majority of the lakes you're traveling this season have their depths mapped? And are any in what they so self-affectionately call "Navionics Exclusive HD Lake Maps (High-Definition Surveys)" ?

Yes and no. No two foot contours but I didnt expect that. I think they are just DNR overlay maps which is just fine with me. Just enough to reaffirm my location from my map. After dragging this thing of the closet and playing with it now I really want to upgrade. Thanks again .

Love it! Dusted off old gear got it working. And now the hook is set for new! Enjoy your trip, I like the route!

butthead

Butthead tell me this quick. Cabelas has the cheapee Dakota 10 in the bargain cave for $200.00 right now. With that and paddle nav added ( paddle nav says the two are compatible )would this be better option than what I have now ? For a first time 14 day solo pretty deep in the park, for me any how, I would love go have somthing with me to give me a bit more confidence. ? I'm just so so with my navigation . not sure what it is about lake one but it tries to turn me around every time I go through it

For bargain price on a unit that will take you farther, Garmin® eTrex 20 GPS Unit, found regularly at $200. Color map included and chip memory expansion built in. I have handled 2 and set them up with PaddleNav and other mapsets loaded from BaseCamp.
compare ETrex 20 Dakota 10
Big difference in on board mem, and micro SD chip is available in ETrex 20.

butthead

The eTrex 20 is in the bargain cave as well for $169.00 right now. Thanks. I'll check it out

Even the 62s is now usually seen at $199. Keep in mind that it doesn't have the 100k topographic data for the U.S. built in, like the 62st. Some poo-poo the st models' lack of 24K topo detail; I like that they cover the entire country without having to add on separate regions.

I'm guessing that for a $0 investment this year and some new-found knowledge, you will be thrilled with using your H2Oc. I thought my ExpeditionC was heaven... until it quit locating satellite signals...

Oh, I wouldn't go back, but I wish it worked like this again:

Similar thinking schweady, I dig out my old GPS 12 now an again to play with. Nostalgia!

butthead