Navionics Hot Maps premium or Lake master pro?

[Kylersk]

I've got a Lowrance I finder pro and was thinking on maybe getting the Navionics Hot Maps premium, but my concern is the display being too small to make any sense of the higher def maps. Is this a valid concern?

I like the idea of lake master pro, being able to view the maps on a PC, but it would be nice to have the maps with me on the GPS instead of 'pre-fishing' the maps and marking the way points.

Wish there was a product that allowed both... Anyways... What are your thoughts about the above products?

[Captain B.R.K]

Great question and I have just the answer for you!

Do NOT be afraid of buying the navionics chip to put into your i-finder. Yeah the screen is much smaller than a computer screen- but you can see quite clearly on the i-finder!

My VP had an i-finder with that chip in his hands this last week and I asked him if I could tool around with it for 5-10 minutes. The resolution and pixel count with the zoom feature on some of those contours was excellent! I was able to zoom right into the break line of 24-33ft on Mille Lacs with no problems! I could read 24ft right on the screen.

The map of the lake plus all the contours was right in front of my nose

Then you can take your cursor and move around to where you need to be! If only he would of let me put it to use this weekend, I might have caught more fish out on Mille Lacs

Don't get me wrong, the Lakemaster's Pro is a great product. I viewed it at the Ice Show down in St.Paul earlier this year and was quite impressed with the detail of their maps as well. Take a look at this Digital Maps page regarding their product for Navionics. The chip for the lowarance unit from LakeMasters is probably going to be your best bang for your buck!

[computerboy]

Hey Kylersk,

I have the LakeMaster ProMap Gold mapping software and I absolutely love it. There are indeed pros and cons to each format, but the unit you have will often dictate which format to choose. For me, the PC mapping software is the only thing that is compatible with my Magellan SporTrak Pro. For you, the iFinder Pro is not compatible with the LakeMaster mapping software. And when I say “not compatible” I mean you wouldn’t be able to transfer waypoints to your iFinder. You also wouldn’t be able to connect your GPS to a laptop and interface it with LakeMaster to use as a chart plotter. So while you’d still be able to install the software onto a PC and manually enter waypoints, you’d be missing out on a lot of the features of the software.

So considering that, I would highly recommend you go with the Navionics Hotmap Premium chip. The all new Navionic Premium North (PREM-N) has lakes from MN, IA, WI, and MI. Like the Region 10 predecessor, the PREM-N chip is a combination of Navionics High Definition 1’ contour maps, LakeMaster ProMap 3’ contour maps, and standard Fishing Hotspots maps all on one chip.

I can’t vouch for how the chip actually performs on the iFinder, but I know there are a few guys on these boards that actually have it. They should be able to give you an actual performance review. Better yet, maybe they’d be willing to hook up with you for a little “on the water” demonstration???

Hope that helps.

cb

[Catfish John]

Quote:

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Wish there was a product that allowed both... Anyways... What are your thoughts about the above products?

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Actually you can have both with the IFinder Pro, but you will need the MapCreate software and an MMC Card Reader. Details can be found on pg. 82 of the MapCreate Manual:

http://www.lowrance.com/Manuals/Files/mc63_0147-383_051904.pdf

[computerboy]

Have you actually used the Navionics Premium chip with MapCreate? If so, do the depth contours display and are you able to mark/manage waypoints? How accurate have you found the lakes to be when viewed in MapCreate? For instance...if you were to mark some waypoints on the MapCreate software and print the contour map out, does it match up to the contours on your GPS?

I'm very intrigued by this. Like Kylersk, I'm curious to hear everyone's experience with using the Navionics chip on their iFinder. I'm also very curious on whether or not anyone has used their Navionics chip with the MapCreate software and how well it works.

Thanks in advance

[gvt]

I used my iFinder H20 on Mille Lacs a few weeks ago. It works awesome! My brother has his Lowrance X15 mounted in his truck for the winter, both of us have the Navionics premium chip. The image on the screen is identical, except his is larger. But, I was able to walk around with gps in hand. It makes finding the breaks too easy! I didn't even bother with the Vex until I was ready to fish.

[EJ]

The new Navionics Premium will not work on his X-15.

[Ryan Berger]

I bought the lakemaster pro software and have a Garmin 76cs. I havnt explored much, are they compatable?

[computerboy]

I know for sure that the LakeMaster PC mapping software is compatible with the GPS76, GPSMAP76, and GPSMAP76S. While it doesn't have the GPSMAP76CS specifically listed in the GPS configuration menu, you may be able to get away with using GPSMAP76S.

Good luck!

[gvt]

EJ,

It may not actually be the Navionics chip the he was using. It may be an earlier version, like RealBottom?? I'm really not sure. What I do know is that the map that each of were viewing was exactly the same. Also, the Lowrance web page says the X-15 can use the Navionics chip (http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/LCX-15MT.asp). It doesn't specifically list the Premium chip for the X-15, but then again it doesn't specifically list that chip (http://www.lowrance.com/Outdoor/Products/iFINDERH2O.asp) for my iFinder either, but it does work. Either way it's just fun stuff to play with!

[augernaut]

anybody know what the Navionics Premium goes for? I have an older iFinder, seriously considering selling it for iFinder H20 and buying the Navionics chip for it. From what I can find, this is the ultimate GPS mapping/fishing map package available - especially for Wisconsin.

[gvt]

I believe the Premium chip goes for $199. I don't have much to compare to since this is my first gps, but it really seems like the way to go. Good luck fishin'!

[Catfish John]

Cabelas has a Lowrance brand chip with many of the same lakes as the Premium chip for $99 (I suspect that it is also a Navionics product marketed under Lowrance thru Cabelas). The Navionics Premium chip however includes Lakemaster Promaps Data for

+Alexander Morrison MN

+Bald Eagle Lake Ramsey MN

+Big Marine Lake Washington MN

+Big Watab Stearns MN

+Carlos Douglas MN

+Cedar Lake Wright MN

+Clearwater Lake Wright MN

+Darling Douglas MN

+Edward Crow Wing MN

+Fish Trap Lake Morrison MN

+Geneva Douglas MN

+Hubert Crow Wing MN

+Ida Lake Douglas MN

+Le Homme Dieu Douglas MN

+Miltona Douglas MN

+Mississippi River-Pool 4 (includes Lake Pepin) Buffalo/Vernon/Houston/

Lacrosse MN

+Mississippi River-Pool 8 Buffalo/Vernon/Houston/

Lacrosse MN

+North Long Lake Crow Wing MN

+Osakis Todd MN

+Pelican Lake Crow Wing MN

+Pelican Lake Saint Louis MN

+Round Lake North Crow Wing MN

+Sugar Lake Wright MN

+Vermilion Lake Saint Louis MN

+Waconia Carver MN

+WhiteFish Chain (Upper & Lower)

While some of these lakes are on the Cabela's chip they are probably not of the quality of the Lakemaster Data.

here

[Jim Hudson]

I was on the phone with Lowrance last week where I was told next month they are coming out with a chip that is similar to the Navionics Premium Chip for a $139. From talking to the guy though, it seems this chip will not have some of your smaller lakes on it as does the Premium Chip does. That is one thing that made me buy the Premium Chip... for the smaller less named lakes around my area... I know the lake data used for these types of maps are older, but hey at least you can see right where you are on that lake with the GPS/WAAS unit using it...

[jigginjim]

Hi guys, I have both systems, lowrance i-finder pro/with navionics premium chip and the lakemaster maps in my laptop. To the best of my knowledge on these items you can download way points only from Lakemaster to a chip and use it to find spots on the water. The Navionics prem. chip cost $199.99 at Gander mtn. and I believe a updated version is coming out real soon. As for the the X-15, Gvt, Is correct lowrance has a updated version that will run the new chip. When I am doing a guide trip, or ice fishing I use both systems Lakemaster maps to find the location of the spots I want to fish. Then I can zoom in on the area with the I-finder pro. Locate the points or structure first. Then use a vex, to check for fish working the area. After locating the best school of fish I'll start drilling holes around the area, figuring they will spook and scratter with 6-8 holes surrounding the area i have had good success this year.

[EJ]

I disagree with the new premium Navionics chip working on the X-15. There has been alot of discussion at walleye central on the subject and a lot of guys are upset. There are deals out there on X-15's right now, so make sure you are able to get the software you want before purchasing.

[computerboy]

The only way to know for sure is to contact Lowrance. Navionics does not have the LCX-15 on it's compatiblle chart plotters list. However, electronics vendors provide software updates that will allow you to use the latest technology with your current unit. Lowrance may have a software update for the LCX-15 that would allow you to use the new Navionics Premium chip.