Lake maps and laptops

[Blainebob]

Got my first laptop-is there any programs available for lakemaps and/or gps I can use from my laptop and a satellite card?

[fiskyknut]

Lakemaster has software that does a bunch of fun things.

[PerchJerker]

Keep in mind that your laptop is not a GPS --- you need a GPS to show you where you are on the planet if you want real-time updates to your current position.

You can use LakeMaster software on a laptop, it will let you view lake contours, zoom in and out, transfer waypoints to a GPS, etc.

[gquist]

I have the Lakemaster software on my laptop, you can plug in a compatible GPS to the usb port and it will put your location right on the map as you drive, I use a Garmin 76 csx and it works great other then the amount of cables laying all over the truck,It is very accurate and the laptop's large display is great for old eye's : )

[Chode2235]

Yeah, I have the Navionics program for my iphone, and I also think they have a cd rom too. I think it is 20 bucks or so.

The lakemaster software is the other option, and IMO they have better maps of the MN lakes. But it will set you back close to 100 bucks.

[shnelson]

I've seen previous years of lakemaster go pretty cheap on c-list.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I've been using lakemaster software since the first year they where at the ice show in st. paul. to further date it I installed it on a pentium II with windows 98!

[PerchJerker]

I've seen previous years of lakemaster go pretty cheap on c-list.

My guess is that you are referring to the map cards themselves?? For a laptop you would need the software on a CD Rom.

[shnelson]

Originally Posted By: shnelson

I've seen previous years of lakemaster go pretty cheap on c-list.

My guess is that you are referring to the map cards themselves?? For a laptop you would need the software on a CD Rom.

There's one posted right now (or at least was) for the software cd rom @ $50. Doesn't look like it is the latest version available though...

[Flip37]

The pc software doesn't have all the lakes. Why, I have no idea. Seems really stupid to me. I was thinking of using my tablet pc with a gps puck so I had a nice 12" screen, but they only have about half of the lakes on the pc software. If somebody knows of a way to use the maps off a card I would really like to know. The pc software has "348" lakes, according to their HSOforum that is almost 400 lakes. I think they need to retake math.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Which software and which lakes are you missing?

[Flip37]

I'm talking about Lakemaster "Contour Pro", it is the only program they have that I know of that you can use on a pc and provides real time tracking if you have a gps hooked up. It does not provide all the maps. Supposedly Fugawi is coming out with a new version of Marine ENC sometime that will allow you to use Navionics' Hot Maps Explorer and have real time tracking. Only problem with that is Marine ENC is like $280.

[IcePro]

I have been using the Navionics map card reader.

It allows me to use the same Navionics map card in my laptop or in my Lowrance GPS.

Search lake maps and mark way points on the computer ahead of time.

[McGurk]

...It allows me to use the same Navionics map card in my laptop or in my Lowrance GPS.

Search lake maps and mark way points on the computer ahead of time.

This is EXACTLY what I am looking for, but from LM as I have used their ContourPro for a couple of years and am happy with it. I am looking for a new GPSr (leaning towards a Garmin nuvi 500) but don't want to give up the laptop convenience (gotta do my homework off the ice!). I see that you can buy the 2009 LM data either on CDrom form (why?) or on a microSD card, but don't think the CDrom would send all of the data to the GPSr. I would prefer to get the card and use a card reader to access LM via the laptop in addition to plugging it directly to a GPSr, to get the best of both worlds.

Also, the latest version of ContourPro is missing some lakes (look for Dead Lake in High Def in Ottertail County as a test) that the 2009 LM chip includes.

[shnelson]

I'm using Garmin lakemaps/hotmaps with their mapsource software. I dont think you can hook a gps puck to it for real time but it's great for plotting out your course and importing it to the gps. The software lets you import whichever contour maps you'd like to your gps.

[Chode2235]

Yeah, I really wish I could use the lakemaster software, or even better would be to have the whole thing in a browser so I could continue to use it on my mac. Or even better a HSOforum that I can log into and save a couple lakes to my SD.

Lakemaster is sitting on a gold mine if they would give me some more options without charging me an arm and a leg.

[McGurk]

They might be sitting on a goldmine, but we fishermen are the only ones who give a rip about this particular gold. It's a tough deal; give 'em out cheap and hope to cover their costs in volume, or keep 'em spendy and guarantee that they will make some coin for their efforts.

I have an older version of Mapsource that I was able to hook my etrex Legend to it and get realtime location updates. I don't know why they would turn that off in more current versions. My biggest hangup is that my laptop now runs Vista, and all of my cobbled together mapping software (Garmin Mapsource, DeLorme TOPO USA, Nat Geo TOPO!, and Lakemaster CountourPro using Windows XP) are all rendered useless. Frustrating, but Vista and Windows7 are what we are going to have to deal with from now on.

[shnelson]

I have an older version of Mapsource that I was able to hook my etrex Legend to it and get realtime location updates. I don't know why they would turn that off in more current versions. My biggest hangup is that my laptop now runs Vista, and all of my cobbled together mapping software (Garmin Mapsource, DeLorme TOPO USA, Nat Geo TOPO!, and Lakemaster CountourPro using Windows XP) are all rendered useless. Frustrating, but Vista and Windows7 are what we are going to have to deal with from now on.

I'm running vista & windows 7, I can tell you that the 2008 version of mapsource runs fine so far. Have you tried yours in compatibility mode? I did everything I could think of with Lakemaster, but no dice.. I ended up installing XP on one of my extra boxes just to have it run some of these legacy applications.

I will have to check with the new mapsource and see if it will actively use an attached GPS, I've honestly never thought to try it since I had lakemaster doing that job for me.

[McGurk]

I've got an older version of MapSource, so I have to either purchase new or get a GPSr bundled with a new version. Right now I am thinking of getting the 2009 MapSource Lakemaster CDrom and hoping that will do the job. I may be investing in a Garmin nuvi 500 or 550 as they seem to be a good all-around GPSr, too.

[deadeye]

I can say the new version of mapsource blows the old stuff out of the water. I got it with my etrex in 05 and I upgraded when I got my nuvi this fall. I like it a lot better now.

[McGurk]

Hey deadeye, This is McGurk and I had a couple of questions about your experience with your Nuvi 500. Please send me an email at:

[email protected]

Thanks

[deadeye]

email sent.

Oh yeah for the lakemaps discussion. I have a older version of the Lakemaster stuff and I really like it. I don't take my laptop fishing with me but its nice to beable to pick a spot and then get the waypoints for it. Since I have gotten the lakemaster card I haven't used it as much, but it is sweet when Im bored with nothing to do. I get on the computer to pick out some spots to try.

Before I had a gps that accepted map cards it was the best thing ever. Being able to type in the spots that you wanted to go with accuracy is awesome. The cards just add mobility to that.

[Chode2235]

yeah, I just dont know why the lakemaster app is not a web app. No compatibility issues and the revenue stream from a subscription model could be huge. I know there are a ton of us on the fence about buying the software for the price they are asking for today, but would gladly pay that same amount over a year.

Physical media is dying a slow death, and they will need to come up with something. In the future I expect my Fish finder in my boat (in the garage) to connect to my wi fi network and download the days graphs and waypoints. I manage everything through my PC browser, use it to keep a journal of catches and other info, as well as set trolling courses for my trolling motor etc. My fish finder manages my down riggers, my trolling motor and everything while I am on the water. Lakemaster could be at the center of this tech convergence as they own the data that enables all of this. I think they could be well positioned to be a big winner in the next few years

[marshmallow]

All the Advantages are nice.. But for me,I am still a lake contour map,clip on depth finder,check the vex for depth,and that's about it..I can't afford all the hardware/software..It is bad enough with the Relentless,Unforgiving,Non C.P.R. practicing,Word gets out,fish it out,way of fishing in this present time.. Many times I rely on my clip on and lake map,then arm lengths..I do just fine.. Maybe at times,AWESOME..

[deadeye]

Ya I gotta admit that when I started using a gps with a card I felt like I was cheating. Almost...

I got to the spots just fine without the gps and all that stuff, it just took longer. It still doesn't mean the fish are going to bite or even be there though. Finding a spot is one thing, getting the fish to be there and bite is another. If anything all that extra stuff just gives me something to do when I'm not fishing.