August 17, 2018 at 9:50am
After looking into different brands and models of gps/ff units, it seems all need an additional map card for any detail in maps. Some models, for a higher price have Navionics, or C map loaded (appears to be geared to contours of inland freshwater lakes), not our constantly changing coastline. If you choose a gps without this add on the savings can be applied to a detailed map card. Wanting a google earth type background map, I Iooked at standard mapping's website and only Lowrance, Simrad and Raymarine seem compatible (Lowrance Hook -2 units are not compatible, and because of slow processor the map lags on Hook models) With my budget in the $300 range I chose the Lowrance Hook 7 without the C map(saving $50). Next faster model would have nearly doubled the price. Also purchased a micro sd card of central LA (Grand Isle to past Dularge) made and sold by someone on this sites classifieds. Just like looking at google maps.
