Topic: Any word on Autochart for 798 units?

[john h]

I have an older 798ci SI Combo (non HD) unit and the latest firmware available is Version 6.300 (Release Date: 06/11/2012).

Is there any word on an update to enable Autochart?

[CamoHunter]

I'm guessing not until sometime in July.  They haven't announced it yet.

There is a workaround, and you can use it in your 798 right now though.  Follow my tutorial at the end of this thread: http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?topic=7417.0

I just put the Humminbird instructions into an easy to follow tutorial.

[john h]

I saw that info but I am hesitant to spend my hard earned $ into a product that I need a work around to use.

I saw this post on the BBC forum that says the Autochart support for the 798 HD SI may be released late August. http://www.bbcboards.net/humminbird-sonar-gps/479554-deborah-benson-team-humminbird-re-new-software-updates-keepers.html#post4764763

That doesn't sound too good for the non HD 798s.

If the Non HD 798s don't get the update then I think I will just get a Lowrance 4M or 5M chartplotter and use Reefmaster to make make maps from my Humminbird recordings.

EDIT: As I don't have the "Water Level Offset" function enabled in the firmware, then the work around wouldn't provide me with charts I could use anyway.

[CamoHunter]

Are you sure your unit doesn't have the water level offset?  I was pretty sure that was something they've had on the units since they were released (not part of a firmware update).  It just might not show up unless you have a lakemaster chip or Autochart chip in the unit.  I'm not sure. 

As far as getting the autochart sd card going on your 798 before a firmware update, I wouldn't be so hesitant.  It is only a temporary work around, and only involves renaming a couple of folders.  When the firmware update comes out for your 798, rename the files back to their original, and it is no different than when you bought it. 

That 'work-around' is directly from Humminbird, and they have their own document stating how to do it.  Reason being, some of the older units will never get a firmware update with the autocharts changes. 

Here's the document from Humminbird.  http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/AutoChartUseW_O_SoftwareUpdate/

[Humminbird_Greg]

The special LakeMaster only features will only show up if you have a LakeMaster or AutoChart Zero Line mapping card installed in your unit.

[CamoHunter]

Also, you can do the same thing that reefmaster does to create humminbird maps, in Autochart.  (essentially it makes a contour map by using humminbird tracks).

Basically, in autocharts you create your map as usual.  Then, with the red map box over the map area, go to "Tools" -> "Create Contours".  Save the .ht file into a folder titled "MATRIX" on an SD card and put it in your unit.  Import the track file onto your unit and it will display the tracks as a contour map. 

[Beaulieu80]

I got the AutoChart north america and play all weekend with on my 798 ci HD Si combo and no map details only the defaut base line SD card countour of the lake.

I try to do the copy, renaming folders like provide by Humminbird and my unit stay GRAY when i try to use my custom map.

all i can see is a bunch of trace to my PC Software of autochart.

anyone manage to make it work?

[Beaulieu80]

I try something and now I can see all my custom maps. I have updated to unit software of 6.74 and I can now see my AuthoChart custom maps to my 798 ci HD SI unit. I will do more testing at home. but it look like i have too many layers overlapped each others on the screen which makes it hard to see the details