Re: Lowrance iFinder

"civiman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I am looking for a standalone handheld GPS unit between $100-200.
> I found iFinder interesting cuz it has memory expansion slot.
> Is it one of better handheld GPS ?
> Can it be connected to laptop computer and function as GPS receiver ?
(some
> can be...)
> There are four different iFinders. What are the difference ?
> Thanks.
>
>

I think that it's one of the best.
It features the most sensitive receiver I have ever used under forest
canopy. It gets the lock very fast and often it can acquire the lock in
conditions where other receivers don't.
It can store and display a large number of long track records. The way each
track is displayed (solid / dashed / whatever line is controlled by the user
and can be set differently for each track.
It can be loaded with very decent maps of USA but I have no idea how good /
bad Lowrance new Canadian maps are.
Yes, it can be connected to laptop - it outputs NMEA

Few shortcomings that you should be aware of:
It's not waterproof.
Track records do not contain time stamp nor the altitude.

Differences between iFinder models are... all the same. The differences are
in the accessories supplied in the package. OK, they may differ in the
colour of the faceplate but if you don't like the colour, or you get the
front glass scratched, you can buy a replacement faceplate for less than 20
bucks. Yup; it's the first receiver I don't have to worry too much about
scratching the screen.
-- 
 Andrew Kalinowski

 www.GPSNuts.com Recreational GPS and mapping (hobby)
 www.CanadianMaps.ca  Canadian raster topo maps at greatly reduced prices as
of Dec. 01