Garmin vs Lowrance Mapping

 

Arguably, one of the most important features in a fish finder is the mapping capabilities of your device, whether it’s Garmin or Lowrance.

What good is the device if it can’t bring you back to the fish or help you plot a helpful course, or utilize waypoints?

When it comes to mapping, much depends on the device, what software it’s compatible with and how accurate they are. Both companies have managed to integrate some unique mapping features.

Lowrance and Garmin Mapping History

Cartography is something that Garmin pushed heavily early on, as they have always leaned heavily in the GPS and mapping direction where their own devices are concerned. However, Lowrance has made some unique contributions of its own.

Lowrance utilizes a version of C-Maps known as “Reveal,” while Garmin has partnered with Navionics. Each one has its strong points and weaknesses. If you want the full treatment with Lowrance however, you have to purchase the C-Map software.

C-Maps

When you purchase a Lowrance fish finder, you typically get whatever C-Maps has to offer in your region of the world. Downloading additional software will just get you more regions and mapping but not anything in terms of additional features. 

When you access your C-Map features for the first time, you’ll have access to a wide array of useful tools. 

• Vector Charts
• Bathymetric Maps
• Satellite Imagery
• Genesis Data
• Highlighted areas, such as Marine Protected zones
• Aerial photos

There’s a whole lot more going on than just that, but it’s a good, bird’s eye view of what the software has to offer. Bathymetric maps are essentially areas of the earth that are mapped, even though they are covered in permanent water, such as ocean floors, lake beds, and river bottoms. 

The satellite imagery isn’t the best part of what C-Maps has to offer, mostly because there isn’t enough to go around. However, what is there is enough to properly accommodate the package as a whole. 

Since the bathymetric and land maps are so extraordinarily detailed in high-resolution, the satellite imagery just adds to the flavor. However, in terms of location, waypoint, and plotting your own, personal charts, the satellite imagery isn’t worth much more than window dressing. 

Vector charts is just a fancy way of renaming “electronic charts.” It’s not so much a feature as it is a title. Fortunately, the Reveal C-Map software preloaded into Lowrance fishfinders is astoundingly detailed and information-rich. You won’t find much to complain about here. 

The Genesis Data is a great feature that allows you to create your own bathymetric maps, which is especially useful in areas that haven’t been mapped yet, such as lake and river bottoms that are out of the way. 

The Genesis feature included in select Lowrance fish finders harnesses the full power and feature set of Lowrance sonar, with CHIRP technology to feed you real-time data on the contours of the river, lake, or sea bottom. 

So long as you have plenty of storage available, you can save all of the data onto your SD card and design your own charts and waypoints on your newly created bathymetric map. 

Lowrance also includes highlighted areas on all of the built-in maps included with your device. These highlighted areas are indicators for certain zones, such as a pitcher plant prairie that’s along the water or a Marine Protected Zone. 

Lastly, you get a ton of aerial photos, which are generally more useful than satellite imagery because of the fact that the high-resolution photos are closer in and you can make out more of the topography. 

Navionics

Navionics is no slouch in its competition with the likes of C-Map and others. Like C-Map, Navionics has a lot to bring to the table and the software is often easier to use and access because Garmin and Navionics have merged as a business entity, putting everyone and everything on the same page. 

• Advanced mapping options
• Loaded with nautical charts
• Includes standard sonar charts
• Daily updates
• Lake map packages determined by region
• Auto Routing
• Community Editing

With Navionics, you can update existing sonar charts with an overlay through SonarChart Live, which is a real-time overlay. When you open your Navionics boating app, your SonarChart overlays will be there. 

Navionics pulls its local and regional charts from a variety of sources, including government, private, and local resources. With access to these charts, you will also have access to contours, track tides and currents, take advantage of navigation aids, and more.

SonarChart’s 1’ bathymetry charts are some of the best available and its wrought in high-resolution detail. All of the data compiled on SonarChart is derived from the combined input of other chart makers and anglers using the same technology. 

Community editing is sort of like the Wikipedia of mapping. Through the app called ActiveCaptain, anyone can contribute to the editing and improvements of existing maps, including new overlays, waypoints, and any other personal edits that add substance to the overall framework. 

The U.S. government charts compiled by Navionics are also extensive, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and more. 

Navionics keeps their maps updated so frequently that you can expect a new update to be rolled out every, single day. This includes a worldwide heatmap, which is more beneficial to anglers than most realize. 

The dock-to-dock auto-routing feature is also a mainstay in Garmin fishfinder software. Simply set your two docking points and let the system chart out your course for you. The SonarChart is also highly customizable.

Any feature that’s a part of a map within the SonarChart software can be modified to highlight areas of importance for you specifically. If you discover a shallow area where the flounder are really hanging out and you want to return to gig, you can make that alteration. 

You can also lower the density on your contour mapping, making the convoluted mess of lines that sometimes results from steep drop-offs much more clear and defined for your eyes. 

Which Devices Have the Best Mapping Features?

Obviously, the best mapping devices are going to be the ones with the most premium hardware and software. So if you’re looking for all of the best mapping features in a Garmin or Lowrance fishfinder, you’re going to have to fork over some money. 

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 93sv

With the 93sv, you get the whole kit and kaboodle. Chartplotter software and LakeVu G3 inland maps come standard. All of it is completely preloaded and it includes over 17,000 bodies of water that are detailed down to 1’ contours. 

The ECHOMAP 93sv also includes QuickDraw Contours, which is a unique and intuitive version of map creation that’s completely customizable, with fast access and simple controls. 

If you add the optional G54 transducer to the bundle, you’ll have a much more defined and high-resolution bathymetric layout that you can save on any of the numerous Garmin storage options, whether you purchase your own SD card and expand it or stick with the built-in storage. 

Since the 93sv is a touchscreen fishfinder, it’s even easier to create and customize your own maps, create waypoints, and chart your explorations for later use. 

Lowrance HDS 16

This fish finder is all about expanding your viewing capabilities, which is a wonderful tool to have when you’re creating your own maps through the US Enhanced C-Map software that comes built-in.

The TotalScan transducer combines every single viewpoint and sonar feature into one, easy-to-use format that scans in every direction up to 600’.

When you include StructureScan 3D, it becomes easier than ever to locate, see the structures below the surface in intricate, high-resolution detail, and create a new chart on your C-Maps so that you can find your spot again.

In fact, C-Maps already comes with a feature that allows you to narrow your searches down to the tiniest detail to include ledges, drop-offs, and contours down to 1’. The custom depth shading feature allows you to color the different contours underwater so you always know what you’re looking at. 

The “Reveal” feature really gets intricate when it comes down to the tiniest details on the sea/lake/river floor. Not only is it detailed, but its also relayed in high-resolution and three dimensions. 

The Easy-Routing feature is a convenient way to plot your quickest course out to a saved area on your preloaded or customized apps and back to the dock when you’re ready to come home. 

The C-Maps software includes what is called, Raster Charts, to let you know where all of the buoys, lights, and other manmade or artificially placed objects are located on the open water. It also includes “POIs” or “Points of Interest,” which includes hot spots for anglers and other, specific waypoints. 

Final Thoughts

C-Maps and Navionics make up exceptional software for Lowrance and Garmin fish finders respectively. With the premium devices, if there is anything that either one is missing, you’re not likely to ever realize what it is. 

The options and sheer volume of information and customization options are outstanding. With Garmin’s history of GPS applications and its successful merger with Navionics, it probably has the tiniest advantage over Lowrance. 

However, Lowrance has exceptional mapping software as well and you’re going to be in a very good position no matter which product you decide to go with.