It is very convenient for anglers to have hydrographic maps. It is important to know where the best depths are, as well as what shallow areas to avoid. You will need specific charts in order to access this information. These two products are very popular and offer a number of excellent features.
Of course, there are also differences, and each angler should make his/her choice based on personal needs. Below I explain how Navionics compares to CMap charts, and in the following chapters, I describe more about them. You can also compare Navionics and Lakmaster by checking out our comparison.
Benefits and features of the product
Knowing what exactly these two are, seeing the features and benefits, and finding out what the differences are can help you make a decision. Depending on your preferences, what works for you may not be the first choice for others.
What is Lawrence CMap? All the Benefits
Fishing charts of high quality are available from Lawrence’s CMap company. Both inland and coastal charts are available, making them an excellent resource for all anglers. The CMap system is comprehensive, covering most of the world, especially popular fishing spots.
What is the CharLowerrance CMap?
A Max chart is a basic version of the chart. Next, there are MaxN and MaxN+. A few additional features are included in Max N+. In addition, the Reveal has been added. A glimpse at the sea floor will be possible with CMap Reveal. This bathymetric imagery will show you structures and coral reefs, holes and ledges, and more. Not only is it great for divers and anglers that want to learn about the tides and currents, it is also great for anglers. As well as satellite imagery, you can add depth-shading layers.
A large database of marinas will be convenient for boaters and anglers alike. For freshwater anglers, there are continental charts available. A high level of detail can be seen on these maps due to the good coverage. It is also compatible with the major brands of fish finders, such as Lawrence, Semrad and B&G. On the official website, you can even view the compatibility chart.
Angling enthusiasts need only download the Wide or Local charts for access to all high-end features, like bathymetric imagery, custom depth shading, satellite view, and 3D.
You can also create your own maps with these two, as they include CMap Genesis. Lake insight HD and Precision Contour HD charts have been added to the Lake insight product line for users in the USA. We currently do not provide this feature for the rest of the world (yet).
Why is Navionics so important? The Benefits
A hydrographic chart navigation tool similar to Navionics is available to anglers. CMap covers the globe and offers detailed maps of the inland and coastal areas. All major fish finders can be used with the device. It is owned by Garmin. Its Fish Attractors feature is one of the coolest features in Navionics. Anglers, especially those fishing in unfamiliar waters, will find this useful since it shows over 10,000 sunken structures that are meant to attract fish. Navionics provides less options when it comes to chart formats.
There are only two versions to choose from, Navionics+ or Platinum+, so don’t get me wrong; they both offer plenty of features. Sonar Chart shading, three-dimensional rendering, and panoramic photographs are included in the upgraded version. Navigation charts can be customized with features for highlighting shallow areas and contour density. In addition to knowing where not to go with your boat, you can also find out what depths are most likely to contain targeted fish species.
You can also create maps with bathymetry from the most recent versions of the Sonar Chart live. The uploading of your individual data gets added to users’ data similar to CMap. Furthermore, it features community edits, which provide information about buoys, boat ramps, and other changes provided by local anglers.
How do Navionics and CMap compare?
The official websites provide detailed information on each feature, so I won’t list them here. Instead, let me compare them in real life so you can make an informed choice. There is no comparison between these two. Anglers fishing in saltwater or freshwater can benefit from these charts equally. As both Navionics and CMap provide these contoured maps at 1 ft., there are no concerns about how the details will be provided. Those who fish from boats may find that CMap has an edge, since it contains more marinas.
Each offers worldwide coverage, and both offer customized US charts for users in the United States. CMap has Precision Contour HD and Lake insight HD, while Navionics has Hot Maps Platinum, with free updates for the first year of use. Navionics has an advantage for the first year of use: it has free updates.
It works faster with CMap Genesis when you make your own maps. It takes less than 20 minutes for you to receive your map with GeoTrust, while it takes longer with Navionics.
First-time users of CMap, especially beginners who haven’t used charts before, might not find it the best option, since it has so many “main” chart options, plus advanced options, that are hard to compare and comprehend for someone who hasn’t used it before. It is, however, a great option for people who know what they want and who are able to choose a highly personalized combination.
