Mille Lacs reelman lake map

[REW]

I was checking on lake maps from various vendors and found that Lakemaster had announced the availability of a new map for Mille Lacs in MN. They indicated that this map gives a bottom contour reading of all of Mille Lacs in 1 foot increments.

This is called the reelman version of their mapping software.

I already had their 100 map cd and I ordered the upgrade.

After receiving the upgrade - a click and the upgrade was installed on the pc.

After opening the map -- my only comment was "wow"
I have never seen so much detail on Mille Lacs on any other map.

I do have a couple of comments -
Because of the very large data size of this map -- the update speed when going between various portions of the map take a bit of time. I have a fairly fast pc, and it still takes minutes to paint each picture of the bottom. Lots!!! of contours to paint.

Then, even if you move 1 foot or 100 yards, the screen is repainted - which requires another few minutes.

However, this software has the avaialability to save out painted screens as bitmaps. I believe that this will be the way that I will use the map.

i.e. go to an area of the lake that I intend to fish -- for example 2 or three flats -- get a very large blow up of this small area -- generate all the required waypoints to outline the areas of interest -- then save as a bit map, and print a hard copy. This way, when I want to check out that area I can simply pull up that bit map and have it displayed instantly.

Another feature that Lakemaster has incorporated into their very detailed map is a "gps position link"

Assuming that one owns a portable pc - or laptop -- and also assuming that you want to take it into your fishing boat, and also assuming that you own a gps with a compatible port to the pc - and the mapping software -- you can cable the notebook to the gps -- load the mapping software -- and basically leave your gps turned on -- with no display visable. Then all of your running and gunning will be done from the screen of the notebook. Your instant position will be instantly transferred to your position on the map that is displayed on your pc -- so that you know at all times where you are with respect to the displayed map on the pc.

Great feature -- my only problem is that I have 0 interest in taking an expensive pc into a fishing boat onto Mille Lacs.

I have sent Lakemaster an E-mail, asking for how long it will be before they make a feature available so that the user will be able to download the entire lake map into the memory of the mapping gps. Once this happens, the user will have the best of all worlds -- a highly detailed accurate underwater map -- and the convenience of that map readily available for instant real time viewing on the screen of the users gps.

One day??

Good product.

I do have a couple of comments -- in that I think that there are a few spots that aren't quite as accurate as one would hope. i.e. I did find a few differences in their lat lon coordinates compared to the waypoints that I have saved into my GPS -- knowing where the spots are exactly on the lake.

However, in general -- it is far and away the most detailed lake map that I have ever seen of Mille Lacs.

Their press release indicate that they are going to be bringing out similar maps for some of the other "large' mn lakes - followed by large lakes in other states.

Take care

REW

[Perchboy]

Do they have a website or anything? I went to Lakemaster and that was a motor site. Help is appreciated!! Where can I find this stuff!!!!

[AquaMan]

www.lakemap.com

I also have the 100 lake package and love it. Top 100 lakes of MN. They also offer one for WI.

I have been waiting fromfeedback on the Mille Lacs specific one and REW's findings support my concers. With a PII400, the 100 lakes are moderately slow due to the "drawing" of each screen when a view shift occurs, so I was concerned that the detail on the Mille Lcs one would be slower yet. I use my software, not only to create way points on my GPS, but to store them in the event I loose the GPS memory. The waypoints can be entered in two ways. Either on the lake into the GPS and later uploaded to the PC or on the PC and downloaded to the GPS. This feature is VERY convenient and an efficient way to store your points. The only drawback I found is that I cannot lable the points so that the lable appears the same on both the GPS and the PC. Working with Lakemaps to overcome.

Thanks for the Update REW.

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

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

[PaulV]

My problem with the Lakemaster software is that I have a LMS 350A in my boat, which is not pc compatible. Thus, I would have to manually enter gps coordinates from the gps to the pc, or vice versa, rather than being able to simply download them. This would significantly reduce the value of the software to me.

I do also have a Garmin GPS 12 handheld, which I understand to be pc compatible. I suppose I could bring that along and enter coordinates on that to download to the pc, and also download coordinates from the pc to the handheld. However, I would still need to manually enter coordinates to the LMS 350 if I want to use that, which I do.

If anyone has a better solution, please advise.

[REW]

Paul,
Have you specifically asked Lowrance if you can upload/download waypoints from your pc.
I have the original Lowrance GPS program, that I was told would work with the LMS350. You have the upload cable on the white wire in your power cable. I had thought that the interface was the same as the other earlier Lowrance GPS units.

This program works great for my other Lowrance GPS.

I do agree, however, that the interface that is in the Lakemaster program will not work with the LMS350, since they only support the later GPS interfaces.

Take care

REW

p.s.
I would suggest that you pick up the program if it is compatible for the 350. It certainly saves time on saving uploading and downloading waypoints.

[Someday]

Mike Wood at Lakemaster has the program for the 350 and is working on an interface.

[PaulV]

I overstated when I said that the 350 is not "pc compatible". What I meant to say is simply that the 350 is not compatible with the Lakemaster interface.

The message below indicates that Lakemaster is working on an interface for the 350, which is good news. I'll get the Lakemaster program in a heartbeat if they develop an interface for my gps unit. I suspect that there may be quite a few LMS350A owners in the same boat, so to speak.

[Tommy Mac]

I currently own two LMS 350's. They were both purchased before the mapping systems were available. I am considering the purchase of a new gps mapping unit.

This talk of interfacing to a 350 is interesting. Once available would the map details be viewable on the 350's screen? What equipment is (will be) necessary in order to accomplish this? Would you beable to up/down load waypoints from a list store in your PC? This is very confusing to someone who is as computor handicapped as myself.

REW, which Lowrance mapping unit do you own? If you were going to buy a new one this year which would it be? Why.

Thanks in advance. TM