Lowrance new HD Chartplotters?

[DRH1175]

Anyone see these yet. I was looking online and they look quite sweet! Do they work with the lakemaster chips? Can't figure this out. They take SD cards but just trying to figure out if they use the Lakemaster before I think about buying.

[machohorn]

I was looking at those also,I think the guru said that it will take the chips to where no ones been before.

[PerchJerker]

I've seen them, haven't used them yet but they look great. They work with the LakeMaster and/or Nav chips you already have, they also work with the transducers and network cables you already have if you're adding to or upgrading your existing Lowrance setup.

You can check them out at Pro Fishing Supply Lowrance HD Combos. Some of the new HD models are already in stock and ready to ship (and shipping is free).

[DRH1175]

Cool! I think that is what I am buying. I have a 102c and was thinking about adding a chart this year. Maybe the 102 will be the bow mount and I will get one chart plotter finder combo in the the HD. I am quite excited!!

[snoozebutton]

Plan "A" was to get one when they came out but then I bought a 4 wheeler. My wife says we can't afford both but I've got a few more months to work on her.

[Skeets]

What is the difference between these models:

Nautic

US Map

Lake map

[PerchJerker]

All of the new HDS units come with a built-in US Base Map. It has some lakes with contours and enhanced data.

Lake Map and Nautic pertain to the HDS-5 only. They are updgraded maps from the US Base Map, you can choose 1 or the other, you can't get both. Lake Map is inland lakes, Nautic is coastal information.

The Insight US Map is available in the HDS 7, 8 and 10. It is an updgrade over the US Base Map. Insight US is Lake Map and Nautic combined.

You can also use LakeMaster chips or any of the Navionics chips in the HDS units.

I have a bunch of info about the new HD units HERE which gives a good overview of the features in these new units.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Still wishing for a bird, but can't get over the lack of Lakemaster capability

[PerchJerker]

Still wishing for a bird, but can't get over the lack of Lakemaster capability

You can get a Lowrance GlobalMap GPS Plotter to run LakeMaster or Nav chips, and put it next to a HB sonar unit. Lots of us run separate GPS and Fishfinder units. It's an option to consider besides getting a combo unit.

[JohnMickish]

I had my heart set on purchasing one of these units until I played with one at the boat show. The insight feature looks great, the 3D mapping looks cool, the problem is when you zoom it in to where it's usable it goes to 2D. I also noticed that there is a fairly large chunck of MN missing up by URL. I used the insight featue to explore a part of Vermillion that I am familiar with and it wasn't that accurate. Besides that, the rep told me that he thinks (wasn't sure since the model they had wouldn't accept mapping chips) the unit's won't be able to run the insight feature and mapping feature at the same time.

I do like that they now have the broadband sonar built in.

I had money in hand and really wanted to be the first one to put one on the water up here but with the reps not knowing answers to my questions I went and purchased a Humminbird. Maybe I'll regret that but I'm not willing to spend a grand on something that nobody knows anything about.

[Tippman]

Your breaking my heart fishingguy. I had high hopes also but wanted to get some hands on experience with them first. The part you mention about going down to 2D with zooming and the mapchips not working at the same time as the insight would suck also, I would hate to loose that detail contour you need at zoomed in levels.

[veha44]

I got a chance to play around with one for a couple of hours. The mapping info is going to be the same as the 113hd. The difference is you can turn something on called "shaded relief" and it makes it look cooler from afar. Once you zoom inside 1/2 mile the shaded relief goes away and you are left with the same map that is on the 113HD. If I remember right, once you get inside about 5miles you can see the contour lines. The lakemaster chip does not get shaded relief so there is only the lake contour lines that we are all used to. Right now when you plug in the Navionics chip you get a pop up that states "Navionics software is currently not supported, please check back for software updates." That update is supposed to be out March 09.

I am going to guess that the shaded relief isn't going to be implemented for awhile with the chips. The chips are basically overlay data over the base maps, kind of like one of those old school projectors.

[Tippman]

Is the "shaded relief" your referring to the insight HD mapping?

[JohnMickish]

Your breaking my heart fishingguy.

Like I said, I really wanted one to, but I can't really see anything other than the broadband sonar as being an advantage, and how much is that going to help in our waters?. I have yet to figure out how to turn "wow, that looks cool" into catching fish.

[veha44]

"Is the "shaded relief" your referring to the insight HD mapping?"

Yes, when you go into the menu you can select "shaded relief" which shades the map, or you can select 2d which gives you the regular base map that you would have on the 113.

The units still have good mapping if you go to the great lakes or the coastal waters, but if you don't do either of those, then the mapping doesn't do you much good IMO because you are going to be using a chip 99% of the time.

The coolest part of the broadband sonar is supposed to be it's ability to pick up objects at high speeds, so if you ever do any of that high speed searching Dr. Bruce Samson talks about, it should be awesome.