I'm going to call support later, but my nav map is up for renewal on my Garmins.   I don't think this one is as good as what I had before but only thing that covers a wide area.   When I had the lowrance issues, I had to buy a fishn map for my region and it was much more accurate than the nav map.   But don't know if it's compatible - yet.

Just wondering what's in use and pro/cons/suggestions.   

Yes sir you are exactly correct.

 

A lot of the electronics packages used today often use a combined mapping data approach.

 

We have satellite generated maps which are not very accurate because satellites cannot penetrate the water for accurate bottom contour mapping, but we also have maps made by on site sonar mapping on a lake or river usually by government agencies that are very accurate.

 

When I compare satellite bathymetry mapping to my hand made government maps there is no comparison. Maps made by people using sonar on a lake are far more accurate than maps generated by satellites. So today the electronics companies have been trying to create new mapping using data from both when possible combined within our electronics.

 

Today I avoid all satellite generated mapping and use strictly bathymetry maps made by sonar:

 

https://orange.wateratlas.usf.edu/library/learn-more/learnmore.aspx?toolsection=lm_bathymetric

 

Fishermen should be made aware of this, and use the most accurate mapping possible when available.

 

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I learned about this problem on a central Florida lake, lake Maitland. At one time I had mapping from satellites only, but one day I found and acquired a detailed bathymetry map made by a local government agency. When I cross compared the two maps I was surprised to find that the satellite map was an inaccurate generalized view that completely missed holes, channels, and bottom contour details that showed up on the local government hand made map.

 

Ever since I have completely rejected satellite mapping and now exclusively maps made by hand. Incredibly more accurate than satellite. Far more detailed as well.

 

Another issue I consider in my fishing maps is underwater vegetation mapping.

 

You will never get this from satellites. They will not tell you where vegetation is located. But local governments who map our lakes and rivers produce several maps of one body of water like Lake Maitland. So now I can access not only the physical bottom contour maps called bathymetry maps, but I can now also access the vegetation maps made by government and are public information that shows me what plants are growing and where.

 

The problem we presently have is that this type of mapping data is not yet included in electronics we use on the water. And presently I am not aware of any way to even get that type of data into any electronics currently used. I wish they could create electronics that gives us the options for the data we prefer and have all of easily accessible in our choice of on the water electronics.

 

Florida is also including water quality mapping as well. To date about all we can hope for is combined data of bathymetry, but to date there is no inclusion of vegetation and water quality mapping.

 

So I regularly use Florida's BMAPS and bathymetry maps for the mapping data I select to use. And it is this data that I hope one day is directly connected into all of our on water electronics with the ability to turn off satellite mapping as needed. We won't even need satellite mapping any longer.

All the Garmin maps offer navigation and fishing maps.  Just choose the view you want.

Garmin bought Navonics in 2017, not sure if Garmin does on the water updates that Navonics did? Or if you can down load updates? Your maps should have detailed 1’ elevations.

Tom

Garmin does daily updates for it's Navionics+ and Navionics Vision+ subscription maps but you have to use Active Captain and ask for the update.  It does not occur automatically.

 

If you're using these maps because they were pre-loaded when you bought your unit, daily updates are only available for the first year.  After the first year, you must purchase a subscription plan.  

 

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/garmin-technology/marine-technology/charts-and-maps/map-data-with-daily-updates/

Great input.   I contacted Garmin, and instead of getting another year of updates of the poor map, I opted for the south east map, I had before/used last.   They said my  old subscription was still valid, but I lost the SD card from the Lowrances I replaced.  Most errors are bottom features and shorelines - shifted or not there.   Of course shorelines will change over time, no surprise there.   

I started out with the old USGS paper maps and still have a bunch and nav maps for the rivers.   But rivers change faster than lakes.   I don't live there anymore, so no use.   The first GPS map units were at best, iffy, and were more or less with tracking to get you back to the ramp on unfamiliar water than a fish'n tool.   I find the good detail 1' contours on the area maps are better than the US/Can that comes with it.  That's Ok for navigation/running and you don't have to go buy maps before you travel.    I got a couple bags full by sector from my past with my notes.

There's some way to collect your sonar data and send it in and they add that to the maps somehow, but I've never done it, nor investigated.   Maybe someone here has knowledge and can explain?   So long as the GPS/WAAS is good, it should work.  Most of what I fish now is on familiar waters, so less of a need as in the past competition days.   But good map still helps to follow contours with the depth finder rather than criss cross a bunch of water to find the drop.   I use the combo feature and map on left/sonar on right as I go and radio on bottom.   Gotta have tunes while fish'n.

I'm not completely operational yet, I downloaded and put the mini SD card in, but it's not calling for the new map.   One support told me I had to use active captain and another said SD card was ok.   But they only sold it through express, so card only option.   I was chatting w/ support today to get it resolved, and if I don't get it, they told me to call the "take over" number and they can talk me down.   I had to do that for the livescope "on the water" and it's pretty cool tech.   Your here, they're there, and they can see your screens in real time.   It's 'winter' now in south, even though I got out yesterday, the good days are fewer until the sunlight comes back in Jan.  So no rush, I'll get it right before then.   Southern bass are more sluggish once water goes <50F.   I think the Lowrance had a better feature for map choosing - register call.   

I'll read the manual again too.   You get nav, fishing, and 3d choices on my echomap units, but it calls what it calls at this point.   Updating needs to be infrequent, in my book.   These things waste a lot of time doing soft maintenance.   I've got better things to do.   Hint, hint, Garmin.