Lake map chips

[Firefighter Jeff]

  OK, I'm getting near the point of purchasing a couple lake map chips for my 898 and my 788.  I'm looking for tips and suggestions.  First off I don't tourney fish, so I don't need the latest, greatest, most expensive chips.  It's not going to earn me any money.  I hope it increases my fun though.
  Seems to me I read somewhere that like most things they may be cheaper to purchase at the end of the season/year?  Is that true??

   I mainly fish Michigan and Indiana.  Which brand would you suggest??   Thanks in advance for your help. 

[Waterfoul]

Jeff, get the Lakemaster chips for both states.  I believe they are $149 a piece.  THE best chips for the Humminbirds.  It's what I have, Ed has, Marc has, etc....  You can get them at Gander, BPS, etc...  You won't be dissapointed.  Especially on the HD lakes like Pentwater, Pere Marquette, Manistee.... and Burt/Mullet, the Grand Traverse Bay, etc....

[Crankinsmallies]

I have the Lakemaster michigan for the Humminbird if you are interested in it give me a shout. I don't have a humminbird anymore and need to get rid of it. Crankinsmallies@gmail.com

[Waterfoul]

There you go Jeff!!

[bigmojet]

I purchased the Navionics chip for my HB and have been happy with it. It includes several states on the one chip. Other reason I went with Navionics is the card works in my Delorme PN 60 handheld gps so if I am on someone else's boat or ice fishing I still have lake maps.

[Waterfoul]

The main reason I recommend the Lakemaster over the Navionics chip is the number of HD lakes in Michigan on the Michigan chip (which is true of whichever state chip you buy).  I have the Navionics map chip as well and honestly... never use it.  Guess I should put it on the web for sale.

The accuracy of the HD maps is astounding.  Lakes like Muskegon, Manistee, and many others are dead on for contours with much tighter lines than the Navionics chips.  All that wood on Manistee???  It's on the Lakemaster like you would not believe!!   

[Mike S.]

I have the Lakemaster, too.  Very happy with it.  Never seen the Navionics chip, because the Lakemaster was recommended by several GLB members.

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Thanks for the responses guys.  So let me get this straight.  If I go with Lakemaster, I'd have to get two for each state at $150???  Like I said I have a 898 at the dash and a 788 at the bow.  Can't see moving a chip back and forth between them.  If that is the case, I may only get the Michigan.  Don't fish Indiana much anyway.
  Will definitely email Crankin

[djkimmel]

I only have the Lakemaster Michigan chip. I do really like it.

[REEL_MAN]

Many of you may already know. Humminbird now owns Lakemaster. It could be that they may use the Lakemaster maps for their base maps in the future. It will be interesting to see how the market will change for Navionics.

Reelman

[Firefighter Jeff]

Many of you may already know. Humminbird now owns Lakemaster. It could be that they may use the Lakemaster maps for their base maps in the future. It will be interesting to see how the market will change for Navionics.

Reelman

  As a matter of fact someone on another site mentioned that the Lakemaster had some features that were specific to the Humminbirds.