Planning to upgrade soon to Helix 7. Haven't really decided yet on LM or Navionics.

Anyone forego chip purchase and just use the Navionics app on a smart phone? I guess the only advantage would be the cost. However, by the time you buy the app and an X grip or similar iphone holder, you're at half the cost of a chip. Not sure I would like two separate units to deal with or the need to re-charge iphone on the water.

I use my 7 inch connected tablet with the navionics app in a water proof bag so I can use my depth finder for sonar.

I still have the chip in my finder since I bought it before the tablet for back up if the tablet goes dead. I also have the app on my smart phone as I was using it before the tablet. So I have tried it all except running two finders one for map and one for sonar which I have seen on friends boats. It all boils down to preference IMO do what works for you.

A word of advice, I find it much easier to plan routes to different spots while sitting at home with either the App or the Chip in my PC.

I use LM in my FF. I also have the Navionics app on the ipad but only for trip planning from my recliner.
Some people will have both cards for the FF as some lakes are presented better than others.

the GPS on the Ipad is not very accurate and is slow in my experience. Plus it doesnt zoom in as close as I would like.
I use it because mt FF wont read the current navionice cards so I'm stuck with a 2008 version.

Good ideas. Thanks for the responses.