Mapping program

flatsman	Hey , does anyone know of a free program that can be used with gps (Garmin) for the gulf of Mexico. Program needs to show depths also. Pleas respond if you know of one of these software programs	2002-11-30
J.B. Cornwell	Hi, Flatsman. I have heard of Internet sites that offer something close. Try Google. Garmin's Mapsource firmware and software only work on some models. For depth readings you would need their Bluecharts. Not (in my mind) cheap, but purely sensational in action. I use the FishingHotspots CD from Mapsource and really like it. Good luck.	2002-11-30
Jbeaux2000	yeah.....Garmin blue chart is sweet. If you want, post your email address and I will send you a sample pic. A member on this board (trollhole) sent them to me and I loved it so much I am purchasing. Oh.. I see you asked for a free program...oops, its not free... you still may want it though... Good luck	2002-11-30
seahunter	Don’t be cheap. You can pickup Blue chart for $85 after the rebate anymore.	2002-12-03
Boatist	JB I have a mapping handheld Garmin GPS but missed the window for any of the rebates, so I have not purchased BLUE CHARTS yet. I did get the salesman at west marine to demo the Blue charts on a fixed mount unit they have set up in store. While it was a better map and had all the Buoys marked the same as on a chart we could not get to show depth or bottom charistics. They always say same detail as a paper chart but so far have not seen that. The paper charts will show depth in feet, meters or fatoms and also show if bottom is sand, clay, rocks. So here is my question does Blue chart actually show depth and if it mud or rocks?? Like the one I had demo of did not show depth. It did show sholling and depth contour lines but no actually depths. Also if you have the Fishing Hotspots CD please tell us about it. What info does it actually give you?? Thanks JB	2002-12-04
J.B. Cornwell	Ahoy, Boatist. I am surprised that you weren't able to get depth readings from BlueChart. I haven't actually used Blue chart but I am sure that I have read that they do include contours. The Fishing Hotspots CDROM contains very detailed maps of lakes. They are nearly identical to the "paper" Fishing Hotspots maps you can buy at your friendly local tackle shop. They don't include the overlays showing you where to fish for what, but do include everything else. You buy the disk for X bucks, then you buy unlock codes for as many as you want of the ten (I think) regions for Y bucks each. They can only be downloaded to one unit, but they can be loaded into that one as many times as you like. Memory sizes limit how much you can load at once. If you have the GPS that use plug ins, you can buy the regions on a chip. The chips are portable and can be moved from one unit to another. You can get a lot more info at http://www.garmin.com Good luck.	2002-12-04
trollhole	Navionics Hot spots is a sweet map. I purchased one for my Lowrance LCX15mt a couple of weeks ago because the blue charts only show Coastal regions. But blue charts do show depth and contours. and everything else like pipelines wrecks piers poles buoys and some rocks. They will also tell you if its a salt marsh but they will not say if the bottom is rock or sand. I would much rather leave that up to my graph. Now back to Hot spots. It's perfect for me. I need contours on inland lakes and these maps deliver. Most people say why don't you just use you depthfinder well it tell me what under the boat and not that I'm coming up on a standing timber field! Not good when you are trolling with downriggers. Also a great map for seeing humps and the main channel. One thing I didn't expect was they say where to fish. For example on one spot it may say Brown trout. Another may say Rainbow. Or LM Bass or SM bass. And when I trolled over those spots last week I actually caught fish! I think its a great product and one card cost me $129 and covers most of the lakes in SC NC TN WV KY VA.	2002-12-04
trollhole	Man Boatist you sure are up late!	2002-12-04
Jbeaux2000	well, he is in Ca. and this board shows eastern time on my computer. So he wrote it at 12:40 am his time.... still late for me though. Thanks for the samples you sent me trollhole. my gps 76s is in the mail right now from Iboats. I can't wait!!!!	2002-12-04
seahunter	Boatist, The $50 rebate on Blue chart is in effect until December 31, 2002. http://www.garmin.com/whatsNew/currentpromotions/pdfs/BC_50_rebate_coupon.pdf I was initially concerned about the correlation of the data and real life findings, but after using the charts for almost a year I’m pretty impressed with their accuracy. I used it to work the edge of the shipping channel this fall and was impressed with the accuracy with not only the location of the edge, but with the correlation of the spot sounding shown on the map and the returns from my sounder. Even when working out on 60-70 feet of water, the chart and my sounder usually agreed to within with a foot or two. Close enough for me.	2002-12-04
Boatist	JB Thanks for the info. I see all the add and everyone claims to be the best and give all the details but I need to see it for myself. Most places out here never load the CD or cartridges in there demo units. Maybe get too many get ripped off. Dingbat Thanks for info also. The salesman at West Marine loaded the Blue chart chip and at first made no difference at all. He though must be for wrong unit but I found menu that said use charts from map source and it was disabled. Turned it on and got a better map but did not show actual depths and I think we zoomed in all the way. Could be a key that needed to be turn on or some other menu item. Right now my main navigation is still Loran C but did buy the Garmin Map76 last year to start recording our routs and fishing spots. Also wanted it for any party boats trips I took to record where we stopped. Have not used it for that because our Fish and Game all but closed off Shore Rock fishing to recreational fisherman. They have actually closed it from Oct 31 till July one. Even when it opens can only keep about 50 percent of the rock fish you catch. Each type has a different size limit and a number limit. About 25 percent limit is zero. Also will not be able to fish deeper than 120 feet again this year. Kind of took all the FUN out or rock fishing. so last year caught a lot of Salmon. I rather catch a big Lingcod. Thanks Again	2002-12-05
Jbeaux2000	Boatist: Blue charts does show depth soundings. I have it on my computer (got the CD) and I downloaded the US012 Tampa to New Orleans map data. You have to set your gps to accept the detail level and turn on depth soundings on the menu to show what you are looking for. It is there though. I would recommend Blue Chart. It appears to have the same amount of info that my regular charts have. Ps- the rebate is still going on....$50 mail-in thru Dec 2002. IT makes it around $80 after rebate. BTW- West will match prices off the net if you print it out and show them... check the net and then get to match. Good Luck	2002-12-05
Boatist	Beaux Thanks for the info. I know my Garmin GPSMAP 76 does not have that menu now. It may come up if I load the Blue chart. I checked the rebate and not in affect for my area. It said not valid for Pacific or Atlantic. I would want the Pacific. I am in no hurry and may wait until I pick a fixed mount unit for the boat. The handheld works find to record all the old Loran C routes and Locations. I have been looking at the color units and have not decided but leaning to Lowrance X15ci or the Garmin 2006. In no hurry so can take my time and shop the boat shows for a good deal.	2002-12-06

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