I just bought the Bird 598, and need to buy map chips for Wisconsin and Minnesota. Navionics Hotmaps Premium has the lakes I am interested in and so does Lakemaster. Navionics is $125 for everything and with Lakemaster I would have to buy two chips totaling about $200. I am wondering which has the better/more accurate maps? At this point I do not have Ipilot, but may upgrade in a few years. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Nut
From an accuracy perspective, Lakemaster is better, especially in the lakes that are listed as HD. The HD lakes are mainly the the more popular bodies of water in some areas. If you are fishing bodies of water that are not listed as HD on Lakemaster, just stick with Navionics and save some money. I love my Lakemaster chips, but that is due to the water that I fish.
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From an accuracy perspective, Lakemaster is better, especially in the lakes that are listed as HD. T
I disagree to some degree. HD Navionics are just as good, in some cases, better than Lakemaster. I find the Navionics to be more up to date for the waters I fish, the St. Croix river.
I have both chips and I would say its about half and half on the accuracy of them. I have a 788 on my dash and don’t like how slow the lakemaster chip loads when I’m driving (not a problem with navionics). I’m assuming your 5 series would have the same problem. My advise is get the navionics.
I notice the Lakemaster chips say “hummingbird” on them. Does the Navionics distinguish between Lowrance and Humminbird. Just want to make sure it will work in my new Bird.
Nut
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From an accuracy perspective, Lakemaster is better, especially in the lakes that are listed as HD. T
I disagree to some degree. HD Navionics are just as good, in some cases, better than Lakemaster. I find the Navionics to be more up to date for the waters I fish, the St. Croix river.
X2. I don’t fish the St. Croix, but travel to various lakes around the state and am usually amazed at how accurate the Navionics HD maps are.
unless things have changed, it doesn’t matter with the navionics
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I have both chips and I would say its about half and half on the accuracy of them. I have a 788 on my dash and don’t like how slow the lakemaster chip loads when I’m driving (not a problem with navionics). I’m assuming your 5 series would have the same problem. My advise is get the navionics.
I too have a 788 at the dash and run Navionics Prem Hotmaps…loads great, keeps up at 50 mph on the maps easy, and seems every bit as accurate as my buddies Lake Master. Fact, last June, he loaned me his LM chip when I went to Pokegama. After 2 hours, I put my Navionics back in….also, Navi has ‘freshest data’ upgrades and then you get any new lakes they’ve mapped along with those that may have went HD…
Thanks for the help guys! I think Navionics is the way for me. I only need Winni in MN and they have more of the lakes I want in WI. Can’t wait to put this sucker to use!
Nut
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