Topic: Lake Master vs Navionics chip

[Bombercraw]

Hello all,

I will be going to Lake Fork this spring and need to buy some chips that cover that area.  The only chips I have ever used for my area in KY have been Navionics.  Any pro's and cons of each?  Which would be best for the Lake Fork area?

Thanks

[ALOTANOTA]

When I purchased my LakeMaster card the salesman tried to talk me out of getting it. The Navionics has more lakes in my area but LakeMaster had my home lake so it was not a hard choice for me.

[Humminbird_Greg]

According to the lake list for the LakeMaster MidSouth States Version 1 map card, Fork lake is covered as a High Definition lake.  That means all of the additional features in your 998c Si unit (Water Level Offset, Depth Highlight, Depth Highlight Range, Shallow Water Highlight and Follow the Contour) will work for you on that lake.

[freezerfiller]

Something to realize is that on the Lakemaster card, if it is not a "High Definition" lake, it is a NO definition lake (shows blue as water, no depths whatsoever).  Definitely a con in my book.   If you do have the I pilot link, that follow the contour is really cool.  I ended up buying both, as I frequent too many No definition lakes not to have the Navionics, but still wanted to be able to use my ipilot link when I was elsewhere.

[Bombercraw]

Thanks for the responses guys.  How does the Lakemaster compare to Navionics on lakes where Lakemaster offers HD?  Is one better than the other?  Are there more options or better detail with one vs the other?  I have Navionics for my local lakes but have no experience at all with the Lakemaster.

[freezerfiller]

I'd say they are very comparable as far as data goes on the lakes I've looked at here in GA.  The lakemaster offers more features such as water level offset, shallow water highlight, and depth range highlight which gives it the edge in my book on the HD lakes.

[Bombercraw]

Thanks Freezerfiller !!!  That is great info.

[SkeeterMatt]

so if a lake is not HD then all these fancy features they advertise are useless? If so, I will have a mid south lakes card for sale as soon as it arrives in the mail.

[freezerfiller]

That is correct.  But why not just return it?

[SkeeterMatt]

one more question:

This from the product lake list
Bold = high definition survey
Bold* = LakeMaster high definition survey

Will they both utilize all the map features or only the LakeMaster HD lakes?
Thanks

[N9Phil]

Why not check Chart Select and see if your lake is listed?  If it is you can get just that lake and see the advantages that you will have while using the Humminbird equipmant.

https://chartselect.humminbird.com/

[SkeeterMatt]

good idea thanks. it is listed as HD but cost $20. that makes me feel better. one list I saw didn't have categorized as HD but the version 2 chip does.

[rnvinc]

Here is the difference in LakeMaster standard definition and LakeMaster HD ...

Both can use the unique features of LakeMaster with HB units ...

http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Technology/Lakemaster/

Rickie

[SkeeterMatt]

thanks Rickie....I thought I had a 998c HD SI but I found out it is a 998 c SI. Will the HD maps still have the HD detail on my unit? Last question 

[Humminbird_Greg]

good idea thanks. it is listed as HD but cost $20. that makes me feel better. one list I saw didn't have categorized as HD but the version 2 chip does.

All of the ChartSelect maps are HD versions.
From the Humminbird web site: "Choose from over 1300 High Definition, 1 foot contour maps, with full access and compatibility for all the exclusive LakeMaster features"

998c Si or 998ci HD Si model makes no difference, they both will be able to display the HD maps, use the exclusive LakeMaster features and work with an iPilot Link trolling motor.

[mako9man2]

I have used both Navionics and LakeMaster with my HB999.  I sold by Navionics to a fishing buddy(in hind site a mistake) and use the LakeMaster exclusively simply because it has the Depth Offset feature that allows me to adjust lake levels.  Here in North Texas with our lake levels down significantly it has been invaluable.  My Minn Kota iPilot does not have the contour following feature so I can't use that.

The biggest difference I saw between the two cards (other than depth offset) was that Navionics shows more detail relative to structure.  If there are boat houses and docks they are clearly shown on the Navionics.  Areas of standing timber are also shown. I really miss that as the LakeMaster does not show any of that detail.   

To get the best of both I probably need to run with both cards in my HB.

[SkeeterMatt]

mako, I too have Navionics and like the info about flooded timber, submerged veg etc. I plan on doing what you suggested about running both cards, one at front and one at bow. I fish Lake Travis a lot so I wanted the depth offset since it's been +/- 50'  low for going on 3 years.
Thanks for all the info guys.....