Navionics Chip

[Smitty]

Hi Guys

I am thinking about purchasing one of these chips for my Lowrance H20 - I was wondering do they show depth on them - how accurate are they?

Do I really need this when I have the fish finder and GPS in the boat?

Any info would be appreciated.

thanks
Paul

[MuskieStalker1]

Hello Paul i have used a Sonar / GPS unit the Lowrance x15 for 6 years now and counting and i would not live with out it. Having a gps mapping unit will not only allow you to navigate the ottawa in Arnprior more safley ( DOES NOT SHOW DEAD HEADS LOL) But will let you mark your spots and come back to them in a instant allowing you too spend more time fishing. These are just two of many reasons why you should consider a mapping unit. I dont own a H20 unit so the only thing i would want to check is the detail your unit will show
I hope this Helps
Kert Lavigne
Muskie Stalker

[ady]

I have the Lowrance LMS332c and Navionics Gold East Great Lakes chip. On the Ottawa I find, in most cases, running over a bottom feature on the map corresponds to the sonar depth changing. You must remember that water levels change so It's not always exact. The charts are the same as the hydrographic ones with the same detail. Hope this helps.

[steve-hamilton]

i have that same combo, H20 with a navionics gold chip....

i wont go fishing in open water without it now....

however, i originally was sold the MMC version of the chip, and it caused me nothing but problems.....luckily, after enough threatening of Navoinics/Lowrance, then Fishing World stepping in, they exchanged the MMC for a SD version....the one you want....the mmc rattles loose, and you can't read the chip....

[Smitty]

Thanks guys - looks like I will be getting the chip...I have another question - can I wire the GPS unit into my battery? I have the cigarette adapter - is there someway this can be done?

Smitty

[steve-hamilton]

the battery cigarette plug in has a step down converter to take the 12v coming in to 3.3v, into the gps.

so if your going to hardwire your gps to a battery, make sure you take that into consideration....you'll need to step down the 12v coming from the battery to 3.3v, what you gps uses.

[topraider]

Hello smitty

First, the navionics chip is not useful of you fish outside of "navigable" waterways. The Ottawa R is generally covered, as is the Rideau system, St Lawrance, Great Lakes, Trent system ect. ect. It is useless for inland lakes like White lake, Missisihippi Lake, 31 mile, etc.

Second, I use the H2O on my boat, powered with a cigarette lighter adapter with a couple of alligator clips that snap on to my battery terminals. I have seen these for sale at Cdn tire and Princess Auto.

[toobinator]

There is also a hotmap chip that shows inland waterways such as Mississippi and Charleston. Muskrat is not on it though. Its coverage of navigable waters such as the Ottawa and Rideau is passable. It is a bit cheaper as well. I have both in stock and can be run through a display unit to help you choose.

Ed

[steve-hamilton]

topraider is correct, just make sure you use the cigarette lighter adapter in the process, so the conversion is made.

[Smitty]

Thanks guys - this site is so helpful...

So if I use the cigarette adapter and splice some 18 gauge wire on to it at the battery - would that work?

[steve-hamilton]

i think what would work better is like was suggested above, just take a pair of alligator clips, clip one end to the Cigaratte lighter adapter end, and the other end of the alligator clips to the positive and negative of the battery....

maybe find a way to seal and wrap it up....i dunno. just make sure your using the cigarette lighter adapter somewhere in the mix.

[Smitty]

Thanks Guys - I will check for some aligator clips.

Smitty