Chart plotter Maps Cmap or Navionics??

[Kdog]

I am looking at 2 different WAAS system gps receivers one uses the Cmap-nt cartridges the other the Navionics.The Navionics doesnt have any local lakes that i fish and the C-map does.How much detail does the cmap-nt local cartridges have??I tghink eventually the navionics will have my local lakes and was just wondering if the navionics or the Cmaps were better?Decisions,decisions,lol.One other thing is Lowrance gonna make a Waas system in the future?I am partial to my lowrance products.Thanks,Kdog

[hugh]

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[SeaCat]

If C-Map has cartridges for the lake you need, get it! The detail on the two C-Map NT cartriges I have is great -- South Lk Michigan and West Lk Erie. Right down to the docks in the marina!

Biggest problem with C-Map is that they have been short on coverage that is not "big" water -- Great Lakes and Ocean areas are all covered very well, but not smaller water. Good stuff if your body of water is available.

Ryan

[Team Alto]

kdog, The Navionics will someday have all the hot-spot maps, they just started on the most popular lakes first. I don't know whats up with c-map nt superlake series. I had a long talk with a Lowrance tech about WAAS but the problem is they have a misunderstanding about WAAS, he was convinced it only improved vertical accuracy and I couldn't change his mind. He did give me a email address to send him info so I did send a couple articles and web sites to check.

My guess they will come out with a WAAS unit by next year since all their competition is, and it only will be a software upgrade or antenna change. I just bought a x-15 to replace a gps and a Bottomline sonar on the speculation that they will have a WAAS upgrade.
Bob

[Bottomfeeder]

In talking to some people who have used the hot spots overlays, my understanding is that the accuracy is marginal. I use a Magellan 6500 that used c-map nt and the accuracy is unbelievable. Cmap uses NOAA charting, which is why it is limited to larger navigable bodies of water. With cmap you can use it to follow breaklines and curves on reefs. We were caught in the fog one night and it brought us in showing us how to avoid shallow water with amazing accuracy.

[MikeM]

I don't know what "marginal" means, but Fishing Hot Spots has spent 25 years gathering and perfecting fishing map data like no one else has. We've seen it on several units and have put it into use on Leech Lake as a test. Deadly.

Yes, it's true that C-Maps has "only" big waters. They purchase data from other sources, like Navionics does, to develop their map products. FHS CREATES the maps for these guys and adds fishing information that no NOAA chart provides.

We offer as much guidance as we can to the companies involved, right now Navionics, Garmin, Raytheon and Lowrance for the inland water anglers. The final decision is up to them as to what waters get done. I see Navionics has already beefed up their selection on the website and Garmin's MapSource Fishing Hot Spots CD is now on the market. Both already have bigger plans for later in the year.

As a fellow user, I also watch the selections, the price and the function of these mapping units. This is new technology and FHS is on the "cutting edge" with its information. I can tell you to wait just a little while longer and you won't believe what's going to be available...

Mike Michalak
President
Fishing Hot Spots, Inc.

[Bottomfeeder]

Thanks, Mike for the new information. Just so you know, I have a boat full of Hot Spots maps and I have always relied on them to when fishing alomst any body of water. When I bought my 6500 it was the best technology available. How do you think the hot spots bottom contours compare with c-map nt for accuracy. My comparison is from a friend that had one of the first units out with the Hot Spots overlay. One question I have is how do you or NOAA chart waters. Do you actually cover the entire lake and plot it with GPS and sonar? I have no idea how NOAA charts water either. It would be great if it could be done from a satelite.

Thanks for the input.
Bottomfeeder

[JWilson]

If c-mapNT maps are available by all means go with them. I have used both the Navionics e-charts and the c-maps for Lake Michigan, I was much more comfortable with the c-maps, they (in my opinion) are a much better product for what I used them for.

[Mike Michalak]

Bottomfeeder:

Thanks for the support! FHS uses, in many cases, the same base data as C-Map, Navionics and every other map company out there. You have to start someplace and with the navigable waters on the continent, NOAA or USGS charts are the logical place to begin.

It always amazes me when comparisons are made with electronic data since the sources for these major waters are all the same. If you want Lake Erie or Michigan, it's a NOAA chart and no matter what product you buy, it's still NOAA data. It's all in how that data is handled.

As for how we do things, like I mentioned above, we begin with the same base data but go a few better by doing our own research. Sometimes we do the mapping ourselves. It's a long process but worth it to you guys/gals out there on the water.

It might be interesting to note at this time that I'm fortunate enough to be chat host May 2nd here on WC. It's something I'm looking forward to. There have been a lot of questions about the maps and electronics and I hope to be able to field as many of the queries as I can.

Mike
FHS

[Eyecatcher]

I'm also using the Magellan 6500 with Cmap NT catridges, once you use one your hooked! At night or in bad weather it makes fishing alot more enjoyable, and in my estimation safer. Have somebody show you one on the water and I think you'll be impressed. Good Luck!

[Kdog]

Mike,
Thanks for the reply this is interesting stuff and i am definately looking forward to your chat on here.It looks like the Navionics and Hotspots maps are the way to go but approximately how long in the future will all the lakes be available for inland water?Im especially interested in lakes in NE ohio such as Mosquito,Pymatuning,Berlin,etc.
Another question Mike is the new Lowrance X15-MT Navionics and Hot Spot Map Compatible????Thanks for your time,Keith Walters

[Mike Michalak]

Kdog,

The Ohio maps you mention are all on the list and as far as your Lowrance goes, it's HotMaps ready off the shelf. Good luck on the water!

Mike
FHS