I am preparing to buy a Chart Card for my Hummingbird Helix. I am leaning toward the Navonics Gold US and Canada as it has all the lakes I fish here in US and also where I go in Canada. Anyone with good or bad experiences with either chart manufactures I would appreciate some input. 

What brand of Fish finder do you have? I been looking at buying a new Lowrance for my boat, and I'm leaning towards Navonics. If you have a Humminbird, Lakemaster is better option.

I have a hummingbird helix that claims to accept navonics. Navonics I am considering gives me all the waters I want and includes where I fish in Ontario. Lakemaster Northeast does not have Mosqueto or Chatauqua or Ontario. However a friend claimes the lakemaster has more detail. Detail does not mean much if the lakes are not included. I fish Pymy a lot and it is a lake where details are everything. What to do? What to do?

I use the Humminbird FishSmart Lakemaster map for Pymie on my Helix 10.  No doubt it is superior to the Navionics (that I concurrently run on my Lowrance chartplotter)...  I use the Lowrance because it supports maps generated by third party vendors.  Have to say that I have not upgraded my Navionics card for a while, but may soon.  If you want to take a look let me know since you bought a boat from me.  If the upgrade leaves an older card you are welcome to it.

...and if I was not generating my own maps on third party software I would go with the Humminbird every time.  I have had them both working figure 8's around buoys.  The Humminbird would show nice 8's, while the Lowrance would show something a kindergartner would draw (don't want any grief, your mileage may vary).  Also, I upgraded my system recently to include control to a Motorguide Xi5 trolling motor.  It still isn't working since February with Motorguide and Lowrance (technically the same company) pointing fingers at each other.  Can't say Humminbird/Minn-Kota would be better but I wish I would have gone that route.

Lowrance is coming out with a fancy new trolling motor in July or August....but its going to cost an arm and a leg

coljo, PSU fish,
coljo,sorry to hear about your motorguide hope you get that sorted out.  I have been very busy with projects this spring early summer. Fished when I could and have done fair.
Both of you, This lake chart decision has me really scratching my head. Lakemaster on the phone is useless as you talk to foreigners who can recite the brochures and nothing else. Navonics has the best coverage of lakes that I fish and I can not believe lakemaster does not have Chatauqua in its NE mapping. Neither one lists Wilhelm, however on a navonics web site they have Wilhelm charted. For companies that push technological products they both lack adequate customer interface.

I just got a new trolling motor and fish finder made by 'BetrrHaaf'. Bought the wife a new set of oars and a snorkel. ☺☺☺


He heeee.... tell my wife I said that and I'll deny deny deny!!! 😜

Sparrow have ya tried the Navionics App for your phone/tablet/laptop?

I have both the App on my phone and a map chart on my Helix 7 for Pymie and Arthur. Personally, I prefer the App.

Phone App has Willhelm too.



Haven't tried it yet, but an all new version has just been downloaded to my phone. I'm hoping to use the phone "hotspot" (I have a "JetPack" but ya need cell service to use it) and cast the App to an old 17" laptop.

The gooder part with the 17" laptop, when the fish aint bitin, I'm watching TV orrrrr doing my PiYo workouts 😴😴😴.

I agree with BTDT on the mobile Navionics being nicer than the one that I have on my HB 859.  Both get me to where I want to go on familiar waters.  
 
The mobile is interactive, or at least was/is, if you do the update.  I haven't, since I wasn't sure if updating would charge me again, or take away my old app if I didn't pay...  I use as a back up or if I am off of the water and curious about a spot.
 
BT - Did you have to pay for the update, or was it part of the original price? 
 
I think that I paid $10 about 6-7 years ago, before I had a fish finder with GPS (and my hand held GPS decided to stop working).  Back when I would refuse to pay anything for an app (which I mostly still do).  But in comparison to the cards, it is a bargain.  That said, the chip that was in my handheld ended up working in my HB 859...  So, that saved me a few $, but not in HD, which would be nice, if it is even offered.