Modern fishing tactics
Modern fishing requires the presence of quite serious equipment, including an echo sounder and a GPS device (sometimes there are two-in-one devices that combine the functions of echolocation of a reservoir and the navigator itself).
If you have a GPS navigator, you can easily find in the vast water area of the lake or river chosen for fishing, and with an error of two to three meters, the very catching place already marked on the built-in map of your navigator. And if you have an echo sounder in the summer from a boat and in the winter from the ice, the angler can explore both the structure and topography of the bottom of the reservoir under the fishing point. Navigators will save in memory all the promising fishing spots you find and help you easily find them on repeated fishing trips.
Gallery: GPS navigator for fishing (25 photos)
Car navigator for fishing
There are car and travel GPS devices on the market. The former are intended primarily for orientation on public roads.
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They are capable of:
- give voice prompts to drivers that the desired turn is approaching
- issue warnings if the permissible speed is exceeded
- find the necessary addresses in the databases of built-in electronic maps and calculate routes to them
- calculate travel time to your destination
They have fairly large screens that allow them to display maps of the area with a high degree of detail. By changing some settings in the route planning options, auto-navigators can also be used on the water. They will regularly and accurately show the current location of the fisherman on the map of the area, record the route of his movement in memory, remember the catching places and subsequently accurately display them.
However, such devices have some operational disadvantages. First of all, they are afraid of the effects of water, and it is impossible to escape from it in a boat. The second disadvantage is the limited time of autonomous power supply of the device from built-in batteries. And not every boat is equipped with a 12 V power source for connecting a car navigator using the included power adapter for the cigarette lighter.
The Internet offers various compromise options for using weakly protected car navigators when fishing (on the water) - from making homemade boxes for batteries to placing the navigator in a plastic bag - “aquapack” for water protection.
Description of models
The peculiarity of navigators used for fishing or hunting is the ability to load topographic maps of the area into them, as well as a sufficient operating time from an autonomous power source. Another important factor that unites the described models is the presence of protection against mechanical damage and humidity.
Garmin eTrex 10
A compact device that can fit into the smallest fisherman's pocket. The display diagonal is only 2.2 inches, but the image is of sufficient quality and contrast, clearly visible both day and night.
The map for the Garmin eTrex 10 is easy to read and contains an extensive database of various points of interest.
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The Garmin eTrex 10 handheld navigator is compatible with GPS and GLONASS systems. Thanks to this, the device has increased sensitivity and can work both in high mountains and in lowlands.
The device has a built-in geocaching function that allows you to see points specified by the user on other gadgets. This allows you not only to exchange data with fellow fishermen, but also to see their locations on the map. In addition, this pocket device has a built-in compass, it is able to record the route and determine the optimal order of movement between its characteristic points.
The operation of the device is maintained even at a temperature of -18°C. The gadget can be installed on any moving vehicle (car, motorcycle, boat, etc.) using a special mount. The cost is about 8 thousand rubles, this is one of the popular budget models.
Lowrance iFinder H20
The color display of the iFinder H20 differs from its competitors in increased image clarity and contrast.
A device with good functionality and relative ease of use. The gadget's electronics can communicate with a personal computer to update firmware and download local maps of the area.
Attention! The device has a built-in world map, but it is poorly detailed.
The device has the ability to record up to 99 routes. Local maps and records are recorded in internal memory or on an SD card.
Its housing meets the IPX7 protection class. A separate advantage is the use of two AA batteries or rechargeable batteries as power supply, which can be easily replaced if necessary. In addition, the device comes with a charger from a car cigarette lighter. The cost of the model is about 9500 rubles.
Garmin eTrex Euro H
Garmin eTrex Euro H controls are located on the sides of the navigator.
A lightweight and compact device with an interesting button arrangement. Thanks to this feature, you can operate the gadget with one hand. The relatively simple set of functions is compensated by high performance and high sensitivity.
The device is powered by two AA batteries, the capacity of which is enough for 17 hours of continuous operation. The case has a degree of protection IPX7, that is, the device can withstand even complete immersion in water.
One of the pleasant functions of the device is TrackBack, which allows the user to easily find the way home both along the route already taken and along the optimal one. The cost of the model is 7100 rubles. Perhaps this is the simplest and cheapest navigator currently available on the market.
Tourist GPS navigator – will it suit the fisherman?
Portable travel GPS navigators are usually waterproof. They operate either from standard AA batteries, which you can stock up on in advance, or from regular batteries, available in any rural stall. At the same time, their operating time on batteries or rechargeable batteries is up to 10 hours or more. But this is where the advantages end, since the functionality of tourist GPS landmarks is much worse than that of their analogues for cars. Their screens are small and uninformative, with low brightness and resolution. With low performance, they often “slow down” for so long that they drive even the most balanced anglers crazy.
This situation is a consequence of the policy of navigation aid manufacturers, who find it profitable to sell two devices instead of one universal GPS panel. Therefore, outdoor enthusiasts (fishermen, tourists) often require at least two devices. One is for traveling to a fishing spot or to the beginning of a tourist route by car, and the other is directly in nature (in the forest or on the water).
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Navigator selection criteria
Receiver capabilities
- Signals to the device come from many satellites in orbit. How many of them can a particular navigator “work” with?
- Sensitivity. Not all devices that support stable communications in open areas function reliably in the forest. This is one of the reasons why navigators installed in cars, fishing or hunting are usually useless.
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Display options
- Resolution. The clarity of the image directly depends on this.
- Navigator screen size. There is nothing to comment here.
When deciding on a display, you need to take into account the peculiarities of your vision and prepare for the worst situation (the golden rule, which many people forget). For example, you don’t have glasses at hand, the sun is on the horizon or has already gone. Will it be possible to see anything on the navigator screen? And not just vague outlines of contours, but to see a completely clear picture, a diagram.
But whether the display is color or black and white is up to the user to decide. For navigation while fishing or hunting, this does not matter. A color screen is only needed if the navigator has special options for viewing, for example, downloaded files to pass the time. How relevant is this for a person who goes out into nature for a very specific purpose?
It is unlikely that anyone would exchange an evening around the fire for a film that can be seen at home on the TV screen. And considering that the cost of a “color” navigator is significantly higher, such a device is unlikely to be needed for hunting or fishing.
Duration of continuous operation
This indicates how often the batteries will have to be replaced. This determines how much battery you need to take with you.
Availability of memory card
Navigators without this service, which determine only the geographic coordinates of the standing point, will not let you get lost. But only on the condition that the person has a compass, a map of the area and is trained to work with them. For example, it is correct to “reference”, determine the sides of the horizon, and so on. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention not only to the ability to load information into the navigator (memory capacity), but also to the presence of a built-in magnetic pointer.
All of the above are nothing more than general recommendations. Manufacturers are constantly updating, introducing, and improving something, so it is unrealistic to cover all the nuances of the functioning of navigators. For example, is it possible to mount a separate device on a dog’s collar (for hunters).
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Anglers may prefer a stationary model that is installed on a boat or boat. Some navigators have an echo sounder function. For someone who goes to nature not just to sit with a fishing rod, but to return with a rich catch, this is an indispensable help. But a hunter does not need this option at all. But if there is a built-in barometer, it will be equally useful for everyone who is forced to rely on weather conditions. The same applies to multi-level screen backlighting.
And yet – which specific navigator should a hunter or fisherman choose for himself?
Not all the advantages of devices that manufacturers and sellers emphasize to buyers are tested in practice. Some functions actually turn out to be useless, others do not live up to expectations.
- Before going to the store, it makes sense to interview friends who already use navigators. Their opinion and reviews of models are more objective.
- You can learn a lot of useful things by “visiting” thematic forums. On them, fishermen and hunters openly talk about the problems that they face when using GPS devices in “field” conditions.
The author did just that. It turned out that the most popular among “average” hunting and fishing enthusiasts are navigators under the GARMIN brand. Firstly, the devices are available in various modifications, therefore, you can choose the most suitable series. Secondly, the functionality is simple, so understanding the peculiarities of the navigator’s operation is not difficult even for a person who is still familiar with modern electronics. Thirdly, the price of the products is quite affordable, and their purchase is not burdensome for the family budget.
"E-Trex" 10 series
The device is sold in a yellow-black case that meets all requirements for moisture protection and shock resistance. Screen size 43 x 36 black and white; simple menu; continuous work throughout the day. The memory allows you to store information about 1000 standing points on 50 different routes.
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Price – within 5,500 rubles.
The same 20-series device is capable of working not only in the GPS system, but also in the domestic Glonass system. 1.7 GB memory, color screen, 2000 saved routes and marked points. All this increases the cost of the device.
Price – about 9,800 rubles.
