Lowrance charting: C-maps vs Navionics

A-a-Ron

A-a-Ron

Well-Known Member
Hey fishing friends, wondering if anyone has insight or some links, I tried the google but couldn’t quite find anything helpful…

I upgraded my head unit to a HDS Pro9 and found a Navionics card I misplaced a couple years ago so decided to throw it in. I prefer the detail of Navionics (on my phone) vs the stock C-Maps that I was running on my Elite FS9 (gonna be a secondary unit now)

So, now on the new HDSPro I can toggle between the 2 different charts. The C-maps shows the RCA zones (my old unit did not) but not the Sponge Reef areas. But on Navionics, it’s opposite- shows sponge reef zones but not the RCA’s. Not a big deal but I would like to be able to see the RCA’s on the Navionics if possible.

Also, is there a way to login to my Navionics on my head unit, so all my data and marks from my phone’s Navionics come on the screen?

Goal is to run Navionics with all closure zones and my data/marks on the screen and not have use my phone. Appreciate any insight, if anyone’s dealt with this extremely first world problem. 😉
 
A-a-Ron said:
Hey fishing friends, wondering if anyone has insight or some links, I tried the google but couldn’t quite find anything helpful…

I upgraded my head unit to a HDS Pro9 and found a Navionics card I misplaced a couple years ago so decided to throw it in. I prefer the detail of Navionics (on my phone) vs the stock C-Maps that I was running on my Elite FS9 (gonna be a secondary unit now)

So, now on the new HDSPro I can toggle between the 2 different charts. The C-maps shows the RCA zones (my old unit did not) but not the Sponge Reef areas. But on Navionics, it’s opposite- shows sponge reef zones but not the RCA’s. Not a big deal but I would like to be able to see the RCA’s on the Navionics if possible.

Also, is there a way to login to my Navionics on my head unit, so all my data and marks from my phone’s Navionics come on the screen?

Goal is to run Navionics with all closure zones and my data/marks on the screen and not have use my phone. Appreciate any insight, if anyone’s dealt with this extremely first world problem. 😉
Click to expand...
I think you may need a new navionics card. With the navionics+, you get the same sonar detail and the RCA as you do on your phone
 
Side question, but is there anyway to make the RCA's pop more on screen in Navionics. I really have to zoom in to see the RCA's, and hover the cursor to ID them.
 
Brando said:
Put your navionics chart into the computer and download the installer. Follow the prompts and update your card to the last detail available.

Downloading and Installing the Chart Installer Software to Your Computer | Support Center

Garmin Support Center for Canada is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.
support.garmin.com support.garmin.com
Click to expand...
You will get the RCAs from doing this, but you won't get the sonar charts unfortunately.
 
I have been considering getting the new C-Map reveal chip. You can download and access improved sonar data from your sonar logs as well as other users. It gives a 3D view of the bottom which is pretty cool for reading the contours. Not sure if I really need it but I do want it.
 
MikePA said:
You will get the RCAs from doing this, but you won't get the sonar charts unfortunately.
Click to expand...
I believe you may be incorrect about this I had an old card from an elite 7 hdi and was able to get sonar charts after updating. You also need to know how to turn the sonar charts on in the options and select it in the installer when updating. It’s definitely worth trying before spending $200+ on a new card.
 
Brando said:
I believe you may be incorrect about this I had an old card from an elite 7 hdi and was able to get sonar charts after updating. You also need to know how to turn the sonar charts on in the options and select it in the installer when updating. It’s definitely worth trying before spending $200+ on a new card.
Click to expand...
Weird, to have sonar charts your chip has to be navionics+. If your card doesn't have sonar charts then it's the base navionics which can't be updated to navionics+. I tried it online and also took it to harbor Chandler before just buying a new chip. Interesting you were able to some how
 
We don’t know what card he has. My elite chip was called “navionics gold” it was quite old but once updated and turned on in the menu on the unit itself it worked.
 
My navionics card was new in 2018 and when I updated it last summer I lost the sonar charts as well. After learning it was a me issue I reloaded it after selecting the appropriate options. All good on the second try.
Some may have a different issue with an older card but even newer ones can drop this feature on an update if not selected.
 
Thanks for the tips, I was able to update my card and toggle with the charting options... I have full contour details on there now. Still odd that I can see the sponge reef areas but not the RCA's. But 90% of the time im fishing i know exactly where there are and a quick toggle over to C-maps and they're well marked on there. Good enough for me.

Would be nice if either of them had the DFO subareas noted.

Still interested if anyone has been able to login to your Navionics account on your unit... so that all my pre-saved pins on my Navionics phone app could reflect on the head unit.
 
Try this. I have all my points and routes on my chart plotter already so didn’t want to complete the transfer. Looks like it should work.

IMG_1138.pngIMG_1137.jpeg
 
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