I bought a new boat without a Fish Finder so I'm looking at getting a new one. I had narrowed it down to the Humminbird 386 gps/fishfinder combo with the lakemaster chip but then was looking at the Fishing Hot Spots chip and it seems to have more features. I know they only work in Lowrance units so I would have to get a different Fish Finder if I got the Fishing Hot Spots chip. My question is what one does everyone think is the best map chip? Im mostly concerned with how accurate they are and then the features come second. I have checked and all the lakes and rivers i fish are in both chips and on the Lakemaster chip they are in HD. 

I just went thru all this with Lakemaster vs Navionics and decided on the Lakemaster . Main reason, It's designed to work with the HB. I can shade depths I want to target. I have the option of iLink in the future.  As far as accuracy, they both have their plusses and minuses. The HD is essentially contours in 1ft increments, and locations of marker buoys and ramps. I wouldn't base your graph purchase on a map chip. I would base it on the features of the graph. Navionics can be used on both Lowrance and HB and has more coverage per chip and some new technology which allows you to chart your own water, but I felt the Lakemaster was a better option for my needs..

My advice would be to first compare the maps between companies and decide what exactly is the best map for the lake or lakes that you fish. This is by far most important. If you travel a lot, Navionics will most likely be your best chip.

 

I'm biased to Navionics as it's what I count on to make my living. I understand all chips have their benefits so I'll share some Navionics benefits with you.

 

First, Navionics works with both Humminbird and Lowrance. Secondly, Navionics is the only true software company, with that they allow you to update Freshest Data to your chip free for the first year. They are uploading data everyday. It's a simple process and here's a quick video I did demonstrating it.

 

I'm a Lowrance guy, I've used both but Lowrance offers me more usable options out on the water. However, since you are leaning toward the Humminbird, you'd be able to participate in Sonar Charts. http://www.navionics.com/en/sonarcharts

 

This could be an excellent option for you if you fish smaller lakes or lakes that aren't already in HD 1ft. contours. Basically, you enjoy a day on the water, record your sonar/gps data to a SD card then when you get home, upload the data onto Navionics.com. They'll turn it around (running about two weeks due to the influx of users sending in their recordings) and it'll become available to you and the rest of the community by viewing the Sonar Charts option, you'll simply just have to do a Freshest Data update. No matter whether you go with Lowrance or Humminbird you can view SonarCharts, wether or not you participate is up to you. I'm from MN and you being from WI can relate with this more than anyone in that we have 1000's of small lakes that will never see a survey crew, now we can do them ourselves in a day. Here's an example:

 

 

 

Lastly, new to the Navionics line is Navionics +, which if you're at all familiar with their iPhone/iPad and Android App, is essentially the same thing but for your chartplotter. For $179, you buy a blank Navionics card and then upload whatever area you desire. Being you're a Cheese Head, sorry but I'm a Viking fan, you can upload everything in MN and WI. Then if you take a trip to Florida or Texas you can simply download the area you are going without being forced to buy a whole new chip.

 

One last thing, not sure if LM offers this but here's a free Navionics site for you that allows you to view all their data before you buy. The small circle icon on the bottom left allows you to view the new Sonar Charts. http://www.navionics.com/en/webapp

 

 

Hope this helps, good luck and CONGRATS on the new boat!!

 

www.JoshDouglasFishing.com

Thanks for the info JDFishing and slonezp