Questions for the long time lakemaster chip users

[my4x4yj]

I have been looking into purchasing a micro sd lakemaster card for my hand held gps. I can buy a 2010 version for nearly $60 cheaper than the current 2012 version without much difference in list of lakes. The questions I have is there really alot of different information between the two and where exacly does all the info come from? As I look at the lists of lakes covered only the more popular larger lakes in northern MN are highlighted as "Lakemaster" lakes the other smaller lakes and especially those in the southern two thirds of the state have no special notes. Does the info for those lakes only come from the DNR lake surveys and "Sportsman's Connection" lake maps? THANKS

[MN Mike]

What handheld do you have?

[TruthWalleyes]

No there is not much of a difference. Some lakes on the older chip may now be 1' contours on the latest chip. Most likely if the only thing you have is a handheld that your lake/s will be on it and it will be good enough depth information to help you find fish.

[Tom7227]

I have had the Lakemaster chip for at least 5 years and love it. I got a CD to put it on a micro card for my Garmin hand held. I think the list they have shows the lakes that have the greater detail. I think there is something like 250+ lakes with that detail. I think you may have to buy another chip for some of the more popular big lakes like Lake of the Woods. Be sure that the one you buy is compatible with the rig you have. I think the new rule is that new Lakemaster only works with Eagle units but I could be wrong about that.

[my4x4yj]

I have a Garmin 450T that my son bought two years ago to use deer hunting north of Duluth. He is a "plug and play" type of guy and got frustrated at the length of time he had to put into the learning curve so it sat on a shelf. I talked him into letting me use it for my fishing adventures as I can't afford one of the gps sonar units and don't always want to have to be remounting it somewhere to use it. I'll probably buy the older much cheaper Lakemaster sd card listed as compatible with my unit and give it a good go. I am aware that the much larger and more popular northern MN lakes will require seperate cards but have not yet made it to these lake to fish. My only concern is that the info on the card is not complete as I have the printed Sportsman Connection maps and looked at the DNR maps and there is a lot of missing info.