Opinions on mapcards

[rbsangler]

My LCX38C-HD can take a Lakemaster or Navionics card, for more detail than the Lowrance maps. Can I get some opinions on what you guys use,or prefer? Maybe it's just personal preference, or there isn't much difference, that's why I'm asking. I finally decided to do an upgrade from the factory maps when I go to MN lakes.

[yarcraft91]

I've had both in my LCX27c and I prefer the Lakemaster Michigan Great Lakes maps to the ones Navionics had on their 2008 North chip.

The advantage of the Navionics is multi-state coverage in a single chip. Unfortunately for you, it's not possible to get Indiana and Minnesota on the same Navionics Hotmaps Premium chip.

Most important thing to do is check that the lakes you fish are on the chips, map quality and depth resolution. If the printed maps for the lakes you fish are poor, you're likely to find the same poor maps on the electronic chips unless the vendor has re-surveyed those lakes.

[hondo]

Most important thing to do is check that the lakes you fish are on the chips, map quality and depth resolution. If the printed maps for the lakes you fish are poor, you're likely to find the same poor maps on the electronic chips unless the vendor has re-surveyed those lakes.

Agree 100%. Check to make sure the lakes you want are on card, and check to see if they're high definition or not. Nav has many more lakes than LM and I use both cards, but I generally (although not always) prefer LM for the lakes that they cover.

[rbsangler]

As I told yarcraft91, The lake in MN has been resurveyed to include 1 foot contours, so I was just interested to know what brand chip other guys liked the best. Kabetogama is the lake i go to, so it's on every map there is, as far as chips for MN go. I'm not really interested in a chip for Indiana, the preloaded maps from Lowrance are good enough for around here. :^) I saw where LM is a true plug and play chip, is NAV difficult to use? I seem to remember seeing the instructions for installing and using chips in my manual. Didn't seem too dificult.

[yarcraft91]

There's an extra step or two with the Navionics chip. You need to go toMap Data and select the correct map for the area you wish to see (probably 10-12 map segments on a single chip, labeled Minnesota East or Michigan West, for example). Once you've done it, it's easy.

One other thing about the LakeMaster. I have an LCX27c and find I can only use the Lakemaster chip if the second card slot is empty. If any kind of chip is in the other slot, the Lakemaster maps will not load. Dunno if this is a quirk of my unit or a common thing, but it means I cannot use Lakemaster and create a sonar log at the same time. Probably not an issue with a unit that has internal hard drive.

[rbsangler]

GREAT ifo, I love this site for the awsome input of all the members. Thanks. I'm leaning Lake master.

[VernH]

There's an extra step or two with the Navionics chip. You need to go toMap Data and select the correct map for the area you wish to see (probably 10-12 map segments on a single chip, labeled Minnesota East or Michigan West, for example). Once you've done it, it's easy.

One other thing about the LakeMaster. I have an LCX27c and find I can only use the Lakemaster chip if the second card slot is empty. If any kind of chip is in the other slot, the Lakemaster maps will not load. Dunno if this is a quirk of my unit or a common thing, but it means I cannot use Lakemaster and create a sonar log at the same time. Probably not an issue with a unit that has internal hard drive.

That has to be a quirk of your unit. The sonar log feature is very handy but the map chips are more so. I bought the two drawer unit so I could have a map chip installed and do the log.

Will it handle two map chips?

I suppose this is one of the units that has been back already or was it one of the replacements?

Vern

[yarcraft91]

That has to be a quirk of your unit. The sonar log feature is very handy but the map chips are more so. I bought the two drawer unit so I could have a map chip installed and do the log.

Will it handle two map chips?

I suppose this is one of the units that has been back already or was it one of the replacements?

Vern

Vern:
Everything about this LCX27c (bought new Spring 2008) works well except the problem with the Lakemaster (Michigan) chip. I'd rather live with that one problem than take my chances with Lowrance service.

It doesn't matter what is on the second chip or which slot it's in- Navionics map, user files, even blank. If a second chip is in the unit, the Lakemaster maps cannot be loaded. Software update did not change that. Navionics chips behave properly with any second chip in the tray, so it's a problem specific to my Lakemaster chip. Wrote to Lakemaster about it- haven't heard a word in response.

[VernH]

Vern:
Everything about this LCX27c (bought new Spring 2008) works well except the problem with the Lakemaster (Michigan) chip. I'd rather live with that one problem than take my chances with Lowrance service.

It doesn't matter what is on the second chip or which slot it's in- Navionics map, user files, even blank. If a second chip is in the unit, the Lakemaster maps cannot be loaded. Software update did not change that. Navionics chips behave properly with any second chip in the tray, so it's a problem specific to my Lakemaster chip. Wrote to Lakemaster about it- haven't heard a word in response.

I haven't looked at the electrical specs on the SD series card interface. Since there are only nine pins it is obviously an serial device. That would indicate to me that the two slots are probably paralleled or mostly so.

The fact that the Navionics card works with another card while the Lakemaster card does not makes me think there may be a bad buffer/driver on the Lakemaster card that loads the interface and prevents the other card from being seen or used. Have you tried another Lakemaster card?

(Dave, I know you like the technical details.... :yum: http://focus.ti.com/lit/an/spraao7/spraao7.pdf shows a schematic for a development board with dual cards. Depending upon the mode used to access the card, most of the connections are paralleled. Could very well be a bad card that doesn't like to play with others.)

Vern

[yarcraft91]

Vern:

Yes, the problem could be the Lakemaster card. I only have the one, so limited options for troubleshooting. Buddies are still too cheap to buy one. So far, I haven't heard anyone else report this problem.

Thanks for the tech article.

[Catch'nRelease]

Vern:

Yes, the problem could be the Lakemaster card. I only have the one, so limited options for troubleshooting. Buddies are still too cheap to buy one. So far, I haven't heard anyone else report this problem.

I have an LCX-37C, but have never used more than just the one Lakemaster chip. Boat is now in storage so I cannot do a test of the problem you're having.

[SoulFulCry]

i have the new hds7 and i havent bought a chip for it yet what kinda chip or mappin system do u all use when ya go to lakes in canda such as lac seul or red lake? n are they good chips or limited cause of our locations?:huh:

[moccasinboy]

Hello Yarcraft,
I'm Steve at LakeMaster. Noone here saw your inquiry-sorry. It could be a chip problem, but I have a suggestion. If you are near a retailer that has Lowrance display units and LakeMaster chips, say a Gander, Cabela's, Jay's, or Frank's, ask them if you can bring your unit in and try another chip from their stock. They might also let you plug your chip into one of their display units. This should pretty well clarify whether its a chip issue or unit issue. Then get back to us at LakeMaster.
Thanks

[yarcraft91]

Thanks, Steve:

I appreciate the advice. I'll visit a local retailer and try the experiment, let you know what I find.

Dave