Which lake map chip.

[mthunter]

Any recommendations on which lake map chip to use? Navionics, Fishing Hotspots, or Lakemaster pro maps? Pretty much all fishing is done in MN except for the yearly trip to Canada.

[caseymcq]

I have a LakeMaster chip and I love it. It has great detail on some of the bigger lakes. I fish Vermillion and it seems like it has all of the marked hazards in it and in a few areas some that aren't. An added bonus is the information in addition to lakes, i.e. roads, state parks, national forest, poi's etc. It has fewer lakes than the Navionics chips but is significantly cheaper. I fish Birch Lake near Babbitt and the LakeMaster chip does not have a contour map for it . I believe Navionics does.

If your unit can take the Navionics Premium they may be worth the extra $$. They use a lot of the LakeMaster Pro Maps, (like the same one I have for Vermillion). It would be especially worth it if LakeMaster doesn't have the lake or lakes you want and Navionics does.

I guess the best thing would be for you to research each to see what will cover your needs from a chip and at what cost comparitively.

[PerchJerker]

Figure out which lakes you fish the most and see if either chip has more of them. Also make sure you see which maps are high definition, those are much, much, much more accurate - the majority of the maps on either chip will not be high definition.

Other than that, LM zooms in closer so you can see more detail on the screen. You said you mostly fish in MN, my guess in that LM will be a better chip for you.

[eurolarva]

I have the navonics chip and really like it. It has 8000 lakes for MN, Wisconsin and a few other states. I fished 10 different lakes between Wisconsin and Minnesota and it has had all of them in the chip. Go to their web site and it will show you what lakes come with the chip

[Giant_Jackpot]

I have both and would agree with PerchJerker that the LM might be a better choice for Minnesota fishing. Someone once said to me – navigate with Navionics, locate with Lakemaster……..

[LMITOUT]

I've never used the Navionics as they don't play nice with the X-15 I have, but the Lakemaster works great. It was my first time back to Mille Lacs since getting this chip and I don't know how you could go without it. Gone are the days of unfolding the map and punching in coordinates to specific flats, bars and reefs. I also load it up in the H20 for the winter months during ice fishing. The digitized DNR maps aren't that inaccurate either which really surprised me. Granted they don't have the 1 FT contours, but they are very close to on the money on the lakes I've tried.

[hanson]

I would have to say Lakemaster if you are talking about mostly using it in Minnesota.

The Lakemaster chip has darn near every highway, city street, and cul-de-sac mapped into it complete with street names and addresses! I know we are talking about fishing use more than likely but I've found I've been using mine for highway navigation more than anything. It gives you something to do on long road trips! Navionics does not have this.

The lake maps are awesome as well but you may want to take a look at which chip contains what maps if you are looking for a specific lake.

[mthunter]

Thanks for the input guys. I will have to do some more detailed research as to what chip has what lakes.

Seeing how the Lakemaster chipe has parks poi's ect... does it also show WMAs and WPAs?

[LMITOUT]

I don't believe it shows WPA and WMAs. Would be nice though wouldn't it!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have the Nav chip and love it.. I do quite a bit of fishing in other areas.. (wi mainly) and the Nav chip also has the lakes in my area in Hi Def...

[schweady]

I got the Lakemaster chip last January for my ExpeditionC and love it! Did they ever come out with the updated chip they were promising this past spring??

[Hookmaster]

At the Sportshow they said it will be out in August.