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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I'm taking my first trip to LOTW this year and staying at Mylie's Place. I realized that I doubt my map chips cover that area. I'd have to check, but I think I have a Fishinghotspots and Navionics chips that both work in WI. I'm guessing neither of these will have Sabaskong bay on them. It's doubtful that the base map would include it either?
I'm planning to buy the paper map as it sounds like it's more accurate for safe navigation purposes. How critical would having a map chip of the area be for fishing the area? I'd rather not spend the $150 for a once every few year's trip, but on the other hand if it makes finding spots and fish easier, and reduce some stress of navigating, for the $25 per day the chip will cost this year it would be worth buying...
Both units in my boat are Lowrance 520C's. These are getting outdated now but it looks like I still have the option to get a Canada chip for them in the Navionics chips. Is the Navionics Premium Chip pretty workable? |
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Posts: 153
Location: MN | I borrowed one from a friend, he had it from his ice fishing trips. First ice walleyes on four mile bay. I cannot remember the name brand from the chip. It was a lot easier to look at electronics for shallow spots than trying to look at a paper map while on plane. |
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| We used maps for years. We also hit stuff. Maps are big and clumsy and you need to keep your finger on it so you know where you are all the time. Chips are nice to have but you need a map to supplement it. If it was me I would have both. Beats the price of a lower unit. Once you go you will be going back anyway. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | You can buy the chip offer it for sale at a discount when you get back as they sell well if you knock some of the cost off. Then it is like a smaller amount, just call it trip expense. You will want the newer version the next time anyway. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | Make sure the chip you order is compatible with your unit. Some of the older units are not fast enough for the newer chips. Talk to Navionics before you buy. |
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Posts: 167
| If you have a Humminbird get the Lake Master chip. I have been fishing LOW since 1979 and this is by far the best. I have a trailer at Mylies. Let me know when you will be there. We usually spend two weeks out of each month up there and I will be glad to share spots with you.
Dick |
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Posts: 153
Location: Antigo Wi. | We have been going to LOTW for years and have both chips and paper maps. As was stated in the earlier post , the cost of the chip is way less than a lower unit or a ruined trip. We use the Lakemaster chips and I have a pair of Lms 332's in my boat and they work well. We have been alternating between the angle and sabaskong bay area . |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | Do not try and skimp by saving a little cash..LOTW has some serious hazards, and they are numerous...get the chip, make sure it is the best one available, and do not think twice about it. |
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Posts: 42
| I have the navionics premium N6 and it works great on the sabaskong. It marks the main channel real well. Wouldn't go without it. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | Thank you everybody. I have decided I NEED a chip! I'm already a little nervous about making sure my prop and lower unit stay intact and chip should help with that. I was wrong about my chips - I only have a Lakemaster WI and a Fishinghotspots chip. I don't believe either have LOTW. Looks like the new Navionics Premium chips will work in my older 520C units. Good to know about the North chip working. I might just buy that one since it will work on my home waters as well.
Appreciate everyone's advice.
Tucker |
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Posts: 897
| You're going to want a 2011 or older LakeMaster LOTW/Rainy chip for Lowrance for your units, I believe. When are you going? I might be willing to rent you the two I have if it doesn't conflict with my trips. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | I'm going Aug 9-16 this year. I appreciate the offer but I'll probably just end up buying one. I have an email out to Navionics to make sure the Premium N6 chip will cover Sab Bay and also work in my 520C's. If they confirm it all works I will plan to purchase one as it will also work on the lakes I fish and includes lakes my other chips don't have. |
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Posts: 897
| Just be aware that just because they say they should work, not all do. I went through a couple chips that wouldn't work in my 520c or 27c before I got a couple that work. If you end up in a bind, feel free to contact me. |
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Posts: 2687
Location: Hayward, WI | That's interesting. I'll see what they say, and if incorrect I'd hope to be able to return. If I run into any snags I'll keep you in mind.
Thanks,
Tucker |
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | I started fishing LOTW way before chips were available. My advice is to use your paper charts, it is a little more tedious and cumbersome to navigate but it is much safer than using the chips. The charts, while not 100% accurate, are the most accurate thing out there for hazards. Some of them are missing on the chips. I found a couple more motor killers that weren't on the chip again this year, luckily I still use my charts and knew something wasn't right before I hit one.
If you plan on returning you will learn the area much better using the charts than blindly following the chip. You will be better off in the long run if you learn areas using the chart. Given the option between one or the other, I would take the charts every time. |
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Posts: 999
| I would recommend a combination of the two. Always know where you are on the chart and use your chip to lay down SAFE trails that will pay off later if you run into some bad storms where visibility becomes an issue and you have to make it back to camp. Tucker I also sent you and e mail. |
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Posts: 324
| I've fished there a bit myself.My experience has been that if you travel at Norm's normal speed only prayer will help. |
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | Dick - You just gave me the best laugh I have had in a long time with that one. |
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Posts: 183
| 2 things go to the Navionics website and click on the WebApp you can preview the lakes for free. If you are running a unit that cannot view SonarCharts layer what you see is what you get. If you have a sonar capable of running SonarCharts click on the Sonar Icon on the lower left corner to get the extra fishing layer. Some sonars cannot handle the bigger chip this is why you are limited.
If you need a chip and go to Canada allot look at the new Nav + you can load the lakes you want Canada and US all on one chip. You can purge the chip and reload different lakes on it, it holds 2GB of data which is allot of lakes.
Here is a link to the Compatibly chart http://www.navionics.com/sites/www.navionics.com/files/documents/Am...
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Posts: 153
Location: Storm Lake, IA | I would make sure the chip you buy has the main channels marked. I have come home at night in sketchy situations with out the channel trail and with no land markers its hard to tell if your going by the right side of the island or even the right island.
I know running off gps isn't fool proof, but it hasn't failed me yet. |
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