Lakemaster vs navionics?

[fisher_king2004]

I'm almost certain that the handheld GPS I am going to buy will be the Lowrance ifinder H20 Color.(unless someone else talks me into the ifinder hunt color)

I was talking to someone at Cabelas yesterday about the best mapping chip to buy for it. The two mentioned were Lakemaster(of course) and Navionics.

What experience does anyone have with either one and what feedback can you offer? Hurry up since the christmas money is burning a hole in my pocket.

[WaveWacker]

I have no experience with Navionics but with using Lakemaster products I cannot find one reason to go with anything else.

[Walleye Guy]

I have the Lakemaster and it is incredible. I haven't tried the Navionics so I cannot praise it or be critical of it. I think it really comes down to the set of lakes you fish. The Lakemaster covers the ones I fish. Keep in mind that the level of detail varies from chip to chip and lake to lake on each chip. Review the lakes covered and the map detail and make a choice.

[RocketRich]

Hey guys! I have been fishing with the Navionics Fishing Hotspots for about 3 years on the Whitefish Chain and Milac's. I have to tell you that I am not at all impressed with the accuracy. Nice maps and it worked great this summer when we went to LOW for a week. But it always seems to be at least 20 to 50 feet off of the actual structure I am fishing. In other words, I will graph the flat go up over it and off and then my GPS shows me on it. I have adjusted by just guessing the average distance it appears to be off but it is anoying. I use a Lowrance Global Map 5000 series. I have heard that Lakemaster actually uses their own depth soundings and Navionics uses other sources like the DNR and Satelite. I am going to buy the Lakemaster unless anyone can explain why I am so far off my structure. Rocket

[tank1]

I've used both the Navionics(1 card) and Lakemaster(2 cards)for almost 3 years and would definitely choose the Lakemaster, hands down. The accuracy is way better because they actually go out or obtain more GPS readings and adjust their maps accordingly giving better accuracy. Most of the Navionics charts are using outdated GPS/Map data, but I think they are working on getting new information as well. I have both a Navionics WI card and a Lakemaster WI card and I just love the Lakemaster one because it is so much more accurate and has a lot more detailed lake maps. The Navionics use to show my boat as being on land sometimes but with the Lakemaster one I've always been right on the money.

[caseymcq]

There are pros and cons to both.

I have a Lakemaster chip that I use in my LCX 15mt. It is great. My biggest dissapointment in it is that it doesn't have Birch Lake (near Babbitt). Other than that it is great. Lake Vermillion has 3 foot contours. Mile Lacs, Leech, Winnie and Minnetonka all have 1 foot contours. It has some great detail for roads and other areas as well.

Depending on the Navionics chip (Classic, Gold or Premium) you may get that good of detail. The biggest positive I see for the Navionics chips over Lakemaster is that they have more lakes. If you fish ND, SD, Iowa or Wisc. you may want to go with the Navionics Hotmaps North chip.

[SportFishin']

I went with the MN Lakemaster's & it is dead on the nuts for Tonka!!!!! Really cool!! We even checked out the contour lines with the Vexilar & Right-on the money for depth.

Regards,

Chris

[Hecker]

fisher_king2004 I'm glad you posted this thread so I didn't have to.

I was planning on getting the navionics premium chip. Is it as accurate as the lake master or dose it just have better detail?

(it looks awesome on throne's site)

Second, I heard Lake master is updating there card this spring. Is it worth waiting for, or is the current version upgradeable.

I know this one is a dead horse but it seems there is no cut and dry answer,

Third, do the 1 foot contours over crowd the hand helds?

And what's our Field staffs preferences?

please make up my mind for me, I don't want the same regrets I've had with the fl-8se and the ovs460.

[Paul Waldowski]

Quote:

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I was planning on getting the navionics premium chip. Is it as accurate as the lake master or dose it just have better detail?

(it looks awesome on throne's site)

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I believe Lakemaster to be a little more accurate, the detail is about the same. You can however, zoom in closer with Lakemaster.

Quote:

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Second, I heard Lake master is updating there card this spring. Is it worth waiting for, or is the current version upgradeable.

I know this one is a dead horse but it seems there is no cut and dry answer,

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Lakemaster has mapped out a few more lakes and they will be available on the chip this spring. Upper Red is one of those lakes. Currently the chip is NOT upgradeable. That may change.

Quote:

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Third, do the 1 foot contours over crowd the hand helds?

And what's our Field staffs preferences?

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I do not feel that it overcrowds my screen (H20c) I have tried Navionics, but I use Lakemaster

[Hecker]

Thanks Paul

[Hookmaster]

I talked to Lakemaster and if I understood him correctly one of the new chips next spring is the entire Lake of the Woods. Currently only the U.S. side is available.

[fisher_king2004]

So if I buy the Lakemaster chip today will I have to purchase the updated one at full price or do they give previous Lakemaster owners a break?

If it's almost out I'm thinking of waiting until the new one is available unless there is some kind of upgrade package at a lower price.

[Northlander]

I wanted a lakemaster Chip but they dont make a chip that covers the lakes in the Duluth area including Lake Superior.

I had no choice but to go Navionics. I like the detail of the Lakemaster stuff better and wish they had what us up North guys needed.