NauticPath vs Navionics? - The Hull Truth

jim1205 · 05-20-2005, 10:12 PM

Just ordered a lowrance LMS 332c and was wondering if anyone can compare the above mentioned mapping software? The former is 100. and gives you the whole USA and then some, while the latter gives you a section (ne, se etc,) and is twice as much.

tprice · 05-21-2005, 08:38 AM

I am in the same situation, I am leaning toward the Nauticpath due to the cost difference and I only hit saltwater a few times each year.

Also the coverage are of Nauticpath is a lot bigger also, but I am sure there is some trade off's for this big coverage area.

I have not had anyone comment on a side by side comparison yet but would like to see someone that has used/seen both in different areas give and honest opinion.

fishinfool34 · 05-21-2005, 12:52 PM

I have the nauticpath and the navionics hot maps.....the nauticpath is better than the hot maps but i cannot compare it to the navionics charts.... the nauticpath does everything i ask of it, i have no complaints!~~Q

SCea Hunt · 05-21-2005, 08:23 PM

I just bought NauticPath. I'll report on it after this weekend.

Beachpoint · 05-23-2005, 04:07 PM

I looked into NauticPath pretty deep at Boater's World and by calling Lowrance.

For my area (Cape Cod, MA) I discovered too many errors on the south side of the Cape (Nantucket Sound) for comfort. One was so strange... it was a mirror image of a channel leading to Hyannis Yacht Club that went to starboard (right into a sandbar) when entering the harbor rather than to port where the club is actually located.

I still liked the Lowrance units so I called to see if they have a chart update plan (soon, annual, etc.). They told me they would most likely not update them until they "recorded enough changes" or something like that. I asked what that meant to correcting errors in the chart? The reply was "we are not planning any updates, sir."

My recommendation would be to stick with Navionics (or better yet C-MAP). Those companies specialize in electronic charts. Companies like Garmin and Lowrnace make nice hardware... but I'm suspect of their ventures into navigation data.

SCea Hunt · 05-23-2005, 09:46 PM

I bought NauticPath and used it for the first time this weekend. It seems to match the paper charts i use for my area so i'm satisfied so far. But my disclaimer is that i've only used it one day so far.

dwh_1987 · 05-24-2005, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Beachpoint - 5/23/2005 4:07 PM... Companies like Garmin and Lowrnace make nice hardware... but I'm suspect of their ventures into navigation data.

Garmin Bluecharts are very accurate and easy to use.* Bluecharts, Navionics and CMap are all based on the same government supplied data.* I've personally used both CMap and Bluechart, and I much prefer Bluechart.*

AMY @ C-MAP · 05-24-2005, 08:05 AM

I think what Beachpoint may be thinking is the fact that C-MAP and Navionics ARE electronic cartography companies, the two that really set the standard for everyone else.

Lowrance and Garmin, on the other hand, have historically been hardware companies - both previously dependent on cartography produced by C-MAP and Navionics. Their cartography can be used ONLY in their own hardware (and only the newer models).

Their addition of proprietary cartography to their products, while cost saving, may not be based on offering the customer the best available and most up to date cartographic data. Cartography is a secondary product to them, sold in conjunction with their primary product: hardware.

I've seen NauticPath. It's not beautiful but appears to serve the purpose. I have not made data comparisons or checked for accuracy. The cost is pretty dramatic, but in the end you will get what you pay for: a very basic, accessory product.

Both Garmin and Lowrance purchased cartography databases from another company.What remains to be seen is what happens next. While C-MAP's entire focus is the improvement and maintenance of our cartography product, what is their long term plan to maintain their data? How and when will updates be made available to the public? We update our data in real-time, constantly adding and improving value added data (ports, marinas, tides, currents, update programs, etc.). It's what we do!

Ultimately, I believe, you DO get what you pay for. Some will feel the economy model is sufficient, others will appreciate the quality, versatility and dependability of C-MAP. It's good to have the choice.

dwh_1987 · 05-24-2005, 08:24 AM

I couldn't care less what they cost, it's too small a part of the overall boat. I've just never seen a CMap system that was as easy and productive to fish with as the Garmin system. I've installed GPSes in about 6 of my marina buddy's boats. One of them has CMap and Raymarine, the rest Garmin. The guy with Raymarine actually followed me out of a tricky anchorage, and the other boat on that cruise bought a Garmin within the year. Another captain took his Navman/CMap setup out of his boat and returned it to the store.* He's got a 2006C now.* The guy with the Raymarine/CMap system asks me more "How do you do this again?" questions than all the Garmin-equipped boats combined.*

I don't work for Garmin, don't own their stock, and don't know anybody who does.* That said, send me a few CMap screenshots of my area showing me how you're actually better than Bluechart, instead of a bunch of quotes from your sales brochure and I'll at least think about recommending your gear next time somebody comes walking down my dock.* Imply I'm a cheapskate again, and I'll keep plugging Garmin.*

AMY @ C-MAP · 05-28-2005, 06:58 AM

You're actually talking more about user friendly hardware than cartography, and if Garmin is that intuitive, too bad they don't use C-MAP!

I can't offer BlueChart screen shots, but send me an email of where you would like to see and I'll send C-MAP screen shots.

info@c-map.com

fishrman · 05-30-2005, 04:27 PM

Search the data base there was a tread from before regarding this exact issue. I have experienced in my travels with Navionics the extra money is well spent. Not only are more detailed but have been proven more accurate. Plus id rather have more detail within my selected or home area as with the navionics charts. Furthermore Navionics has personel constintly debugging any inconsistant data with first hand knowledge. Platinum series charts which are just comming out will render many others obsolete and will only run on selected chartplotters like Raymarine E series why limit yourself nauticpath on a lowrance machine. Finally Navionics has earned their reputation in cartography withproven reliability if you rely on your chartplotter like I do why take chances on a $100 ????

jim1205 · 05-31-2005, 07:26 PM

Should have asked this question before I got it, but hey, haven't tried it yet (NauticPath)

johnyb777 · 05-31-2005, 09:50 PM

Fished all weekend with NauticPath in and around Port Aransas and Rockport, TX. Everything matched perfectly with the paper maps and almost exactly with what our sonar said the depth was, give or take a foot or two (probably due to low and high tides). At least for this area, I highly recommend NauticPath. I will make a trip south to Port Mansfield/South Padre early next month. If anyone is interested, I can make a report on that area then.

SCea Hunt · 06-01-2005, 08:46 AM

Fished for the 2nd weekend with the new NauticPath. Its working well. No complaints. It appears to be as accurate as the most recent paper charts for my area.

withinreach · 06-01-2005, 09:56 AM

I recently purchased the $99 Nauticpath chip and was shocked at what I found! I was boating in the Chesapeake Bay over the holiday weekend and was put into a dangerous situation when I was cruising along near Kent Island and passed by several extremely large rocks that were not on the Nauticpath chart (specifically off the tip of Long Point)!!! I continued on and started searching out areas that I knew really well (Sharps Island at the entrance of the Choptank River) and had used my paper map and successfully navigated. Much to my shock again I came by subm pilings that were not showing in the Nauticpath chart and were clearly right in front of my boat. I am stunned that Lowrance has put out a chart that is so incomplete. I was being cheap in trying to save the $100 difference from the Navionics chip to the Nauticpath.....bad idea on my part as it almost cost me my BOAT!!!!
Has anyone else had similar situations with this product?????

tprice · 06-01-2005, 06:37 PM

Sounds like a troll to me

johnyb777 · 06-02-2005, 02:51 PM

Maybe I am dumb... what is a troll? I can't keep up with internet lingo.

As for withinreach's comments, in my opinion, you cannot completely rely on electronic and paper maps to navigate anywhere, even on land... gotta keep your eyes open for things that are obvious. If all your maps say some area is 10 feet deep, but you can see the birds' knee caps, it is probably too shallow. At least things on the Texas coast change too much for everything to be accurate indefinitely. Could also be that you have certain parts of the details turned off on your module.... I still haven't figured out how to turn details on and off.

Then again, maybe it is inaccurate in your area, from what I have seen it is very accurate in and around my usual part of the Texas coast. I liked it. Scea, thanks for the review... I bought it and it helped me find an unmarked channel on the backside of an island (where I caught a bunch of fish).

I bet Navionics is just as good, if not a little better, but for what I am using it for, this works for me.

tprice · 06-02-2005, 10:39 PM

I agree with you johnyb777, I think the electronic charts should be something to work with but not depend on a "rock" or some other debris not being marked on the chart. Common sense should prevail here.

If you look at that last post, it was their 1ST post and they were trashing "new technology" and you had a couple of posts from a competitor (HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM) if you follow my direction.

I can not comment on either since I have not used Navionics, Nauticpath or C-map. I am sure in all you get what you pay for. I just think Navionics and C Map have had their worlds rocked when Nauticpath comes in a 1/2 of their price. Well welcome to the world of cheap labor, if you are the supplier/mfgr you get shafted but if you are the consumer you come out great. Nothing like competition in the marketplace, hell I have to battle it everyday of my life.

Back to my agreement with you johnnyb777 I would not depend on an electonic chart other than to get me close to a reef/wreck or show me the basic route I would need to take. My eyes are perfect at 42 years of age and I think I can see a rock or a marker that is a "few feet off mark".

Anyway I sorry for any typos but I am on my 5th glass of Capt Morgan/Diet Coke while I sit here planning my trip to Islamorada

AMY @ C-MAP · 06-03-2005, 08:08 AM

"If you look at that last post, it was their 1ST post and they were trashing "new technology" and you had a couple of posts from a competitor (HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM) if you follow my direction. "

I hope your 'direction' is not to somehow associate their post with mine. I have never been anything but straightforward and blunt about my affiliation with C-MAP. I don't bad mouth or trash the competition however I'll be fully honest and forthcoming. Most people seem to appreciate it.

fastkenny · 06-03-2005, 01:50 PM

does anyone know which plotters will work with the new platinum navionics?

will the new Lowrance stuff work? lms 332 and 337?

thanks