Lake Maps - Paper & Electronic

[Long Mike]

As a relative newbie, I have been using lake topo maps for only a couple of years.  To date, I have used the Fishing Hot Spots maps exclusively, because they are readily available from BPS.  Also, my GPS unit has a FHS chip in it.  To date, I have been mildly pleased with the information from both the maps and the chip, although the chip omits a lot of information that the paper maps contain.

Recently, I have heard that Navionics is offering superior topo maps to those being offered by FHS, but the FHS web site states that they provide their topo information to Navionics.

A buddy and I both have the Lowrance 522's on our boats.  He has the Navionics chip and I have the FHS chip.  Today we were able compare the two chips.  The topo information provided by by the two chips was almost identical, with one important difference.  The FHS chip and the paper map showed a highway crossing the lake over a rip-rap causeway.  I have fished this lake extensively, so I know first-hand that the information provided is accurate.  On the other hand, the Navionics chip showed the causeway, but the highway was depicted as running over a mile South, and never crossing the lake at all.  Bear in mind that this lake (Skiatook, OK) is one of the high-res lakes provided by both companies.

For those of you who have had the opportunity to compare the advantages and disadvantages of FHS vs Navionics and paper vs chip I would appreciate input and comments.  

[flechero]

Interesting comparison... I have a Lowrance 332C. I use the Navonics gold and the "free enhanced maps" from lowrance. I hate to admit it but the free download maps from lowrance are my favorite. (at least for my home lakes) I have done extensive comparisons on Belton and Fork. The paper maps have some different info but I've found much more useful info on the electronic maps since you can zoom in more. Lots of small ditches, holes and other contour not shown on the paper maps.

As for the Navonics vs. free- the Navonics has more info (like old roadbeds, submerged buildings/houses, etc.) but the free maps can zoom closer so you actually pick up more of the little things. I prefer that since I fish "small spots" as opposed to larger areas most of the time. One nice thing about electronic maps is that you can do some scouting on the computer in zoom mode which is easier than paper maps and mark out areas and spots to try... also you can save map data from multiple sources and compile all you want onto the SD card with the free maps- you can write, overwrite and do almost anything you want.

Lowrance allows you to download the simulators free and if you have your card in the computer you can run the simulator with your maps as the unit would. You can mark, edit or save info just as you would in the boat. I use the Navonics in conjunction with free maps at home but probably 80% of the time I have the free maps in use on the boat.  The other reason I like the "free enhanced maps" from lowrance is that the GPS has been dead on with it whereas the Navonics hasn't been as good.  It's still great but the Lowrance maps have been almost perfect.

Skiatook is listed on the free maps as well as a bunch of OK lakes.

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Mapping/Enhanced-Lake-Maps/

[Gatorbassman]

I don't know how FHS does it but I do know how Navionics makes their maps. They are about to make one for the reservoir in Ga that I fish on and I have been asking allot of questions to a friend of mine who is one of their reps.

Navionics has a fleet of boats that go to a lake and systematically go over it with some very high dollar sonar and radar. Each boat is directly linked via satellite to their home office and all of the information is sent directly there. They use that information to create their maps.

With Navionics the more you spend on a map program the better the detail you get. I have used one for Clark Hill that was in one foot intervals and it had great detail. I found humps and ditches on that thing that I never knew existed.

The newest versions of Navionics is supposed to have a companion computer program so you can do all your research and waypoint organization on your home computer and then download it to your boat's system. I also hear rumor that you can adjust the water level to match the current level of the lakes you are fishing.

[Bud]

Navionics got through mapping Ky and Barkley lake late this year.   I have their platinum version and they are right on.   I have owned a Diving salvage company on this lake for 25 years and I have found several thing I did not know was their.                

   I have also the program to hook up my Humminbird 997si / 797 si i to the computer.  Yes  you can do all your research and waypoint organization on your home computer and then download it to your boat's system.  

Their is a company call Kentucky Hydro Grafx  who has sidescan several section of the lake.  You can take his sidescan images find a spot you would like to look at, load the info into the Humminbird and go right to it.  It is better at showing detail than any of the new maps.  Sidescan will show things that you will not believe.   You can look at a spot and see if their are fish on it before you fish it.

[Gatorbassman]

You had to bring up the 997.  > Now I have to beat the baitmonkey back again.

[WRB]

The early Navonics maps where made using existing topo map data. The newer 2007 maps with 1 foot elevations are updates using actual sounding data and in puts from pro fisherman. The bottom line is buy the latest product with 1 foot elevations, when available for the lakes that you fish.

Save your paper maps for a back up and surveying aide. I update mine every so often just to refresh my memory.

WRB

[fishfordollars]

I have the Navionics East and West maps for Lake Sam Rayburn(paper) that are dated 2006. They have an awful lot of missing information in the back of all the pockets. The north end of Ayish and the Angelina are also blank.  I was told by one of their reps that the lake was too low for them to map at the time they shot the maps. Do they have a later map that will show more info or are these the latest? thanks

[slomoe]

Can some one point me to where I can get in detail map software? I don't need to be able to link up to any gps or depth finder. I just want one I can upload on my computer for scouting purposes.

[Tin]

Navionics are great, but in certain RI lakes are not reliable, and if you use them to navigate on certain lakes like most you will loose your lower unit. I still think one of the best maps out there are the HotSpot series.

[flechero]

Can some one point me to where I can get in detail map software? I don't need to be able to link up to any gps or depth finder. I just want one I can upload on my computer for scouting purposes.

Well if you don't mind it being less than full screen, you can download the lowrance product simulators and free map data.  I guess the only catch is if your lakes are available... follow the link in my first post to the maps list.  All can be found at Lowrance . com.  I'm sure there are much better pay options but I can tell you that the Lowrance stuff is pretty easy to use and the price is right.  You use your mouse as your finger in operating the on screen unit.

[RoLo]

Recently, I have heard that Navionics is offering superior topo maps to those being offered by FHS, but the FHS web site states that they provide their topo information to Navionics.

Garmin was originally licensed with Navionics, at that time they were called "G-charts".

Today Garmin owns their own bathymetry which they call "MapSource" (Hot Spots).

Other than Garmin and Magellan, most of your GPS brands like Lowrance and Humminbird are licensed with Navionics (HotMaps).

I'm currently running Garmin MapSource on my boat, while a neighbor on the same lake is running Lowrance Navionics.

I'd love to say that my Garmin software is right on the snot, but that is not the case. On the other hand, my friend's Navionics

are also skewed over certain lake features. In my opinion, MapSource (Hot Spots) is better on some lakes,

while Navionics (HotMaps) is better on others.

Incidentally, working between your GPS and your PC has always been possible, with both Garmin MapSource and Navionics.

Although the chipmakers love to sell cartridges for your GPS unit, the cartridges do not communicate with your PC.

When you purchase the DVD or CD disk however, you have the ability to download, upload, add, delete and edit,

back-and-forth between your PC and GPS.

Roger

[slomoe]

thanks flechero.

[Long Mike]

I'm learning a lot.  Thanks guys.

As for you folks who can afford $2000 GPS/Sonar Units,  

[surfer]

Can some one point me to where I can get in detail map software? I don't need to be able to link up to any gps or depth finder. I just want one I can upload on my computer for scouting purposes.

For any one in Florida here are a bunch of basic bathymetry maps.

http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/MapList.htm