Portable GPS Unit

Last time I was at Lake Mendocino, I remember launching at the Kyen campgrounds and figured I'd have no trouble finding my way back because there were two Wheeleez sitting lakeside. Well, naturally, the Wheeleez were retrieved eventually, and it took me quite a while to figure out that I had drifted west toward the Pomo campgrounds. The only way I knew that I was back int he right area was spotting Mooch fishing the buoy line near the launch ramp.

So, I thought I'd better get myself a GPS unit to remedy the situation and ended up picking up a new Garmin Colorado 400i unit on EBay for $214, which comes with the freshwater lakes. This model has been discontinued but Garmin still supports it. First thing Garmin had to help me with was to increase the brightness of the screen which is not mentioned anywhere in the manual. Otherwise, the unit is very easy to use and cost a lot less than the current models.

Eventually, I'll get around to working on my fishing skills. 

Howard

Howard, I have the Colorado 300 which is the same thing minus the maps that comes with the 400, but I downloaded all the maps and satellite imagery, and also lake depth contour lines, boat ramps and campgrounds, buoys etc. I love it. Just doesnt do well in the bright sun. Id also get some high mAh batteries, when you have the backlight on full brightness it sucks the battery down fast.

Thanks, Jeff. Will do. The 400i looks OK, to me, in the sun. But I will definitely get some high mAh batteries. I think I already have some...if only I could find them.

...I downloaded all the maps and satellite imagery, and also lake depth contour lines, boat ramps and campgrounds, buoys etc...

Hi Jeff, is this free? If so, could you provide a link? I also own the 400i. Got it onsale months ago at Boaters World for around $180. The brightness on that unit could be improved, but I found that if you angle the unit in certain way, it works well under the sun even with the brightness turned all the way down. Saves battery. I use Sanyo Eneloop AA 2000mah rechargeables. They last me 6-8 hours, enough for one day of fishing. Just carry a couple more batteries for spare.

thx,
ernest