View Full Version : LakeMaster Reel Bottom Mille Lacs
Willy
05-02-2002, 02:59 PM
I just recently purchased the Reel Bottom Software for Lake Mille Lacs. I was looking for some feedback on what other people think of this software? How accurate are the maps? Anyone out there tested the accuracy yet? Any thoughts on the best uses for it?
Havn't been on the lakes yet but I went to the cities portion and clicked on where my house is and it was with in a half of second of my GPS reading for the deck behind my house. I have a waypoint for the wealthwood access and it came up the same. It looks like it going to be fairly accurate.
PWaldow123
05-02-2002, 03:14 PM
I have been using it for the last two years and as far as I can tell, it's as accurate as you can get.
Dodge1
05-02-2002, 03:22 PM
I can only tell you about their Leech Lake map.
They stayed at the same resort that I was at and the accuracy of their maps is uncanny. Just remember that entering in a DMS as a DM or a DM as a DMS will create errors up to nearly a mile. I kept my GPS on DM and used the bottom of the Lakemaster screen to change the DMS to DM.
David Anderson
05-02-2002, 03:52 PM
Dodge1,
We open at Brindley's every year and this is where I met the guys doing the work. If your heading up next week stop at cabin 14 and say hi.
As for the accuracy, I have lot's of waypoints marked on Mille Lacs. I have overlaid those points on the Reelbottom map and it is pretty incredible. Regarding the reefs, there are issues, especially with structure less than 5 - 7 feet. I fish Anderson's reef alot and have it pegged pretty good with many waypoints for trolling at night after the buoys are pulled. Although the depths aren't exactly there, once I downloaded my points, it is very clear to the actual shape and interpetation. On 7 mile the correlation was dead on.
dunns
05-03-2002, 08:49 AM
The accuracy of the software seems to be way off. Can't get a good point located.
Eyecrosser
05-03-2002, 08:52 AM
Please say it ain't so!! I have been biting my finger nails all winter waiting to check out this software on the water. I would hate to think I spent almost $90 for pretty maps!
Walleye daddy
05-03-2002, 09:55 AM
I've been using mine for 2 years on Mille lacs. I've only had problems pinpointing shoreline structure on some areas of the lake with the software. The waypoints are there and they transfer to the lake but when the map actually shows on your computer it will show your waypoints are diagramed on the shoreline in some spots. Otherwise the program and waypoint accuracy is excellent. Best I've used so far. A lot more accurate than any map. You won't regret your purchase.
Kevin McCullough
05-03-2002, 12:37 PM
Make sure that the gps unit's set to the same Datum (reference point) as was used to make the map. On the map should be listed somewhere what Datum was used, set GPS to same. My FHS map used NAD 27, my Garmin GPS came set for a different datum.
Willy
05-03-2002, 12:54 PM
Thanks for the responses... Kevin, can you be more specific about the "datum?" Not too sure what this means, or how to check it?
Mike Michalak
05-03-2002, 12:55 PM
Excellent advice, Kevin!
We get that a lot here and it's good to have everyone understand that it's not all "plug and play." That one change can make all the difference when it comes to digital mapping.
Willy
05-03-2002, 01:06 PM
Mike, could you please send me an email- I'd like to ask you a few questions, but this isn't the forum for them.
Thanks, Willy
chris.willadsen@colorspan.com
Willy
The suggestions from Kevin and Mike are very important, the settings need to match or you will find GPS points way off. The Lat/Long or GPS referencing is independent of the lake outline or features. In building the products the lake information has to be geo referenced to the Lat/Long. We also get into regional referencing the data. All of the publishers make sure this all matches and we all double check in the real world (on the Water). We have found that if someone is having a problems with their waypoints,it is a setting problem. If you are having problems please check with the customer service departments of the product your using.
mike-- how long before i'm going to be able to buy a chip for my lowrance unit that will be like the navionics product? your maps are incredable.good job. is it the manufacturers that are not being cooperative or just progamming problems?
Mike Michalak
05-06-2002, 02:56 AM
>mike-- how long before i'm going to be able to buy a chip
>for my lowrance unit that will be like the navionics
>product? your maps are incredable.good job. is it the
>manufacturers that are not being cooperative or just
>progamming problems?
Hawg,
Depending on what model you have determines the form of the data. FHS licenses the data to Navionics, who, in turn, puts it either into a download, CD or MMC card. The answer lies with Lowrance.
Thanks for the kind words...and good luck on the water!
Ron,
Is there any progress on getting these maps on either Garmin or Lowrance units? I have my fingers crossed this is moving forward.
Joe
I would like to be able to tell you that you can pick them up at your favorite bait store right now, but we're not there yet. We are working on it and at this time there is no launch date. You can email me at rcwestberg@qwest.com and I will keep you posted.