LakeMaster Questions

OK I went fishing with a guy who had hs graphs tricked out wit lakemaster gear. Needless to say I was very impressed. This is the first time I have ever seen something like this, and It brings up alot of questions for me.
#1: Are there different levels of the lakemaster cards as far as detailed maps
#2: Lakemaster is awesome, but.... alot of the lakes I fish arent mapped by lakemaster. But I have seen where I can make my own maps. Is this correct?
#3: If 2 is correct, do I have to drive weaving back and forth across the entire lake to get a map going? Or... will it upload a decent topo map for that area, and where I have personally trolled be alot more accurate?
#4: Then I see this thing called autochart. Is this something that goes along with a lakemaster card? Or is this a thing where I can pay a subscription for the software, and record my tracks on a regular sd card and upload it to this autochart and it do the thing? Or do I have to have a lakemaster card to use autochart?
#5:If I find a used lakemaster card, am I able to make my own maps on the software, or is that only valid for the original purchaser?
Im sure I have more questions about this subject, but these are all that come to mind at the moment.

Lakemaster products and AutoChart products are 2 different products...

#1. Lakemaster does not have different levels available per se...older versions (V1) are replaced with newer versions (V2 etc)...as new lakes are added in HD 1 ft contours...
LakeMaster Mapping Information Resource

The newer Lakemaster cards that are designated as "iLink compatible" can be used in conjunction with a MK trolling motor that has the iLink hardware ...and an attached HB unit for a feature called "Follow the Contour"...(pick a contour on the HB chart view with a LakeMaster iLink card installed...and the TM will follow that contour that you designated on the HB unit)...

Lakemaster map cards can still be used as a regular map card in HB units (even with no iLink Ethernet connection to a MK trolling motor with the iLink hardware)...

Here are HB units that are compatible with iLink...
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/_docs/...ty-1-17-14.pdf

#2. AutoChart and AutoChart Pro are PC based software that will allow HB unit recordings to be rendered into custom maps in the PC based software ...and then the HB unit can read and display that custom map data...
Auto Chart, Auto Chart Pro & Auto Chart Live Information Resource

The AutoChart software comes with a "Zero line" card...which is basically lake outlines...

The lake data can be recorded directly to the "Zero Line" card for input into the AutoChart PC based software....
Or the lake data can be recorded to a regular SD Card for input into the AutoChart PC based software...

Then the custom map (rendered in the AutoChart program)...must be transferred to the "Zero Line" card to be used as live map data in the HB unit...(the HB unit reads the new data direct from the "Zero Line" card just like any other map card -the AutoChart map data is not transferred into the HB unit memory)

(Extra "Zero Line" cards can be purchased ...this may be necessary if you fill up the "Zero Line" card with map data)...

#3. Covering as much of the lake bottom as possible will allow more data to be collected in the HB recording...rendering more accurate maps in the AutoChart PC based software...

#4. There is only the 1 time purchase of the AutoChart or AutoChart Pro software...

The maps you create in the AutoChart program are yours...you can even share your personal AutoChart maps with your buddies by transferring your AutoChart map data to their personal "Zero Line" card...
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AutoChart Live is the newest addition in HB mapping....available only for ONIX and ION...

This feature in the HB unit creates maps live on the water and overlays that new map data over the mapping being displayed in the HB unit chart views...in real time...

The transparency of the AutoChart Live mapping can be adjusted to see the underlay map thru the AutoChart Live transparency map...

Rickie

Thanx! That clears up alot!!! In your opinion, if you were me, would you buy the auto chart software, since most of the lakes I fish are not on lake master cards? I fish 2-4 days a week depending on my work days and have the time to make my own maps if needed. And I can also use autochart on river systems as well correct? PM me the answer to the first question if it will get you ridiculed from some sort of advertisement. Not trying to get anyone in trouble or fired up, just wanna get the most out of my money.

My thing is, don't consentrate on making maps just go fish. When you come in add what you recorded to your program, over time it is just gonna get better. Supposably Lakemasters was to map Enid and Grenada this summer, I haven't seen them on either and it was the perfect time. I have the Link set up but wont be buying a card till the lakes I fish the most are on it like they state they would be, hopefully this spring but I have my doubts.

For the HB core units (meaning not ONIX or ION)...the AutoChart and AutoChart Pro products would be ideal for bodies of water not included on regular mapping cards (Navionics or Lakemaster)...

The AutoChart Zero Line card includes over 2 million bodies of water...yours are probably included...

And you don't have to send your custom map data to any mapping card company ...in hopes that they "might" use your data...

With AutoChart...you map your waters...you create your custom maps in the AutoChart software....you keep your custom maps...(or share your custom maps if you choose)...

The AutoChart program is basically building your own custom map card that you choose which bodies of water are mapped...

Rickie

Now that sounds awesome! So next question, where in the world can I buy autochart? And how much it usually run?
Is it possible my own personal reservoirs may be on it? there is no real channel in them, just wondering. I would be neat.

I see autocharts at cabelas for $199. But it seems that is just for the card, not the disc with software.?

On the HB website...

AutoChart $199.99 (comes with 1 included Zero Lines card)
Humminbird | AUTOCHART N AM

AutoChart Pro $249.99 (comes with 1 included Zero Lines card)
Humminbird | AUTOCHART PRO N AM

Extra Zero Lines card $99.99
Humminbird | AUTOCHART ZLINE SD N AM

Remember ...the custom maps created in the AutoChart PC based software reside in the program and on the Zero Lines card...(the data is not transferred into the HB unit memory)...

When the 32G Zero Lines card is full with your custom mapping data...you can erase data on the Zero Lines card to allow space for new mapping data ...or buy an additional Zero Lines card for more custom mapping data...

I would call Brian at BBG marine...he may be able to beat the MSRP...

Rickie

Awesome! Thanx!

I have an 859 and a 899. So I need the AUTOCHART N AM. Right? Because the Pro edition is for the 360 and onix?