Map Chips for GPS

[one fish wonder]

I need to buy a chip for my Lowrance GPS unit and was curious which one is the best for the southern CA lakes including DVL?????? Please let me know which one you recomend. Thanks.

TK

[tunaman]

I'd suggest Navionics... it's got great detail from my experiences.

[mark poulson]

Check out Lowrance's own Enhanced Map Chip. Whichever one your unit can use.

[Schneider Fishing]

Lowranced enhanced maps are free and you can zoom to 0.04 mile. The Nav. chips have a zoom rate that e isn't nearly as good but their maps are pretty good looking. I think they soom to like 1/16 nm. Maybe someone else can tell you their zoom rate.

[one fish wonder]

Thanks for the responses.

TK

[ken]

One fish, I like the hot spots chip but was disappointed that it doesn't cover the delta. You will need the navionics chip for that. They are not interchangeable, if you want to also fish the delta like I do. I also have map create and not that impressed. Ken

[tunaman]

Regarding Map Create - I spoke with Don Iovino and the Lowrance service rep at length at the Bass-A-Thon, and one of the subjects was Map Create 6.x

I was using 6.2, and it was somewhat useful. I decided to upgrade to 6.3 and have been very disappointed. First, it is a HUNTING version, even though the package and product don't say so, but when it launches the splash screen states it clearly. It isn't really oriented to fishing, which is why I bought it in the first place. Secondly, it now requires one of the CDs to be in the drive when you launch the program - what a PITA! Third, you now have to register your MMC/SD cards, and it is limited to 6. It's a feable attempt to limit piracy.

They stated that 7.0 will be available towards the first of next year, and that it is the version that I'm looking for. I may see if I can return 6.3 to LEI in the mean time.

6.2 does decent waypoint management, and OK mapping for what I use it for.

[Ron C]

NauticPath USA for the Delta:
http://www.lowrance.com/mapping/NauticPath/default.asp
(This baby ROCKS! It even shows tidal movement direction and has a tide guide built into it. The problem with this chip is that it is so much fun to play with that it will interfere with your fishing - Har Har!)

Fishing Hot Spots Elite West for everything else:
http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/FHSelite/default.asp
(Although this chip has just about everything that we fish here in California, it does not have Lake Havasu on it. I made my own Havasu map with Lowrance MapCreate).

Hope this helps.

[one fish wonder]

Again thank you all. See you on the water.

TK

[Dan P]

Is there any where local that I can purchase the Fishing Hot Spots Elite West Just got a hand held H20. Thanks in advance.

Dan

[Ron C]

...but I'd be willing to bet that Anglers Marine carries them. If not, you can order one on-line directly from LEI and will have it in a week.

http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/FHSelite/default.asp

[Dan P]

Thanks Ron, and I have a 100.00 gift card for AM. Hope they carry it.

[Ron C]

Don't forget, if you plan on going to the Delta, I recommend getting the NauticPath USA map chip, too. It is AWESOME!

http://www.lowrance.com/mapping/NauticPath/default.asp

[DAKINE198]

hey dan can I borrow it, huh huh please

[Vince Borges]

Hey Ron. I noticed the west does not have or list Don Pedro, New Melones, Mc clure, Oroville, Camanche, and some other well known nor ca lakes, is there a chip that does? also on the Delta chip i have a question. I have a 111c with the built in memory 20gb hard drive. do i need the chip in all the time to use it, or can i save it to memory and still see the tides?
Thanks for the help.
Vince

[Ron C]

...they might already be loaded on your unit. (I know that they are on the X-26c HD). If not, you can transfer the maps onto the hard drive in your unit. I know that the FHS Elite-West chip does not have every California lake on it. Because of this, I made my own maps with Map Create (although they do not have the depth contour lines). There are also new maps on the Lowrance website that are downloadable.

Hope this helps.

[Dan P]

Ordered the Fishing Hot Spots Elite West. Thanks again for your help

Dan

[ash]

In regard to the downloadable maps. Can you download these directly from Lowrances website onto any SD chip and run them?

[Ron C]

...here's the page:

http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/LakeMaps/index.asp

[ash]

Thank you for the link, I found that area and I guess I was hoping that it wasnt the only source. I wish there were more smaller NorCal lakes listed.

Have a great New Year!

JOnathan

[CORAL 96]

make a chip that fits into a Lowrance I-finder? I have one, and was thinking if they did I'd pick one up as the basemap kinda sucks. Which one if they do would be best? Thanks!!!

[Dan P]

go to http://www.lowrance.com/outdoor/Products/ifinderh2o.asp find your ifinder that you have on the left hand side and click on it than click on Accessories. Scroll down to Mapping and it will show the part number that is compatible for your unit. I ordered a chip yesterday and they are on back order for 3 weeks. Hope this helps.

Dan

[CORAL 96]

For the info!! I might check on E-Bay too once I find what will work with mine!!