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?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LowePro

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?

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AutoChart and AutoChart Pro will work on all HB units capable of sonar recording...
Auto Chart, Auto Chart Pro & Auto Chart Live Information Resource

The Pro version has additional "Bottom Hardness" mapping and "SI Mosaic" use...

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...psaf62qkrj.jpg

(AutoChart Live is exclusive to ONIX and ION because these 2 have recording memory capability...and enough processor to build the map in real time on the water)...

Rickie

That was a great video! I have made my mind up and going with the pro model.

Unbelievable technology out there. And if a person has the time to map places out or fish/map at the same time, the detail between making your own map seems alot more accurate.

After seeing that video, my mind has been running. I have noticed, that when the guy use the autochart system only, It was only charting where the actaul boat had been, and not filling in the gaps between coverages. Meaning, I would have to weave perfectly back and forth across the entire lake? Just wondering.

Also, in this video, with the autochart system, the guy didnt have to put the zero lines card into the cmputer after he got done recording for it to make the topo. It was making the topo in LIVE action as he was trolling along? Is this correct? Hope im not bothering with all these questions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LowePro

After seeing that video, my mind has been running. I have noticed, that when the guy use the autochart system only, It was only charting where the actaul boat had been, and not filling in the gaps between coverages. Meaning, I would have to weave perfectly back and forth across the entire lake? Just wondering.

Also, in this video, with the autochart system, the guy didnt have to put the zero lines card into the cmputer after he got done recording for it to make the topo. It was making the topo in LIVE action as he was trolling along? Is this correct? Hope im not bothering with all these questions.

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The videos in Doug's link that I offered are compiled into 1 big thread that Doug has created at bbc...

The 1st video explains the AutoChart/AutoChart Pro PC based software...

The most complete data for AutoChart mapping will be achieved by making sure your sonar covers as much of the lake bottom as possible...because the data that is being recorded (to the Zero Lines card or a blank SD Card)...is the actual data that will be rendered into the AutoChart map contours...

AutoChart/AutoChart Pro are PC based software that compiles it's data from the HB unit recording process...the lake bottom must be recorded ...and then uploaded into the AutoChart/AutoChart Pro PC based software ...so that the software can use the HB unit recorded data to render the custom map...and then downloaded back to the Zero Line card....which then can be used as a custom LakeMaster map card when inserted into the HB unit...

Weaving "perfectly" is not as important as weaving "completely" ....to cover the lake bottom area you want included on your custom map created in the PC based AutoChart software...
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Remember...AutoChart/AutoChart Pro ... vs ... AutoChart Live are 2 completely different products...

The 2nd video in Doug's thread that I offered explains AutoChart Live ....which is exclusive to ONIX and ION only...

AutoChart Live is a built in feature of the these 2 series units that's allows the internal processor to create custom lake bottom contours in real time as the boat moves over new areas of the lake bottom...

The custom map contour data (created by the AutoChart Live feature of the ONIX and ION)...is not uploaded to any external software program for rendering the custom map...the custom map is created in real time as the boat moves ...and overlayed onto the displayed chart view...

The ONIX and ION have enough internal memory capability to store 8hrs worth of custom AutoChart Live created map data...
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If you do not have ONIX or ION...your options are AutoChart or AutoChart Pro PC based software....

If you do have ONIX or ION...AutoChart Live is free in the latest ONIX and ION unit update version...

Rickie

Man!!! I knew I should have went with the onix!!! lmbo! It was a little steep for me at first, but here I am again, trying to make things work when I should be buying the best, because I cant have anything but the best no matter how hard I try. Guy told me one time "it only cost a little bit more to go first class, and it will save you money in the long run." One of these days im going to take his advice. :) Thankyou for explaining the autochart pro/autochart live. That was exactly where I was getting confused.

Another question. My buddy just bought a graph off ebay. It came with a lakemaster card on it. Its a dakota lake master card i believe. He told me he would sell it to me for $40. Can i make custom maps on that card? I just have to upload it to their website and they take like a week to upload it, and then i diwnload it bak to the lakemaster card and put it bak into my graph? So i would be accomplishing the same thing just having to wait like a week to get it done instead of minutes, but saving $210?

The older cards will not do what the new ones will, at least that's my understanding. Wish I had been recording yesterday, was above where my card is mapped and would be nice to have some idea when just looking at the map. Sure hope LakeMaster mapped as they were suppose to this summer but I never saw them. They were looking for someone to do the mapping and I even put in for it but they decided to send someone from VA, last I heard and never saw them. Time will tell I guess.

LowePro,
No, the Lakemaster map card is a stand-alone product. You cannot add to the maps that are on it. The only map card that you can add to would be the AutoChart Zero Line map card. You can add the custom maps that you make by using one of the AutoChart programs to this mapping card and even use it at the same time that you are using a LakeMaster map card. AutoChart is not used to add to or modify the LakeMaster map cards.