Navionics Sonarcharts Shading, Anyone Using It? What Are Your Thoughts?

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

Playing around with the new Navionics SonarCharts Shading feature I am really starting to like this.Its been really nice to study lakes now as I can see more of the lake and structure and funnel spots start to stand out a lot more. Lets get setup out of the way!
1. Update your Navionics Hotmaps Platinum Chips if you haven’t already. When you update, make sure you select the new SonarCharts Shading feature. This is a large update so be patient. I started mine before I went to bed and it was ready when I woke up.
2.When complete put your card in your plotter. I am using the new Lowrance HDS Live units.
3. You will need to setup one main thing and that’s to put Photo Overlay to FULL. To do this: tap the pages button>Charts>Menu>More Options>Chart Options>Photo Overlay….This needs to be set to Full as you can see from the first screenshot. After that you can find your favorite lake which I just grabbed Rainy Lake as my demo lake and zoomed in. Keep in mind you cannot zoom all the way in. If you do it will revert to the maps which you would want.

I also played around with the photo transparency (tap the pages button>Menu>More Options>Chart Options>Photo Transparency. As you can see below the second screenshot is set to Minimum and shows all of SonarCharts Shading for Rainy Lake. I then set it to 6 which you can then see some of the map contours coming through. Set to max (last screenshot) you really start to see more of the depth contours coming out. Keep in mind zooming in will provide you the 1 ft contours as you would normally see.

One thing I would also note, is when you’re running SonarCharts Live and if you’re not seeing your map being created. adjust your Photo Transparency until you do.

One last thing. if you haven’t…. Turn on your SonarCharts Layer! This really brings your mapping to life. All updated contours show up when this is on.

While you’re in your Chart screen tap Menu> More Options>Chart Options> and make sure Sonarcharts is on!

 

 

[papadarv]

I use the BoatingHD app on a Samsung 10" tablet + Vex SonarPhone both shown on tablet at same time. Before the multi color, Boating app had a fishing mode where I could set up a white on blue area on the 12 ft break where my red GPS arrow could easily track the break. (Video). Navionics replaced the fishing mode with Multi color shading late last year. Didn't like it at first as I lost the white on blue area tracking. Came up with a way to still have a narrow white break area (white gives best contrast to my red GPS arrow) using orange on shallow side, green on deeper side, red < 3 ft and dark blue for really deep. (Pic). Didn't do a video 2 weeks ago fishing Ottertail, but it works quite well. BTW Grandpa island , locals, Big flat, Lakemaster, south 12' break has new more accurate contours with yesterday's "update all"

Edited June 12, 2019 by papadarv

[delcecchi]

What kind of case and mount do you use for the Samsung Tablet? 

[papadarv]

My tablet case is a soft folding case. I use spring loaded mounts for both my tablet (Boating app) and iPad Air (Vex SonarPhone) hard mounted between steering wheel and windshield. I have charging ports on my dash to maintain device power. I like the 2 large screens to see detail.

 

Even with power, the iPad dies in about 5 hours then I put both Boating & Sonar on my tablet and rotate tablet to portrait. 

Edited June 15, 2019 by papadarv

[delcecchi]

Thanks.  I was wondering if the case is waterproof.   I have a 10 inch galaxy tab S, and if I used it for GPS I could dedicate my Elite 7 to sonar.    

 

What is the brand mount you use?

[papadarv]

My mount is an older Akron. Link to newer heavy duty. 

. https://www.hsolist.com/i/331758306821?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=331758306821&targetid=596843714878&device=t&adtype=pla&googleloc=9019473&poi=&campaignid=1689945016&adgroupid=69559042447&rlsatarget=pla-596843714878&abcId=1140466&merchantid=6551214&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=331758306821&targetid=596843714878&device=t&adtype=pla&googleloc=9019473&poi=&campaignid=1689945016&adgroupid=69559042447&rlsatarget=pla-596843714878&abcId=1140466&merchantid=6551214&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8LL_l7ru4gIVgY3ICh39dgaMEAQYCiABEgKH4PD_BwE

 

I use both BoatingHD, Navionics and FishSmart, Humminbird Lakemsater on most lakes I fish, both are very close to same contours. I prefer BoatingHD as it links to my sonar and I can re-map contours where I fish and find it easier to follow contours. Also a bit cheaper at $14.99 annual for all lakes where FishSmart is $10 to $30 per lake annual ($50 for the 4 maps I bought).

Your Samsung Tab S uses Glonass GPS same as Garmin units so your open lake accurcy should be a consistent 1 meter (3 ft.). 

[delcecchi]

Thanks.  So the 14.99 for the Navionics maps is a subscription thing?   I don't care for renting data, but I'll probably give it a try.

[papadarv]

Navionics owned by Garmin, purchase last year. You can set your Garmin log-in to access Navionics account. With subscription all same platform iOS, Android, devices have free access to app. They do weekly contour updates so you always get latest maps - you need to be on WiFi with your tablet for update download. 

[elusivecrappiecatcher]

On 6/17/2019 at 7:14 AM, delcecchi said:

Thanks.  So the 14.99 for the Navionics maps is a subscription thing?   I don't care for renting data, but I'll probably give it a try.

It is a yearly subscription for the Navionics app which will provide you daily updates as well within that year.