I have a dealer installed HDS7 Insight USA. Do you automatically view the insight maps when looking at the chart or are those just base maps? What differences is the insight supposed to have over the base maps?
Reason I ask is my charts only show depths, marinas, ramps, gas, and a few fishing "tips" for some areas. I figured I'd get alot more out of an insight map like bottom structure. Am I seeing the right stuff?

insight will give that, marinas, ramps etc. the base map will not give you that. also there more lake's with the contour line's and other water point interest on the insight. Base map doesn't always have the most popular lake's either, with contour lines.

Oh ok, thanks. I guess I just expected more. Is the HD7 Navionics compatible? If so, what is Navionics?

Yes your HDS 7 is Navionics compatible.

For complete compatibility information http://www.navionics.com/2010_Web_Plotter_Compatibility_Guide.xls

For a brief history on Navionics http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsHistory.asp

For additional product information
Inland Lakes Product offerings
Navionics HotMaps http://www.navionics.com/LakeFeatures_HM.asp
Navionics HotMaps Premium http://www.navionics.com/LakeFeatures_HMPremium.asp
Navionics HotMaps Platinum http://www.navionics.com/LakeFeatures_HMPlatinum.asp

Marine Product offerings
Navionics Gold http://www.navionics.com/MarineFeatures_Gold.asp
Navionics Platinum+ http://www.navionics.com/MarineFeatures_PlatinumPlus.asp
Navionics Fish�N Chip http://www.navionics.com/MarineFeatures_FishNChip.asp

Additional information on Navionics TurboView and Lowrance HDS units http://www.navionics.com/NavionicsNews.asp?ID=288&ArticleYear=2008

I like the Navionics better than the Insight USA.

Stupid question. Any way to turn on my HDS7 without being hooked up on the boat. I'd like to play with it some at the house.

You can buy an adapter that will allow you plug it into a 110V outlet.