For anglers and boaters, digital mapping tools are essential not just for navigation but for maximizing time and success on the water. Two of the top players in this space—Navionics and LakeMaster—offer powerful features tailored to different user needs. But when it comes to customization, a critical component for serious users, which one truly stands out? This article dives into the strengths and limitations of each system and explains how easily you can tailor maps in this comparison.
Understanding Map Customization in Navionics
Navionics is known for its flexibility and broad compatibility. As part of Garmin’s ecosystem, it offers a seamless experience across multiple devices and platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and GPS chartplotters.
The most standout customization feature Navionics offers is SonarChart™ Live, which allows users to create real-time contour maps using sonar data from their fishfinder. As you move across a body of water, the app draws 1-foot contours based on depth readings. This live mapping function is especially beneficial for users fishing in uncharted or frequently changing waters.
Other customizable options include:
- Community Edits: Users can contribute local knowledge, such as hazard locations or boat ramps, to enhance maps for others.
- Shading and Depth Adjustments: You can highlight specific depth ranges and adjust transparency for better underwater visibility.
- Dock-to-Dock Auto-routing: This lets you plan custom routes between points based on boat draft, navigation aids, and known obstructions.
Navionics’ user interface is designed for both tech-savvy and casual users. The mobile app, in particular, is intuitive, allowing for drag-and-drop route planning, custom markers, and easy chart layer switching.
LakeMaster’s Customization Capabilities
LakeMaster, developed by Humminbird, focuses specifically on freshwater lakes in the U.S. and parts of Canada. While its scope is narrower than Navionics, its customization tools are geared toward serious anglers who prioritize depth targeting and structure fishing.
LakeMaster offers the following key customization features:
- Depth Highlight: Allows users to highlight a specific depth range, helping locate underwater structures or fish-holding zones with precision.
- Shallow Water Highlight: Marks all water areas shallower than a selected depth, helping anglers avoid hazards or zero in on spawning flats.
- Water Level Offset: This tool adjusts depth readings based on actual water level changes, which is invaluable when fishing fluctuating reservoirs.
These settings are easily adjustable from a Humminbird fish finder, and once configured, they visually alter the map display in real time. However, LakeMaster does not currently offer community edits or live mapping capabilities, which means users must rely on static data and periodic updates from the manufacturer.
Device Compatibility and User Interface
Navionics wins the compatibility battle, supporting Garmin, Raymarine, Lowrance, and Simrad devices, in addition to its robust mobile app for Android and iOS. The app interface is clean, regularly updated, and allows for on-the-go customizations, which is ideal for modern anglers who want map control from their smartphones or tablets.
LakeMaster is exclusive to Humminbird units. If you already own one, the integration is fantastic—LakeMaster maps are tailored to work seamlessly with Humminbird features like i-Pilot Link, which allows you to follow depth contours automatically. However, the lack of mobile or web access limits off-the-water customization.
Real-Time Updates and Flexibility
One of the strongest arguments in favor of Navionics is the ability to generate real-time sonar data and update your map immediately via SonarChart Live. This live mapping feature can fill gaps in under-surveyed lakes, giving you a personalized and constantly evolving fishing map.
LakeMaster maps, on the other hand, are sold as static regional cards. While they do offer incredibly accurate HD maps, they don’t allow for on-the-water live updates. To get new lake coverage or updated depth contours, you often need to purchase a newer version of the map card.
For anglers who prefer flexibility and up-to-date customization without additional cost, Navionics offers a more dynamic solution. That said, if you fish the same lakes regularly and need ultra-precise data right out of the box, LakeMaster’s curated approach still has the edge.
Final Verdict
So, can you customize maps more easily in Navionics or LakeMaster? It depends on your priorities:
- Choose Navionics if you value mobile access, real-time mapping, and device flexibility. It’s ideal for tech-forward users who want dynamic, customizable maps on the fly.
- Choose LakeMaster if you own a Humminbird unit and focus on freshwater fishing where precision depth targeting is key. Its built-in tools are powerful, though less flexible in terms of real-time updates.
If you’re looking to expand your fishing toolset, check out this detailed guide to choosing a fish finder for insights into pairing maps with sonar devices effectively. Ultimately, both platforms have a place in your tackle box—it just depends on how hands-on you want to be with your mapping.
