What map chip

Just pulled the trigger on a solix 12, what map chip is best for mn water. I fish all over mn and wi. Looking to get the best mapping possible

Following this. I didn’t know there were options.

I guess what’s my best option, the vx mn chip or vx premium? I’m not familiar with the hummingbird units.

Bearcat89 wrote:

I guess what’s my best option, the vx mn chip or vx premium? I’m not familiar with the hummingbird units.

I will check which chip I got on my new helix last year. I havent been on the water with it, but sitting in the garage it looks pretty good. THe one I got has more than just MN on it because it was a requirement to have LOW on the Canadian side when I got it which was the whole reason I bought the bird in the first place because the available lowrance mapping (Navionics, etc) was terrible at best.

I have the Minnesota VX Premium. I wish I spent a lot of time on the water with it, but unfortunately I havent. The guy at Cabelas was the one who told me to get this one because I wanted the Canadian side of LOW. I also checked with 2 of my buddies and this is the same chip they have and theirs has great accuracy from prior trips when compared to my Lowrance stuff. I have done some looking while in the garage however and it seems VERY accurate around the lakes here I frequent. Kinda crazy to buy a whole new GPS and a chip just for a week in June I guess, but it was too dang frustrating basically fishing blind like I was. I might have to throw a blank chip in there and do some of the autochart maps too. I did that with Lowrance in the past but at least at that time it was pretty clunky. It looked fine on the screen, but if I wanted it for any other unit I had to upload it to their website and then download a converted file to the chip and put in the other unit vs just having it stored on the host unit. I believe that has since changed, but I havent tried it in a number of years.

Ron,

Not sure what the new Solix is like, but my gen2 birds I also invested in a Zero Line card to basically have unlimited Autochart mapping

Lakemaster vx premium would be the best. It covers the Canadian side of rainy river, I checked mine before making my first trip up there earlier this month.

Bearcat89 wrote:

Just pulled the trigger on a solix 12, what map chip is best for mn water. I fish all over mn and wi. Looking to get the best mapping possible

Dang, nice purchase bud. They are spendy, the fact that the helix is not touch screen has kept me from having one on my boat so far. That thing should be sweet!

I think you want the premium. We got it last year, and the maps are updated. Like someone else mentioned, you get Canada side of LOTW and rainy. The biggest advantage to me is the 5 color depth highlight option.

Ok so I’m by no means good at technology and know not much about the latest and greatest new technology but everyone keeps talking about this chip having the Canadian side of LOW and Rainy. My Woods/Rainy Lakemaster chip seems to get us around and seems plenty accurate, am I missing something?

fins wrote:

Ok so I’m by no means good at technology and know not much about the latest and greatest new technology but everyone keeps talking about this chip having the Canadian side of LOW and Rainy. My Woods/Rainy Lakemaster chip seems to get us around and seems plenty accurate, am I missing something?

Previous generations of the Lakemaster cards had Minnesota and LOTW/Rainy on serarate cards. Now LOTW/Rainy are included in the MN cards.

The differences between the regular Lakemaster VX and the VX Premium are aerial imagery and shaded relief included in the Premium. That’s up to each person if that’s worth the extra $50.

I’ve been looking at upgrading chips. As I understand it. The new Xplore comes with all lower 48 states including the Bahamas and maybe Canada preloaded. Off the top of my head, I’ve fished 14 states, 3 or 4 Lakemaster zones the last few years. Looking to add the Florida-gulf chip {$600.00}. With a couple other $200.00 chips, I’m at a grand. That’s 2/3rds the price of a 9″ Xplore with a transducer. Not sure if you have unboxed yet. But may be something to look at if you fish more than one zone. If not, good deals on prior model Birds. I also hate messing with microchips. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hijacking, apologies. Has anyone found a major difference between LakeMaster Mn V7 and the VX?

Thanks for the replies guys I pulled the trigger on the vx premium card. Found it on ebay for 160 so I saved 40 from buying at scheels. I’m excited for the solix should be great. Now I’m going to lurk for a 15″ cho to go on sale and I’ll be set for a while.