Navionics Help

So, I know that this is difficult to diagnose from a distance but I thought I'd give it a shot.

I had a Lowrance Elite 4 HDI that came with the Navionics Plus package. I recently sold that FF and upgraded to an Elite 5 Chirp but kept the Navionics card from the previous FF. I tried the old data in the new FF but it didn't seem to be displaying at all. So I updated the software on the 5, went through the process of downloading fresh data on the Navionics card, popped the card into the 5, and changed the chart selection to Navionics. As best I can tell, its not working.

I can toggle between Lowrance,  Navionics, and Navionics Fish n' Chips and nothing changes on the map at all. Zoomed way out, zoomed way in, everything stays the same when moving between chart sources. I can browse the files on the card and its showing everything that should be there, but nothing seems to display. I can go into the chart options and de/select community edits, depth contours, etc. but the map never changes. I don't remember having anywhere close to this trouble with the previous FF.

Needless to say, I'm confused. Any insight into what I'm missing or overlooking would be beyond appreciated. Thanks !

Did you give it a few minutes to load up?  Do you have GPS signal? If yes to both, I'd call Lowrance tech support.

Did you give it a few minutes to load up?  Do you have GPS signal? If yes to both, I'd call Lowrance tech support.

Yes to both. After the update, it picked up a GPS lock in seconds. I left it plugged in and running on the map screen for a while before switching to Navionics and the to the Fish n' Chips modes. Then just waked away for about twenty minutes to see if anything changed. Nada. Do you think its a Lowrance issue or a problem with the Navionics card ? The port it definitely working because the update was recognized and downloaded and I can see all of the card data files via the Brows Files function.

Not sure if this model does it or if I even remember correctly, when you toggled to Navionics in the chart menu on the older models, a little SD disk icon would flash for 3-4 seconds in the lower right hand corner of the screen as the Navionics data is loaded. When I change to Navionics,  I dont see any icon on this model and the screen goes white for maybe a second before simply redisplaying the same base map. Not sure if that helps. I'll give Tech Support a call and see if we can't get to the bottom of it.

Sounds like ur doing it right.  Got me stumped on this one.  Sorry....

Sounds like ur doing it right.  Got me stumped on this one.  Sorry....

No worries. Thanks for the insight and taking the time to assist, Bill.

I'll give Lowrance and Navionics a call and see if we can sort through where the issue lies.

According to Navionics, chips that have been sold as a bundle with a FF cannot be switched between different models. They're designed to work with only the plotter that they're bundled with. You could move it between like models and it'll work, but you have to buy the Navionics Update chip $99 to move your card data between different models.

Just a head's up for others who might be looking to do the same.

Thanks for the followup! Especially for people considering upgrading from the HDI to CHIRP.
I know for sure that the Navionics chip sold with the Elite 5 DSI Gold pkg works in the regular Elite 5 unit. But those are pretty similar units, and no longer manufactured.

Thanks for the followup! Especially for people considering upgrading from the HDI to CHIRP.
I know for sure that the Navionics chip sold with the Elite 5 DSI Gold pkg works in the regular Elite 5 unit. But those are pretty similar units, and no longer manufactured.

Great point, Pat. The tech that I talked to at Navionics didn't come right out and say it, but she alluded to the fact that it was an upgrade from a 4 HDI to a 5 Chirp that caused the issues. She made it seem like 4 to 4 Chirp or 5 to 5 Chirp, etc. wouldn't cause an issue. As you said, just something to consider when making an upgrade.