I'm about to update my mapping chip (Thanks to Santa) to the latest and greatest. I currently have Lowrance's chip, for those of you that have seen both, Nav. and Low., which do you prefer? and why?

I prefer Navionics premium, because of the updated botom contours. I also run the free version of the lowrance maps in my lowrance units.... So in essence, download the free maps from lowrance, and spend the moolah on the Navionics keep both cards in your unit, and you can switch back and forth depending on your preference...

Not being from a prostaff point of view.

I like the Lowrance maps for their better graphics as far as roadbeds,creeks,ponds, timbered areas and marked boat lanes on some of their maps.

I have the '07 Navionics chip also.

I switch between the 2 once I get to an area I want to scout.

I have had both Navionics blows Lowrance away by far!

If you want to fish creeks,roads old bottom structure, Lowrance is the easiest to use. You won't have to put your Bifocals on to see where your going.

Navionics shows a lot of contours and has poor library software for marking roadbeds and creeks, which hopefully by next year have that problems adjusted. THEN they will have he best map on the market.

I run both and I'm still wondering how their going to update my Humminbird with the built in maps.

Both of these pictures are of the same creek, Bell on Fork. As you an see the Lowrance map is much more simple to read. If you look real close you can see the creek(purple line) and you can see the old road bed(dotted line).

simple maps are for simple fisherman. if you take the time to study a contour map- you will see many spots that the Navionics shows, that the lowrance doesnt....

I see some disctinct edges off those points that would hold pressured fish... look at the closeness of the contour lines...

Does the Lowrance show those important details... NO- they make it nice and simple for ya, with outdated info on lake contours. Liek I said, you take the simple approach and fish what THEY show you with pretty little icons... and you will be right there with a ton of other folks fishing the same pretty little icon... Simply fishing= simple fisherman.

Read the contours and see the distinct edges, bends, ledges, etc.. and you will be fishing what the guys using the Lowrance maps WONT BE FISHING.

By the way... I believed this before I was a prostaff person for Navionics. I would still believe the same thing if I wasnt. Its the honest truth.

Ronnie,
what can I expect to pay for the best navionics chip? $100-150.00? I know what you are saying, cause on my hotmaps chip everyone and their brother will know what I will know when it comes to fishing an area.

I got some of the paper maps last week and maybe I just expected too much. there are parts of lewisvile, grapevine and monticello that dont show a thing.

I know there are parts of for example blundell creek on monticello that there are no depth changes but there should be some kind of contour lines.

what is mapped, I really like. are the chips the same way?

no- the chips have a LOT more definition in them. expect $150 for an '08 chip. the best there is.

heres an example of the areas I am talking about that show on a Navionics map, that are nonexistant on the Lowrance map... using the examples above.


~~~~~These are keys areas I would focus my attention on, and let the bank beaters tear up the rest....

when the new chip out? here soon like next week?

2008 chip is out , check your local stores- and WHEN you buy one, make sure you read on the SD CHip what year it is. Some of the retailers arent too sure what they sell you due to the salesperson not knowledgable enough to read on the side of the chip. It will have what year it is on a label on the side of the SD card.

The Navionics is by far the best. I travel and fish all over the country. And the navionics chip is one the best tools you can have. And it is better than any lake map you can buy!!

I guess I am off to bass pro or cabelas to buy one then on friday. is this the one I want Navionics HotMaps Premium 2008?

just checked cabelas and they have them on-line.

I'm with you Mrppl2.

simple maps are for simple fisherman


I like simple.

Mike, assuming from your post about purchasing the 08 chip, you currently do not have the 07 chip? Navionics offers a trade in program that allows for a rebate if you send in the previous version. Yes you are correct on the version that you are looking for. Make sure to get the south region.

I will be upgrading to the 08 maps in the next week or so when I get my boat back. I also use the printed Navionics maps in conjunction with the chip.