Opinions on Lakemaster maps?

[Matt]

Hi all -

Anyone use any of the Lakemaster maps in conjunction with a GPS? I just got a brand new Garmin GPS12 and Lakemaster claims to be able to download waypoints, etc to a variety of units. I'd be grateful for any opinions on their products (especially the Minnesota and Wisconsin maps).

[SnellTier]

I just ordered the wisconsin 101 package and the 25/$25 package based on a phone discussion that I had with a fellow who posts on here too. He said he tried them and found them to be extremely accurate and that he has found in/out turns on them that do not show up in the Hotspots maps.

One can take GPS points from the package or download those from the package to a GPS. He DID say, however, that the maps themselves cannot be downloaded to the GPS.

I cannot wait to try them out ... they were to ship yesterday or today.

FYI.

[Smitty]

I have the Minnesota version and from my experience (a couple trips) they are very good for either getting you close to a spot (you HAVE to use the zoom feature to get really close)or for dumping your waypoints into the software so you can print maps with them marked.

I one item to date I don't like is the way the software numbers the waypoints. It seems there is no real way to "clear the database" and start over with waypoint #1. When I first got it, I played around, dumped my waypoints in, deleted everything, made new ones, etc. and now even though the waypoint name may match up with my GPS, their numbering in the software (which is what prints on the maps)now starts at something like 142. I thought of just removing and reinistalling the software, but you have to call in to tech support and get an "unlock code" to install so it would be a real pain. If anyone knows what I'm talking about and has figured this out I'd appreciate you sharing the secret. The way it is now I have to print the map and then remember "I have to subtract 141 from the waypoint number on the map to match up with the # on my GPS. Real pain...

Overall I've been fairly impressed at the level of detail and how close the software can get you to a spot. A GREAT tool especially for the first time you visit a lake to find all that structure on the map.

[Alfa Lund]

smitty to get your wapoints back to zero
1. open windows explorer
2.click on LMKWI (lake master WI )
3.click on Map LIB
4.click on user
5.click on NEXTREF.txt
6.change number to zero yours should be 141 if you didnt make any new waypoints
7.click on file (upper left hand corner )
8.save
This should get you back to zero

[Jersey John]

Thanks for that info on getting the waypoints back to zero. I still have the same problem but will try this suggestion. Thanks again! JJ

[Jersey John]

Just zeroed my waypoints back to #1 on both my erie and ontario maps. That worked great. By the way I wish we could use these maps on the lowrance x15-mt units. I like these maps the best so far. JJ

[Targa_ Wi]

Are the lakemaster maps compatible with the Lowrance Global Map 3000 and the x-15?

[Targa_Wi]

What scale are youable to zoom into using the Lakemaster maps?

[Sunshine]

Playing with it as we speak. It appears that you can zoom down infinitely but after awhile all you're going to get is a blank screen because you zoomed in too far to see contour lines. It also appears that how far you can zoom in has to do with the scale they used originaly. Or another way to say this is the larger the lake the further you can zoom in. Just got done zooming down to .009mile on map of Green Bay and could still see gps coordinate and a contour line close to it.

[Sunshine]

My buddy asked the same question. They said that they had not tested the software on the X15 so would not guarantee it. They said that it worked with the 1600 and that you could try that setting and/or contact lowrance. I know that "Someday" who posts on walleyecentral uses this software also and manually transfers data to his unit (x15). He still finds the software package to be valuable in finding spots.

[Sunshine]

TomD,
You took the words right out of my mouth. You must have been taking notes during our conversation ;-)

Best part of the software is that I can prefish on my computer. I Find interesting looking areas and mark them with GPS coordinates and include notes. I download the gps coordinates to my unit and I can print out the ZOOMED maps to my color printer and go fishing. Saves hours on the water when fishing new water.

Give me your GPS coordinates and I can download them to the map and see the kind of area that you had success with. I can determine very quickly if you like inside turns, points, open water etc.

You can keep a log of fish caught relating to a GPS coordinate. You can measure distances and add labels.

One thing that the maps do not show is bottom content. There's no legend, so you won't know if it's a weed line or rocks. However, it does include symbols so you can add your own rocks. brush etc.

For $50.00 it's well worth it. I'm still prefishing and learning new lakes in February while all the lakes are frozen.

[livebait]

bump

[gk]

sunshine--talking with lakemasters yesterday lowrance has all the needed info to produce this chip not only for waypoint transfer but also for cartography (mapping) some companies have already developed this chip and some in the process--but for some reason lowrance is just sitting on this data--you should e-mail lowrance as i did along with everybody else to push this process-lakemasters mapping is detailed and accurate to the tee..some off my other mapping products i own show my waypoints on shore, thses waypoints were entered while on the water(no human element for error) i also undrstand that there is no legal factor holding up this process--

[Bugtussle]

Where can I find Lakemaster maps?

[SnellTier]

They have a website.

It is
www.lakemap.com
and shows a lot of info, including an 800 number to order or ask questions of their sales folks. They were very helpful to me when I contacted them.

Tom

[redrnger]

When adding weed lines or rock areas or anything else on to your selected lake, make sure your on the same zoom feature all the time or your symbols you added will be different sizes...redrnger

[Furman]

Lakemaster software helped improve my Musky Percentages this 2001 season....Just a great product

[Smitty]

Thanks much!!!! I'll give it a try.