I have a Lowarnce 520c. I'd like to buy the Navionics Hot Maps for it but I have some questions.

The 2009 Premium package is $149 but the 2008 Premium package is only $99. THe 2008 has all the lakes I fish. Is there any reason I should pay the extra $50 for the 2009.

Also, how easy is the software to load and use?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

JT

It's plug and play, you only choose which source from the menu.
Can't tell you the difference, I have 2008.

does it have to download or anything? i got my card in today and when i put it in and turned it on the screen freezesfrom a warnig to rebooting bach and forth. i've left it on for 30 minutes and no change. i didn't know if it was downloading or what.

No download. What unit are you using it in? Did you try taking the card out and powering up?

jthomas, there is an update for the Lowrance 520C as of 07/29/09, have you done that yet?

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Mari...oftware-Update/


This may solve your problem.

i got the hand held lowrance H2o i finderwhen i take the card out and turn it on everything works great. but when i put the hotspots card back into it the buttons don't work to take the warning off the screen and it keeps rebooting. who works on these? i'm in the san antonio area

Which card do you have? Navionic Hotmaps or LEI Hotspots?

They have a special right now. You can check it out on Navionics website. IF you buy the 2009 for $149, you get a $50 mail in rebate, but it has to be $149, it cant be on sale. Also has to be at a authorized dealer. http://navionics.com/Headlines_09.asp?ID=315

I would take your handheld unit into BPS or Cabelas and talk to their marine guys. If you go to the Navionics site you can look at the 2008 and 2009 maps that are contained on each card. They add new maps and update older maps each year. The updates you are looking for are if they made a 2008 lake an HD lake in 2009. If you look at the 2009 lake list for your region, it will tell you which lakes were also HD on the 2008 chip.

i just received my 09 premium and i do have the 08. from what i've seen there are more underwater stuctures in the 09 than the 08. ie, fence lines, hazards,cemeteries,foundations, etc. so ya i think its worth the extra 50. the depts are also different. this is just what i've seen in the lakes that i fish.

from what i have seen is on the new, is like said above, more detailed info. and more preloaded hotspots with more info.