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#1
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Navionics Worth the Subscription?
Last summer, I bought an Elite 9ti2. I bought it because I didn't want to spend the extra $500 on a Helix 9. It came with a Navionics chip. It's a decent unit, but has some flaws that I don't like, like the plastic screen and no Ethernet connectivity. Now I want to upgrade to an Elite 9 FS which has a glass screen and Ethernet. My first question is, can I put my Navionics chip from the ti2 in the FS? My other, main question that pertains to the title of this post is, should I pay to renew the Navionics subscription? It is due in a couple of weeks. Lakemaster doesn't have a subscription. Neither does C-map that comes with some of the Lowrance units. Am I missing out on some critical updates if I don't spend the ungodly amount of money that Navionics charges every year? Because, to be honest, I don't notice a lick of difference between before and after I update my charts. I appreciate all responses in advance.
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#2
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I guess no-one has anything to say about this? I asked two simple questions; whether the Navionics chip will work in the new Elite fs and if the annual subscription is worth it. Surely someone has something to add to this.
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#3
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I was surprised that my Navionics chip even had a subscription. I bought the chip, why do I need a subscription also. When my subscription ended, I lost some of my detail, I contacted Navionics twice and no response. Very disappointed.
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#4
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Yeah, my subscription ran out and I lost my ability to adjust my maps and change color based on my choice of depth contours. Of course, you also lose the ability to update the maps from community updates, but for me those updates have been virtually nonexistent. Otherwise, I'm still able to use the contour maps, my previous waypoints are all still there, and I have the ability to add new waypoints. Maybe I'll resubscribe every other year.
I am also interested in other's responses, especially regarding the pros of the annual subscription. |
#5
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For me... not worth it. All of my fishing is in Canada (or was....) and updates are rare if ever.
As long as the base map is good, I mark every hazard that I encounter and my waypoints. The mapping is accurate as far as islands and land areas, but the depth data is questionable. Known hazards are pretty accurate on the base map, but don't bet your lower unit on it. Hazards mostly indicate an area, not always a specific "spot". Very glad to have the Navionics maps, but understand their limitations. I would think that if you fish south of the Canadian border on popular lakes that community updates might be of value. Pooch
__________________
"Human beings seldom think for themselves... For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity... We are stubborn, self-destructive conformists. Any other view of our species is just a self-congratulatory delusion." |
#6
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Quote:
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2015 1875 Lund Impact Sport 150 Mercury 4 Stroke, Sportcraft digital troll 80 lb Motorguide Xi5 trolling motor with PinPoint Lowrance Gen2 Touch 9 with network to the trolling motor |
#7
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Onboard C-Map is hard enough to use, why complicate matters by adding Navionics.
For the cost, the added value just isn't there. You got contours? You got a map of the shorelines? You have GPS location & compass headings? You can put in way-points & recall course traveled? You can see depth, fish marking, & switch between sidescan, downscan, and real-time flasher? You can put up landmarks like landings and restaurants/fuel stops? The Lowrance Elite9-Ti2 is a pretty inclusive machine in it's own right - exactly what else is it that anybody needs out of a sonar unit? Dunnoe, maybe if you regularly fish a reservoir and water levels fluctuate a lot - but even then, the basic functions for finding fish are still all you really need once you set the elevation deviance (Elite9-Ti2 can do that, you know.) Last edited by Anonymouse; 06-18-2021 at 05:01 PM. |
#8
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Yes, your card will work in the elite 9fs. No, you don't really need to pay for the yearly "subscription" unless your area constantly fluctuates in depth.
I have 3 elite units. 2-12's and a 9. Two of them will network wirelessly. They can share maps, 2d sonar, waypoints and routes. You can also connect them to share waypoints, routes and other data via nmea. Obviously ethernet is great because it shares everything but for $2500 for all 3 units I bought, I can't complain.
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So there we were, 4 against 40, they were the toughest 4 I've ever seen |
#9
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Quote:
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"My Biggest worry is that when I'm dead and gone, my wife will sell my fishing gear for what I said I paid for it." - Koos Brandt |
#10
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I appreciate all of the responses. Now I realize that I can use the chip in my new unit (if I decide to get one) and that I really don't need to renew my subscription. The Lakemaster guys don't renew theirs because they buy the chip once and that's it. They don't have updates that I know of. I am a little confused with Mojo's response about no longer being able to change the colors based on contours, after the subscription runs out. How can Navionics possibly do anything to an existing chip as long as it stays in the Lowrance unit and doesn't get plugged into a computer?
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