Humminbird Software - Autochart, Reefmaster, etc

[txchaser]

Recent owner of an SI Helix, and the autochart is pretty cool as most of where I fish is unmapped. I'm a bit fuzzy on the choices though, as there appear to be multiple competing software packages out there, and the sideimagingsoft forums aren't always recent posts. 

In some of the things I've read it sounded like only autochart (pc software) can put a map back on the card and on the unit. Some other packages have SI stitching and a bunch of interesting stuff. 

 

Anyway, where to start? I think I need a zerolines card if I use humminbirds software, but the included maps already show the outline. 

 

I'd rather not buy something and a few weeks later wish I had something else... Who's got better stuff than what I can get direct from humminbird, or similar but at less crazy pricing?

[A-Jay]

Helix 10 user & abuser here ~

Auto chart - although very cool, uses up a ton of memory that the Helix unit itself does not have.

The Zero Lines cards are needed to store the maps we make on them.

The maps are saved to the card for use in that or other Hunmminbird units.

Auto chart comes in handy for smaller water that do not already have detailed mapping, we can make our own.

Also can be helpful to 'map' specific spots on any lake to get an updated view of what's there. 

It's a slow process to map areas and something I do both by itself and more often, I'll map while I'm fishing. 

 

Finally, it's a good idea to back up (save) your way points to a SD card as well. 

These unit save a bunch and having them saved to more that one card can be very beneficial should a unit toast out - you'll still have those hard earned special spots to re-install later.

A-Jay

 

[jbsoonerfan]

Interesting thread, thanks for starting one. I am about to go down this worm hole myself with my local lake. I have the lakemaster card and it has a basic map for the lake I fish most often. I am going to attempt to do this on this lake and see how it turns out. 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Interesting thread, thanks for starting one. I am about to go down this worm hole myself with my local lake. I have the lakemaster card and it has a basic map for the lake I fish most often. I am going to attempt to do this on this lake and see how it turns out. 

You're going to like it.

Especially when you find 'the spot on the spot'.

A-Jay

[txchaser]

@A-Jay do use any of the pc sofware or just do it all on the device?

[A-Jay]

27 minutes ago, txchaser said:

@A-Jay do use any of the pc sofware or just do it all on the device?

I have the Contour Elite dvd software for my area (Great Lakes).    Decent tool to scout new and especially big water without burning much gas.  

 I can inport and export way points and plot track lines to get me directly to and from areas I want to check and fish.   Doing this in advance of getting on the water saves a bunch of time when I do.

A-Jay 

 

 

[txchaser]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

I have the Contour Elite dvd software for my area (Great Lakes).    Decent tool to scout new and especially big water without burning much gas.  

 I can inport and export way points and plot track lines to get me directly to and from areas I want to check and fish.   Doing this in advance of getting on the water saves a bunch of time when I do.

A-Jay 

 

 

Got it. Reefmaster and Autochart pro (pc) look pretty interesting, but they may just be toys given how I fish. Point being waypoints may get it done anyway. If you haven't seem them take a drive-by. 

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, txchaser said:

Got it. Reefmaster and Autochart pro (pc) look pretty interesting, but they may just be toys given how I fish. Point being waypoints may get it done anyway. If you haven't seem them take a drive-by. 

This is a few years old there may be something better now.

Still, although I do not know how or where you fish, but my 'spots' can be several miles apart.  Also I can Identify and mark danger areas in advance as well. 

A-Jay