Tips 'N Tricks 176: Humminbird ChartSelect - Downloadable LakeMaster Maps

[@Askeyb2011]

Not very many maps for Oregon on Chart Select. I did find one lake and downloaded it and the Smartstrike. Encrypted the SD card. I had trouble viewing the chart. I finally set map source to Auto and then I got the menu options to show Henry Hagg Lake. I have a Navionics+ West and the Zero Lines card. I took them out of the unit when I was trying to use the Lakemaster Chart I downloaded. I figured out how to use the SmartStrike too. Just have to go to the lake and see how accurate it is. Another question I noticed while you were going through the menu your sonar ect. was working. Not sure if your in Demo Mode. I was told by other Humminbird owners not to run in normal mode out of the water unless you turn sonar off. Supposedly it damages the transducer. I had someone a while ago tell me doesn't bother it at all.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Humminbirds are smart units they will stop pinging sonar when out of the water to protect the transducer and head unit.

[@Askeyb2011]

Thanks Doug that is good to know. I was sure a Humminbird support person or someone told me doesn't hurt the unit to run out of the water. Didn't say anything about Stops pinging out of the water. The only question I would have is while checking some settings my shallow alarm kept going off indicating I was too shallow while on the trailer. Why would it do that if it stops pinging sonar? I had to repeatedly cancel the alarm.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I don't know how they wrote the software for the alarms just going on what I have learned. Maybe it is because no data returned and the alarm goes off. I personally do not use a shallow water alarm.

[@Askeyb2011]

Having a shallow alarm saved us one fishing trip on the lower Columbia River. It got really rough with waves. I decided to follow a guide boat in plus he was laying down the water so it made it easier on us going in. I thought the guide knew the water really well so just followed him. I always run the combo screen navigation and sonar when traveling. After a bit the shallow alarm went off we were in 3' of water heading into the mud flats. I immediately swung out into deeper water. When we got into the entrance to the marina I asked what happened to the guide boat. I was told he stopped a ways back. Guessing he hit bottom. We were fortunate that I use the Navigation and Sonar screen with a shallow alarm because I might not of noticed the depth. I was concentrating on the rough water and getting back into port.

[@MikeH0311]

U just saved me a ton of money

[@MrWhiltetail]

Doug, if I buy the "bundle of all layers" does that mean I can use Smart Strike simply by buying the bundle? Or does that just mean the bundle is Smart Strike compatible and that I have to buy Smart Strike software to use the Smart Strike feature for the Chart Select bundle that I buy?

[@honeybun1995]

Did you ever determine if Smart Strike is included in the bundle of all layers?

[@mikewilliams374]

Doug, I have the Helix 9 DI, the lake I fish most is not on the LakeMaster map for my area. Is there a way to overlay my auto charts to a more accurate map?

[@DougVahrenberg]

You can use the AutoChart LIVE Data and it will overlay map data

[@svtgtr]

I have a older humminbird unit 998c. I just bought the maps but it doesn't show the depth how do I turn that on?

[@DougVahrenberg]

What Map Card and which lake?

[@bridogg23]

Do you have to keep the card in the unit, once you put the card in once and view the lake?

[@DougVahrenberg]

Yes you do the unit reads the data off the card.

[@jackgonzalez4292]

I have a humminbird 898c si can I buy chart select and use it

[@DougVahrenberg]

My understanding it will work on any LakeMaster Compatible unit will need a unit capable of Encrypting the SD Card. If the 898 does not have this option in the latest software visit a friend or dealer and see if they will allow you to encrypt the blank SD Card

[@5al1ve92]

Doug - big double down on diggvid''s question. I'm dealing with the same thing and when I hit the check mark/info button... Nothing. Really looking for some help since you are the go to guy! Off topic... What is up with the total failure of humminbird's web "chat now" on the Myhumminbird page? No matter the time of day it just gives the same message that they are either closed or their one support agent is using the restroom. Anyway, thanks Doug your vids and content are fantastic and where I turn because as great of a product as humminbird has, their documentation & guides are horrible.

[@DougVahrenberg]

+5Alive TNT 177: Covers SmartStrike with HELIX and shows how to search.

[@gwatsonjr1]

Might want to mention that if you have 2 units you have to buy the lake TWICE if you want it in 2 graphs at the same time. What a rip off