Lowrance HDS

**Billphish** · #1 05-16-2012, 09:50 AM

just had a HDS 7 gen1 installed on my boat and the mapping it came with looks very basic. What's the best upgrade mapping software for Texas coast inshore and near shore?

**BIGMIKE77** · #2 05-16-2012, 09:55 AM

Navitronics http://www.navionics.com/marine/platinum.html

**HAYBL** · #3 05-16-2012, 10:13 AM

I have the Navionics Platinum+ and it's overlay feature is pretty awesome.
I was just telling a friend of mine that I wish it had a map that looked like Google Earth and after him digging around for about 5 minutes, he found the overlay.
Pretty cool stuff.

**justletmein** · #4 05-16-2012, 10:32 AM

I'm finally ready to pickup one of these and just looked at it. Holy smokes, $400???

**Billphish** · #5 05-16-2012, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justletmein

I'm finally ready to pickup one of these and just looked at it. Holy smokes, $400???

Agree, that's too much. I'll probably go with the Gold at just under $200. I was pretty disapointed in the basic that came on tha machine but I did not have my manual with me the first day out and may not have been operating the unit correctly.

**justletmein** · #6 05-16-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billphish

Agree, that's too much. I'll probably go with the Gold at just under $200. I was pretty disapointed in the basic that came on tha machine but I did not have my manual with me the first day out and may not have been operating the unit correctly.

I've got the base maps on my 5 and have been planning on purchasing the Navionics chip since I got it a few months ago but never dreamed it would be $400. Honestly I won't use it but a few times a year anyway so can't justify the expense. How much better is the Platinum+ compared to the Gold version?

**bryster** · #7 05-16-2012, 11:31 AM

What is the major benefit of the chips over the base maps?

I found you can add waypoint info like reefs in manually, and am using the hook-n-line map for the coordinates. It is a slow and tedious process, but I think it would give me much of what I was looking for with the Navionics chips... You can also save to the card, and upload from the card which is nice. I haven't figured out how to enter the info on my computer then upload (i just have the Elite 5 and not the HDS) which would save a lot of time.

I get that there is an overlay, and more detail regarding depths with the Navionics, so I'm curious what the biggest reasons to buy the chip are? I wanna know what I'm missing

**shoalcat_james** · #8 05-16-2012, 11:36 AM

I have a Gen 2 HDS7 nautic insight. The mapping is so basic. The insight map reminds me of the base map in the LCX units. Buy a $1400+ unit and still have to pick up a $200+ card to get decent mapping. Sad

This is what I got for my HDS.
About $185. with free shipping on eBay.
NAVIONICS PLATINUM PLUS
WEST GULF OF MEXICO
SD/MICRO SD MSD/635P+
PART# MSD/635P+

**yellowskeeter** · #9 05-16-2012, 12:55 PM

Yeah I agree but sadly enough all the brands are the same. Had to do the same on my farming as well as my humminbird.

**goldwingtiny** · #10 05-16-2012, 01:11 PM

Not sure where you guy's are buying Navionics for $400. but y'all are paying 2 times too much.