Murphangler

I would recommend using both for the reasons already explained here. The one BIG advantage of using the Navionics card (particularkly the Navionics+ card with SonarCharts) is their updated data. Navionics users with SonarCharts provide data back to the Navionics database, which is then compiled and shared with you, the end user. Here's a video showing the effect, skip to the 3:04 mark to see how SonarCharts can make a difference. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my75IuTSOZ8 Hope this helps, Good Luck!! Murph WWW.MURPHANGLER.COM

You use the ChartInstaller software to transfer the map data to your card, you are absolutely right, which in turn downloads the data from navionics.com (store-mirror.navionics.com). The only way to get the ChartInstaller software is to visit navionics.com. To get the freshest Data: 1) Go to navionics.com 2) Plug in your card 3) Click Downloads & Updates Its also valuable to make sure you have 1) the most up to date version of the ChartInstaller at navionics.com and 2) you have logged in and inputted your Chartplotter make and model for use during the upload. Good luck!

If I could make a suggestion, I would recommend Navionics+, which would allow you: access to lakes in all regions in the US, just download the area you are going to fish directly from Navionics.com ability to reload unlimited updates from SonarChart uploads, Nautical Charts, and community edits for 12 months SonarChart ability for your own boat available on your Mobile Device as well Good Luck! WWW.MURPHANGLER.COM

Navionics SonarCharts for Garmin GPS are now available. Here's the info from Navionics.com: http://www.navionics.com/en/sonarcharts-garmin and some screenshots from Navionics on Garmin systems: You are correct in that the new Garmin units will not be Navionics compatible. -Jerk 'em out.....put 'em in the box Murph