Use caution when buying map programs

Dear Capt. Paul:
I recently bought a Humminbird 898c SI fishfinder, and am looking to buy a chip to upgrade the maps.

I was looking at Navionics, and was wondering which chip woud be the best.

I mostly fish Des Allemands, Little Lake and Lake Salvador.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Richard Thorne

Capt. Paul’s response:

Use caution when ordering any map program as once purchased, it is not refundable or exchangeable. In short, the program is yours.

I say that to alert you to do your homework before making a $200 purchase.

Most of the Navionics programs come produced in several formats. The same regions are usually marketed in a Secure Digital (SD), which is the format that is used by your Humminbird unit, as well as Compact Flash (CF) and Micro SD formats.

To get the most out of your Humminbird 898c, I suggest that you get the Navionics Platinum series of mapping. They offer a new region of HOT Maps called Navionics Platinum South. It has inland lakes in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. It is available from the Humminbird site as well as other dealers on the web.

The other Navionics Platinum is marketed as Coastal Regions. Coastal Region 651 in the Platinum Plus program, I believe consists of Coastal NOAA Marine Charts that covers from Cape San Blas, Fla., to Baton Rouge. But I was unable to ascertain if the “Plus” version will operate in the Humminbird 898 as the “Plus” version is sold in the Micro SD format.

You should be able to get a converter that converts the Micro SD to a standard SD format at any electronics store, but be sure to check the compatibility.

I strongly suggest that also you access the Humminbird web site at humminbird.com/leading_innovation/fishing-systems.aspx, aand register your unit and then download the free Humminbird PC program.

This download will allow you to transfer data such as waypoints, tracks and routes to and from your Humminbird GPS unit and your computer. It is a worthwhile endeavor even if you don’t buy a supplemental mapping program.

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About Captain Paul Titus 192 Articles
Capt. Paul Titus has been responding to G.P.S questions on LouisianaSportsman.com since 2000. He has been fishing and hunting in Louisiana since 1957. Titus holds a USCG license and conducts instruction courses in the use of GPS for private individuals and government agencies.