Can my fellow TFF's help me decide which Navionics chip is right (Premium or Platinum) for my new Lowrance HDS8 - will be fishing Rayburn and Falcon. Thanks!

Based on previous experience... Premium. Platinum has some issues. Personally, I'm using the Lake Master and Contour Elite software this year to see how I like it. So far so good.

They both have the exact same mapping if they are updated the same day.
A new purchase includes a year of Freshest Data updates.

The Platinum has the extra features of 3D, satellite overlay images and area photos.
I have a Platinum card and do not use those features. I got the Platinum for the Sonar Charts program for Humminbird units. I also have several region and year issue Premium editions.

There is another product that was introduced in 2013 which is the Navionics+ and comes with no mapping. You choose what locations to download to the memory card from anywhere in the country up to 2GB of data. No regional restrictions like the Preminum and Platinum.
That would be a good choice if you travel out of the South Region coverage.

You can view the current mapping on the Navionics web site by selecting Products and then Web App. The Web App has the regular Navionics mapping and the Sonar Charts layer.
When the circle at the lower left of the view is Grey, that is the Navionics mapping and when the circle is Blue, that is the Sonar Charts view. Click on the circle to change the color---you have be be at the 1,000' zoom range or closer to see the Sonar Charts layer.

Paul, a Lowrance unit cannot use current Lakemaster products.

Thanks - sounds like Premium may be all I need .

I studied both for a long time and I just couldn't justify the additional cost for the other features that I might or might not use. Depending on what your trying to use if for, my vote would be for the Premium version.

Which is best for locating deep ledges and best contour lines.

Well I have the premium on the unit at the bow, and platinum on the unit at the helm, I think the contours are better with the platinum

Premium+ is the way to go with the freshest updates available.

Platinum has satellite imagery. If you catch yourself looking at your smart phone a lot, then get platinum. I found I use that on unfamiliar bodies of water more. If it is a lake I fish all the time, I don't need platinum.

But as mentioned, if equal updates, the mapping and contour lines will be the same.

I run premiums

Lake Master won't work on Lowrance units. I get the Platinum.