Map chips vs. base map?

How different are the base maps in a new Helix versus getting a chip?

I use a lakemaster chip along with autochart with 50% over lay 99% of the time on my helix.

I think the main difference is that the chip can include an HD version of lakes which is 1′ increments vs basemaps which is whatever they had at the time it was ever scanned… I might be totally wrong though….

The Helix basemaps are absolute garbage. 10ft contours on a lot of lakes. Better off using the free navionics app, or making your own autochart maps with a zerolines card, or buying a lakemaster/navionics chip.

The base map might keep you from getting lost in the fog, but don’t depend on them for much else. If the base maps were any good, they wouldn’t be able to sell the map cards for $125.

Extremely different. You get like 5 or 10 ft contours with the base maps and 1 ft contour lines with Lakemaster chips. Spend the money on the chips. Trust me.

Map chip it is. Thanks!

Check ebay. Got mine for $85-90

Ron wrote:

The base map might keep you from getting lost in the fog, but don’t depend on them for much else. If the base maps were any good, they wouldn’t be able to sell the map cards for $125.

99% true however like everything there can be exceptions. One specific lake for me the base map is the same as the paper map. In the more well traveled areas the newest chip is sooo much better.

Caveat if you go into some of the bays the chip will get your boat broken but the base or paper map has more hazards marked. One is so bad it’s 20 feet wide, 12 feet above water but isn’t on the chip and that doesn’t include the nearby underwater hazards. All I’m saying is know where you’re boating and to see if there are potential gaps in the chip.

I like my Navionics chip a lot. I used Base maps for the first year and it is fine but it’s not Nav. For use strictly as a Map it’s not bad actually, but for detailed structure the 10ft increments really make is much less useful. I can’t speak for Lakemaster as I’ve never used it.

I bot my first HB in 2007. It was the 797c2 and came with great built-in maps. Last year I upgraded to the Helix 10 Gen2. Maps were pretty crappy and I needed to buy the Lakemaster. I live in IL and fish there and in WI, and needed to buy 2 maps. Always new ways to get my money.

A friend is going to a different brand and said he would sell me his chip.

For anyone else looking for chips I have gotten a few on bass boat central’s For Sale thread for around $70. A nice price for solid 1-2 year old map chips.