Email
PrintBoat gadgets
GPS systems from the car to the boat
Many visitors traveling to the Lake of the Ozarks will find their way here by following the turn-by-turn instructions of a Global Positioning satellite Navigation System. Detailed road maps have been available electronically for several years. In the last couple of years detail maps of many of the larger lakes in the United States (including Lake of the Ozarks) are also available. These maps have shown up on traditional depth finders called GPS Chartplotters which provide detailed shoreline information, depth contours, boat ramps, marinas and even fishing hotspots like rock piles, standing timber and creek channels. These specialized GPS systems are as versatile as their better known counterparts used in cars and can be permanently mounted in a boat or used as a portable handheld device. They can help you navigate at night, locate your favorite restaurant or your favorite fishing hole.
| Garmin |
| Raymarine |
Garmin, Lowrance, Eagle, Megellan, Humminbird,Raymarine and Furuno are just a few of the common name brands.
There are a number of things to consider when choosing a device, including screen size and type, availability of preloaded maps, external or internal antennas and other functions such as depth sonar and water temperature.
Screen sizes typically range from 4 to 15 inches. Screen types can include color and even touch-screen controls. Choose the largest screen that fits your budget. Prices can start as low as $200 for black-and-white screens and can go over $1000 for large color touch screens.
Next, consider whether you are interested in a pure GPS unit or a combo unit that can include items like marine radar, weather receiver or fish-finder functionality. For the serious fisherman, of course, the fishing functionality is the most important. The ability to store points to find your favorite fishing location again or navigate to the nearest creek bed can be the difference between having dinner or just a long day.
Another important consideration is an internal antenna or the ability to plug in an external antenna. Most units come with one or the other and cannot be changed. Therefore, make sure where you are going to mount it before you make your purchase. When mounting the unit in a boat cabin or cockpit the external antenna is required.
Check for required preloaded maps. Otherwise, you will have to purchase additional cartography. Some units allow you to transfer data from your computer while others require a specialized card to update the data.
Whether you are a serious fisherman or just a recreational boater, GPS systems are the newest and hottest essential for the Lake of the Ozark boater.
Randy Sparks is the owner of 21st Century Automation
