Looking at buying a chip for the new humminbird 997 and torn between Navionics and Lakemaster. I fish Iowa mostly but also fish Mille Lac and the river. How does the river compare for accuracy with lakemaster vs. navionics. What is the difference in the premium vs. hot maps?? Thanks in advance!
As far as the river goes…….remember that it is always changing. If you are just looking for wing dams, they would serve that purpose, but if you are looking for accurate depths….I think that you will be disappointed. Just something to consider.
I have only used Lakemaster, MN and WI and I have been very satisfied.
FDR
For both states the Navionics covers both on 1 chip, Lakemaster you’ll need 2 different chips. Look at the waters you fish most and see what chip offers the most waters you fish.
I’m happy with my Navionics chips, in Iowa or in MN.
Does Navionics have most of the wing dams in the river as that is the main thing I am concerned with. Is there any features or accuracy difference between the 2??
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Does Navionics have most of the wing dams in the river as that is the main thing I am concerned with. Is there any features or accuracy difference between the 2??
It does have many of the wing dams.
Both Navionics and Lakemaster have good accuracy, but as the other poster mentioned, the river is ever-changing so no map of the river is completely accurate.
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Is there any features or accuracy difference between the 2??
One of the features released by Lakemaster over the winter that’s exclusive to Humminbird units is the Water Level Off-Set feature that allows you to re-write the displayed map data to reflect current water levels. Water levels go up, you can “off-set” the map data to display accurate info. Water levels go down you can re-adjust. For guys fishing rivers and reservoirs where water levels change frequently this new feature is pretty powerful stuff.
We had the opportunity to field test one of the first chips released by Lakemaster late last fall and we did a video covering the Water Level Off-Set feature along with a couple other capabilities the new chips offered. Click on the pic below to access that video.
Here’s another post you might want to read through as you get closer to making a purchase. Capabilities and map data card formats are ever changing and the linked thread should cover most of the changes that have taken place as well as those headed are way over the next few months / years.
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