Topic: Lakemaster Maps

[Ohio Archer]

Spent the day "playing" with my new Helix 7.  Looking at me from the shore you'd have sworn I was drunk...back and forth, circling over humps, ridges, trees and brush.  The DI and SI are the bee's knees.

But the GPS and Lakemaster map seem to be off.  Not sure which is the culprit or if it is even a problem.  The map is off by 30-50 yds compared to the actual depth readings I was getting.  Example:  there is a hump about 300 yds from the ramp I put in at.  The map showed my coming off the opposite side before I had even reached it.  Other times the depth showed I was in 10-13" of water when the map showed me in 25+ approx. 30+ yds away.  Is this normal?  I can read the map and get close then go off of sonar if need be.

Since this is all new to me I have nothing to compare it to other than my truck GPS.

[Bob B]

If this lake has a lot of water level fluctuations, it is possible the water level is higher than when the map was made.
You can do a water level offset to adjust to the actual water depth.

[rnvinc]

In addition to what Bob mentions ... :

There have been reports in the past where a full track point library causes weird chart and mapping issues ...

Try clearing the current track ... If that doesn't help, there is the Map Offset Under the Chart tab ...

Just remember to clear the Map Offset when going to a different part of the lake (the new part of the lake may not be "off" on the map ...due the block sections that the map card companies entail in the mapping card compilation) ...

Rickie

[Ohio Archer]

I used the water level offset in the Charts menu to begin with since the lake is 3'-4' low. That part seemed to be ok.  My location on the map seemed to be off right from the start but I'll clear the tracks the next time out.  30-50 yds seems a bit much.  There's a 2'-4' difference in depth between the Helix and the Eagle 480 (most prevalent in deeper water), but I attribute that to the depth of the transducer on the trolling motor and the angle of the Helix transducer on the stern in order to have a useable picture on plane. 

The Helix seems to be a terrific unit.  With it and the Lakemaster card I've learned more about the lake I've been fishing in the last coupe of weeks than I did in the previous years fishing it.  I cut my teeth on the bowl lakes in FL...these deep, northern reservoirs have been tough to figure out.

[bobcoy]

Is your Lakes map in Lakemaster surveyed HD or standard definition. My experience with their standard definition maps are subject to large errors. The same lake in their HD surveys are excellent. Bob

[Ohio Archer]

The lake I'm fishing (Caesar Creek, Warren, OH) is in Bold but does not have an asterisk (not a Lakemaster survey HD map). So I guess it will have the position error I'm seeing. The contours seem to be correct but my indicated boat position is off. It's something I can live with now that I know what the issue is. There are a couple of other lakes around here I will try out to see if the charts are off. This weekend may be the last time I get out before the weather gets too cold and I put the boat up for the season.

Appreciate the help for all of you.

[bobcoy]

 Make sure you are adjusting your depth offset from your actual depth. Go to a flat and make the contour on the map match the actual depth on your unit. You don't know the elevation they used to make the contours. Hd but not "lakemaster hd" should be somewhat more accurate than standard. Make sure you set the map offset to something stationary( a bridge or some other feature like that). Bob

[Ohio Archer]

I've set the depth offset for the lower lake level but the Lakemaster card removes the Map Offset feature. Not sure why they did that...it would make it a simple fix.

[bobcoy]

I recall now that is not a lakemaster option. A long shot but, under the Navigation tab there is an option for "Map Datum" It is the default setting but should be WGS 84. Bob

[Ohio Archer]

Spent the day on the lake yesterday.  Tried something I found when playing with the Helix on my workbench.  While the Lakemaster card does not allow for a "Map Offset", removing the card and doing a guestimate map offset adjustment then reinserting the card seemed to work.  After doing that my chart plotting seemed to be much closer.  But this way is a stop gap measure at best.

One thing I noticed on the GPS side is the unit fluctuates from 2D to 3D to Enhanced.  But at no time does it give a Est Pos Er figure.  Is that normal?

[bobcoy]

If you re in open water,(not somewhere there are trees or other objects close by) It should give you an enhanced reading. It should give you an epe unless it never settles. Your positioning of the unit in reference to objects in the boat that could block a clear view of the sky. Even you block some of the satellite view just looking at the unit. Depending on where it is mounted you might think about an external GPS puck. Bob
 

[Ohio Archer]

No trees, open water in the middle of the lake. Unit is mounted on a ram mount next to the console. The top of the unit is the highest thing other than my head. Should have a clear view of the satellites. 14 satellites are showing on the one picture I took with no EPE listed. There were more and sometimes less as I watched it throughout the day.

Roger on the gps puck. Hoping not to have to do that...another added expense.

EDIT:  The 7 doesn't support an external GPS.  At least according to the HB website.

[bobcoy]

Bummer! That's what it said when I looked also. Hope you get something to help other than external GPS. Bob

[rnvinc]

I'm afraid the HELIX 7 is not compatible with an external GPS antenna ...

Humminbird
HELIX 7 SI GPS
Side Imaging GPS


 
OVERVIEW
HELIX 7 SI GPS | HELIX 7 Series | 409850-1

Sometimes, you need every possible weapon at your disposal. Days like these call for the HELIX™ 7 SI GPS and its full arsenal of amazing technologies, including Side Imaging®, Down Imaging® and SwitchFire® Sonar. The seven-inch widescreen is the perfect canvas for your choice of split-screen views. The single card slot accommodates Humminbird® LakeMaster®, AutoChart™ and AutoChart™ Pro, as well as Navionics® Gold/HotMaps. Leading-edge technology has never been closer in reach.
Price: $699.99

TECHNOLOGY
     
SPECS  |  SUPPORT
Display Size - Diagonal:7"
Display Pixel Matrix:800H x 480V
Display Type:Color TFT
Display Colors Grayscale:256 Colors
Sonar Standard:Side Imaging/Down Imaging/DualBeam PLUS
Standard Sonar Coverage:20°, 60° & (2) 85° @ -10db (Total of 180°)
Standard Sonar Frequency:200/83/455 kHz
Target Separation:2.5"
Power Output RMS:500 Watts
Power Output Peak to Peak:4000 Watts
Depth Capability:100 ft (SI), 1500 ft
Temperature:Included
Speed:GPS Speed Included
Backlight:LED
Unit Size - Gimbal Mount:10.54"W x 5.44"H x 1.13"D
Mount A Type:Gimbal Mount
Unit Size - Indash Mount:10.54"W x 5.80"H x 3.68"D
Mount B Unit Size2:Optional In-Dash
Mounting Options:Gimbal or Optional In-Dash
Transducer Standard:XNT 9 SI 180 T
Transducer Mounting:Transom
Power Input:10-20 VDC
Power Draw:800 mA
GPS Receiver:Included
GPS Tracking:Included
GPS Chartplotting:Included
Waypoints, Routes, Tracks/Points:2,500, 45, 50/20,000
Humminbird Mapping:Optional
Navionics Gold/HotMaps:Optional
Navionics Platinum+:Not Supported
Platinum Capable:Not Supported
C-Map 4D:Not Supported
360 Imaging:Not Supported
i-Pilot Link:Not Supported
HD Radar:Not Supported
NMEA 2000:Not Supported
5 Port Expansion Module:Not Supported
WeatherSense:Not Supported
Precision GPS:Included
Heading Sensor GPS:Not Supported
PC Connect:Optional
External GPS Receiver:Not Supported
AS Interlink:Not Supported
AIS Compatability:Not Supported
SwitchFire Sonar:Included
Screen Snap Shot:Included
Sonar Recording:Included
Humminbird PC:Included
Upgradable Internal Software:Included
Split Screen Zoom:Included
Split Screen Bottom Lock:Included
3D Chart View:Included
Large Digits View:Included
Wide/Narrow Cone Split Screen:Included
Custom View Selections:Included
Custom Digital Readout:Included
View Preset Keys:Not Supported
Temperature Graph:Not Supported
Temperature Alarm:Included
Freeze Frame:Included
Instant Image Update:Included
Mark Structure on Sonar:Included
Selective Fish ID+:Included
Real Time Sonar:Included
Triplog:Included
X-Press Menu System:Included
Card Reader Available:Yes
# Card Slots:1
Domestic CHO:n/a
Intl Portable:n/a
Hardware:MHX XNT
Transducer 2:XNT 9 SI 180 T
Bronze Thru Hull:N/A
Plastic Thru Hull:XPTH 9 HDSI 180 T
Puck:N/A
Trolling Motor:XTM 9 SI 180 T
Angled Puck:N/A
Portable 2:N/A
Bronze 3-n-1:N/A

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-7-SI-GPS/

Rickie

[rnvinc]

The lake I'm fishing (Caesar Creek, Warren, OH) is in Bold but does not have an asterisk (not a Lakemaster survey HD map). So I guess it will have the position error I'm seeing. The contours seem to be correct but my indicated boat position is off. It's something I can live with now that I know what the issue is. There are a couple of other lakes around here I will try out to see if the charts are off. This weekend may be the last time I get out before the weather gets too cold and I put the boat up for the season.

Appreciate the help for all of you.

I feel your above post would be your best scenario for checking next ... Trying a different lake ...

With your lake not being surveyed by LakeMaster ...the data LakeMaster has for that lake may simply just be "Off" ...

This is when the "Map Offset" feature in the unit could be utilized ...

Rickie

[Ohio Archer]

According to Humminbird CS, the Map Offset feature is disabled when using a Lakemaster chart card. They told me it is for the Navionics cards. Not sure why they would disable a feature for their own setup but it is what it is.

"Thank you for contacting Humminbird. We appreciate your interest in our products.
 
 The Map offset feature is only applicable for Navionics charts.  Check the GPS Diagnostic view and confirm the fix type and also confirm that you have adjusted the Water Level Offset in the Chart Menu.
 
If we can assist you further on this subject or any other Humminbird related questions please feel free email us again or contact our Customer Resource Center at 1-800-633-1468 to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Our hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 
Good Boating and Fishing!
Denise"

[rnvinc]

According to Humminbird CS, the Map Offset feature is disabled when using a Lakemaster chart card. They told me it is for the Navionics cards. Not sure why they would disable a feature for their own setup but it is what it is.
 
 The Map offset feature is only applicable for Navionics charts. 

And I learned something today also then ...

Rickie

[rnvinc]

Do you know anyone with a HB unit that you could test the LakeMaster card in ... ??

Rickie

[Ohio Archer]

The parents of one of our archery kids has a boat and electronics but I'm not sure what brand or model. I'll ask and see if it is compatible. 

[rnvinc]

The parents of one of our archery kids has a boat and electronics but I'm not sure what brand or model. I'll ask and see if it is compatible. 

This would be the way to confirm/verify if the issue is the mapping card data or a unit issue ...

Rickie