Marine GPS Systems Compared

Why Invest in a Marine GPS System

How to Choose a Quality Marine GPS

GPS Navigator Type

Size and portability vary with the type of marine GPS device. Portable and handheld models are better for use on fishing kayaks, while mountable ones are generally better for boats. Smaller varieties usually have more limited functionality.

Larger mountable devices frequently have built-in fish finders that save space and make fishing more strategic. If there’s limited room and a basic point-to-point and chart plotting function is all that’s needed, smaller units do just fine. They’re less expensive, but they also have less memory than larger models.

Satellites, Accuracy/Reliability & Coverage

While GPS is a system of 24 satellites, not all devices ping off all 24 satellites. At a minimum, they should use 12 of them. Some use both GPS and GLONASS, which helps get a signal quickly and hold a signal in remote high and low elevations. Powerful receivers can also help catch and maintain a strong signal.

For models that have built-in fish finders, the transducer is as important as the receiver. Transducers can be designed specifically for ice fishing or saltwater use, but they should have CHIRP sonar capability regardless.

Transducer

Interface

Larger models also provide more screen space to show multiple kinds of displays. Downscans beneath the boat, scans cast out to either side, and even flasher readouts are available to see structure, cover, beds, and fish.

High-resolution screens help bring out details like contour lines and target separation on fish finders. It’s important to have a screen that can be easily read in strong sunlight since there isn’t always shade around. Navigating the menu should also be quick and simple to maximize how much of your time is spent fishing versus messing around with equipment settings.

Data Storage & Sharing

It’s most common for marine GPS units to hold a few gigabytes of data, but that can be expanded with the help of an SD or micro SD card. Data is used for maps as well as for waypoints, routes, weather conditions, and any other metric the user wants to record to look at later.

Some GPS devices make it easy to share locations and other data with other users without even connecting to a computer. For the most convenience, a machine that can communicate with others without needing wifi is optimal.

Water Resistance/Temperature Capabilities

Waterproofing and water resistance are measured with IP ratings. These ratings can involve additional information about the ingress of additional materials like dust. Still, most models are rated only for water ingress, which is why their IP rating includes an X in place of the third numeral.

In environments like surf fishing and ice fishing, a rating of IPX7 is the smartest way to guarantee damage prevention from water. A battery and transducer that can stand low temperatures will also be necessary in cold climates.

Mapping System/Functionality

While most marine GPS devices are built to make adding new maps simple with an SD card, a detailed and worldwide base map will make it easier to go out on spur of the moment trips and navigate even without additional maps.

Many anglers build custom maps, so a device that can download these maps is a useful tool. Anglers need mapping systems that will work anywhere in all kinds of weather conditions without dropping out, leaving the user stranded in unfamiliar territory. If it can also give detailed information in tides and weather patterns, so much the better.

Power Source

Handheld and portable marine GPS units usually run on rechargeable or disposable batteries. Larger units require 12-volt batteries and a mount to fit on kayaks. The larger kinds also draw more power, so the battery life is often comparable across brands and models.

These units last anywhere from 10 to 30 hours, but if they’re in a limited operating mode, then they draw much less power and might last 200 hours. Manufacturers usually try to include the battery life in the product description, so keep an eye out for their rating.

Safety Features

One of the best parts about a GPS is the added certainty that fishing trips and the anglers who take them will be safe. Other features that help ensure safety are low battery alarms that keep devices from dying suddenly before anglers can start heading back to shore, collision alarms and trackers for other vessels, compasses and barometers for finding one’s way and tracking weather patterns, 12-channel receivers that won’t lose signal, and track navigation that can guide anglers from A to B and back again.

Price & Warranty (Value for Money)

Marine GPS units come in many sizes and many corresponding prices. Less expensive models may have black and white or low-res screens in addition to being single-purpose marine GPS devices rather than fish finder combos.

The models with more features tend to have a higher price but are generally protected with longer and more comprehensive warranties. Of course, these are not hard and fast rules and research should be done on particular models before purchase.

1. Humminbird 410940 -1 HELIX 7

Built with a transom mount and easy-to-use buttons on its face, this Humminbird marine GPS is both versatile and robust. The high-definition display offers as much detail as an angler could need, whether looking at the GPS or at one of the fish finder modes, which can offer clear target separation down to a distance of 2.5 inches.

Contour lines appear distinctly and the preloaded maps are accurate for finding fishing spots. In terms of internal data storage, the Helix 7 can hold thousands of waypoints and even routes. It’s easy to offload data to a computer after the fishing trip is over, and the screenshot feature works great for remembering specific places and conditions. 

One of the best features of this device is the Humminbird AutoPilot program. Anglers can set a heading or turn pattern, and AutoPilot will keep you on course while you fish. There’s also built-in technology called AIS that helps track other vessels to prevent collisions or over-pressuring certain fishing spots. The Helix 7 makes tactical fishing much easier and way more effective with its accurate GPS positioning and map data integration.

The mount and transducer are both included with this model. Confirming map data with the dual-beam sonar can be done in wide or narrow mode, looking either underneath the boat or off to the sides. Even with all these performance features, the battery lasts for hours. The screen is visible in direct sunlight, and the whole thing is backed up with a 1-year limited warranty that protects against any possible defective artifacts from the manufacturing process.

The only drawback is that this device would likely be a bit complicated to mount on a kayak without its own dedicated battery mount since it won’t run on disposable batteries. It wouldn’t be impossible, but this is definitely a better marine GPS for boats than for kayaks and floats.

2. Garmin GPSMAP 78sc

Plotting a course with this Garmin handheld marine GPS is easy thanks to its compass, which is balanced to show your direction regardless of the angle of the device. The included BlueChart g2 maps are detailed and clear, making them ideal for use as a base map. Loading new maps is simple once you have an SD card, which isn’t included with the purchase of this device but is easy to come by nonetheless.

The GPS keeps a signal reliably, even in remote places and at varying elevations. Sharing your information is also simple with this device, which will allow you to do so without plugging into a computer. A built-in barometer not only lets you stay up to date on the current weather but also keeps track of weather changes over time, so you'll know when unfavorable conditions are developing.

Garmin also has a program that lets anglers view their previous fishing activity online, overlaid on Google Maps so that they can remember successful trips and make a note of favorite fishing spots. There’s also an available software for converting paper maps into downloadable digitized ones.

This marine GPS runs on 2 AA batteries and lasts up to 35 hours in its most frequent updating mode. Set it to update every half hour, and it can last up to 200 hours. It’s a really convenient device that can fit in a pocket and stow in a small storage compartment. Kayak anglers and anybody who prefers to pack light will love the lightweight of this device.

Plus, it’s completely waterproof and is even constructed to float in the water to make it retrievable in case it accidentally goes overboard. It can keep track of a whopping 2,000 waypoints at once with its 1.7 GB of memory, making it an optimal choice for anglers who need a reliable way to get where they want to go and return safely.

3. Garmin eTrex 20x

4. Garmin Striker 4

Even though it needs a larger power source than some of the handheld marine GPS units, the Striker 4 is still one of the best marine GPS fish finder combos for smaller boats and even for kayaks. Having a fish finder and a flasher on board can help anglers who like to fish vertical presentations or want equipment that can be used for ice fishing in the wintertime as well as in the warmer months.

The CHIRP sonar on this model gives good enough target separation to use when anglers are jigging, and the fish finder's performance makes it useful for trolling as well. Waypoints are simple to set on the Striker 4, and assembling them into a waypoint map before the fishing trip will help reduce the need to spend lots of time routing and rerouting when you’re out on the water. If you tend to fish spots more than once, keeping these waypoint maps stored makes it easy to hit the same places on different fishing trips.

The CHIRP sonar can be upgraded with the separate purchase of a stronger transducer, although most anglers will find the stock option suitable for everyday fishing. In terms of hardware, the keypad on this device makes inputting information easier than usual. The connections for the mount and the transducer could be stronger.

While there wasn’t any feeling that the whole thing would topple over or fall into the water, it could have felt more secure just for additional ease of mind. It's still the best low-cost marine GPS for anglers who depend on waypoints and want a detailed and accurate fish finder included on their device.

5. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 93sv

This marine GPS is larger and heavier, but it outshines just about all of the competition with its performance. It can read deeper and store more information and makes sharing that information with other anglers even easier. It’s hard to say definitively which is the best out of all the devices they make, but this has got to be the best Garmin marine GPS on the market.

For serious anglers who don’t mind making the more substantial investment, this machine does absolutely everything you could want a marine GPS and fish finder combo to do. It takes up to a 32GB SD card and will hold a vast 5,000 waypoints or 50,000 track points.

Mapping with the included LakeVu G3 maps is a cinch. The program will help find the quickest way to get where you’re going on highly detailed recreations of 17,000 different lakes. The larger size of the unit makes it that much easier to see these recreations in greater detail.

It’s definitely a marine GPS meant for boat anglers who want to have top-notch equipment on their vessel. A transducer can be purchased with this model, but it’s not absolutely necessary to do so if you have one already or don’t plan to use the fish finder on this unit for whatever reason.

If you have a compatible trolling motor, the ECHOMAP can be used to pilot it. The SONAR on this model is one of the nicest aspects, offering a crystal clear look at what’s going on under the surface in a variety of display modes that work great in any conditions. Trolling, casting, and vertical presentations pair great with this device, although anglers who ice fish or go out on a kayak likely don’t need a marine GPS as robust as this one.

6. Lowrance HOOK2 12

The sharp display and the longer reach of its CHIRP sonar make this model from Lowrance one of the best marine GPS fish finders for anglers who want to be able to view multiple fish finder views at once. With its larger screen and TripleShot transducer, the Hook² 12 allows the user to see SideScan, DownScan, and a traditional CHIRP sonar view of the water column all at the same time.

Additionally, the signals it sends out cover more ground and gives up-to-the-minute information about what’s happening underwater. There’s a full chartplotter that works great, although the GPS navigation is pretty basic compared to other devices.

The inland or coastal maps that come stock on this unit present plenty of detail for a large number of possible fishing spots. It’s also possible to upgrade the maps on this marine GPS with Navionics or more C-Map options.

There are buttons on the face of this device that make it easy to set waypoints, including Man Overboard waypoints for emergency cases, even in the middle of sailing or fishing. SideScan on the Hook GPS goes out much further than on most competing models to give anglers the upper hand on scouting missions before serious fishing begins.

To make using this device even easier, there’s a built-in autotune mode that will adjust the fish finder settings as conditions change to make sure anglers can continue getting current information while they fish, rather than having to pull in their lines to adjust their settings.

That also makes this one of the best marine GPS devices for beginners who are unsure of how to get the most useful and accurate information out of their equipment. It’s sturdier and easier to take care of than most of the competition in a similar side range, although the all-important sunshade is not included with purchase.

7. Humminbird 410230-1 HELIX 5

How to Read & Use Your Marine GPS

Marine GPS Phone Apps Explained

For rudimentary mapping on your mobile phone, there are a few maps that work passably well. For Apple devices, Fishing Points works fine and provides additional information about tides and fish behavior. Android phones can use apps like FishAngler, which also allows people to share their catch information with fellow anglers.

There are many drawbacks to using your phone as a fishing GPS device. The apps tend to rely on location data, which they’ll access even when you aren’t using the app. That can eat up the battery. Additionally, leaving your phone exposed to the elements could destroy it.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What is the easiest marine GPS to use reviewed above?

With its straightforward look and GLONASS capability, the Garmin eTrex 20x has the best balance between ease of use and strong performance. It comes with tons of preloaded maps, and the mini-USB port makes downloading and sharing all kinds of data a cinch.

What is the difference between GPS and chartplotter?

GPS shows the device’s current location and direction but doesn’t place it on a map. A chartplotter places GPS in the context of a map to help guide the user and make routing a path easier. Coordinates from a GPS may make it easy to share a location, but to get there, you’ll want a chartplotter.

Can I use a car GPS on a boat?

You definitely can use a car GPS on a boat, but it won’t have the right maps. To a car device, it will seem that you are impossibly off course if you’re on a boat in the middle of a lake or ocean. You’ll have much more luck with a marine GPS that has plenty of aquatic maps loaded onto it.

How do you install a Marine GPS?

Larger units mount through the boat transom or through the hull, while smaller ones may stand on a mount that looks similar to what you might see holding an external GPS in a car. To mount it on a boat, it’s best to get a professional to drill through the hull, but the smaller mounts frequently attach with screws and can be done by hand. Place your device where it can be at hand while you pilot the craft and scan under the water.

What kind of maintenance is needed and how often must it be done?

Wiping down a marine GPS unit after each use is bound to be enough if you’re thorough enough. You can also use a degreaser from time to time, and a sunshade to cover the whole thing will help prevent damage when the GPS isn’t in use. If there’s a transducer, make sure it’s stored straightened out and keep the whole thing in a dry, temperate place.

How do I update my marine GPS device?

Big brands have updates available on their websites periodically. Some update by connecting to wifi, and some need to be hooked up to a computer, but it’s just as easy as updating a piece of phone or computer software. Check periodically for updates, especially if your device starts to show some bugs.

What are the top marine GPS brands?

The most popular GPS units for anglers come from Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird. All three have decades of experience with designing hardware and software that allows sport fishing enthusiasts to find their way to fishing spots, look under the water, and share information with others.

Conclusion

The battery life and screen detail allow the high-performance mapping and fish finder on the Humminbird HELIX 7 to give anglers everything they need in a marine GPS unit. It’s the best marine GPS because it lets anglers fish more strategically and find better fishing spots in general.