Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

[jls47]

I am looking at the Lowrance HDS-7. I am torn between the Base Map version and Insight Mapping versions. I have found the listing of Insight Map Lakes, but I have not found a lake listing for the Base Map Unit (claimed to be 100,000 searchable bodies of water). I am going to Canada next year and the Insight version does not have the lake I am planning on fishing while in Canada. The Navionics Hot Maps 2009 does not list Crow (Kakagi) lake either. I am hoping the base map will cover this lake, but I don't want to spend $1,000 to find out.

Does anyone have a link or a web site that actually lists the bodies of water covered by the Base Map unit? Lowrance's web site is useless in this regard.

Thanks

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

Lowrance's web site is useless in this regard.

The base maps are useless as well. Plan on buying additional maps if you want detailed information on a particular area.

 

[jliggett4]

Re: Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

I just purchased the HDS 5 with Base Maps...useless

I spoke with a GPS guru at Bass Pro. He pointed out that the cost of a navionics card when purchased with a basic HDS unit is only about $20 more than purchasing the HDS unit with (a far inferior) top of the line Lowrance map.

I purchased the Navionics Platinum+ which are on sale at West Marine for the same price as the Platinum. (save about $200)

Unfortunately, I am having a little problem with loading the charts. They load then disappear. Lowrance is closed for the holidays so I will have to wait.

Good luck.

 

[jls47]

Re: Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

I appreciate your input. That pretty well settles that question. Insight mapping it is. Thanks

 

[jls47]

Re: Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

This is the replay I received today from Lowrance Customer Service regarding my request for a lake listing for the base map units.

"Thank you for your inquiry.

Unfortunately, we do not have a listing of which maps are on the Base map mapping. My suggestion would be to go to a local dealer such as Cabelas, Bass Pro, or Gander Mountain and see if they have any of these units on display that you could check to see if the lakes you are wanting are included in them.
If we can be of further assistance please contact us.

Lowrance Customer Service"

If they don't know what lakes they place in the base map how the heck is the customer supposed to figure it out? I went to Bass Pro Shop today and compared both units (Base Map vs Insight Mapping) side by side. I think the Insight Mapping would be the better choice for me. The person at Bass Pro was very helpful and he allowed me to use my Navionics Canada chip in the HDS 5 unit. The next big question is what software upgrades or updates will be available from Lowrance for Insight Mapping.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Lowrance HDS-7 Mapping

Lowrance don't have a clue when it comes to maps becouse the maps are outsourced to a 3rd party.