I want to install a Navionics HotMaps chip in my Lowrance HDS 7 Gen 3 unit. I only fish 1 or 2 tournaments a year. Mostly just fish for fun. Is it worth the extra 50 bucks to go with the Platinum over the Premium ?
Thanks, Mike
Navionics Platinum or Premium
Moderator: Ken Sauret
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Re: Navionics Platinum or Premium
The Hotmap Premium is to be replace with the Navionics+ the 1st of January.
If money is no object get the Navionics Platinium; you are getting the 3D view satellite but more important is the sonarchat that are include on the Platinium. Sonarchart is another HD layer that gives you 1"ft. contour. If you look at the coverage on the link below and you find out that the water you fish are located inside and outside that coverage then you should get the Navionics+ that come with the US and Canadian water but without the sonarchart; if you and you should get the soanrchart you just download it from the Navionics website. Once you purchase you're card don't forget to register it to get the free updates for 1 year.
http://www.navionics.com/en/hotmaps-platinum
If money is no object get the Navionics Platinium; you are getting the 3D view satellite but more important is the sonarchat that are include on the Platinium. Sonarchart is another HD layer that gives you 1"ft. contour. If you look at the coverage on the link below and you find out that the water you fish are located inside and outside that coverage then you should get the Navionics+ that come with the US and Canadian water but without the sonarchart; if you and you should get the soanrchart you just download it from the Navionics website. Once you purchase you're card don't forget to register it to get the free updates for 1 year.
http://www.navionics.com/en/hotmaps-platinum
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Re: Navionics Platinum or Premium
Like Andre said the names of the charts are changing in 2016. In either case there are cards out there and the Platinum would get my vote. Both cards will be better than the standard mapping and the differences have already been explained. In either case make sure you turn on the Fish N Chip in your Lowrance once you get the chart.
Additionally, the maps are available in an App for you phone and tablet. Those maps are always live verses having to pop the chip in the computer to update them with the current data for the lakes. I can't tell you how many people have Navionics charts that have never updated them. You get one year of fresh data for free with the purchase of the chart. It is $99 a year after the first year.

Additionally, the maps are available in an App for you phone and tablet. Those maps are always live verses having to pop the chip in the computer to update them with the current data for the lakes. I can't tell you how many people have Navionics charts that have never updated them. You get one year of fresh data for free with the purchase of the chart. It is $99 a year after the first year.

The Wanabepro
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Re: Navionics Platinum or Premium
Thanks for the tips guys. I went with the platinum and turned on the fishin chip ! 

Re: Navionics Platinum or Premium
I went with the premium card on my hds 5. Both Tim from fishermans warehouse and the guy at bass pro said it was all I need to read better contour lines at the lakes. Well I tried to use it at Comanche last week and it was terrible. The lowranc hds 5 contour map was way better. I don't know if I just waisted $150
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- Posts: 661
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2005 2:03 pm
- Location: Rialto, CA
Re: Navionics Platinum or Premium
Make sure that you turn on FishNChip on the unit. This turns on the best contours and most detailed version of the Navionics chart. Let me know if you need help. Should be chart, view, FishNChip. There is a huge difference
Fish Chip

No Fish Chip

Fish Chip

No Fish Chip

The Wanabepro
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