yes, it's yet another fishfinder question...

I'm interested in the Lowrance Elite 4 chirp with GPS, and I'm wondering whether this one

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance--elite-4-chirp-fishfinder-chartplotter-83-200khz-455-800khz-transducers--16222895

is worth the extra few dollars as compared to this one

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance--elite-4-chirp-fishfinder-chartplotter-83-200-455-800khz-transducer--16222929

The only difference I can see is that the first one "includes Navionics + charts with full coastal and inland coverage of the U.S. and Canada ... "

Also, am I going to be able to see the MPAs along the coast with either of these, out of the box? If not, what else would I need to get? Thanks.

Pm fishinforthecure he's the lowrance guy but I can't tell the two apart except the price

The first one comes with the Navionics chip, the second does not. Totally up to you about whether the advanced maps are important or not. The stock Lowrance maps are good, but the Navionics depth contours (especially if you enroll in Freshest Data program) are really helpful. Maybe others can confirm, but I believe all of the new Navionics chips are updated with the MLPA's outlined.

I had to make the same choice a month ago when I bought my ELITE 5 chirp. I went for the one with Navionics.
I used them for the first time yesterday at Rollins lake. My initial thought was: 30 bucks for inland and offshore maps.. SOLD! I think garmin is alot more (not sure how much better they are).
My buddy has an Elite 7 without chirp/navionics and he always has to study the depth charts at home to find holes and such he'd like to discover.
30 bucks isn't going to break the bank. 

If you plan on getting the "Freshest Data" from Navionics, get the one without the Navionics chip, the one that comes with the unit are not upgradeable to "Freshest Data".

Freshest Data has better contour lines and has Community Edits. Drawback is the Navionics Plus is around $150.

IMHO, $30 won't break the bank, you can always buy the Navionics Plus later.

$30 bucks is a good deal for those maps. But honestly concentrate on making your own maps once you get the unit OTW. Being able to build/record a complete library of your favorite spots or even an entire lake is really awesome. Maps are 1' contours and shows rock and veg. It will completely change how you fish for the better.

Mike

Nice feedback, thanks for the info. I'm planning on an Elite 4 or 5 here shortly and this is good to know.

I have been playing with my new elite 5 chirp with the navionics chip.  I wish it was built in and not on a memory card.  There is only one slot for micro sd card.  Haven't tried to export waypoints yet so hope it will export to navionics chip.  It does outline the MPA's in dotted lines which is helpful but they don't stand out and the protected area names are real small and easy to overlook.  Previously I was using a hummingbird and paid for the full version of the maps and it didn't outline the areas so maybe they added it in the last two years. 

Thanks for all of the additional info. I think I'm going to hold off for this season and try to pick up something at a good price later this year. At least now I have a better idea of what I'll be able to get.

I went with the one with the upgraded maps myself, but the regular maps on them have worked fine for me in the past.  They show contours, drop offs and rocky points which have helped me locate new fishing grounds.