Electronics/contour lake maps

[Rich S]

Does anybody know when the first gps is coming out that will have detailed lake maps. What brand, Cost?

[Mike Michalak]

Rich...
There are several units out now and more on the way. We provide the map/fishing data for Navionics and they provide data cartridges and downloads for Lowrance, Garmin, Raytheon and some others. Check your latest Bass Pro or Cabelas catalogs and they'll detail which. Or, head to www.navionics.com and use the HotMaps link for information.

I can also let you know that Garmin is coming out with a bunch of regions of the country with their new MapSource software. The official announcement comes Thursday. These will work in the GPSMAP 162 & 168 sounders. Availability is planned for March.

If I can be of any other help, just drop me a note.

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[Bigfish]

How about detailed maps for NW Ontario? Can't seem to find anything for Canada. Thanks for any help.
cw

[Orange Barrel]

Does it supply a detailed map of Lake Winnebago as good as the paper map that we buy from hotspots?

[Mike Michalak]

Let me address couple of the questions. As for NW Ontario, it's difficult getting maps with contours. We offer Lake of the Woods and Eagle. There are other companies with Canadian product but many are without depth and structure information. You may have to hunt a bit for these.

As for Winnebago, it's on the Navionics list and other companies have the digital information. If they choose to use it, it's up to them. Keep in mind these are not Fishing Hot Spots products, but we do have the opportunity to share our marketing with these companies. Winnebago is a major water, and they know it. Keep an eye on their sites or your dealers for information.

I've received a bunch of emails directly, and I'll get to them as soon as I can. Thanks!

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[JimStolpa]

Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to respond directly to many of our e-mails. It is sure nice to have the ear of fishing inductry executives. It is this type of cooperation that keeps things moving.

[AquaMan]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-08-01 AT 04:17PM (CST)[p]Mike is this the same as Lake Master's Lake Maps? If so, it works like a charm on the PC with all the waypoints I can enter. Then download to the GPS with a data cable.

Works slick, even in the winter.

EDIT: Opps, forgot the website. www.lakemaps.com

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Mike Michalak]

AquaMan,

This information is nothing like the Lake Master program. The data is directly on the GPS units, in effect giving you a "live" map. You have contours, structure, facilities, and the ability to run/plot waypoints all over the place. The PC is not needed, possibly only to download certain types of files (depending on your unit's manufacturer) from the Internet or from CD's with lake data.

We're excited about these ventures and continue to learn new things everyday. As these products come of age (it's all new stuff) please provide feedback. That's how we as manufacturers can tailor products for you, and with a digital product it can be fairly easy.

Mike Michalak
FHS

[Rich S]

Thanx Mike for taking the time to help. Really appreciate it. I will look into it. Thanx again.

[Kaz]

Mike: I'm looking to rig a new Sport-Craft 232 with the most
up to date electronics, GPS (mapping, contours, color) but just do not which will do the best job. I will be going to the boat show in Minneapolis on January 17, and wonder if your company will be displaying there? Please E-mail me at ddkaitz@qwest.net any info you feel will help. I fish Lake of the Woods and Superior and would like to be able to use "Fishing Hot Spots" mapping on this boat. I saw today a ad for a "Bottom Line" unit that combined the GPS and sounder in one unit, that looked very intrusting. Your thoughts would be appricated. Thanks Kaz

[Tom502]

Mike,

I second the post from Jim, thanks for taking the time to reply directly to those who have e-mailed you. I use FHS maps regularly and appreciate the fact thatyou and FHS are the kind of company who really tries to take care of their customers.

Tom Mowbray

[fuzzman]

I have the Lowrance Global Map 1600 and use the Navionics maps in it for Lake of the Woods. It's fantastic. Every island is shown, as well as rocks and other hazards. Well worth the cost. The only gripe I'll mention is that my unit does not have enough memory to use the map for the entire lake. Fortunately, they have individual maps for smaller parts of the lake, but the area I fish is not entirely contained on the map I bought. Hopefully I'll be able to increase the memory in the Lowrance unit sometime.

[Jigger]

Hi Mike, I am wondering if you have plans to create a Hot Spts map for the St Marys River system? Since the PWT is now sponsoring tournamets there it seems as though there will be considerable interest in the area. Thanks, Jigger

[Jim O]

C-maps drill down and show all the features of quality navigation
maps. You can check out there availability by searching C-maps.
I use mine on Bago and Lake Michigan and am very happy with it.
Hope it helps,
Jim Ordway

[Mike Michalak]

Jigger...

I responded in your personal email, thanks!

Mike Michalak
FHS

[bob oh]

LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 12:25PM (CST)[p]Mike I wonder whay you know about the new Raytheon with new GPS system they claim is better than DGPS and has "hot spots maps"??
Bob

[Mike Michalak]

Bob,

It's no claim...the WAAS GPS sensor technology Raytheon has is top notch. I saw it last year at the ICAST show in Chicago and the accuracy is really there. Add our data to it and the fish don't stand a chance...yeah, right. Anyway, it's everything they say it is and worth checking out.

Mike Michalak
Fishing Hot Spots

[Jigger]

Hey Mike, I appreciate your taking time to respond but I did not get it via e-mail. I suspect you may have used my WC registered address which will not reach me at my winter quarters. I am in florida for hree months so I would appreciate a reply at danfromoltown@webtv.net. Again, thanks for the cooperation. Jigger