navionics vs. lakemaster

[luedke]

just looking for input. navionics vs. lakemaster and what gps hand units would people recommend to operate these maps. thanks

[Esox_Magnum]

I have both chips and for Vermilion in my HDS prefer the Navionics, also my choice of chips at home here in Iowa to in both my HDS units and Expedition.

[knoppers]

I like the navionics premium over lakemaster, but its 50 bucks more. the lakemaster shows more land features than navionics, if you want that.

[heat checker]

Best bet is go to the websites and check the lake lists to make sure the ones you want will be on there. All things being equal, I've heard the lakemaster are better maps with a closer zoom, but I use the navionics so I can't vouch for that.

[Esox_Magnum]

Navionics zooms to 50 feet on my HDS units, far better than my old units were for zoom, Lakemaster I belive was the same, only used it for a couple hours before switching back....

[centralmneyeguy]

I have both Navionics and Lakemaster as well. Some lakes seem better with the Lakemaster and some with Navionics. Overall, I'd say I use the Lakemaster chip more as it seems to be more accurate on the lakes I fish. Either will be better than nothing at all!

[Hawg]

Both are great products. I just biught the Lakemaster Minnesota chip about 1/2 an hour ago. I will say though that any questions you have are answered promptly and knowledgably at Lakemaster. I haven't owned a Navionics since Lakemaster came out.

[Matt C]

make your own decision.

2011 Lakemaster/Nav - Lowrance and Hum chip comp.

[401TE]

Navionics zooms to 50 feet on my HDS units, far better than my old units were for zoom, Lakemaster I belive was the same, only used it for a couple hours before switching back....

I seem to remember the issues you had with the LakeMaster chip were on Vermilion. I'm not sure what the deal is with LakeMaster on Vermilion, but I agree they need to get it mapped out in 1' contours. Last I remember seeing LakeMaster only had it in 3' contours and it wasn't all that accurate. Don't judge LakeMaster's chip based on what you saw on Vermilion, though, for the rest of the lakes I fish in MN that they've actually surveyed they nailed it.

Regarding the original question, look at the list of lakes each chip has in detail and compare that to the lakes you normally fish. Get the map with the most detail for the lakes you fis. Both are good products.

[merkman]

just looking for input. navionics vs. lakemaster and what gps hand units would people recommend to operate these maps. thanks

Navionics for your smartphone.

$13 is all it costs

Nuff Said

[Esox_Magnum]

That app is nice but my Droid won't last running it 16 hours a day, 3 hours tops at best and she's dead.

My issue with my Lakemaster chip was it wasn't reading in my unit or any of the other 3 we tried it in, buddy had a direct line to Lowrance and a quick call at 7pm on a Saturday night we got it working, 10 pm that night I took it out and put in my Navionics and haven't put the LM back in since....

[Triple_D]

My issue with my Lakemaster chip was it wasn't reading in my unit or any of the other 3 we tried it in, buddy had a direct line to Lowrance and a quick call at 7pm on a Saturday night we got it working, 10 pm that night I took it out and put in my Navionics and haven't put the LM back in since....

[Esox_Magnum]

No it was the Lowrance version, what gets me is all the hype everyone gives the Lakemasters about how great they are yet other than giving mine away cant get rid of it. Put a Navionics up for sale it's sold in an hour.

[Jig Master]

Lakemaster seems to be a lot more accurate than Navionics. My buddy has a Navionics and we were on the Minoqua chain in WI and a big chunk of the lake was devoid of contour lines. I have had great luck with the lakemaster and I travel around the state A LOT.

[401TE]

That app is nice but my Droid won't last running it 16 hours a day, 3 hours tops at best and she's dead.

My issue with my Lakemaster chip was it wasn't reading in my unit or any of the other 3 we tried it in, buddy had a direct line to Lowrance and a quick call at 7pm on a Saturday night we got it working, 10 pm that night I took it out and put in my Navionics and haven't put the LM back in since....

Yeah, some older Lowrances can't read/show newer LakeMaster chips. My LCX-27C and LMS-520C won't show a chip newer than 2009 for whatever reason. That's an issue LakeMaster and Lowrance need to work out for sure. Fortunately for meall the lakes I want in 1' contours are on the 2009 chip.

Regarding your other post, the hype regarding LakeMaster is due to the amount of detail on their chips. More detail is exactly what I want.

[401TE]

No it was the Lowrance version, what gets me is all the hype everyone gives the Lakemasters about how great they are yet other than giving mine away cant get rid of it. Put a Navionics up for sale it's sold in an hour.

Forgot to say the thing about the Navionics chips that helps them resell is the upgrade program they have. $50 and they'll give you a new chip with the new info.

What LakeMaster chip are you selling?

[moccasinboy]

401TE

LakeMaster's compatibility list indicates that both the 520C and LCX27C are compatible. Perhaps you need a Lowrance software update?

Moccasinboy

[Esox_Magnum]

My unit was a 2010 HDS 5... As far as detail for where I fish theres little difference and the shading on the Navionics/Lowrance is much easier to see.

[desert_bulls]

I guess it would all be personal preference. Before I bought my lakemaster, I went fishing with both chips and for me, the lakemaster was a more detailed map and more accurate.

[NoWiser]

I got the Navionics for Christmas two years ago. $150.00 chip and I ended up selling it for $75.00 a few months later to get a Lakemaster. One of my favorite early ice walleye spots on Leech (that I found with my dad's gps and lakemaster chip) did not even show up with the Navionics chip. It was a nice hump with a saddle on it, and it just showed a featureless flat on the Navionics. That was enough to get me to switch. Overall I liked the display on the Lakemaster better, as well. Just my experience.

[Corey20]

I fished with a buddy last year who was running Navionics and I was not impressed. I had a tough time seeing the contour lines. They are much darker and smooth on the Lakemaster. I also like how on the lakes I fish there are a lot more names on the map with Lakemaster. Its all personal preference, Navi has some spots marked better then Lakemaster and vice versa but I overall I pick Lakemaster.