Thoughts on Contour Elite?

[thatoneguy]

I'm toying with the idea of getting the Contour Elite software, but before I drop $150 or so on the program, I'd like to get some feedback from those who have actually used the dang thing!

I'd appreciate if anyone who has used it can give me a review - good, bad or ugly - so I can make a semi-informed decision I fish mostly on Leech, Cass, Pike Bay and Winnie, all of which are covered in the program, so that's a plus anyway.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[meathunter]

I bought It last year and love It! Very nice to be able to break a lake down in the winter at home marking waypoints and such. I bought a external gps antenna for my laptop and had it out on leech last summer and had some problems with it locking up but that may have been the cheap antenna I bought. Its very easy to transfer your waypoints both ways. Transfer your waypoint from your boat unit to the software and you will be amazed by what kind of structures they are around. There are a ton of features you can record info about each waypoint and even pictures. Wish It had more lakes though but has all the major ones on it. I also noticed the waypoints I marked on leech at home when fishing seemed like everytime I got bit it was dam close to what I marked at home. All in all worth it for sure. You can also share the software with one person so you could find someone to go in on it. My buddy has It on his laptop from my CD had no problems. If you purchase a new computer you can transfer the software to it as well. In the winter you can use your laptop like a gps works in the truck well anyways!

[kg2]

There is a new Minnesota edition that I just purchased. It uses the HD Lakemaster maps (the 1-ft contour ones from this years LM chip).

Something is not working with mine correctly. (or, more correctly, I am doing doing something wrong...) I cannot export/import to/from my Humminbirds. I have step-by-step instructions, but I can't get it to work.

[PlanToCatch]

Hi KG2. Email us at [email protected] and we can help walk you through it. The import/export to Humminbird is working fine for our pros and in our test lab. There may be something specific going on with our head unit.

Anyway, send us an email and we'll get it figured out.

Ryan

Strategic Fishing Systems

[email protected]

[thatoneguy]

I ordered the software today. How do I know if I got the new version r the old version?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I think they only sell the new now. It's version 2 from what I see on the HSOforum.

[Flip37]

I've thought about purchasing it but I fish Minnesota and North Dakota. Minnesota one might be worth it but the dakotas one is a bit steep on price for the amount of maps available. I think maybe I'll stick with my navionics explorer software for now.

[thatoneguy]

I think they only sell the new now. It's version 2 from what I see on the HSOforum.

I got mine from Amazon, since I had a gift card left from Christmas that covered a chunk of it. Hopefully it's the newer version! Guess I'll find out in a few days

[thatoneguy]

Well it's (Contour Elite) here, and it turns out that I got the OLD version I'm very bummed, as I don't really have another $75 bucks to sneak by my accountant (aka my wife) to purchase the upgrade.

I wish I had known about the new version before I placed the order!

PlanToCatch - is there anything you can do to help me out with this?

[jentz]

Go to their site the upgrade is free for those who have the 1st one.I was just at their site last week maybe 10 days ago.

[thatoneguy]

I'll take a look, but I thought it had a big charge that went with the upgrade. Thanks!

http://www.lakemap.com/minnesotacontourelitesoftwareupgradev2.aspx

yeah, $75 for the upgrade. Bummer!

[meathunter]

I just got a email from there and the guy said to upgrade to version 2 you have to pay half the cost. Where did you see the upgrade on thier site?

[thatoneguy]

The link I posted in my last post should take you to the upgrade thread. If the upgrade has the 1-foot contours, it might be worth getting. That extra detail makes a big difference!

[h8go4s]

I asked some questions about Contour Elite a month ago using the Strategic Fishing Systems online support center. Here's their response:

Date: 1-Mar-2012 1:27pm

Name: Brian Haymart

Message:

Hi Ron,

Version 2 refers to the list of lakes that is included with the package. We added several MN lakes for version 2 of MN. The software that comes with MNv2 is actually 1.0.5 but the only difference between 1.0.4 and 1.0.5 is related to data security of the additional lakes and nothing to do with functionality.

This summer, we plan to release a free update to all versions, including MN v2 that will add more functionality (including possibly, the ability to add waypoints to the 3D view, but we still need to investigate this further to see if it is even possible)

So, basically, the software/functionality is the same in version 2 as the previous versions, only the lake list is different.

I hope this answers your question and doesn't confuse things more.

Thanks,

Strategic Fishing Systems Support Team

[color:#FF0000]http://www.strategicfishingsystems.com

So, if the lakes you fish are in version 1, no need to upgrade at this point.

[thatoneguy]

That clarifies things - thank you for sharing that. Much appreciated! I'm looking forward to the update...especially considering my first thought after playing around with it for a bit was "man, I wish you could see GPS coordinates/add waypoints in 3D mode!"

Most of the lakes I fish are in version 1, so I guess I'm good for now. I'll have to peek at the lake list for V2 and see though, just for kicks

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

You could have returned it and bought it the Sportshow for $20 off. I hate hindsight.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Once you have the software on your computer, you can use it on your iPad, or tablet by using GoToMyPC. If you have a 3G connection at your lake you can then use this in your boat. Sure you can't do any actual live gps tracking, but you can do everything else.

You can use the info button to give you coordinates and then input them into your gps manually. Great way to plan your day on the water before you leave the dock. Meet for lunch and adjust your approach based on time of day and wind changes, etc.