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What is anyone's opinion on which Lake Maps out there have the Best and most accurate GPS coordinates? Thanks!
Jim Tunney
06-13-2002, 03:30 AM
><<<<*> Looneytunes
I have the Navionics XL in a Lowrance LCX 16 and it's perfect.
><<<<*> Looneytunes
Mike Michalak
06-13-2002, 04:31 AM
Hmmmmm....let's see....
Miller Mi.
06-13-2002, 06:40 AM
I have the Navionics MMC Card for area four for my LMS-240 and am disappointed with it. The paper maps have good detail but the chip has very little. The map of Saginaw bay was a real let down. If I could have viewed it first I'd never have purchased it. Larry
chamookman
06-13-2002, 05:29 PM
Can`t beat Fishing Hot Spots. Works great on My Garmin 162!
sorry mike/lakemaps---- it just dont work. i should have known when the package says' you open it its yours' in some round about way. you should start owning up to some of the bashing you are getting. its all true. it just aint accurate.
Mike Michalak
06-13-2002, 06:58 PM
Hawg...
If there's any bashing, I can take it. Have before...will again. As for the validity of the data, be specific. Keep in mind however, we provide the original lake data and what the licensee does with it is their business. It's all based on accurate maps.
Keep in mind also that some of the coordinate readings were taken before the government lifted selective availability. That fact alone will affect the accuracy. Next, make sure the datum settings on the electronics match that of the data. It's a very common problem because when the two don't match...the waypoints are off.
Please let me know some of the questions you have and let's see if we can work them out.
Miller Mi.
06-13-2002, 07:24 PM
Mike, I hope that my previous post was not viewed as bashing. That is not what was meant by it. What I said is that I am very disappointed with The MMC Card that is marketed by Navionics. Look at it and compare it to your paper map of Saginaw Bay. There is no comparison. The chip has very little detail in comparison to the paper map. Hot Spot Maps is not what I am unhappy with. The Navionics chip, as I said, leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion. Hopefully there will be improvements in the future. If I offended you or anyone else, please forgive me as that was not my intention. Larry
Mike Michalak
06-14-2002, 03:11 AM
No harm, no foul Larry. Let Navionics (www.navionics.com) know your feelings. This is a new product for them and they'd appreciate the feedback.
Miller Mi.
06-14-2002, 05:08 AM
Mike, Email has been sent. Thanks. Larry
Hi Mike
Could you explain how to use the right datum?
where to find out which one is the right one etc.?
how to find out which one the map is setup to use ?
any help will be greatly appreciated
>sorry mike/lakemaps---- it just dont work. i should have
>known when the package says' you open it its yours' in some
>round about way. you should start owning up to some of the
>bashing you are getting. its all true. it just aint
>accurate.
I do not like the whole idea that if you open it, it is yours wheither you like it or not
You should be able to see what you are buying and if not satisfied with it, you deserve to right to return it. After all if it is a good product then the company should be willing to stand behind it with a money back guarantee
when they say you open it, its yours, you can usually be aware that it is not what it is supposed to be
mike/lake maps---i've seen this 100 times on here about proper datums. why are not these in the set up instructions. if a person e-mails you do you have the proper setting for each unit. i also have seen no mention of datum setting on the box or when the maps load. i have a lowrance 240. also, why does the detail disapear when you zoom in tight which is where you want it most of the time?
Pherris
06-14-2002, 09:31 AM
Hot Spots gets my vote. I can not tell you haw nice it is to just move from catching fish at one spot to another with little or no effort. I do not leave home with out it. I just load an entire lake area w/hot spots and off I go. Have not been skunked yet this year. Knock on wood!!!
Mike Michalak
06-15-2002, 08:30 PM
Okay, we have several questions here...
1- The right datum? If you have a hard copy of the map, it's usually near the GPS waypoints box. On the digital products, it's up to the manufacturer. FHS licenses the data to several manufacturers. Many of the units today will automatically adjust to the correct settings. Specific questions should be directed to them.
2- Opening the software & it's yours. That's standard operating procedure in the computer world. Since open software cannot be re-sold, it's incumbent upon the user to make sure it's going to run on their machine. I can't tell you how many have purchased our Digital Map Series, which is clearly marked for Windows 95/98. Then, we're contacted when it doesn't run properly on ME or XP. Reading the package can give you the necesary information. If it's not specific or leaves more questions than answers...leave it on the shelf. Check the manufacturers Website for further info if the address is available.
3- Equipment setup. Keep in mind, all the GPS units out there are piloted by software and programs that are not Fishing Hot Spots products. We provide the lake data. Case-in-point, Navionics. We use several key datum standards for our maps. They convert it all to the GPS standard WGS84. Lowrance units are rigged and ready for it out of the box. This applies to all the HotMaps titles. The list is available at www.navionics.com. Garmin, to the best of my knowledge, utilizes the datum sets as we provide them. Again, specific information would come from them (www.garmin.com).
4- Disappearing data. The zoom on any given map is determined by the scale of the original data. If you're on a large body of water with a large contour interval (20'+) then when zooming in, you'll lose detail. A tight map, with a large scale, will give you the ability to get close-up info on a digital screen, whether it's your computer or your GPS unit.
I hope this addresses your questions. Thanks!!
SnellTier
06-15-2002, 09:06 PM
Guys,
Here is what I have found using Hot Spots maps from Navionics on my new Lowrance Global Map 1600. I bought the unit on closeout from Cabela's because I figured the bugs have been worked out of it. After reading on this site about problems with X-15's, 2400's, and 3000's I just did not want to try them. Maybe in a few years after I don't see those kinds of posts anymore I will own one of them.
I had been using a hand-held Eagle Explorer I purchased in 1996 when they first came out. I transferred my PC backup of the Eagle waypoints (which I had been dutifully copying in and updating after each trip to LOW) to the Lowrance-provided PC file. I then loaded these down to my 1600. I then brought up the Navionics map for LOW NE section which I had purchased for $25.
My Eagle-originated waypoints showed on my 1600 were exactly where I had expected to see them. I have not used the unit on the water yet ... we have had 40 degrees and rain here in Wisconsin most of this spring and I am too darn old to be BOTH cold AND wet. But, I have to say that finding those waypoints where I expected to see them is very reassuring.
Zoom-in countours match the Hot Spots maps exactly.
I will be able to better critique this after I get back from my July LOW trip. But for now I am a very satisfied customer.