GPS

[Musky Buck]

Just got a H2Oc Lowrance- Question is what chip is the one to go with. It says it will take a Lakemaster, Navionics, etc. Which one is better, I'm sure they both have there strengths, what is the difference, thanks.

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Lakemaster if you are fishing primarily MN or WI, the maps are better IMO. I hardly use my navionics chips.

[Musky Buck]

Thanks Dano. I was leaning the Lakemaster way but thought I better get an update, I hate trying to return things. Thanks again.

[50inchpig]

I like lakemaster overall too. I've only used navionics twice, it's great on Tonka, horrible on Cass.

[Musky Buck]

What's horrible on Cass ? That's one of my main waters, ooops Navionic's is horrible on Cass ? Does that mean you look at it and it says you should be in 20 ft. of water and you're in 5 or ? Just trying to figure these lake chips out. Thanks, any lakemaster info would be greatly appreciated.

[HugoBox]

Buck -

I have both and for the H20 I'd stick with lakemaster. A map is a map, but for whatever reason the Navionics chip seems to take longer to update so the screen will blank out to update when you zoom in, especially if you're moving fast. As far as the navionics being "horrible on Cass," I'm guessing he means the same as me when I say Navionics is horrible on Bald Eagle. The version I have is about 20 yards off on that lake. Basically the dude who loaded that map didn't line the contours up with the actually lake - all the breaks and bumps are shown, they are about 20 yards to the East on mine though. Kinda frustrating - playing the margin for error on the chip is like trying to play the wind in golf.

That said, the Navionics chip is dead on for WB and the only issue seems to be the slow update time.

Hope this helps - erik

[Musky Buck]

Thanks erik, that does help, thanks again, trying to get up to date technology wise. For a while on my fav. muskie lake couldn't figure out how everyone and their brother were able to find my most sacred spot, a spot I saw no one fish for many years,a spot that wasn't on any paper map, then I asked a bass angler how he found it and he said it was on the lakemaster chip. Now I know. Now is the time for me to forget lining up a tree and a rip rapped shoreline etc. Thanks, MB

[DHanson]

Buy both chips. While one might be good on one lake, the other might not.

[JRedig]

Buy both chips. While one might be good on one lake, the other might not.

+1, I have both for that reason.

[DeBo101]

I have MN lakemasters for each of my GPSs and the Navionics lake of the woods +2K. They should all be accurate for lakes that have the 1 - 3 foot contour surveys. Both websites hav the list of lakes and what contours they have.

I think contour lines are much easier to see on the navionics. I have only used my navionics on leech and compared to the lakemaster the navionics is very poor. However that chip has a lot of lakes the lake master doesn't.

Lakemaster is plug and play, navionics you need to choose which data set to look at. Faster load times with the lakemaster as well. Lakemaster works a bit better when you are "overzoomed".

Both are good just need to decide which chip has more of the lakes YOU need.

[10,000 Casts]

Quote:

I think contour lines are much easier to see on the navionics. I have only used my navionics on leech and compared to the lakemaster the navionics is very poor. However that chip has a lot of lakes the lake master doesn't.

The 08 Lakemaster is in all black lines so it is easier to see. If you have the 07 or older, put it in night mode and the white lines are easier to see.

As far as speed, I would never run a Navionics on a handheld because it has to much info on it which slows it down. The lakemaster is much much quicker. Navionics is best suited for the guy that wants to fish all 6 states and oly wants one chip.

The LM also has a pretty good road map which is cool on the H20.

As far as muskie lakes go, I would be hard pressed to find a lake that was mapped better on the Navionics. It all depends on which chip has the lake mapped in High def i.e. 1 ft or 3 ft contours. If the lake is mapped in 5ft contours like Mantrap and Detroit... You will want to start making your own with waypoints when you are out there.

When you are on a lake mapped in High Def, you will be impressed whether it's Navionics or Lakemaster, I just prefer Lakemaster as I have found fewer mistakes.

[Musky Buck]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. MB

[Musky Buck]

1 last bit, I just ordered the Lakemaster chip, I would assume it will come in the new 2008 version correct ? Thanks again for your input and saving me the time to investigate these further, much appreciated. MB