Need help from GPS experts

[Prior Laker]

I shelled out the cash for a Lowrance Globalmap 6000 and the new Navionics chip. So far I've found that I'm missing many of the lakes I fish. I installed the MapCreate software and found that I can make basic maps of lakes that are not on my Navionics chip. I'm not seeing much value from creating maps for these lakes though since they will have so little detail. So my question is have you found value from making these maps that have no conture information just so that you can record routes or is it just a waste of time to make maps from the MapCreate software? Thanks.

[andy j]

The Mapcreate software will show the lake shorelines with more detail (showing all the points and coves) but it will not show you depth contours. Navionics Chips or Lakemaster chips are the only way to get depth contours. And not every lake is on the chips. Usually only the major bigger lakes.

[PerchJerker]

For lakes where you don't have contour info, the benefit is that MapCreate will store and display your waypoints after you've been there --- so at least you have history of where you were and what you found. And you could mark access points or things like that if you felt the need to do so.

[ScoutII]

The Hot Maps Premium has about 400 lakes for Minnesota. I have seen many lakes that I fish in the list. It is not a cheap card, but contains a lot of information. If you have a little patience, and get DNR lake maps, you can use MapCreate to mark waypoints for lakes not in the Hot Maps card. This process takes only a few supplies and is fairly accurate.

[doc]

MapCreate is pretty much useless for the fisherman.

I can't belive they worry about people copying it.

Lakemaster is the clear choice for Minnesota.

[PerchJerker]

You're making a mistake if you think of MapCreate as lake map software.

For fishing it's best application is as waypoint management software - lets you store, organize and view your waypoints. And lets you upload and download them between your gps and your computer. Depending on how you fish and how you use your GPS and how many different lakes you fish that may or may not be helpful for you. I find it very helpful in many situations.

[ScoutII]

Doc I think if a person uses a little imagination, MapCreate can be a usefull tool for fishermen. It will require a little effort on the part of the user, but has resonable accuracy. I have used DNR websight maps and gotten pretty close to lake structures. MapCreate has a lot more zoom levels than the Lakemaster program I own. I am just wondering if we are talking about the same Lakemaster program? I guess the only advantage could be, is you wouldn't need a plotter GPS to find your way around on a lake you planned ahead on, to fish.

[dockehr]

Prior Laker,

Go to a large retailer that has units on display with both the Navionics chip and the Lowrance/Lakemaster Pro chip. Determine if the the latter chip (Lowrance/Lakemaster Pro)has more of the lakes that you are interested in. This chip will allow you to zoom in considerably further than your navionics chip. How do I know because I have 17 different chips from Navionics, Lowrance, and Lakemaster.

That being said, you may want to pick up the Lowrance Freedom Maps chip for Minnesota ( and portions of other states) It is a pre-programmed chip with all of the Mapcreate details, but, without the hassles of using Mapcreate on your computer, downloading your map to a blank chip and placing it in your GPS unit. Try it! You may like it! Good luck and good fishing.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[dockehr]

Prior Laker,

The reason for using the Mapcreate chip (or program) is because of the number of ordinary lakes whose outline you could use while fishing. As Perchjerker stated, the program and/or unit will enable you to set up the level of information for your particular lake (waypoints, trails used to outline structure,etc). Sorry, I meant to include this in my prior post.

dockehr

Dr. Roland E. Kehr, Jr.

Lindy Tackle

[out_fisherman]

Ever since they started this MAP trend I have wondered

where it is going....are we eventually getting to the point

where a map will say "walleyes here" and then if Joe X

goes there and doesn't get walleyes will he attempt to sue

the mapmaker? I have to wonder about the accuracy of any

of these schemes, since not even the current lakemaps of

my own lake are even close. Not the DNR, Not 'Lakemaps',

nobody. There will never be a substitute for on-the-water

knowledge. Thank God. If fishing ever becomes push-button

success, what's the point?