I bought a Humminbird Helix 7 last year. Nicest/fanciest fish finder I’ve ever owned. I’ve owned six (I think) in the past, mostly the older, simpler types. This one is supposed to be compatible with lake maps, etc. My question is: how do the Lakemaster chart cards work? You just insert the card and the unit combines the chart and GPS to show the lake on your screen? How accurate they?

 

Second question: I’m still pondering what new trolling motor I want. If I go with the Ulterra or Ultrex, I’ll likely put the Helix I have up front and get a newer/larger unit for the console. If I go with the Fortrex, I’ll have the option of a Garmin up front. So the question is…is Humminbird or Garmin the best for lake mapping? I have the GPS maps in the Helix, but no depth charting. I have zero experience with lake charts and no idea which would be better. 

On my Solix units I had to go into the menu and tell them what card was in them.  I assume that you will have to do the same with the Helix.  I like my Hbird lake master charts.  They seem pretty accurate to me.  I have no experience with Garmin.

 

 

Another thought...if I do move the Helix 7 to the front, and add a larger Helix at the console, if I put the lake master card into one of them, will it show on both units if I network them? 

I am still pretty new to my Helix / Ulterra set up. I do very much like the lakemaster cards. Search youtube or Humminbird site for directions to get the card active. 

 

Note: You need a lakemaster card for EACH H-Bird unit, they cannot share the maps, even when networked. 

 

If you have multiple units, and they are networked...the CAN share waypoints. 

 

And a very cool feature my brother showed me...remember, my Helix 9's are networked with the Ulterra. Running the big motor...watching side imaging and notice a nice brushpile. I mark the brushpile, shut off the Mercury, and deploy the Ulterra...then I select "go to mark" and the Ulterra will take me to that mark, and spot-lock over it. Very neat!

 

I did have Garmin Echomap on my last boat. Mapping was pretty good, but I find down and side imaging much better on my Helix units. I'm not interested in FFS. 

 

Hope this helps.  

LakeMaster has the best maps for the lakes I fish.  They were created from recent surveys.   Some lakes are better than others.  If you have a smartphone you can download the One-BoatNetwork app and look at the maps of your lakes.  They require a subscription but there is a free trial period.

I have Garmin FFS / DI SI on my kayak but I find the Lakemaster mapping to be so much better that I also installed my Helix 7. 

 

Smartstrike is also an i interesting feature with the upgraded Lakemaster.