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Posts: 97
Location: Chaska MN. | Just picked up a new boat ( Lund Fisherman GL ) and was looking at map chips for my new electronics ( Lowrance HDS 5 &7 ) and was wondering if the new insight chips are worth the extra money, right now I have an 2008 lakemaster pro map I think and want to get another chip for the second unit. I fish Vermilion pretty much exclusively as I have a place there so was wondering witch one is the best for the Big V. Lakemaster or Navionics or something else |
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Posts: 1663
Location: Kodiak, AK | I'd just make sure the insite info for Vermillion is accurate, then you're good to go. What I mean by that is back when I bought my first HDS, I checked into the insight (loaded on the machine, not the chip, but I assume they're the same/similar), but here on LSC, it had bouys that didn't exist, and omitted bouys that do! Some channels and boat ramps were off a bit, and I don't know about the chips, but the insight loaded on the machines reverts back to conventional 2D view below a certain zoom setting. Meaning, it looks just like any other chip at the zoom levels I normally work with.
Not saying they're bad; they're not. But for me, it looks cool at higher zooms, but I prefer Navionics Platinum+ and Fish N Chips due to accuracy on my particular lake. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I too would check out the Navionics Platinum chip, it's been well worth the extra money spent for me! Best thing you can try and do is borrow a friends chip and try them both out before you buy if possible. |
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| The lakemaster insight chip is different than the HDS Insight units maps. The map on the lakemaster should be identical to your 08 Lakemaster chip with the exception when it is zoomed out it will give a 3d effect. If you purchase the 3d chip with the HDS units you have you will be able to set it at 2d if you would desire. In the zoomed in level you will not notice much difference from your current chip. One thing about running in the 2d setting you will get a defined darker blue indicating shallow water. If you run the chip in the 3d setting there will not be a defined darker blue indicating shallow water as that would eliminate the 3d effect. I have 3 lowrances (yes overkill) on my dash and have one loaded with navionics, one with the lakemaster 3d insight, and one with the older standard lakemaster chip. I have not run the Navionics chip on lake Vermilion so I can not give a fair comparison. As TJ said you may try both out or maybe someone will post that has run both.
Jeff Anderson |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | I'll be on Vermilion all next week and running a 2010 Navionics Platinum on my bow and console unit. I'll let you know how it stacks up next week! |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I have run both out there, and in all actuallity I couldn't tell a big difference between the two. They both have the lake mapped in HD to 1' contours. I am partial to Navionics for it is easier to view depth contours while standing and fishing(I like the white/blue/brown etc. I like that Lakemaster has more lakes in the areas I fish mapped in HD. What it would boil down to for me would be the other lakes I fish. If there are more lakes mapped in HD on one or the other, go with it. Lakemaster is a bit cheaper if you are only going to view Vermilion. Navionics is a great value, giving you three states and some of Canada on the Premium North chip. Good luck.
That also said, I have the Insight maps on my HDS unit, and they have not been as good as the maps on the chips so far. I do like how cool the 3d and shaded relief is, but one has to be zoomed out further than the distance that would warrant much fishing value, to see it. |
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Posts: 97
Location: Chaska MN. | Thanks guys for the input! After checking them both out at Gander I decided to go with the lakemaster. Partly because I thought the 3D looked cooler and that I have had good luck with my old chip up on the lake. Also one of my buddy's up there that guides on the lake recommended it.
thanks again! |
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