Help me understand Humminbird's AutoChart

[DaubsNU1]

New to me boat, dealer set up two Humminbird Helix 9 MEGA SI+ G4N's on console and bow. They are networked together with the Ethernet hub, and I am able to share way-points. 

 

I do have Humminbird Lakemaster premium Dakotas and Nebraska SD cards in each Helix unit. Few local lakes are not included on the Lakemaster premium cards.

 

Started mapping my favorite lake...and filled the on-board memory. Visited my local Scheels telling them I want to map my favorite lakes and share the auto chart between the two units.

 

They suggested getting two 32GB blank SD cards...that should do it. 

 

But it's not working...and buddy said I need to get two auto chart zero line cards (one for each unit).

 

Do I need the auto chart pro PC software as well?

 

I'm confused. Help me understand.

 

I want to auto chart my local lakes, and share that charting between both Helix units.

[casts_by_fly]

Correct. A regular sd card doesn’t work. It has to be the zero lines card. I don’t think you need two though if they are networked. I would expect (but can’t say for sure) that the nav mapping from one should be shared to the other. And you don’t want to map from both units at the same time. 

[12poundbass]

Yup zero lines card is what you need. Garmins will take an SD card. 
 

I can’t speak about the Humminbird units and sharing Auto Chart data but I’d guess you could share them from one unit to the other. My Garmins do. 

[DaubsNU1]

Chatted with Humminbird support yesterday, and yes, I need zero line cards for both units. 

 

While I can share waypoints between units via the network, I will be unable to share auto chart maps.

 

Support said I should auto chart with my console unit...then copy that zero line card to the bow unit's card. 

 

I will update when I get this figured out. 

[FishTax]

Following up to see if you figured this out? I'm considering buying the same unit for my Kayak, just not the network version as I only need 1 screen. Are you liking this unit now that you've had it a few months? 

[casts_by_fly]

Don’t know about him but I love mine on my kayak. Imaging is great. 

[DaubsNU1]

@FishTax Got the zero-line card for console Helix and pretty much mapped out the local lakes I fish often. I really like these units!

 

On my old boat, had Garmin Echomap 7SV with GT54 transducer for two years. Wanted the touch screen and ability to add livescope in future.

 

Debated Garmin vs. Humminbird on the new boat. 

 

Brother put Humminbirds on his Alaskan connected to his Minn Kota Ulterra, and I felt side and down imaging was better vs. my Garmin. Glad I went this route. Thought I would miss the touch screen -- I really do not miss it.

 

There are a lot of neat features when you link the Humminbirds to the MK Ulterra. I'm still learning and experimenting. 

 

Garmin and Humminbird both make excellent units. I do not think you could go wrong with either set up.  

[FishTax]

I got the helix 7 MSI G4. Haven't got it installed yet. If my lake is on the built in map, is there any need for a zero lines card? Do the contours on a map card update as I cruise around the lake if there's a change from what the built in says vs the transducer reading?

[RipzLipz]

@FishTax I’m not speaking from experience but I have researched this quite a bit. I hope this helps out.

 

AutoChart Live is making a separate map/overlay, you aren’t updating your base map. Important that you’re aware your unit only has so much space to store sonar data/maps.

The ZL card displays maps you create using AutoChart PC software from recorded sonar data. Unsure if it stores your sonar data to ZL card because once map is made sonar data is pretty much useless. You can record sonar data to a blank SD card & import into PC software, create map, save map to ZL card to use like any other mapping card. PC software allows for correcting bad sonar readings & other things can be done with it as well.

 

Research, research & research some more is my advice. You’ll learn more from it in the long run by reading on your own due to the number of additional questions that are bound to come up. Ask here when you get stuck & don’t understand a specific topic.

 

Lastly, for those with 2 or more units, unless something has changed, Helix models do not share mapping of any sort. Solix models can when networked (Navionics, LakeMaster). Unsure how this might apply with AutoChart mapping on a ZL card. I would be disappointed if the Solix couldn’t share.

[FishTax]

Thanks Tim! I'm not going to buy anything else until I've got a few dozen hours with my current setup. I pretty much fish the same lake over and over so from my previous research I may not need a ZL card, definitely shouldn't at first. We'll see what happens, right now I just need to get some time to get on the water. 

[Team9nine]

2 hours ago, FishTax said:

 If my lake is on the built in map, is there any need for a zero lines card?
 

Do the contours on a map card update as I cruise around the lake if there's a change from what the built in says vs the transducer reading?

Yes on the first ? because my experience has been the built in maps are usually wrong as relates to specific structures, though this will vary by lake. You’ll know pretty quick once you actually get out on the water.

 

Yes on the second ? if you’re running live mapping or create on the computer then load to your unit.  It overlays your map of the area, so you won’t see built in contours except where you haven’t mapped if that makes sense. You need ZL card to store any significant amount of data from mapping in most cases as built-in storage was limited, and further additional data falls off similar to when you run out of track storage…at least that’s how my HB worked.

[RipzLipz]

@FishTax No problem dude. I’m positive your unit has only so many hours of recording time - size of lake will determine what you will need long term. Unsure if that sonar data can be moved to SD card once it’s on the unit. If it can, just unload the data & keep it in case you do move to making maps on the PC. Then you won’t have to do the surveying again on those areas already done.

[casts_by_fly]

I started without the card. I primarily fished two lakes, both about 200 acres and bowl shaped. I mapped all of the shorelines out to 50 yards off shore plus a bit more mapping while motoring between places.  If you’re only fishing one lake and it’s 200 acres or less then you’ll be able to map it all without a card. If it’s bigger then you’ll want the card. Auto chart will give you an up to date map. The more you use it the better it refines the map. The built in map will be based on a point in time and some quality of surveyor. I’ve found details that current online maps didn’t have. 

[FishTax]

I'm going to end up with a ZL card.. not in the budget right now, but it'll be interesting to see how long I can hold out. Primary lake is 1100 acres but I'm not going to map but probably 20% of it. But then if I go anywhere else it sounds like I'm out of memory so I guess I won't turn that on anywhere but home until I get the card. 

 

Anyone have tips for a cheaper card? Can you find them used or refurbished?

[casts_by_fly]

There isn’t another option. 
 

start without it.  I think my data transferred to the card because my helix 7 mapping is on my helix 9 now. 

[txchaser]

If I recall correctly it is ten hours of mapping, so just map, don't run the mapping while you fish until you get the card.

[Shawn S]

I Just bought AutoChart Pro and it has the Zero Lines card. I have a Helix 12. Can I run both Lakemaster Premium card and Zero Lines card at the same time? Also will the Zero lines mapping overwrite my Lakemaster card and changed the original data or just overlay on the original data? Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.

 

Shawn