Lowrance Navionics or get CMAP Max N

I like the Lowrance HDI 5 unit.
Not sure if I should get the gold package with the Navionics or get the base package and buy CMAP Max N map card.
What's your experience and recommendation?  I need it for Coastal California mostly and very little fresh water map.

Spend the little extra and go with an alternative card such as the CMAP or the Lowrance Nautic Insight PRO West HD V14.  I should have a V14 chip with me at the October 22nd seminar in Santa cruz for you to test drive if you want to check it out before buying something.

The Gold chip is better than the base map but not as good as a CMAP or the Nautic Insight PRO ....... IMHO

Bill

Just the answer I was looking for Bill. Thanks

I'll try to get my hands on some CMAP for the seminar too for "show & tell".

CMAP is model limited app, is can the Nautic used on other machine s?

Not sure if I und rstand the question but I'll take a stab at it.  Forgive me if this isn't the answer to your questiin.  The Nautic Insight works with all current Lowrance, Simrad & B&G units.  Lowrance will use virtually any chip that fits in it.  The Elite units take a MicroSD chip size.  The Insight chip comes in MicroSD with a SD sleeve included.

Crystal clear Bill. I will get the Nautic.

Where are you located?

Up north in Humboldt

Not too local to me otherwise I'd meet with you to show one.

Bill That is nice thought thank you.
Would the pro version good for kayak  instead of the HD?

I think so.

quote author=FishingForTheCure link=topic=59454.msg670667#msg670667 date=1412801344]
Spend the little extra and go with an alternative card such as the CMAP or the Lowrance Nautic Insight PRO West HD V14.  I should have a V14 chip with me at the October 22nd seminar in Santa cruz for you to test drive if you want to check it out before buying something.

The Gold chip is better than the base map but not as good as a CMAP or the Nautic Insight PRO ....... IMHO

Bill
[/quote]

I will have to look into that though I don't really have much complaints with the Navionics Platinum.[

The Navionics Plat. is a great chart too.  One of the nice features I love about the Lowrance; ability to use almost any card and not be locked into proprietary formats.  You can use Google Earth too for waypoints and transfer it into the unit.

Based on a survey I took earlier this week for Lowrance/Simrad/B&G & the type of questions they were asking, there could be some EXTREMELY interesting changes on the horizon for capabilities of these type of units.

Bill. Is there a guide you can point me to about using the google earth?