Navionics or C-Maps Chip

[tbetts1000]

What is the best chip option for Vermilion. I am getting a new Lowrance HDS and need some guidance.

[SkunkedAgain]

I would like to hear some opinions as well. I was "thinking" about upgrading my 10yr old Lakemaster chip but only if it offered a better map of Vermilion. I'm using a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI.

 

A large chunk of ice crushed my transducer last fall (go figure!) so I've spent some time giving my boat some TLC this spring.

[delcecchi]

 My  understanding is that there are three (3) sets of data for Vermilion.   Hot spots has a set that is 3 foot contours and that is used by various folks including Lowrance.    

 

Navionics did a survey and has a data set with 1 foot contours.   

 

Garmin did their own survey.   Also 1 foot contours.    

 

And if you choose, there are several "make your own maps" options.   

 

And the state has maps that were done by dudes with transits and chisels on the ice back in the day... Make a grid, cut holes, drop a line down.... get paid to go to college.  

[delcecchi]

On 4/11/2021 at 7:02 PM, tbetts1000 said:

What is the best chip option for Vermilion. I am getting a new Lowrance HDS and need some guidance.

I would go with Navionics or whatever offers 1 foot contours.    Probably really doesn't make any difference..

[Raven77]

The latest Lakemaster maps have 1' contours for LV.  I can't imaging there is a better combination than Lakemaster mapping, Humminbird electronics, and Minnkota trolling motors with I-pilot link all linked by ethernet.  It's a totally integrated system and all pieces are designed to work together.  Add to that Contour Elite, which allows you to  study the maps on your computer and share information back and forth from your computer and your Humminbird unit.  Sorry to hijack the thread with Humminbird stuff as I know the OP asked about Lowrance.  Not sure how Lakemaster works with Lowrance.

[Wakemup52]

I have used both and the Navionics chips come with the 1 foot contours. I prefer Humminbird products personally, and as Raven said, the LM chips made for Humminbird are impossible to beat IMO.

[chucker1101]

i've used all at one point or another, and there isn't a big difference that i can see, on V at least. One consideration is the "Follow the Contour" option, if you use a Humminbird/Minnkota trolling option. It only works with LakeMaster.

Edited April 15, 2021 by chucker1101
clarify

[delcecchi]

On 4/14/2021 at 6:47 PM, Raven77 said:

The latest Lakemaster maps have 1' contours for LV.  I can't imaging there is a better combination than Lakemaster mapping, Humminbird electronics, and Minnkota trolling motors with I-pilot link all linked by ethernet.  It's a totally integrated system and all pieces are designed to work together.  Add to that Contour Elite, which allows you to  study the maps on your computer and share information back and forth from your computer and your Humminbird unit.  Sorry to hijack the thread with Humminbird stuff as I know the OP asked about Lowrance.  Not sure how Lakemaster works with Lowrance.

 

Did "lakemaster"   re-survey the lake, or is this data from Navionics?     Trying to keep ownership straight.    Hummingbird owns Lakemaster it appears although it is a little ambiguous. Johnson outdoors owns Hummingbird.     Garmin owns Navionics.     Navico owns Lowrance and C-Maps.     

 

I used to think there were only 3 sets of data for Vermilion, the OG Lakemaster 3 foot, Navionics 1 foot, and Garmin 1 foot.   Then Garmin acquired Navionics.    And now we have three families of stuff to consider for electronics and trolling motors.    And since nothing works with the other brands it becomes a real decision which one to get locked into and no source of unbiased uncorrupted objective information.....

[SkunkedAgain]

I hear you. I wasn't "thinking" about that when I upgraded my Minnkota trolling motor about five years ago. Had I been, I would have switched so that it worked with my Lowrance. Maybe whenever I upgrade my graph I'll switch over to Hummingbird. It is all confusing.

 

BTW - I did ordered a new Navionics lake map chip so I'll see if it's much of an improvement.

[papadarv]

Comparison between Navionics and Lakemaster.

https://sportfishingbuddy.com/navionics-vs-lakemaster/

 

In 2004 Johnson Control started buying Lakemaster, Humminbird & Minkota - made everything porparithy to only work on Johnson Control products. Lowrance than teamed with Motor Guide and Navionics making a compatible fishing system to Johnson Control. Navionics also made there 1' contour maps available on the web with the Boating App where Contour Elete is on a windows computer limited software. (Computers do not have GPS chips.) Lowrance also created there C-Map to work on there product line. 

 

I use Navionics Boating App $15 annual subscription on my Samsung phone and Samsung 10" tablet. Both have dual GPS and GLONASS chipset (USA/Russia navigation) 3ft. accuracy on the lake linked to my Vex Sonar. Very effective at a very low cost. Offers a super planning tool compared to lakemaster. You can also get lakemaster on your smart phone using the FishSmart App @ $10 to $30 per lake.

 

My son has a Humminbird set up on his boat running Follow the Contour. I ran test on contour and sonar depth accuracy following a 19 ft. contour. Both Navionics and Lakemaster were not 100% accurate both at times varied between 11 ft. and 26 ft. about 5% of time. Most of the route was spot on most of the time. The lake was Ottertail with fantastic structure variation. My opinion, both maps are equal in quality. Navionics offers a greater comparable equipment use.

Edited April 16, 2021 by papadarv

[delcecchi]

Is there a corporate connection between Johnson Controls and Johnson Outdoors, other than that they are both named Johnson?  

[gimruis]

I use Lake Insight Pro with my Lowrance units.  I used to have Navionics but was advised to switch over to Lake Insight for accuracy.

 

20 years ago when I started using modern GPS/mapping, Lakemaster was still compatible with Lowrance.  In fact my iFinder H20C still uses a Lakemaster chip.  I think its 2007.

 

The nice part about Humminbird is that they can sync up with Minn Kota.  The problem is that when you've used Lowrance for 20 years, you're very familiar with their operating system and if I tried to switch at this point it would be like trying to learn a foreign language.

Edited April 16, 2021 by gimruis

[papadarv]

3 hours ago, delcecchi said:

Is there a corporate connection between Johnson Controls and Johnson Outdoors, other than that they are both named Johnson?  

My bad. Johnson Outdoors, not Johnson Controls owns Humminbird, Lakemaster, Minkota etc. There is no connection between Johnson Outdoors and Johnson Controls.

https://www.johnsonoutdoors.com/history.

Edited April 16, 2021 by papadarv

[Skibo]

On 4/16/2021 at 9:33 AM, SkunkedAgain said:

I hear you. I wasn't "thinking" about that when I upgraded my Minnkota trolling motor about five years ago. Had I been, I would have switched so that it worked with my Lowrance. Maybe whenever I upgrade my graph I'll switch over to Hummingbird. It is all confusing.

 

BTW - I did ordered a new Navionics lake map chip so I'll see if it's much of an improvement.

Skunked - I've always been Lowrance.  A friend suggested buying one smaller Humminbird to connect to the Minnkota.  I did just that with a 9" and have since upgraded to a 12", and have been very happy with the setup.  I prefer the Lowrance/Navionics for navigation, and the Humminbird with their Side Imaging for fishing.

Edited April 20, 2021 by Skibo

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[mbeyer]

Going to revive this thread...

 

The LakeMaster chip for Helix Series and MinKota Terrova....is it only Lake Vermilion or all Minnesota. What chip do I buy??

[FishinCT]

The lakemaster Minnesota chip will be all of Minnesota and border waters. I got a new boat rigged with all the humminbird and minnkota stuff last year. Bought the lakemaster premium vx chip. It’s pricey but it is freakin awesome