After reading different reviews, I was leaning toward Lakemaster for the Helix 7 SI. However, I just noticed that it does not include Fayette County Lake. Am I missing something here? I fish there more than anywhere. I have the Navionics app on my phone, which has Fayette, but not real thrilled about having to pull out my phone after spending $825 on a FF and maps.
Suggestions? Navionics? If so, the only Navionics card that the Helix 7 SI accepts is the Gold Hot Maps, which I can't find anywhere (south).

Your information is incomplete.

The Helix will read any maps on any of the Navionics cards (Nautical Charts and Sonar Charts), just not the extra features that the Hotmaps Platinum has.
Yes it will read the Hotmaps Premium South card.

The best card is the Navionics+ Preloaded. It has ALL the Nautical Charts for the US and Canada, plus when updated can have the Sonar Charts map layer.
It is also customizable as in you can delete all the data on the card and load just the locations you want with no regional restrictions.

I found a compatibility chart on the Navionics site which indicates that the Navionics+ will indeed work with the Helix 7. However, when I click "to buy" and enter the plotter type, it states that they are not compatible. What gives?

The unit can run that card, so not sure what is going on there. I just sent in an email to Navionics and asked them to look into what the problem is and I will keep you updated.

Corey
I spoke with a rep at HB and he said that Navionics hasn't updated some of their website data, but he did confirm what you and Wayne P. have stated about the compatibility issue.

Where is the best by for the Navionics Plus?

Thanks

I got a response back from the tech guys at Navionics and he did confirm it would work but they had been slow to update the website until they were able to play with that card in the unit a little. He said it would be udpated very soon.

Do the Hotmaps Premium have Sonar layer?

No and cannot have it when updated.
Hotmaps Platinum and Navionics+ don't have that map layer either until it is selected to download when doing an update.

It is not included with any product since it is not for sale and is FREE with some of the Navionics products that have the capacity to support those files. The data is supplied by Sonar Charts program users, not Navionics.

The updates are free for just one year, correct? Also, is there a limit to the number of updates per year?

OK...Now I am really confused between the HotMaps Platinum, Platinum Plus and Navionics + card features.
I only fish in the lakes covered by the Platinum South area. Can't that card do everything the others can, just limited to that region? I will be using it on a Helix 9 DI/GPS.

Hotmaps Platinum South Region and Hotmaps Premium South Region have the exact same Navionics maps (Nautical Charts). The Hotmaps Platinum just has the extra features that cost $50 more.

ONLY the Navionics+ versions are non-regional.

Platinum+ is not inland lakes specific like the others are. LOOK at the coverage areas on the Navionics website. You can get a Platinum+ version for Europe.

Would the plain Navionics+ card do just as well, since you can download all the same data? I'm just trying to figure out which one I need - Navionics+ or Navionics+ Preloaded. I'm a little confused why they make a preloaded card when you can get all the data from their site. Is it just a matter of user convenience to have the nautical charts preloaded?

Navionics+ Preloaded does not come with the Sonar Charts map layer. You get that when you update the card.

Navionics+ 2GB was discontinued and was the first version of +. Some dealers may still have some in stock.

You still can get the Navionics+ 2GB version by purchasing the Navionics Update card and activating it with a card you already have. Then it becomes the Navionics+
Navionics Update is the discount version of Navionics+.

The following is from a Nav+ ad:

"High definition Bathymetric layers on SonarCharts are also included but is unit specific to units that offer HD and bottom contour features. Navionics gives you the ability to get the data you need, when you need it most all on a 16GB microSD/SD card."

Apparently, not all units can read the sonar charts on the Navionics card. Do you know if the Helix 7 SI GPS can?

I guess some those off-brands may not have the setting to turn on the Sonar Charts map layer. Lowrance and Humminbird does.

I have not personally tried the Sonar Charts map layer setting (FishNChip) with a Helix 7, but I have with a Helix 5 SI GPS, and it will read it as well as all the discontinued Humminbird sonar/GPS units. Should not be any different.
Navionics HD maps are the Nautical Charts with 1' contours. All Sonar Charts maps have 1' contours.

Navionics has not updated their website to include some of the newest models by several sonar companies including the Helix 7 models:
http://www.navionics.com/sites/default/files/documents/americas_compatibilityguide_2.pdf


Additionally some of the lower end, less capable units are not showed as being Navionics Hotmaps Platinum compatible and they are not as far as the Satellite Overlay, 3D, and Photos, BUT they will read both the Nautical Charts and Sonar Charts from a Hotmaps Platinum card. Been-there-done-that