Sorry about the delay but I am experiencing computer problems. Check your email for attachments. Bret The Delacroix to Point a la Hatch has over 250 fishing and navigation points. It covers the area roughly from bayou Terre Boeufs at Delacroix Isle on the north to Point a la Hatch on the south. And from Brenton Sound on the east to Spanish Lake on the East. It has many of the reefs that were once land points as well as many other points of interest for fishing and navigation. First, the EDGE program is NOT a map program that can be loaded into a GPS unit. It is a data program that is written in the format required by your GPS unit. It is NOT a memory cart but It is sent to you as an email attachment via the internet to your email address.. With that aside, here is the information that you requested along with several attachments that are in the program. One is a .pdf general large scale map that cannot be loaded into your GPS unit and a sample of several of the waypoints as described in the program. All of these waypoints can be printed with the general map as a hard copy and bought aboard your vessel. Other attachments are the instructions. The EDGE also has a data file of all of the waypoints written in the format required by the GPS manufacturer. This data fie should be transferred to a computer file then by following the units directions transferred into the on board memory of the GPS unit. They will appear as overlays on whatever mapping program you have in your GPS unit. Of course the actual electronic waypoint data file is not included in this email, but is in the Edge you can order. I suggest that you download Garmin’s free data transfer programs called HOME PORT and BASE CAMP from their web site. Either of these will make data transfers between your computer and other Garmin units a simple task. Get them while they are still free. Look over this mailing, and if you have any questions get back with me. Captain Paul

It appears like you loaded all of the Edge files into your unit. Only the .GPX file should be used.
The other files are in WORD, and a .PDF file which is a general map of the area along with a hard copy of all of the Edge waypoints.

Using WORD, open the READ BE FIRST file, then the Lowrance Instructions file. You should open the .PDF file using a .pdf reader program. I suggest that you print the PDF file and keep a copy aboard your boat.
The easiest way is to then use a Lowrance protocol data transfer program.
Try using the LOWRANCE. INSIGHT PLANNER. it is Lowrance's data transfer program.
You would then open the Planner program on your computer then transfer the waypoints to the memory card. This card is then placed in your GPS unit and the data transferred to the internal waypoint memory in the GPS unit.

Contact me at captainpaultgps@gmail.com if you need any additional help or info.

Captain Paul

The CAPTAINPAUL'S fishing edge of GPS Waypoints for LAFITTE has waypoints in and around Lake Salvador.

Call the Sportsman web site at
(800) 538-4355

And ask for Kaci Dufrene
Advise her that you did not get your Fishing edge order.
I noted that you listed two different GPS brands. One for a DELORME and another for a Lowrance brand. If that is NOT correct, advise Kacie, as the electronic waypoint are written in a different protocol.

Captain Paul.

All of the Edge files are sent to your email address as an attachment. There is a Read Me First and instruction file, as well as a data file for your brand of GPS unit. All of the waypoints can be downloaded into your GOS unit from your computer. There is also a .pdf file that is a general map of your area that lists the waypoints showing the latitude longitude and a description of each waypoint. Some even have a how to fish the location.
If you need any other info, contact me again.

Go to www.askcaptainpaul.com to view the different areas.

Yes the Captain Paul's Fishing Edge programs are still available.
The LA SPORTSMAN is working on correcting the down links. Some of the links have been corrected, but In the meantime, go to..: www.ASKCAPTAINPAUL.COM and select the area you want.

Yes it is. I am working with the Sportsman mag to correct the link.
In the meantime go to the SPORTSMAN STORE and search for Fishing Edge. It will retrieve all of the different Edge files.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention.
Captain Paul

LOWRANCE or GARMIN EDGE DATA for GPS UNITS

Capt Paul
I have a Garmin GPS map 76 handheld, Lowrance hook 5, Lowrance elite chirp 7, and a Lowrance HDs 9 on my various boats. When I purchase your fishing edge files, will standard gpx files work on all 4 or do I need Lowrance and Garmin specific files? Thanks

Captain Paul’s response:
Yes and No! But, let me explain.
The Captain Paul’s Fishing Edge program for a Lowrance system comes with both a Lowrance .usb data file and a .gpx (GPS Exchange Format) data file. The Captain Paul’s Fishing Edge for a Garmin comes with .gdb (Garmin Data Base) file. The newer .gpx file format is an attempt to have a common data transfer file throughout the GPS industry. This attempt will probably still take a period of time, so most units still have the ability to read their old format as well as the newer .gpx format.
I was advised by Lowrance Support that you could simply copy either of these files to a SPARE data card and using the MENU in all of the GPS units you indicated. They advised that either the Lowrance .usb or the .gpx data files would work in the units. They said to simply copy the file to a spare data card in insert in the unit. Then use the MENU screen to SAVE From Card feature. This will integrate all of the data into your existing waypoint file. They will show as an overlay on whatever mapping software you have in the unit(s).
Not to doubt the support people, but I like to use the Lowrance data transfer program they call INSIGHT PLANNER. It is available from their internet web site at http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Cartography/InsightPlanner-en-us.aspx
According to the Lowrance web site, “Insight Planner is the ultimate PC software for marine navigation planning with Lowrance chart plotters. Create waypoints, routes, and points of interest (POIs), on a wide variety of supported cartography platforms such as Insight, Navionics, and raster charts using the BSB format. Use it to Plan routes using multiple charts for verification and safety purposes. It allows you to Transfer waypoints directly to Google Earth, as a .usr or .gpx file.”
This program allows you to view all of the waypoints on a rough map, as well as the waypoint name, latitude~longitude position and a limited amount of the remarks about each location.
It allows you the option of creating and deleting any data for your unit. It is an invaluable tool for backing up your data in all of your Lowrance GPS units. It is much easier to enter waypoints with a keyboard and mouse than to try to save the data directly into the GPS unit.
It will save and or transfer data files as both a .gpx and .usr format. I have the program and use it for/with my Lowrance units.
As for Garmin units, older units require a Garmin .gdb file whereas newer units can use a .gdb (Garmin Data Base) or a .gpx file as the file format on their memory card transfer.
Garmin, however requires that the specified memory card being used for the transfer, FIRST be inserted in a Garmin GPS unit. After turning the unit on and performing any function, the unit writes a code to the memory card. This allows the unit to later recognize the card for that unit as well as by several of the Garmin data transfer programs.
Garmin presently offers two free data transfer programs on their web site. Their Home Port (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/64242) is mainly designed for marine use where their Base Camp program(http://www.garmin.com/en-US/shop/downloads/basecamp) is mainly for hand held units used over land. Either program will work with either their marine of hand held units. These programs can digest data in a .gpx, a Garmin .gdb, a Google Earth .kml, a tab delimited text .txt, and a comma delimited .cvs file format. These formats will work with most of the different manufacture’s data format requirements.
My suggestion is to download the Lowrance Insight Planner and the Garmin Home Port and or their Base Camp program. Then by purchasing the Captain Paul’s Fishing Edge for a Lowrance system, it comes with a .usr and .gpx formatted data, you can import in into your Lowrance GPS units by utilizing the Insight Planner by using either the .gpx or .usb format and transfer it to a spare memory card. By then exporting or copying the gpx format to your computer you can open either the Home Port or Base Camp. Once there and by inserting the memory card that was previously inserted in your Garmin GPS unit and export the data to that card.
After placing the card in your GPS unit, you would transfer the data using the menu features in the GPS unit. These waypoints will appear as overlays on whatever mapping program you have in your unit.
Other GPS manufacturers offer their data transfer program. Most offer them as downloads from their web site. Some require that you register your GPS in order to secure their version of the data transfer program.
Either way, these data transfer programs make the transferring, editing, addition of waypoints, tracks and routes a simple task.
There is also a data transfer converting program that is available on the interne that is called GPS Babel. (https://www.gpsbabel.org/download.html)
According to their web site, ” GPS Babel is a Software that converts waypoints, tracks, and routes between popular GPS receivers. GPSBabel is a cross-platform, free software to transfer routes, tracks, and waypoint data to and from consumer GPS units, and to convert between over a hundred types of GPS data formats. It has a command-line interface and a graphical interface for Windows, MacOS, and Linux users.”
The GPSBabel offers you the ability to convert a GPS format from one type to another. It is a very valuable tool to have along with the aforementioned manufacturer’s data transfer programs.
These programs will allow you to transfer data to your unit as well as backing up all the existing waypoint, track, and routes to a computer file.
This is a necessary requirement in today’s world.
The only thing you would be missing is the EDGE installation instructions for the Garmin system. It is very similar to the Lowrance instructions but it refers to the Garmin system. If you have any difficulty, contact me and I will be happy to guide you through the procedure.
Captain Paul

LORAN TD W-X-Y to Lat Long (NAD 83)

Captain Paul, can you recommend a conversion program to get from W-X-Y to Lat Long (NAD 83). Thank you in advance.
S. Trout

Captain Paul response
I have some interesting information on the LORAN-C Navigation System which should assist you in making the conversion you need.
But first here is a general insight on the now defunct LORAN system. The U.S. Coast Guard indicates that that the Loran system radio broadcast signals was shut down as of February 8, 2010. That means that charts, GPS units and other information converting software about the Loran system may not available in the future. I strongly suggest that you make your conversions as soon as possible. Remember the U.S. Coast Guard says that any Loran position determined by a Loran receiver may be off as much as 1500 feet. Most standard GPS units can now display a position with an accuracy within seven (7) feet.
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center has a site on the web that will allow you to
convert Loran Time Differences (TD’s) to a latitude longitude format. This program
uses the new DATUM Standard of NAD83 ~ WGS 84 in making the conversions.
It is a very efficient site that should suit your needs. This site can be found at
https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/loranconv/latlonarea.pl

Once on the web site you will access a screen named CALCULATE POSITIONAL
DATA. It as shown below:

INPUT OUTPUT
Choose Format Choose Format Beg Haul End Haul Beg Haul End Haul
Input Output Lat/Loran1 Lon/Loran2 Lat/Loran1 Lon/Loran2 Area Latitude Longitude Area Latitude Longitude

It is a very handy and accurate program for doing the conversions. I suggest that you place an icon on your desk top for easy access. The program will then require you to record the information as they are displayed.
There is also another program for smart phone applications. It can be found
at the Coordinates Converter Free
By MASAKA Inc. web site. It can be found on their web site at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coordinates-converter-free/id429253366?mt=8

A second way for users of SOME more modern GPS models is to simply change the “Position Format” or as called by some units the “Location” configuration to LORAN TDs, and enter your Loran values, then switch back to your normal Lat-long settings and the GPS unit will automatically do the conversion for you. If your unit has the ability to show positions in the Loran TD format, it is an easy task for you to do the conversion using the above procedure.
Or, the quickest way would be to use your manufacturer’s data transfer and by changing the Position Format Grid system in the program to LORAN TD and simply enter the TD’s into that format.
Then by simply changing the position format back to your latitude-longitude all of the data will be converted by the unit. In addition, by using the data transfer procedure on the program, you can download all of the new data into your GPS unit via the established protocol. The big advantage is that you will be logging in the positions by using your computer key board instead of manually entering them one at a time in the GPS unit.
Most if not all of these data transfer programs are available from the manufacture of your GPS. Be sure to get the one that is compatible with your GPS unit. Many are provided as a free download from their web site.
Of course, you can plot the LORAN TD position on a chart that has Loran lines then replot these positions using the Latitude~Longitude markings on the chart. I have covered this “How To” in one of my other articles earlier this year.
If the chart or your present LORAN positions has three sets of Loran overlays it means that you would or could receive TD signals form three different Loran transmitter towers. Most likely the chain number will be 7980 for the upper Gulf Coast.
On the chart each set of near parallel lines are displayed in a different color. If you are viewing three sets of such lines you have “W”, “X” and “Y” signals. Three such indicators is more accurate than only two. Locate one of the lines of your position and follow it to a point where you will see a LORAN overlay value number. That is the TD number for that line. Now search the other lines that are on the same angle. Every fifth line will have the “chain” listed and the “W”,”X”, or “Y” designation. Note the letter designation for those sets of lines. Now locate one of the other sets of near parallel lines. Follow it until you find the Loran TD number value for that line. That is the TD for that line. Now as with the other sets of lines, every fifth set of lines will have the chain, the W, X, or Y designation and a numerical value. If the first set of lines were W, then these would have to be either the “X” or “Y” TD value.

The exact same situation would apply for the third set of near parallel lines. This set would be whatever was the other value left of the W,X,Y possible combination.
Every fifth overlay line in all sets would list the chain the W, X, Y value and a numerical value for that line.
In deciding which sets of lines to use, I have found that the smallest numerical number between lines offers the greatest accuracy in interpolating the actual TD figure if it is anywhere between the overlays.

Captain Paul

You are correct. The Saline / Dewey Mills positions should read:

N31°23.484’ ~ W92°02.894‘ Muddy Bayou Camp Grounds
N31°27.275’ ~ W92°07.048’ Hwy LA 28 Camp Grounds
N31°23.265’ ~ W92°07.532 Bridge to La HWY 115
N31°23.345’ ~ W92°07.515’ Indian Bayou weigh station

Thank you very much for your information and for being one of my readers.

Captain Paul

Captain Paul's response:

I don't have any positions for brush piles, but I do have the locations of the LDWF artificial reef sites.

They are as follow:

Here is what I have so far for Toledo Bend:

Toledo Bend

These locations were determined by using WGS 84 DATUM and expressed as Degrees, minutes, seconds and hundredths of Seconds. (DDD,MM,SS.ss)

Spillway Reel— 31° 11’ 39.97” N: 93 34’ 30.49” W
South Toledo Bend State Park 1— 31° 12’ 04.5” N: 93° 35’ 06.1” W
South Toledo Bend State Park 2— 31° 12’ 04.5” N; 93° 34’ 50.5” W
Eagle Scout Reel—31° 16’ 14.1” N: 93° 34’ 50.8” W
Pendleton Bridge — 31° 29’ 12.8” N: 93° 42’ 41.9” W
North Toledo Bend Stale Park 1— 31° 32’ 41.96” N: 93° 43’ 46.64” W
North Toledo Bend Slate Park 2— 31° 32’ 40.0” N: 93 43’ 45.3” W

~Captain Paul ~

Re: Transfering EDGE data files to your GPS unit.September 23 at 5:34pm
~ Captain Paul's response ~
The Captain Paul’s Fishing Edge is provided as an electric download to your computer. For Lowrance users I recommend that you download their INSIGHT PLANNER from their web site. This program will allow you to easily transfer data files (waypoints, routes and tracks) from and to your GPS unit and a computer.

The transfer from the GPS is accomplished by using a SPARE memory card which is placed in the GPS unit then the card reader of your computer. To install data in the GPS unit the reverse would apply.

Basically, you receive the download, save it to a file folder in your computer, open the INSIGHT program and import it into the program. Once there, you can edit, add or delete the data as it will show as an overlay on a crude map of the area.
The procedure they requires you to then save the data to the spare memory card, which is then placed in the GPS unit.

The EDGE download comes with set of READ ME and INSTRUCTIONS for Lowrance units. By following the instructions, you can load the data into your GPS unit. If need be, contact me and I would walk you through the procedure.

Captain Paul

Response by Captain Paul:

I believe that the Standard Mapping aerial view maps would work, but to be sure contact Standard Mapping in Covington, LA at Phone: 985-898-0025.

Be sure that you get the program on the proper memory card that would fit in your unit.

Captain Paul

Response by Captain Paul:

I believe that the Standard Mapping aerial view maps would work, but to be sure contact Standard Mapping in Covington, LA at Phone: 985-898-0025.

Be sure that you get the program on the proper memory card that would fit in your unit.

Captain Paul

~ Captain Paul's response ~
The Captain Paul’s Fishing Edge is provided as an electric download to your computer. For Lowrance users I recommend that you download their INSIGHT PLANNER from their web site. This program will allow you to easily transfer data files (waypoints, routes and tracks) from and to your GPS unit and a computer.

The transfer from the GPS is accomplished by using a SPARE memory card which is placed in the GPS unit then the card reader of your computer. To install data in the GPS unit the reverse would apply.

Basically, you receive the download, save it to a file folder in your computer, open the INSIGHT program and import it into the program. Once there, you can edit, add or delete the data as it will show as an overlay on a crude map of the area.
The procedure they requires you to then save the data to the spare memory card, which is then placed in the GPS unit.

The EDGE download comes with set of READ ME and INSTRUCTIONS for Lowrance units. By following the instructions, you can load the data into your GPS unit. If need be, contact me and I would walk you through the procedure.

Captain Paul

Captain Paul’s response to ~ Cajuncraw ~

You are not the only one that has a problem running a route from the Empire, LA launches to the Empire Jetties. Experienced boaters are stunned by the loss of land in that area, turning the various bayous, canals, lagoons and bays into an open water lake. Those who do not visit the area recently may not recognize the way that was once a boater’s highway. It no way is even similar to how the area looked twenty years ago.

I believe that your chart plotter is sometimes showing where the channels and canals were once located, but remember that the Louisiana marsh is a living estuary. It is an ever changing area consisting of water marsh and islands surrounded by tidal ocean waters. Because of this, many boaters and marine captains do not like to give specific points which would make up a route as the route may change because of the water movement and obstructions that are in the area. I have actually observed a strong tide destroy the bank of a bayou near that area and on a later trip observed parts of a large oil barrel that was now nearly blocking the waterway.
In addition, not knowing the draft, beam, range and fuel capacity can make it very hard for one boat to navigate the route but another vessel can easily get through it without any difficulties.

My point being that you should run any route that you did not mark yourself with extreme caution. Navigate the legs at a reduced speed and full attention to the topography of the area.

I believe that most of the canals and bayous there are marked with poles, but they do not even come close as how an officially recognized commercial waterway would be marked. Keep that in mind when you are running an unfamiliar route or one that you haven’t navigated for a while.

Some suggestions are that you should get some of the older maps of the area as they will show the area as canals and bayous as where they were. For instance NOAA Marine Chart 11358, Barataria Bay and Approaches shows the canal by the jetties as having a 9 foot depth, continuing with a 5-1/2 foot depth to the Empire gate, as of 1997.
This passage is via the Empire Flood Control canal to Bayou Long to Bayou Fontanelle to the Jetty canal to the Gulf of Mexico. This route is generally a north/south water but one cannot simply run a 180° course as that would put over many of the small reefs, shoals and islands that now
through out the area.

In addition to the Standard Map that are aerial photo maps, check into the USGS Topographical maps of the area. These will give you an idea of how or where these bayous were located. Of course, following a larger boat out to or in from the jetties, when using the tracking feature of the will allow you to convert it to a route.

I have put together a route that you may want to view. My plots on the map were made before Hurricane Katrina, so there may be some areas that are now shallow or have obstructions. If you use the route, do so at an idle speed for the first run and keep a sharp eye out for obstructions.

The nineteen waypoints are shown on a rough map of the area along with a description of the position, distance to next, Formatted in DDD,MM.mmmm using WGS 84 Datum

Layer Information
Coordinate Format: Degrees/Minutes Datum: World Geodetic System 1984
Routes
Name: Empire to Jetty
Distance: 9 miles, 4300 feet
Number of Waypoint: 19

Name: Wpt1
Coordinates: 029° 23.0554' N, 089° 36.1248' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 721 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 221 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt2
Coordinates: 029° 22.9664' N, 089° 36.2148' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 4356 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 167 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt3
Coordinates: 029° 22.2681' N, 089° 36.0311' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2641 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 170 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt4
Coordinates: 029° 21.8400' N, 089° 35.9463' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2019 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 164 degrees (magnetic)
Name: Wpt5
Coordinates: 029° 21.5200' N, 089° 35.8447' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2241 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 159 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt6
Coordinates: 029° 21.1746' N, 089° 35.6967' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1886 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 171 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt7
Coordinates: 029° 20.8682' N, 089° 35.6413' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1680 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 174 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt8
Coordinates: 029° 20.5932' N, 089° 35.6097' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2094 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 181 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt9
Coordinates: 029° 20.2489' N, 089° 35.6217' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 776 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 190 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt10
Coordinates: 029° 20.1232' N, 089° 35.6473' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 964 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 209 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt11
Coordinates: 029° 19.9851' N, 089° 35.7367' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1123 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 238 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt12
Coordinates: 029° 19.8877' N, 089° 35.9168' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1076 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 219 degrees (magnetic)
Name: Wpt13
Coordinates: 029° 19.7501' N, 089° 36.0447' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2072 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 213 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt14
Coordinates: 029° 19.4663' N, 089° 36.2612' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 2287 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 181 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt15
Coordinates: 029° 19.0901' N, 089° 36.2677' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 3107 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 169 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt16
Coordinates: 029° 18.5873' N, 089° 36.1624' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1309 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 154 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt17
Coordinates: 029° 18.3936' N, 089° 36.0542' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 1366 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 137 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt18
Coordinates: 029° 18.2283' N, 089° 35.8796' W
Distance to next Waypoint: 3 miles, 4254 feet
Bearing to next Waypoint: 189 degrees (magnetic)

Name: Wpt19
Coordinates: 029° 14.9698' N, 089° 36.5120' W

Unless otherwise specified, all positions are stated as Degrees, minutes and thousandths of minutes (DDD,MM.mmm) and were determined using WGS 84 Datum. All bearings and courses are stated in Magnetic degrees.

~ Captain Paul ~

~ Captain Paul's response ~ Most of the current consumer brands of GPS units use a state of the art GPS receiver. Most of these are the size of your thumb nail and will produce an accuracy within 3 meters when used with the WAAS correction differential. There are many units that may satisfy your needs, so do your homework and check out the price vs your needs. The difference comes how large the screen is, if it in color and how the company writes the operating software to access the various GPS data that the unit receives. Many units only have two or three different screens with a very limited of features on each screen. In addition, what many users believe is the MOST crucial ingredient, what mapping and other accessories are offered for the unit. A very expensive unit that has only a very limited type of mapping that does not cover the area you will be using unit would not my first choice. Many users are buying their units by the type of mapping that is available for the unit. Most of these mapping programs are sold as an accessory. I believe this is to diminish the sticker shock price of the units. A supplemental mapping program is almost a necessary item as most GPS units only come with a Base Map. This is just what it implies, a basic map in order for you to use the unit. It is usually lacking the detail that their supplemental maps have. So, go to the manufacture’s web site and narrow down your choices for each brand. Access the on line owners manual and note the screens internal options, the amount of waypoints, tracks and routes the unit can store, and if it can accept downloads of data and maps. Then go to a stocking dealer and view the actual unit. Go to an area that you are familiar with and zoom in to that area. Note the detail of the available mapping to discern if it meets your needs. If it does not, try to see some of the accessory mapping for the unit. Do your homework and investigation and select your unit from your results. If you should need any other information after you have your short list, contact me again. Captain Paul

~ Captain Paul's response to: ~ Sixty Plus ~ Most of the current consumer brands of GPS units use a state of the art GPS receiver. Most of these are the size of your thumb nail and will produce an accuracy within 3 meters when used with the WAAS correction differential. There are many units that may satisfy your needs, so do your homework and check out the price vs your needs. The difference comes how large the screen is, if it in color and how the company writes the operating software to access the various GPS data that the unit receives. Many units only have two or three different screens with a very limited of features on each screen. In addition, what many users believe is the MOST crucial ingredient, what mapping and other accessories are offered for the unit. A very expensive unit that has only a very limited type of mapping that does not cover the area you will be using unit would not my first choice. Many users are buying their units by the type of mapping that is available for the unit. Most of these mapping programs are sold as an accessory. I believe this is to diminish the sticker shock price of the units. A supplemental mapping program is almost a necessary item as most GPS units only come with a Base Map. This is just what it implies, a basic map in order for you to use the unit. It is usually lacking the detail that their supplemental maps have. So, go to the manufacture’s web site and narrow down your choices for each brand. Access the on line owners manual and note the screens internal options, the amount of waypoints, tracks and routes the unit can store, and if it can accept downloads of data and maps. Then go to a stocking dealer and view the actual unit. Go to an area that you are familiar with and zoom in to that area. Note the detail of the available mapping to discern if it meets your needs. If it does not, try to see some of the accessory mapping for the unit. Do your homework and investigation and select your unit from your results. If you should need any other information after you have your short list, contact me again. Captain Paul

My information is that the site of the Halo wreck is located at or about

28.700239 ° N. Latitude ~ 90.133403°W. Longitude. (DDD.ddddd)

28 42.0143 N ~ 90 08.0042 W (DDD,MM.mmm)

NOAA Chart 113557 shows a shipwreck at that location in about 30 fathoms of water. The chart also shows a fish haven near by as described in some of the blow listed web sites.
It is in ST 130.

http://www.thiswaytothe.net/tides/centralgulfwrecks.shtml

http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/blog/teslaproject/wreck-sites/world-war-ii/

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsd/wrecks_and_obstructions.html

http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsd/wrecks_and_obstructions.html

http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/protect/ppw/pdfs/halo.pdf

http://www.bsee.gov/BSEE-Newsroom/BSEE-News-Briefs/2014/BSEE-Participates-in-Gulf-of-Mexico-Shipwreck-Study/

Hpoe this Helps,
Captain Paul

I do not believe that the Standard Map E card will work in a Humminbird unit.

Captain Paul