Lakemaster vs. Navioncs for Humminbird 998

Just got a 998 SI and will (hopefully) finish the install tonight. I thought some of you may have already went through the what chip to buy process so maybe you guys could help me collect info.

I will likely be fishing 75% Mississippi River, and the other 25% split between WI and MN lakes.

What is the river data like bewteen the two chips? Is one better than the other?

I can get both WI and MN lakes on the Navionics Premium, but I would need separate chips fro WI and MN in Lakmaster right?

I belive Great Lakes is separate on both companies correct?

Thanks for any and all info.

I have a 997 and I went with the Navionics chip for the Mississippi. I compared both chips for Pool 4 and decided the Navionics was the most accurate. Now on Lake Mille Lacs I was very unhappy with the Navionics, so I just ordered a Lakemaster chip. The Lakemaster in my Lowrance units has always been dead on for Mille Lacs, so I’m hoping it will be the same in the Humminbird.

Hands down Lakemaster for most overall accurate maps.

Navionics makes a GreatLakes and Maritimes chip, It is absolutley awful. Random depth marking and no contour lines My biggest waste of $240 to date.

Lakemaster MN has western Superior on it in 3′ contour lines and I belive newley updated Pools 2-8 on the miss (i think). I am unsure about the Wi chip and Lk Michigan/E superior.

The only reason I have my Nav chip still is because I will use it in winter on some panfish lakes, and let me tell you it is not very accurate. If LM has the all or most of the bodies you fish I would HIGHLY reccomend them even if I costs a bit more to buy 2 chips. I am confident you will be much happier. -Mark

Thanks guys.

Does either chip have wingdams (and depth, though it is not as useful in all situations on the river) for any pools other than 4 and 8 (I think for Lakemaster that might be Lowrance only)?

And, the only place in the Great Lakes I need is Green Bay and Escanaba area.

Thanks

James and DocFrigo have the new Lakemaster and is spot on for the wingdams. After seeing James`s chip, it must be good, for as tight as Doc is he would not of spent the money.

Make sure you get the Lakemaster for Hbirds it offers options not available to Lowrance units.

Tom,
You are absolutely correct!!!!! Only person tighter than me is you, which is not a bad thing by any means.

Heads up, I got the new lakemaster HB chip for my 998 and was not happy to see no map for pool 2 when I was out there.

I have to look at which Nav chip has a good map for pool 2 and some of the smaller lakes that lakemaster doesn’t have.