Lake Master and Custom GPS map Q's

[cluelessfisherman]

Well, time for me to get with the latest technology and not rely entirely on Clueless luck anymore.

Hope someone can help me out with a few of my questions.

There was a discussion a while back about the Lake Master maps and how they came out with a package with 250 lakes instead of the 101. Is fishingmn planning on carrying this package in the near future?
Also, if I read correcely, the maps show only 5 foot depth changes (unless I get a Mille or Leech reel bottom - which I won't because I don't fish them exclusively) - do the CUSTOM Maps show better contours than the 5 feet? There are some lakes on the lake master list that fall under the 13,000 acre requirement, and I would be willing to purchase a custom map of a few of those IF it shows better structure/depth etc.. Not to mention some much smaller personal favorite lakes that I may have to order.

Also, does anyone know of any plans for a Rainy/LOW map? If there is, is it strictly in the US side, or does it extend into Canada?

Thanks for your help!

------------------
Clueless - -

[Guest]

The custom maps system uses the DNR maps. Go to the Minnesota DNR site and take a look at a map and that is exactly what you will get. These are not mass-produced because what is the chance someone else will want some of the smaller lakes. As an order comes in, they are each custom calibrated but the original DNR map is what is used. This is not mass-production and this is the reason why you can choose any lake. This is an incredible service.

However, what you will also get is the ability to take this map, upload and download waypoints to a handheld GPS, upload and download tracks to see where you have been fishing or to save a favorite trolling pass, etc.

There is no way to make a business case for the smaller lakes to do the < 5 foot accuracy. A company cannot custom depth sound a lake and then sell one map for a few dollars and make up for the thousands of dollars this would cost to depth sound each lake.

The custom maps are a great way to help you cut down on driving around lakes for hours trying to find structure.

The current prices on the site are $19.95 for one, $44.95 for 3. However, FM will be posting another new price point for a large set of custom maps. The price will be a set of 10 for $69.95. Send FM a comment if you would like to order one now.

[Guest]

Forgot to mention the 13,000 acre topic. It is true the Custom Lake Maps doesn't calibrate lakes over 13,000 but there are only approximately 8 lakes in MN that are this large.

There are over 4500 lakes in Minnesota the DNR has maps for so that leaves 4492 left that can be calibrated. Choose the lakes you wish, and Custom Lake Maps will provide them for you. You won't find anyone else who will do this for you. Try it, you won't be disappointed. Don't pay for 250 maps if you are only going to use 3 or 4. Buy the maps you want.

Also, if the service determines that a lake map is too old and out of date from the DNR they will verify this for free and refund your money if they are not confident in the quality of the end result.

[AaronM]

So what about Lake of the Woods?

[lakevet]

Sounds like a no brainer. RAM is it.

Thanks
Lakevet

[Guest]

Lake of the Woods is not covered in the Custom Lakes Maps as it is one of the 8 laregest in MN. DNR doesn't have maps for this.

[cluelessfisherman]

Thanks for the replies Kirsch. The reason I asked about the custom map contours is because I couldn't find any information as to if they were 5 foot or 1 foot depth changes on the custom map change.

Do you know if there are plans to have a map of LOW or Rainy? Even if they were in sections much like the maps are we buy - Northwest, southeast etc...

Also, does FishingMinnesota plan to carry the 250 lake package? if not, I will buy elsewhere, but would rather support this site.

Thanks again!

------------------
Clueless - -

[Rick]

Everything that Lakemaster offers is automatically included when you order here. It's always the latest model. Sometimes our site doesn't keep up with it.

Rest assured you will get the 255 lakes when you order here.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-24-2003).]

[Scott Steil]

Kirsch's maps are nice. I had him do a couple lakes in SD that are hard to fish. The coordinates were right on and it is a very useful tool. These are lakes that you will not find on lakemaster. I got to see the map he did of Ottertail also, very impressive.

Lakemaster is still nice if you are looking at their Reelbottom series for lakes such as Mille Lacs and Leech.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[cluelessfisherman]

Thanks for letting me know Rick. I will definately put in an order.

As for LOW, I was just curious if they would be coming out with something much like they have for Eerie. Thanks rmkrat for letting me know - do you know if it will be real bottom or not? Thats a huge lake to do real bottom for, but I think a lot of people would pay good $$ for it.

Scott - you said Lakemaster is nice if getting the reelbottom series - how are the regular lake maps with the 5 foot contours? I have never seen one on a gps unit before, so this is all new for me. I don't fish either Mille or Leech, so I'm not sure I would need the reelbottom series. I would probably get the Minnesota package and then get a few of my smaller lakes custom mapped.

Thanks again guys!

------------------
Clueless - -

[rmrakt]

They were trying for the 3 foot contours and I just heard they were pushing for the 1st of June now for it's release.

Great maps and Rick has the best prices.

[rmrakt]

Lakemaster rep told me they were planning on releasing their version of the LOW maps in about 6 months.

[Scott Steil]

Lakemasters base maps with 5 ft contours are pretty poor. They are a map though. The contours and structure are usually off quite a bit. I beleive they are DNR maps also. I really don't use the 250 lakes offered by Lakemaster. I have found they are so far off that it really isn't worth marking waypoints off the map unless you are just looking for a general area.

The reelbottom maps are impressive and I have found them to be extremely accurate. I have heard a few good things about there proseries maps. These are the maps that Lakemaster is doing now. It was my understanding that most of the lakes Lakemaster is doing on their own will be in 3ft contours now.

------------------
Mille Lacs Guide Service
www.millelacsguideservice.com

[cluelessfisherman]

Ok, Just a few more questions.

Is Lakemaster doing the 3 foot contours for the 100 or so lakes, or are they just doing it for certain lakes? Are those expected to be more accurate than the 5 foot contour ones are now?
Perhaps the best thing for me to do is just get the 5 or 6 lakes I primarily fish custom mapped to ensure a little more accuracy. But can larger lakes like Cass/Pike Bay be custom mapped? Or should I just wait till June for the new maps?

Sorry guys!
The questions will all end someday... lol

------------------
Clueless - -

[Guest]

Pike Bay is not too large to be custom calibrated but I just checked out the DNR map for this lake and it doesn't seem very detailed so with what you have indicated in previous threads, I wouldn't recommend having this lake custom calibrated.

Cass is one of those lakes that is above 13,000 acres limit, but I have done both North Cass and South Cass. They are two seperate maps and have been calibrated adn would count as two maps.

[Rick]

Here is a little more info for ReelBottom LakeMaps:

They are now mapped in CD-ROM for:
Mille Lacs, Minnetonka, Leech, Gull and White Bear Lake. These are done in 1' contours and are highly accurate.

They are also mapped in waterproof maps for:
Mille Lacs, Leech, Gull and White Bear Lake. These are also done in 1' contours, are highly accurate, even adjusted for the curvature of the earth.

We have a lot of different map info for you below.

Just click here and enjoy.

[Rick]

Hi Redbeard,
could you clarify...
I'm 99% sure you are talking about the ReelBottom Chip ..Navionics?

If so, then you most likely have a jewel on your hands. The Navionics chip is new, so there may be some bugs that haven't been identified yet. Once I believe the bugs have been worked out we will offer it here.

The ReelBottomMapping process is Highly Precise with respect to depths and GPS locations. The only variable that will affect you is natural lake depth fluctuations.

The ReelBottom CD-ROM and Paper Map (you have the ReelBottom chip), have proven to be very accurate lake maps. Users are very happy with these lake maps. It really gives you a leg up on any other lake map out there and other anglers who don't have it.

You can get more info and best pricing by clicking here.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 04-28-2003).]

[Guest]

Yes. The CD Reel Bottom 1 ft contuors Mille Lacs and Leech. The mmc card is Reel Bottom also with 4 lakes 1 ft contours. I bought both from Lake Masters. I know the mmc card is made by Navionics. I hope there are no bugs with the mmc but you never know. I am supposed to get the chip May 5th or 6th. Sorry I didn't make myself more clear on this.

[Guest]

I have purchased the CD from Lake Masters for Mille Lacs 1 ft contours. I am hoping that this is as accurate as they told me. I was comparing this to the Tutt's map. They seem to be pretty close as far as names and depths. I have a global map 3200. So I talked the wife into letting me buy the mmc card they are selling. I have always used Tutt's map and a hand held gps. I am new to this mapping stuff. Did I waste money on buying the mmc card?

[avrg.joe]

Can someone clarify if the mmc chip provides 1' contour on the gps. It is my understanding it is 5'. Anyone useing a standard horizon wit the c-map chip?

[Guest]

I am new to this mmc chips. So I could be wrong but from my understanding this what I know. I purchased from Lake Masters a mmc chip with 4 lakes. Mille Lacs, Leech, Gull and I am not sure of the forth. All have 1 ft contours. I think the hot spots mmc has 3 ft contours but more lakes depending on the region you buy. The Lake Masters chip is made with Reel Bottom and the chips made by Navionics. The Lake Maps mmc is $199.00. The hot spots is $129.00. I have Lowrance global Map 3200.

[vikes40for60]

Redbeard -

White Bear Lake is the forth Reel Bottom Lake on the MMC card by Lake Master Software. I also have pre-ordered this MMC card for my x-15 specfically for Mille Lacs. I saw the demo of the MMC card at the boat show and am eagar to use myself. Looks like it will be REAL nice.

Secondly I have used the Hot Spots MMC card and it is WAY OFF on Mille Lacs but on thr money on Lake of the Woods. Hmmmmm.

Average Joe-
Yes they are 1 ft contours on the MMC chip. :-)

[This message has been edited by vikes40for60 (edited 04-28-2003).]

[WalleyeSnob]

i just bought the reel bottom mille lacs 1 ft contour and like everyone else i am excited to see how accurate it is
i never knew about these mmc cards but i was wondering does the mmc card just put the entire map on your graph
does it show your boat moving along the contours
or is it just for personal convenience of not having to go to your computer to get the coords before you go fishing ??
lakemaster sure doesnt give very good defintions of their products
thanks for enlightening me

[Guest]

I just got my Reelbottom MMC card today. Just got done playing with it in the garage. I was impressed. They have the general contours on out to something like 33 miles. You can set it on a 8 or 4 mile zoom and watch your boat drive to spots a fair distance away. The detail goes up slightly at 2 miles and the 1 foot stuff kicks in at 1 mile. They got the bugs out that I saw when i played with it at the sportshow. Looks like they did a great job. I can't wait to test it out this weekend. Also I just noticed on the website they have a utility update so you can do a direct waypoint download to the MMc cart. if you have map create 6. I'll have channel 69 on. We need to come up with a FM call sign.

[This message has been edited by CaptainCurt (edited 05-07-2003).]

[Guest]

I got my Reelbottom mmc yesterday w/1ft contours. Can't wait to try it out. I will post how it works.

[bigeyes]

Got my chip yesterday as well. Only had a couple of minutes to play with it. I like the way it shows the different flats from a few miles out(my cd doesn't) I also like how fast these things are processing at when you zoom in. Mine redraws the screen right away(my cd is a little slow). I can't wait to get this out and use it, but from what I can tell they really got it right this time.

[Rick]

Mille Lacs Lake Anglers.

Please note that the

ReelBottom maps are highly accurate and has an edition dedicated to just

Mille Lacs Lake.

Check out the ReelBottom Maps Mille Lacs anglers!!!

CLICK HERE to get more info or to order yours

And these ReelBottom have no peer right now (although ProMap Series dies come very close).

So if your talking about any other map, just remember, you're only getting maybe: GIS, satellite imagery, and a few spots a few guys have given GPS coordinates for.

Those with ReelBottom and ProMaps have a huge advantage in finding those fish holding spots - Before they even leave their house or office. Then they get on the water with it!!!

No more following the other guy, you will have the spots mapped and ready to go From your ReelBottom Mille Lacs Map coordinates in your GPS or from your MMC chip.

[lumpy]

Was on Mille Lacs last weekend for the first time with my new mmc realbottom chip. It puts you on the exact structure where you want to fish. Pick a spot to go to and your gps will tell you how far and how much time it will take to get there. You can zoom in to the highest detail.
Now if I only could catch some slot fish. Got blown off the lake last Friday afternoon after found a spot and started catching fish. Anyone else get in that storm last Friday? The clammed up on Saturday when we went back out.