LakeMaster Lake Maps vs. King Tutts Walleye Whiffer?

[Turk]

I have the "King Tutts Walleye Whiffer", but am considering the LakeMaster Lake Map of Mille Lacs.

Is there a big difference in the two or would I be wasting my money on the LakeMaster Lake Maps?

Thanks, Turk.

[Schnauzer]

I just spent a portion of my weekend entering GPS points from my new 1 foot contour line Real Bottom map and comparing it to the Whiffer II map and the hot spots map (note: all "hard copy" maps, not mapping software).

My observations:

Obviously the Real Bottom map with the one foot contour lines is great and it shows exactly where the noted GPS points are on the map. It is the best map I have seen. But it is double the price and you have to buy several of them if you want ALL the GPS points.

Surprisingly, the whiffer II map is actually better than I had originally thought. It looks a little quaint and unscientific because it just shows outlines of structure, not actual contour lines. Despite the lack of detail, it is surprisingly accurate and does a nice job of showing obscure, small flats and reefs. Its downfall is its GPS points. They only go out two (instead of the common three) digits past the decimal and they don't really show where on the structure they represent.

Last is the Hot Spots map. It is the worst of both worlds. Its attempt to show contour lines is clumsy and incorrect. In lots of cases, entire flats and/or reefs are missing compared to the other two maps. If I had a bird, Hot Spots would be lining its cage this morning.

If your Whiffer Map is currently getting you to your favorite spots, you may not need the detailed map. I like the local flavor of the Whiffer Map and it is obvious fishing knowledge played as big a roll as cartography in its creation. On the other hand, it is tough to argue with the accuracy of the new 1 foot contour maps.

Here is a website with a comparison between the whiffer and Lakemaster maps (since it is on the Lakemaster site, it is obviously showing a spot that flaunts the 1 foot contour difference)...

http://www.lakemap.com/functions/comparison2.htm

Hope this helps!

[Bad Finger]

There is a huge difference. The LM is the most detailed map of the lake I have ever seen. The lake is broken down into 4 sections (4 seperate maps)Contour lines are charted at one foot intervals. There are spots on the LM that don't show up at all on the Whiffer.

Cost is a big consideration. Each section is close to $30, so the whole lake will cost you around $120. That's just for the maps, you will also want the software.

For me, I purchased the Southeast corner map. I will be buying the other sections and software later.

[Paul Fournier]

Turk,

Most have used the Whiffer map like is the 'bible' for Mille Lacs. Remember when the Whiffer came out, it has supplied us with details about the lake that allowed us to learn more about mid lake flats or east side rock reefs (structure period).

The Lakemaster map will make you feel like you have been fishing blind all these years. This map will allow you to spend less time searching for the structure and more time actually fishing it. The detail is incredible. Most sporting goods stores and bait shops are already carrying these maps. I said maps because they also make a Reelbottom for Leech Lake too. Take a look for yourself.

Good luck,
Paul Fournier
#787

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I have the Reel Bottom map of Mille Lacs and its great. Some of the previous posters said the map was $30 but they are $19.99 everywhere I have seen them. On one side of the map you have all of the lake and on the other side you have a zoomed in section of 1 of 4 available quadrants. The side that shows the whole lake is better than the Tutts but it doesn't have all the waypoints like Tutts does. The zoomed in side shows all of the waypoints for that quadrant. So theoretically you would spend $80 to get the whole lake in a "zoomed in" version.

If you are going to spend 80 bucks you may as well buy the software for 89.00 and have Mille Lacs plus 100 more lakes.

I have the software and a hard copy of the NW section of the lake. I also have the tutts II map. If I were you I would buy the Reelbottom map with the Quadrant of the lake you fish the most and then buy a Tutts, which will give you GPS points for the whole lake. That would cost you 40 bucks. The way I looked at it is whats $40 on maps when I have thousands of dollars stuck into a truck/boat and fishing equipment.

[Tom (mich)]

Without a doubt, the Lakemaster product is a great one. That said, I am returning mine this week. Be forewarned, the LM product WILL NOT RUN on the Windows 2000 operating system. If you're running Windows 98 - you're golden.

[Paul Fournier]

Tom,

The Lakemaster product can run on a Windows 2000 operating system. I posted a response last week on this. I also ran into problems with Windows 2000 but you have to adjust the Virtual Memory settings and make sure to check the radio button to optimize performance for applications. I have worked with 6 other people and helped them get Lakemaster running on their systems. If you hve questions on this, send me an email and I'll do what I can to help you out.

Good luck,
Paul Fournier
#787

[Tom (mich)]

Thanks Paul - in fact, I was one of the guys you'd responded to last week. I tried the steps you'd mentioned to no avail - same problem, entire PC locking up after zooming several times.

I may have erred when I stated the LM product will not operate on Windows 2000. I probably should have said "it will run if you do x, y, and z, alter your PC settings, etc." I really appreciate your help, and I don't wish to come off cynical, but the fact remains that the product will not operate out of the box on Windows 2000. I don't think that, as a consumer, that's too much to ask for. At a minimum, I think the company is obligated to state as such prior to selling the product.

I have sent the product, and a letter of explanation, directly to Mr. Wood for a full refund - despite the fact that I'd registered it. I will share my experiences, good or bad, with anyone interested via this forum.

[Rick]

I ran into similar problems with Windows ME. I tried everthing tech support suggested but no luck. Sent mine back today.

[rigs]

So far no problems running LM reelbottom with windows xp. The system sure saves time on the ice.

[RCW]

Turk

The King Tutts Walleye Whiffer is a wonderful product and the structure overall look and placement is right on. This product has been the gospel on Mille Lacs for many years and has been used by countless people to learn and fish the lake. I personally have a couple of these maps. If it is working for you continue to use it.

I am by no means as knowledgeable about the lake as Orrin is. All we did here at ReelBottom is take mapping of the lake to a new level by using state of the art equipment. I think a little history is in order on our company. The company that actually maps the lakes and publishes the paper maps is SonarMap, Inc. Our product name is ReelBottom Fishing Maps. WayPoint Technologies does the software under the product name of Lakemaster and they also develop the lake contours as we map the lakes. We currently have Mille Lacs Lake, Leech Lake, Gull Lake and White Bear Lake mapped. Our paper products are offered in water proof $19.95 and laminated $29.95. The main reason for the four map set of Mille Lacs is because of the great detail, we felt we needed to increase the scale of the map without actually increasing the size of the product. The other factor is the cost of mapping the lake with the equipment we used. In our initial studies, most people who do vist the lake generally stay within one of the corners.

We do show more structure then what is shown on the other maps. I can not speak for them, but I have heard that some features were left off the maps on purpose. You have to remember the resorts and guides on the lake make their living by knowing all of the structure and as you and your fishing buddies may not give up your secret spots you can expect they kept some to themself.

For those users of the software, I was in Little Falls last week and the techs installed an improvment in my laptop that really helped. They are working very hard to correct this problem. The problem is not the software but how Windows 2000 and Geo Master (LakeMaster software) operate together. Please checkout the web site lakemap.com or call the office in Little Falls.

If you have other questions please contact me at rcwestberg@qwest.net.

Thanks and good fishing

Ron Westberg
President
ReelBottom Fishing Maps

[eyewitness]

I just went and ordered the software for Mil lacs and can't wait to get it. Should be a snap to just go into the software, create waypoints where you want them, and then simply down load to my Lowrance. Considering how much time is involved in manually inputting waypoints, seems like a bargain price to me...I can't wait to use it. Just the smart map feature/interface for my Lowrance is a huge plus when I'm fishing different lakes. For example, I was able to download a small detailed area of the far reaches of NW Ontario where we went on a fly in a year ago and was able to see every portage lake we fished on my GPS. No, it didn't have every island shown, but the general layout of the lake was from satellite imagery and was suprisely accurate. We utilized it to find some rock humps in the middle of one lake to fish Lakers where we had to spend alot of time finding them to start with. Next day it was a snap. and we were right on em' again with no time lost. Technology of today is just remarkable. Remember the movies we watched when we were younger about how we would be living in the year 2000 with all the new technology? Seems like we already eclipsed that. Makes me wonder what's next.....

[Turk]

What do I get if I purchase the Minnesota 101? Does that include Mille Lacs in 1 foot contours as well?

[RCW]

Turk

The software comes in a basic package which is 101 lakes in five foot contours. The Mille Lacs ReelBottom is the Combo package. In this package you get 100 lakes in five foot contours and Mille Lacs in the 1 foot contours.

[REW]

I 2nd Paul's comments about win2k.
I run win2k at work, and have optimized my memory for my work applications. I then set my home computer up the same way.

When it came time to load the map, it loaded and took right off.

It is an excellent map.

I have talked to Paul and others about the ability to load the entire map onto the GPS.

It is really silly to have to sit down and load individual waypoints, when, with the new memory cards that allow the acquisition of large amounts of data in the new GPS units, that we should not load the entire map.

If we could simply have the Map in a loadable format - and have the ability to make - and or crop sections of the map - as is the case for the Lowrance Map Maker software - we could have all of the depth contours displayed on the GPS for our use. This would save all of the individual way point inputs, etc.

Take care

REW

[David Anderson]

Ron,

Your product is second to none. Luckly I run Win 98 and have no problems. I am still interested in seeing when the software will allow us to name the waypoints.
Thanks

[RCW]

David

Thanks for the great feedback. It is my understanding that the waypoint naming feature is one of the system upgrades the staff at LakeMaster is working on.

Thanks

[Hookmaster]

I haven't had any issues running it on ME. I did nothing special to the settings.

Formerly John in MN

[Hookmaster]

If the LakeMaster Lake Maps are as detailed as the LakeMater ReelBottom software and you want maps instead of software, then get the maps. I have the Whiffer Maps and then bought the LakeMaster ReelBottom software and it is excellent. You can make your own maps by printing sections of the lake or the "zoomed-in" portion of a piece of structure. The software makes it so easy to download a bunch of places to checkout into you GPS.

Another reason I bought the software is all the other lakes you get with it, I even added 25 more. These will help you find a piece of structure on a lake you've never fished before due to the GPS capability. I don't expect it to be as accurate as the Mille Lacs Map but it will help me find it faster. I double-checked the landing on Third River Flowage and a point I duck hunted on this fall and they were very, very close to right on. On some other lakes waypoints are off a little, but they are close.

Both will help you save time looking for structure which means more time fishing. I think the software will save you more time by not having to manually interpolate the latitude and longitude of a spot.

Formerly John in MN