Guess I haven't found the right link on Lake Master website to answer this, but can anyone tell me if the cards are updatable or do you have to buy each new version? I just bought Mid South version 1.0 and can't find info on how to update. if that is possible?

Lakemaster cards are static. Not able to be updated.

It's my understanding they will issue a new version each year, and you can then try and sell your old data to someone else.

It's not clear if perhaps you might get "more data" if you buy this year's version in November as opposed to March.
It would seem they collect an awful lot of data in between...but you likely need to wait until the next version a few months later to get whatever new data they compiled. I would think they simply compile that data and sit on it for the year until the next version is released, as opposed to releasing it daily.

I don't imagine they'll sell too many cards in the 6-8 weeks before the next version is released, if that's the case. I would wait.
Or perhaps they'll begin discounting the soon-to-be-old version around that time.
I don't imagine I'd want to buy that old version in the 6-8 weeks before its discounted... I would wait.

Ouch!! That's good to know. My bad, I thought they were updateable, even with a fee charged. I guess I will be happier with my new Navionics Platinum. Good thing I bought them both. Thanks.

Nice that an Employee of Navionics answers the question. Mike Dixon is Southeast Sale rep for Navionics.


Now what LakeMaster Owners have found that is costs less to sell their prior version and update to the new version if the lakes they fish have changes. Some don't change and no need to spend extra money to upgrade or pay for updates after the first year if you don't need them. Most LakeMaster Owners are getting 75 to 80% value out of their prior versions if they do need to update. Most don't need to unless additional lakes are added or the definition detail of there lake is updated.

Just trying to be helpful Doug. :cheers

Thanks guys! I appreciate any knowlege I can get on either of your products. by the time you spend money (like i did) for 2 new higher end HB units, transducucers savers, ram mounts, installations and lake cards you have invested a lot of money. Like anybody, I am looking for the best bang for my buck.

I echo what Doug said, nice for the Lakemaster rep to jump on here and give us quick and accurate answers.
Doug also hit on another important point that I wanted to make. Not all lakes are updated annually. Be sure the lake(s) you fish were actually updated on a new card before buying it. Most of the time the updates just add new lakes, not make major changes to existing lakes.

Yea I tried to sell my week old newspaper for 80% of cost so I could buy todays but so far no takers.

Nice Comment from the National Sales Manager of Navionics. But once again your incorrect on people actively looking for Previous Versions of LakeMaster Cards. I can tell you there are numerous people that I know that only fish one lake that don't need all the lakes and will pay to get mapping of their lake if things haven't changed. Just come to Truman Lake in Missouri...Navionics coverage keeps getting smaller and smaller with each update...less coverage on the latest update now and no coverage where the majority of people fish. The local anglers are buying LakeMaster because they have full coverage and everything they need on 2 year old map cards. They get more for less.