Humminbird Side Imaging Forums

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: JDavid on April 14, 2010, 10:08:36 PM

Title: Alabama River maps?
Post by: JDavid on April 14, 2010, 10:08:36 PM

Hello everyone,

(First post by the way)

I am looking at getting a 898 or 998- I have never delt with a plotter/GPS unit before so I know very little about their mapping capabilities, do they come with a decent base map, that would at least show the boundaries of the Alabama river or is there a card required/available that would show the river in more detail? Thanks in advance for any help.

JDavid

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: RGecy on April 15, 2010, 02:37:30 AM

JDavid,

Welcome to the forum.  The base map is pretty lack luster.  I would recommend getting a card.

If you do a search for 898 vs 998 you will find some good discussions on the differences in the two units.

Good Luck,

Robert

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: JDavid on April 15, 2010, 02:00:04 PM

Thanks Robert,

I talked to Navionics earlier and they do cover  the section of the Alabama river I am looking for.

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: mcguire2093 on April 19, 2010, 10:41:43 AM

Hummingbird's side image is a work of art. I love Hummingbird. Without navionics the base maps not any good. Now that they came out with all the lakes in Alabama, Hummingbird works good. The only one is the Alabama River. You are running on land sometimes, if you didn't know anything about the river the Hummingbird GPS wouldn't be any good. At least you wouldn't get lost.All you would have to do is follow your track back, if you make it.

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: sonar2000 on April 19, 2010, 12:30:13 PM

One thing to consider is the map datum and the unit datum.  The datum is selectable on the unit and must match the map.  WGS 84 may be the most common but if yours has been changed in the unit you be on the water but  show on land..  Ran across this on a search when we were on WGS 84 and the map we were plotting to was a NADS 27.
But as Mcquire said,  just follow your tracks back. 
Chuck

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: Blackwaterkatz on April 20, 2010, 05:42:28 AM

The included base map isn't bad for a lot of areas, but I found that on some of the smaller inland rivers, it doesn't even show them on the map, and unfortunately there are no available cards for the HB that will work, either, at least that I've been able to find.  It would be nice if there were a way to make customized maps for use in these units.

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: JDavid on April 20, 2010, 10:44:01 PM

Thanks Tommy/Chuck/Mcguire,

If I get lost on the river I need to have my butt kicked- I grew up on it 'fishin and skiing, what I want the more detailed maps for is to mark those "interesting" fishy places I am going to find with my side imaging unit.... ;-)

Title: Re: Alabama River maps?
Post by: mcguire2093 on April 23, 2010, 11:57:30 AM

If you get lost on the river you don't need to be in a boat. The river only goes left or right. If you want to mark a spot when you find a good spot just mark it and you can go right back without a detailed map. The gps will take you there without a detailed map. GPS don't need a detailed map to show you the spot again.I would like to have more defined map just to have it.  JDAVID