Lakemaster chip in Garmin?

[matthothand]

My new Garmin 76csx handheld gps has arrived and I popped in my 2010 lakemaster chip but I can't access anything from the chip. After paging through the manual I still can't figure out why I can't see the lakes on the chip. It hadn't occured to me until this issue but is the 2010 Lakemaster chip not compatible with Garmin gps units?

[Northlander]

Do you have to select regions on that one? Will that Garmin take a Lakemaster Chip?

[matthothand]

I don't have to select a region. On the lakemaster FAQ page it says my unit will accept a lakemaster chip but I don't know if that means lakemaster garmin chip exclusively or also the MN 2010 chip which is the one I have.

[croixflats]

2010 Lakemaster Garmin chip exclusively.

What does the package it came in say ? It should say Garmin on it.

Garmin makes their own chip with Lakemaster info and adds more of theierown info.

The map should load automatic. The 2008 chip does in my 76.

[PerchJerker]

It has to be a garmin card to work in your garmin unit --- if your card is lowrance or humminbird card then it won't work in the garmin .....

[Northlander]

Thats what I thought. Thats why I dont run Garmins.

[matthothand]

I should've put some thought into that purchase. Oh well, I'll just leave my chip in the HDS and get a lakemaster garmin chip for the handheld unit then.

[mikey1685]

u have to buy the lakemaster chip directly from the garmin HSOforum,i believe that is the only option,but could be wrong,i just bought one and received it a few days ago,i couldn't find anybody else that sold them,i think it was $107.00, the lakemaster chip i had for my old Lawrence h20 would not work in the garmin

[Ed Carlson]

Thats what I thought. Thats why I dont run Garmins.

Will a LM Chip form a Lowrance work in a Hummer, or viva-versa?

Ah..Nope.

So, I can see why Garmin is any different in your eyes. It is a manufacturer format deal from ever major player when it comes down to it in LM data.

They could all go to a universal data format...but that would be just too easy now wouldn't it?

[Northlander]

Because my Navionics and Lakemaster chips work in all my Lowrances and my Navionics works in my Bird. I wasnt about to go by a Garmin and have to buy new chips at over $100 a piece.

Nothing wrong with the Garmins, they are great units but I couldnt justify spending about $330 more dollars on all the extra chips I would have to buy.

Your right Ed it makes too much sense for all the manufacturers to go to 1 format. I wish they would but it never will.

[LoonASea]

I had an issue with my garmin and the 09 LM chip ,,,the 09 data card was too big for my Garmin unit ,,I had to review the Garmin compatibility chart and go with the CD rather then the data card,,and I believe it has to be formatted for Garmin GPS's

LAS

[Ed Carlson]

If you have a unit with limited memory capacity, a non chip capable Garmin GPS, or Marine unit, and if you purchase a CD like the Inland Lakes USA CD...just load 1 region like MN and ND and not the whole USA CD. It will not handle all the regional data packets.

The individual packets are sized to fit in all newer Garmins, you may be only able to load 1 or 2 packets in some models at a a time. The software will recognize the unit registration certificate so it can be reloaded to that unit from the CD if lost or if it needs to be reinstalled because you swapped out the available storage to run another packet. But only to 2 registered Garmin units from that particular licensed CD..no more, and to no other units.

With LakeMaster there may be a different complication, as it is all in one packet and lots of info, much larger packet than the Garmin version. Here from the CD version you may not be able to fit the entire MN packet to some older Garmin units due to memory constraints. Check with LakeMaster prior to purchase to be sure it will fit in your exact model GPS unit is the best plan.