lakemaster vs navionics

[meathunter]

Does anyone know which chip is better? What are some pros and cons on the two? I have heard that navionics zoom in less than lake master is this true? Just bought a new lcx 17 grayscale and have never used either although ive seen lakemaster detail with the contour lines is navionics the same? Do you need color for better reading on either one?

[iffwalleyes]

The long and short of it. The positives Lakemaster easier to use as it is just plug and play. Navionics you get more lakes on the chip than Lakemaster. Negatives Lakemaster doesn't have as many lakes. Navionics you have to get to settings and select your region rather than the plug and play of Lake Master. Both have their strengths. I got the Lakemaster chip first. But if I were to do it again I would have gotten the Navionics as it covers more of the lakes that I fish plus out in ND Lakemaster doesn't even offer anything other than Devils Lake. But you will need to decide what is right for you.

[Surface Tension]

I use a Navionics Premium chip in my HS0c. I choose that chip because it had more lakes in my area, in fact I'm surprised how many of the smaller lakes it has. Neither chip offered any of lakes I fish in high detail and I don't see them mapping them any time soon. Navionics Premium chip has very little as far as roads so I change back to the Lowrance base map, thats not a big deal.

If I were you I'd consider what lakes you fish and then look at both Lakemaster's and Navionics sites to see which chip will have more of those lakes.

[solbes]

I have the '06 Navionics and like it. As mentioned above switching back to the Lowrance base map is necessary if you're driving around (somewhat annoying). I haven't seen too much of the Lakemaster, but the road and city detail looked much better. It only had 1/4 of the lakes I fish though, so I did not give it a try.

[hendenhook]

I have both chips if you fish all over MN and want to be covered you will need them both. Nav. has Rainy and Lakemaster doesn't for instance. The Lakemaster chip seems better to me, no swtiching screens for different regions and I do believe you can zoom in tighter with the Lakemaster. Also the roadmap for Lakemaster has some great detail even shows swamps and low water areas on land. Like I said I have both and the Lakemaster is in most of the time for the Brainerd area, Mille Lacs and Winny etc.

[Bushwacker]

I have both the Nav Premium and have had the '05,'06, and now the '07 Lakemaster chips. I run both of them all the time in my boat, one in the bow gps and one on the console. If I had to pick one I would definitely go with the Lakemaster. It is just easier to use. There are a few things about Nav that I like better like detailed descriptions of a few spots on some of the bigger lakes(ie, smallmouth bass rocks) and multi-states and Lake of the Woods.