I need to get a finder for my console. I don't really need much fancy stuff since I'll mainly use it for watching depth as I'm running the big motor. This Eagle Cuda GPS caught my eye because of it's $200 price point. It would be nice to have GPS to lock in some way points and it also has water temp. Seems like a good deal. Any opinions?

I was looking at it myself, in person, and you absolutely need the map packs for the GPS to be worth anything. Lake Fork wasn't even on it...

Sorry, I'm a bit confused. What are map packs? Does the Cuda 250 have it or is it extra or maybe not available for the unit?

Like software that you buy for areas that give you better maps

I see -- like navionics, etc. I don't think that's an option on this model. No biggie though. This model will give me way points, water temp and the rest of the basics. I don't need much for my console finder.

I understand but anything smaller than the great lakes isnt even on there, or else i dont know how to look at it

The Eagle Cuda is not like the larger units. It is a GPS but not a chartplotter. You'll have the ability to drop waypoints and return to them, but you can't add say a Navionics card with counter lines for the lake. You most likely won't even have a background map of the lake your on.

It would be nice if you know the lake fairly well and simply want to use GPS functions such as a route, or GPS speed etc...but you won't be able to view detailed maps on the unit.

Think of it as GPS handheld unit with sonar.