Doc Samson on Lowrance, GPS, Sonar, Mapping etc.

My website is finally up again. I will be at the Boat Show (Crystal-Pierz) today and answers questions tonight.

Good to meet you at the Boat Show today Doc! I really enjoyed our conversation and look forward to attending one of your shows. Thanks for all the information regarding the mapping software. I will get on the stick and contact the Dr. Depth people. If I end up getting the software I’ll let you know. I forgot to ask you, If I acquire data with Dr. Depth on the lake, what mapping software would I use to make the maps with contour lines rather than just color gradients? I will mention to the creator of Dr. Depth that I would like to see the contour lines incorporated into the program.

By the way, my three boys (you know, the ones climbing all over the Crestliner we were standing by ) were quite impressed to meet a real live professional fisherman!

Thanks,

TwoBear

Other than using my GPSs for trolling and marking waypoints I know very little about all their uses as I haven’t bothered to go any further in learning until now. Just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t affecting the chip at all as it says if you do you will lose whats on the chip. As you can see I’m basicly a beginner trying to go deeper into learning. My GPS have served me well for what I have used them for but now I want to learn more. I watched your 1st video on GPS again the other night and learned more the 2nd time watching it. The more I get into GPS the more I will learn. Kinda slow at the new stuff [atleast new to me] but slowly getting there. Thanks for the help. Now that I know I can’t ruin a chip from the emulator [wanted to play it safe] I can play around with it more and learn. Your reply that you gave me [which I copied and pasted below answered my question. THANKS].

Thanks, Bill

Bill,

When you add waypoints to the emulator, they have nothing to do with a LakeMaster or Navionics card; they are saved in the emulator’s memory. If you want to move the waypoints on the emulator you need to save the data to a card and put that card in your boat GPS and load the waypoint file. When you create a new waypoint on an emulator or a boat GPS, it is saved to the unit’s internal memory and has nothing to do with a map card. They will display on your unit at the same time the map card displays it’s map. So, the waypoint seems to be related to the card but it isn’t. Long story and I hope it explains it well enough, if not ask for more.

TwoBear,
3DField will take the data and make color map with lines.
Bill,
I don’t advise using LakeMaster and Navionics cards with an emulator based on information from those map companies. Cards can become corrupted by doing it rarely but you have to buy a new map card if it becomes corrupted.

Thanks for the heads up Doc. This is what I was afraid of and wanted to know for sure so I don’t lose whats on the chips. THANKS.
Thanks, Bill

ps. As long as a person doesn’t make and kind of markings etc would you be ok using the chip with the emulator just for viewing the chips?

Bill,
I can’t recommend viewing them on the emulator because Navionics and LakeMaster don’t recommend it because you can still have problems.

Thanks Doc. I guess I’ll have to be a good boy and just use the emulators without the chips. Its nice to know this stuff so we don’t ruin our chips. Thanks for the information.
Thanks, Bill

Doc, I just placed my order for your DVD Part 2.

Guys, if you are wanting to learn how to get more out of your GPS and sonar Docs DVDs on Lowrance GPSs are very informational. He explains things in a very common language way so even beginners can understand what he is teaching. In order to be able to use these GPS units more fully these DVDS are a must have item. They can be ordered from his website. http://www.hightechfishing.com/ or from Wade at Jolly Ann Marine.

Thanks, Bill

walleye4,

I missed your question above. I prefer color displays. there is a reason there are no black and white TVs and computer screens. Price is the only reason to buy B & W and someday the prices will be closer and then there won’t be a choice. I have never used the Fish Reveal so I know nothing!

Morning Doc!

Is there a way to change a trail into a route easily without the aid of the computer software? If so, how?

Thanks!

BrainK,
Place waypoints on key turns on the trail and create a route from the waypoints using the Route planning feature on the Lowrance MAIN MENU.

Thanks Doc,

I thought there might be a “one button” conversion.

I didn’t see this question asked before…

Again, without using a computer…can I back up my waypoints and routes in case my gps/sonar fails or heaven forbid gets stolen?

BrianK,
Go to these links for detailed instructions on waypoint backup and management of waypoints.
http://www.hightechfishing.com/advancedwaypoint.html
http://www.hightechfishing.com/advancedwaypoint2.html

That’s it Doc, thanks!

Hi Doc!
Are there any compatabilty issues with last years units,ie…332&111 with the current models being offered in regards to networking them together?

When using a mapping chip ie:lakemaster,in a multi-unit network,ie:bow and console are 2 chips needed?

Thanks for all the great info Doc,

Dean

Dean,
There will be adaptors available. Networks will not share transducer data or map data because they are not capable as of now. You can share digital data so you can have the digital depth from the bow transducer displayed on the console unit.

Doc,

could you post sample maps from the various mapping software options you listed, and comment on features/differences?.

was the first color map sample you posted from 3DField?.

thanks!

DrDepth map using the same data as the 3DField map I used on page 1 of this topic.

This is a map created by MapEdit for your Lowrance GPS using data from 3DField or DrDepth.

Thanks for the help Doc!

Doc-
Thank you for sharing your insight!!
I am looking at a LCX-18C, will this unit make data files like you are talking about to make contour maps.
Also, If all I want to do is to make a basic custom contour maps, could be black and white, what software would you recommend on affordability (not worrying about its difficulty level to learn and how fancy it looks colored).
Thanks and looking forward to your next class,
STCROIXER

Doc: Is there a way to transfer saved waypoints from a Magellan Meridian Gold to my new H2OC. I have saved them to my computer from the meridian with an SD card and I tried renaming the file to *.usr extension and loading into the H2O but get an error msg that says “data file version not compatible with current unit software version.” I really don’t want to manually load all these points via coordinates. Thanks for any help.

stcroixer,
All Lowrance GPS/sonar combinations with a card slot will collect the data for creating maps. 3DField and DrDepth are the best price. I sell 3DField ($120) with a tutorial because of my mapping class. It is a Russian program that is difficult to use but very easy with my tutorial (CD). DrDepth is a Swedish program that has better English instructions. It sells for $96. I do not have a tutorial yet as I only used it a few times this fall. DrDepth and 3DField customer support are excellent. Both programs will meet your needs. All programs are in color. DrDepth does not put lines on the color depth maps as I demonstrated earlier but I have requested this feature and the owner has been very responsive to my requests. It sounds like you want the lines only. 3Dfield will create a map with only lines if you want.
Sgt Rock,
Go to this website and download the free software. It converts many different waypoint formats to about any format. Or you could trust them with me, I would convert them and I promise not to sell them cheap.
http://www.gpsbabel.org/

Doc,

the last map you posted, the one that looks like a lowrance screen shot, you said you used mapedit with 3dfield. does the 3dfield and tutorial package you offer include all the software needed to create maps of that quality?.

also, for the average computer user, how long might it take to become fluent with these programs?.

thanks again!

Bigshooter,
The 3DField package includes the MapEdit (freeware) and a tutorial on creating the Lowrance map from logging a chart to the final map. Everything you need is included. I have included some sample logs to practice making maps so you can learn in the winter. I found it is too much to learn in a class but when you have something that repeats we all can learn. My mapping classes are to show what can be done. I believe the average computer user will have no problem and I provide support. I made the tutorial so I wouldn’t have too spend too much time on the phone or with emails and I rarely get questions.

Quote:

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Sgt Rock,
Go to this website and download the free software. It converts many different waypoint formats to about any format. Or you could trust them with me, I would convert them and I promise not to sell them cheap.
http://www.gpsbabel.org/

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Thanks Doc: That site worked very slick and all data is transferred. I’d gladly share the waypts with you!! I can now get packed to head to Winnie and not have to carry two gps units. I’m pumped.

Doc,

Thanks for all the great information! I have a couple of questions:
1)Can the created map from 3D or DrDepth be transferred to my lowrance GPS, or only viewable on my computer?
2) Viewed on my computer,will the created map show Long/Lat coordinates when the pointer is scrolled around the map; as the LakeMaster software maps can do for marking waypoints?
3)With the 3D software, how small of depth contours?

Thanks,

Jeremy

DocFrigo,

1. Yes, the map can be formatted to display on your Lowrance.
2. The pointer (cursor) works just like the LakeMaster software. You can create waypoints on the DRDepth software easily, 3DField I couldn’t master creating waypoints easily. LakeMaster software is what turned me onto computer map programs years ago. I use LakeMaster for their high definition surveys to study for tournaments (Ottertail).
3. Any contour can be made from 0.5 ft to 10 ft. Steep drop offs don’t work with 0.5 ft depth lines as they will look like one line. This is why LakeMaster uses one foot and 3 foot contours depending on the lake. They used 0.5 ft on Red Lake because it created a better map for us.

DocFrigo,

I forgot to mention that the map I displayed earlier in this Q&A session with Lowrance on it is how the map will look in a Lowrance color GPS.

Doc,
Thanks again for the info!
Couple more questions, I don’t think have been asked.
I love the idea of adding a laptop to my boat, but how is it powered, do you have a 120 plug in your boat? If so, any recommendations on a wiring specialist? Also how is your pc linked to the lowrance gps (wireless / cat5?) so that you can watch your gps position on the pc and what program do you do it in?
Thanks again,
STCROIXER

Looking forward to your next mapping class!