Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

[John_S]

I am looking at buying the Eastern addition of this chip for my recently acquired Eagle gps. It is listed on Navionic's website as being compatable. From reading the description, the lake detail appears to be in 4 levels:

- High Definition Surveys
- Fishing Hot Spots
- Lake Master Pro
- And everything else

I fish mostly rivers and small lakes. While none of the rivers I fish are listed, most of the small lakes are. They all fall into the "everything else" catagory. One of my questions is "What level of depth graduation is on this catagory?".
NY small lakes: Canada Lake, West Lake, Delta Lake, Whitney Point Res.

The other main question is, are most rivers and lakes that are not labeled to be on he chip, still there with only shoreline representation? I am mainly interested in the Susquehanna River from Binghamton NY to Sayre PA, and the Mohawk River/Barge canal from Oneida Lake to Little Falls.

The Premium '08 will soon be released for the East section. From comparing the areas already released, the main changes appear to be more HD maps. The HD lakes tend to be the larger, heavily fished lakes, and it is highly unlikely the small lakes I am interested in, will be improved.

I also would be interested in any general comments about the Premium '07 HotMaps. Thanks.

 

[John_S]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

Bump. Anyone? I would really like to know the depth gradualitions of the small lakes. If they are like the DEC maps with 20' graduation, probably not worth it. Thx.

 

[ddennis]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

I never even used my Humminbird without the hotmaps for the southeast. Don't think I ever will! 90% of the lakes I fish are HD maps and it is absolutely incredible! Water in one lake today (Oconnee) is down about 6 feet, thanks to the GPS and those maps I was able to run on plane 99% of the time to where I wanted to fish. Get the 08 version, I have it and its well worth the money in my opinion. I don't think I will ever boat without it again...

 

[John_S]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

Thanks for the input, Dennis. I have heard the HD maps are excellent. There are a couple of HD lakes that I might get on, on ocasion. Any chance you can power up the unit and view a "everything else" level lake? Thx.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

If they're not HD Surveyed then the data come from outdated USCE or US Geological Survey maps. If you think it's valuable to have the HD ones then get it. If not, you can get the older and cheaper version which would give you the same level of details.

 

[John_S]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

Gonefishie,

I am mainly interested in depth contour. NY DEC has some "gross" level maps of these lakes. I have also seen some more detailed ones (of the lakes in question) in some specific area books. Not sure where they get the data from. I wasn't aware that USCE or US Geological Survey maps included lake depth contour. Just trying to find out what that level is of the "all other" catagory.

It may become moot. My investigation into creating/building my own maps appears to be a difficult and problematic process.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

As far as river goes, you're not going to get much details. Here is an example of what the USGS have for the Susquehana river.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat...83&size=l&symshow=n&u=4&datum=nad83&layer=DRG

 

[John_S]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

If the shoreline/islands of rivers are shown to that level in HotMaps, I'll be happy. I wasn't sure what Hotmaps shows for areas not specificly called out. At a local store, the counter guy said he wasn't allowed to open any pgks to test a chip. The last store copy had been stolen. I'll give BassPro in Auburn a call and see if they have one I can view before buying.

 

[Kevin-Shearer]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

If you buy it from TigerGPS (online) you can return it. Only place I know where you can do that. Prices are good too. I didn't want to spend the money for one either until I knew for sure it was going to show me what I wanted. Bought it from them and didn't like the first one, so sent it back and bought another version. Very happy with their service and return policy.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

From my experience with the Ohio river, there won't be anything but the river, shoreline and islands. You won't get the street map, place name or anything else. Don't count on it being that pretty looking.

 

[ddennis]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

The lakes that are not HD have basic lake information on them and some depth / obstuction/ gas info. The lakes not listed are just blue outlines with the shape of the lake if I remember correctly..
Will get the cover off the boat this weekend and play with it and let you know. I never get home before dark during the week :-(

 

[John_S]

Re: Navionics HotMaps Premium '07 ???

Thanks Dennis. I appreciate the effort to check.

FWIW, Navionics has updated their website and provided the list for Hotmaps Premium '08 East. It looks like they added about 200 lakes to NY, including many small ones. Some of the new lakes added, plus Cayuga is now HD, I would benefit from. Glad I waited to see the list. Premium '08 it will be.