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If you are looking for the best handheld GPS for fishing, we have picked the top 2 in their respective price brackets. Not surprisingly, both our choices are made by Garmin, the leading company for all GPS devices, whether for cars, trucking, golfing, hunting or fishing. The first on our list is what we consider the best handheld gps devices for fishing period. This GPS is the Garmin 78sc GPSMAP and is the best handheld GPS under $500.
Our second GPS choice is more of a budget handheld GPS, but still offering great features and quality. This GPS is the Garmin 72H GPS Waterproof Handheld and is certainly the best GPS under $200. So let’s take a look at both these models in more detail.
Garmin 78sc GPSMAP 2.6-Inch Waterproof Marine Chartplotter and GPS
For watersports and boating enthusiasts who want to experience their sport to the best, the hardy GPSMAP 78sc features preloaded u.S coastal charts, a 3-axis compass, crisp color mapping, barometrics altimeter, new rubber molded side grips, high-sensitivity receiver, and a microSD slot for loading in more maps. Oh, it can float too!
Coastal Water Exploration
The Garmin GPSMAP 78sc features an in-built BlueChart coastal g2 charts and an imagery based worldwide basemap – perfect for outdoor adventures. Map detailing includes depth contours, shorelines, harbors, marinas, navaids and more for the Bahamas as well as the U.S. And as with all the GPS devices in the 78-series, the 78sc is waterproof to IPX7 standards and floats in water!
What’s Your Bearing
The Garmin 78sc features an in-built tilt-compensated 3-axis electronic compass, this reveals your heading when standing still or without holding it at level. The barometric altimeter tracks pressure changes to pinpoint precise altitudes, and can even be used to plot barometric pressures over time. This helps you keep an eye open for any changes in the weather.
Wireless Sharing
The GPSMAP 78sc lets you share waypoints, routes, geocaches and tracks wirelessly with compatible devices. This means that you can send the locations of your favorite spots to friends. Sharing is easy. Simply press “send” and transfer your info.
Keep Your Position
Using its WAAS-enabled, high-sensitivity GPS receiver and satellite HotFIx prediction, the 78sc locates positions precisely and quickly and maintains GPS location even with deep canyons and heavy cover. The benefit is apparent — whether you are near tall buildings or in deep in the woods, you can rely on the Garmin 78sc to help find your way at the most crucial times.
Add More Maps
Adding additional maps is easy with this Garmin’s wide variety of topographic, detailed marine and road maps, all available on a microSD card. You can conveniently plug in a g2 BlueChart preloaded card for an awesome day at the water.
Garmin GPSMAP 78sc 2.6-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter
- Marine-friendly with high-sensitivity receiver and a 2.g-inch TFT color display.
- Perfect for watersports/boating – floats in water and IPX7 waterproof
- Built-in g2 BlueChart Bahamas/U.S.A coastal charts with depth contours, shorelines, navaids, marinas, harbors, and more.
- Built-in tilt-compansated 3-axis electronic compass and a barometric altimeter for altitude/heading/weather
- Share tracks, waypoints, and geocaches wirelessly with compatible
Garmin 72H GPS Waterproof Handheld featuring High-Sensitivity
The Garmin GPS 72H is a waterproof, lightweight handheld that can float. Robust and simple, this GPS features a USB port and high-sensitivity together with its larger screen
Quickly Acquires Satellites
Effortlessly find your way using the Garmin GPS 72H’s high-sensitivity receiver. This fish finder quickly acquires satellite signals and tracks your locations in challenging areas, such as deep canyons or heavy tree cover.
Use on Water or land
Don’t be concerned about losing this device in water, this gps fish finder can float. It is IPX7 waterproof, so it withstands an accidental splash or dunk in a pond, lake or river.
Whether on land or water, the GPS 72H saves up to five-hundred of your favorite spots and points you to the destination (no terrain or street maps)
Stores Important Data
This GPS Fish Finder is NMEA 0183 compatible. For transferring data from or to your GPS, the GPS 72H connects easily via USB to your computer. If you are into hunting, fishing, or boating, you can use the in-built celestial data, this includes sunset/sunrise times, fishing and hunting calender, and includes tide information.
Garmin 72H Waterproof Handheld GPS with High-Sensitivity
- Marine-friendly, waterproof, and floats
- 160 x 120 px grayscale display with eighteen hour battery life
- Quickly acquires satellite signals through high-sensitivity
- Tracks locations in challenging conditions, including deep canyons and heavy tree cover
- Celestial data features sunset/sunrise times, tide information and fishing/hunting calendar
- Dimensions: 6.2 x 2.7 x 1.2; weight 8 ounce
