mike/hot spots

[hawg]

is the proper datum for a lowrance 240--wgs 84? this is for running the hot spots regional map. looking at the other choices none make sense except for the north america one but the default is on the one im asking about.

[Mike Michalak]

If you're running Navionics HotMaps, the datum setting is WGS84. Your unit should adjust automatically to the setting.

[hawg]

mike---if the unit adjusts automatically then why do you tell people to check the datum settings? is this lack of accuracy a lowrance problem or a hot maps? one of them sure doesnt work.

[Mike Michalak]

Not all units sense the datum sets, thus they must be manually changed. Specific questions should go to either Lowrance or Navionics, since the HotMaps are not a Fishing Hot Spots product.

[Bryan]

Mike:


Was wondering if and when there might be maps available for more Canadian waters. I am speaking of southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. I fish Lake Deifenbaker in southern Saskatchewan a lot. It is a big lake but there is no maps out there anywhere. Many of us here are running x-15's but can't use them to their potential because of lack mapping abilities.

[hawg]

mike-- why would you give an answer like that. my box has your name and logo on it doesnt it? how about some staight answers. where does the inaccuracy come from? if you believe in your products why dont you say who we should be going to? there has been probably 100 posts on this same question. why dont we as a group of fisherman,using the most sofisticated equipment available to us,get an answer that is more than a run around? i dont want to go to your e-mail site, i tried that and didnt get an answer. if WC sees this as bashing and deletes this thread i think the answer is clear. give us answers or refunds, its an easy choice.

[Grey Wolf]

Hawg

I have never jumped on the bandwagon to get people to register to this site, however membership has its priveledges. If you were registered, you could send an e-mail to Mike. This morning I had some questions that should have really been directoed to Navionics, however since Mike's post was sitting right up front, I e-mailed Mike at 7:10 this morning. He responded with my answers at 7:12. We then traded a few more e-mails on some other questions, he was quite helpful.

[HAWG]

grey wolf-- i mean no disrespect to mike or his staff. however its their product and if navionics is not using it right or if lowrance is not then thats who we need to look for for answers. its quite possible that the map companies are way behind the gps capabilities of today. i am beginning to think thats the case. but if thats true then we need to get after our gps companies to let other companies have access to the info they need to make their products compatable. why stay exclusive with a company that is not accurate? am i a basher? im only trying to make my equipment work for what i bought it for. that 120 /130 dollars we paid for this product is a lot if all it does it point you in the general direction. i allready know that. why cant a company like reelbottom,that spent the time and resouses they did, become comptable.it all seems pretty protective to me. what do you think, is yours accurate? i think for all the negatives hot spots has taken on this site that mike is a stand up guy to keep responding, but a straight answer is in order.

[Grey Wolf]

Hawg

I cannot tell you what I tihnk of the accuracy yet. I just got the chip last Friday, and honestly I took my dad and son fishing on Sunday, we wpent 4 hours inthe boat on Mille Lacs. They had fun pulling in fish. I can fill you in next week, as I am leaving tomorrow for 5 days up on Mille Lacs.

[Mike Michalak]

Okay...

First, I don't care if you're registered or not. If there's a question and/or a concern about our maps/products, I personally answer each and every one.

Second, we spend thousands of dollars researching and producing what we believe are the best fishing maps on the market. We have a ton of satisfied customers from coast to coast. Now, in this new digital age, products of a different sort are taking shape. We are NOT in the digital map business as it applies to OEM electronics dealers (Garmin, Lowrance, etc.) We supply, either directly or through a third-party vendor (like Navionics) our data. What these companies do with that information, as I've said before here, is up to them.

Why do the boxes have our name/logo on it? It's called marketing. We have a strong presence in the freshwater fishing industry and some of our new electronic "partners" do not. Savvy anglers know, with the FHS name attached to it, it is topical, necessary and accurate as it can be, information.

As for being "behind" in GPS...you're going into uncharted territory there (pun intended). FHS uses state-of-the-art technology in its radar/sonar/GIS and assorted systems. If you have a problem with Lowrance, go to Lowrance. If you have a problem with Navionics, go to Navionics. The vast majority of the maps that are now digitized for these units are the latest versions, updated and verified for use in your GPS. This is still all new stuff and if it isn't moving fast enough for you, I'll apologize, but it's out of my control But, I won't apologize for the type and validity of the data we supply. Do we make mistakes? Sure we do. But in nearly 30 years of business, we maintain direct customer contacts, much like this, to continue expanding and improving our products.

Posters here on the WC know full well that if we're asked a question, they'll get an answer. We aren't "protecting" anything here. If we can't answer it, the vast majority of the time we can pass them along to someone who can. At the same time, if we don't know the answer, we'll flat out tell them with no "run-around." It's not our style. Never has been...never will be.

Now, as for the question on Canada...we'd love to do more there but must work with and through the Ministry to obtain permission. It's a difficult process. We have requests all the time to map the great waters in that country, but it takes a long time. The areas you mention are not even on paper yet.

So, I'm sorry for being long-winded here, but between phone calls and typing, I've taken up what's left of lunch. Hopefully I've addressed the concerns to those of you who believe us not to be all that forthcoming. As many fellow WC'ers will tell you, as Grey Wolf has, we're in this for the long haul and helping you guys any way we can is what it's all about. If you win, we win. It's good for the sport.

[Bryan]

Thanks for the reply on Canada Mike.

[Sounder]

Mike I would buy any product you sold. I have an X-15 with FHS Chip and find it great. I feel good about doing business with your company becasue we can communicate at this high of a level. Please continue to provide the best product and highest level of accountablity. I wish a rep for Lorwance was on this board.....


Sounder

[Mike Michalak]

Hey, me too, Sounder! It would take a lot of pressure off (LOL).