Best Lake Maps For Lms520

[JerryK]

Hello; I fish Table Rock and will be using a Lowrance LMS-520 this summer for the first time. I wanted some opinions on what Lake Map program to buy for it. It will stay at Table Rock. Thanks

[focused fishing]

Jerry,

Depending on the amount of detail you would like any of the Navionics maps will work. I still use the Fishing Hot Spots Navionics and they work fine. If you would like more detail you can upgrade all the way up to platinum series. If they were available when I purchased mine I would of gotten the Platinum, but since my Hot Spots still works I'm not planning on upgrading.

Hope this helps,

EP

[LarryC]

Navonics is HotMaps...Fishing Hot Spots is a different company...or am I mixed up again?

I bought FHS’s for my 520 because it seems that’s what most folks are using here on Beaver. I’ve used it some on TR. On Beaver it’s not very good up the river arms...might find myself some day on a gravel bar. Do you guys think Navonics is more accurate?

[motoman]

My understanding of the Navionics maps, is when I upgraded to the HD (I think that's what they call it). Is that Navionics actually sent a flotilla of boats to conduct their own detailed surveys of the available lakes, vs. the Hotspots maps; which I think are based off old USGS data.

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The Navionics HD shows contours in 1 foot increments, vs. the 10 foot increment of Hotspot maps. I'm not sure if they're available for the 520, but if they are; they're well worth the money. Far more detail than the Hotspots!

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Here's a bit more info:

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http://www.navionics.com/HMPremium09LakeList.asp?RegionID=2

[Martin]

The "Fishing Hot Spots" maps are from Lowrance. The Hot maps premium are Navionics. I do think the Navionics is more detailed especially on the lakes they did thier own soundings. Tablerock and Bull Shoals and Beaver are all great on the Navionics chip. None of the chips are real good once you get up the river very far, but otherwise are super. I still use my old Lowrance chip also. Sometimes one chip will have names on it the other one doesn't.

[motoman]

The "Fishing Hot Spots" maps are from Lowrance. The Hot maps premium are Navionics. I do think the Navionics is more detailed especially on the lakes they did thier own soundings. Tablerock and Bull Shoals and Beaver are all great on the Navionics chip. None of the chips are real good once you get up the river very far, but otherwise are super. I still use my old Lowrance chip also. Sometimes one chip will have names on it the other one doesn't.

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Thanks for clearing that up Martin. I'm thinking of the Premium maps, are the ones with the more details.

[Martin]

Yep, the Navionics premium "South" region chip is really great. I haven't actually looked at Cabelas or BPS recently, but a couple of months ago you get get the 2008 Navionics south chip for around $100.00 but the new 2009 chip was around $150.00. The ad's say the new 2009 chip is improved and has more lakes or more lakes with high definition. I'm not positive that deal still goes, but mine was the 2008 chip and it's real nice for Tablerock, Bull Shoals, and Beaver.

I've heard they are one foot increments, but I think it's more like 3 foot increments. But they are the real deal. I troll alot and now I can troll some of the flats at TR that used to throw me for a loop. Now I know why. lol.

I even lost a really heavy fish early Saturday morning that I'm pretty sure was a walleye way out there where a flat drops off steep into very deep water. And that was between Kim City and the Dam.

These cool chips and GPS rigs are almost like cheating. lol

[J.E.]

Jerry,

I work with Navionics and strongly suggest the Premium South for what you're talking about. The HD lakes listed were surveyed and are acutal readings. Most map programs available either in SD, factory loaded, or paper are developed through various sources such as Corp. maps, existing lake maps, and satalite imaging. The 09 versions have added several new HD lakes such as Arkansas River, Chicot, Greeson, Maumelle, and Nimrod in Arkansas however, no new additions in Missouri. If you'd like to try out a Premium or a Platinum give me a email and I'll loan you one to play with.

Also the $100 rebate is still good. Stop by BPS and pick one up or I can send you one.

J.E.

Eric,

Same offer to you!

[JerryK]

Jerry,

I work with Navionics and strongly suggest the Premium South for what you're talking about. The HD lakes listed were surveyed and are acutal readings. Most map programs available either in SD, factory loaded, or paper are developed through various sources such as Corp. maps, existing lake maps, and satalite imaging. The 09 versions have added several new HD lakes such as Arkansas River, Chicot, Greeson, Maumelle, and Nimrod in Arkansas however, no new additions in Missouri. If you'd like to try out a Premium or a Platinum give me a email and I'll loan you one to play with.

Also the $100 rebate is still good. Stop by BPS and pick one up or I can send you one.

J.E.

Eric,

Same offer to you!

[JerryK]

Thanks alot guys. If there is a rebate I would be able to use it for sure. Could you send it as an attachment? I have been fishing TR for over 20 years and I am excited to use this GPS. Thanks