C Map Charts

C-MAP, a leader in digital marine charting and cloud-based mapping, announced the next generation of C-MAP Contour charts, preloaded on sounders and plotters.

The new charts provide even more data with a significant increase in lake contours (over 15,000 US lakes and 9,400 Canadian lakes) in addition to other enhancements, including updated depth contours and depth shadings.

Covering inland and near-shore coastal areas of the U.S. In addition to Hawaii, Bermuda, and Canada, the C-MAP Contour charts include custom depth shading on all lakes, high-resolution bathymetry on more than 15,000 lakes in US and 9,400 Canadian lakes, fishing POIs and standard navigation data, including tides and currents for coastal areas.

Released in June 2020 as a significantly improved preloaded mapping solution for new displays, C-MAP Contour, now with even more graphics data and a larger file size, will not be available via a downloadable software update.

Displays are programmed to be preloaded with the Contour + graphic at the factory beginning March 1, 2021.

Current registered customers can purchase the Contour + Map Card for a nominal fee of $ 35, beginning February 1 through April 1, 2021.

Additionally, customers who purchase an HDS LIVE display between February 1 and April 1, 2021 will be eligible for a free upgraded C-MAP Contour + card through online rebate.

Cmap vs navionics

Having hydrographic maps is very convenient for fishermen.

It is important to know where the best depth is and what shallow areas to avoid.

To access this information, you will need to obtain specific graphics.

Both CMap and Navionics are very popular and offer some great features.

Of course, there are also some differences, and each fisherman must choose according to his personal needs.

C-map marine charts

Lowrance-owned CMap offers high-quality hydrographic charts for fishing.

Charts are available for inland and coastal waters, making them ideal for all anglers.

When it comes to coverage, CMap covers most of the world, especially popular fishing spots.

The graphics are very detailed and you can choose from many options.

CMap will allow you to see the seabed in detail. From structures and reefs to holes and ledges, these bathymetric images will amaze you.

This option is ideal for fishermen, as well as divers, as it provides information on tides, currents, marine parks, and the like. You can also add layers like satellite images and depth shading.

Boating enthusiasts and fishermen will enjoy the marina’s large database.

Continental charts are available to freshwater fishermen. These maps have a great coverage, it gives you a high detail view.

Most importantly, CMap is compatible with major fish finder brands such as Lowrance, Simrand and B&G. You can even check the compatibility table on the official website.

For saltwater anglers, there are wide and local charts, which include all the premium features such as bathymetric imagery, custom depth shading, satellite view, and 3D. Both local and wide graphics are equally detailed, only varying in coverage area.

These two also include CMap Genesis, which allows you to create your custom maps.

US users will be delighted to know that there are charts covering lakes in the US Unfortunately this option is not available for the rest of the world.

Navionics marine charts

Navionics is a similar navigation tool that provides hydrographic charts for fishermen.

It has worldwide coverage and offers detailed maps of the interior and the coast.

It is owned by Garmin and is compatible with all major fish finder manufacturers.

Navionics has one cool feature, and it’s the fish attractors.

It shows more than 10,000 sunken structures, made to attract fish, and that is valuable to fishermen, especially when fishing in an unfamiliar area.

The enhanced version provides shading, 3D photos, and panoramas.

Chart customization such as contour density and shallow area highlighting are part of Navionics. This is a great feature for knowing which places to avoid with a boat, and also for knowing where certain depths are where you can find target fish species.

There is also a SonarChart live option, which allows you to create maps with the latest bathymetry. Similar to CMAp, you can upload your data and add it to data created by other users.

It also offers community editions, where you can find information provided by local fishermen, mainly related to buoys, boat ramps, and similar changes.

C Map Charts

• How do nautical chart data providers work?
• How do you get the graphics corrections?

Vendors that provide chart data are constantly working on improvements, fixes, and updates to their entire chart portfolio like C-MAP.

This can be done by conducting surveys on the ground, through private partners or through Hydrographic Services.

This is ongoing work and requires substantial resources for these investigations and verifications.

In this case, a special effort will be made in these regions, so that there is a greater possibility that everything will be corrected, but once again, this is not a certainty if you have not had enough information beforehand.

It is impossible for anyone to be aware of every sailing change or new marina around the world comprehensively and at the same time.

There are still some nautical charts that haven’t been updated in a couple of years. It does not mean that C-map is using an old chart, this is impossible.

The same is true for navigational charts and this update delay is certainly more prominent with Hydrographic Offices, as the frequency of their chart updates is quite slow.

In fact, they are less reactive when it comes to the integration of new marinas. Editions and revision dates are generally older.

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