Question about Lowrance GPS chip

[jayjysmth]

Hello guys,
I recently bought a Lowrance Global Map 3500C and am wondering what chart chip I should purchase. If anyone has any advice on navionics, hot maps, etc. please let me know. I need a fairly accurate chart to help navigate unfamiliar waterways and help offshore fishing. I am coming to Morehead tomorrow so whatever you reccommend please include the best place to buy. Thanks alots guys

[BTH284]

I run a Lowrance unit as well, they should have included in your purchase a software program and card reader that you can download to a card. You will have to buy a MMC card to do it. The software program gives you a ton of navaids/marine aids/fish obstructions/etc and other useful info, it is spot on the money too for locations. This will get you what you need and you can edit directly on your screen to your chip if need be. If your looking to buy a chip/MMC card I would go with the Navionics gold. It will run you some cash but will give you everything the softwware program has plus depth contours as well. Outerbanks Outfitters in AB should have it or West Marine by the Jersey Mikes in MHC could be worth a stop too.

[Dave Sikorski]

I have a navionics in my Lowrance combo unit and have found it to be very accurate in the chesapeake. Accurate to contours by a few feet.

-D

[Capt-D]

Use this one. I have it my lowerance and it works great! MSRP 199.00

NAVIONICS 3XL USA - NORTHEAST : XL3

905P US MID ATLAN & CYNS NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE BAY, CHESAPEAKE BAY, NORTH CAROLINA, BERMUDA From New York Harbor to Cape Romain, including Philadelphia, Norfolk and bathymetric details of all Mid-Atlantic Canyons.

-D

[Glenn W]

Use this one. I have it my loweranceMSRP 199.00

NAVIONICS 3XL USA - NORTHEAST : XL3
-D

Yes and No Dennis. I have this chip as well in my Lumberance. You are correct that the Navionics Gold chip is very good both offshore & inshore North of the Va./NC state line (about from the Cigar), but it plain flat out sucks for offshore NC. The detail is only fair in Pamlico Sound, and I'm not sure about the detail in the ICW around MHC. In this regard, I rode inside from Hatteras to MHC a month or so ago and I can tell you it was a good thing we had a very detailed paper chart once we got into the ICW from the Nuese all the way into Beaufort.
Jay, I don't know the area and had an escort (thank god), but there are several no wake zones in the ICW, but most important, it is pretty confusing leaving the ICW and once in the Newport(???) River, i.e., heading into MHC.
Point is, if you will be running inside don't just trust that stupid electronic gismo.

[Capt-D]

Thats a good point regarding electronic technology vs paper charts Glenn, but I believe the question was which chip to purchase not electronic vs paper charts.

With that said the Navionics XL3 charts are, IMO, far better than anthing else available for the lowerance.

Anyone traveling unknown waters should always carry and refer to current paper charts and be familar with all current, Light lists and USGS "Local Notice to Mariners"

-D

[Glenn W]

With that said the Navionics XL3 charts are, IMO, far better than anthing else available for the lowerance.
-D

I concur

[Arks and Sparks]

I have 2 charts for north carolina i'd be willing to sell. I bought the boat in NC and have no use for the chips. They came out of a lxc19c, so i'm not sure if they would work in yours.