10 Changes to LakeMaster Mapping [What’s New]
Announced in October of 2022, the new offering of Humminbird LakeMaster cartography offers the unrivaled high-definition contours that LakeMaster cards are known for, but with a few new angler-focused updates and additions. Let’s break it down.
LakeMaster Product Offering Update
Prior to October 2022, you could purchase Humminbird LakeMaster cards for your desired region in three different options: LakeMaster, LakeMaster PLUS, and SmartStrike. *The previous versions of LakeMaster are now referred to as "LakeMaster Legacy".
To quickly break the LakeMaster Legacy product offering:
- LakeMaster: Over 10,000 bodies of water spread across 13 regions in North America, including high-definition 1-ft contours on LakeMaster surveyed lakes
- LakeMaster PLUS: Same offering as LakeMaster cards, plus (satellite) Aerial Imagery
- LakeMaster SmartStrike: Same offering as standard LakeMaster cards, plus SmartStrike feature that allowed you to enter fishing conditions to highlight potential areas to fish based on proven data
New LakeMaster with VX Technology Product Offering (as of October 2022)
The lineup of LakeMaster cards has been simplified to TWO options for all regional offerings.
- LakeMaster: Over 13,000 bodies of water spread across 13 regions in North America, including high-definition 1-ft contours of LakeMaster surveyed lakes. SmartStrike technology has been added as a built-in feature instead of a separate purchase
- LakeMaster Premium: Same offering as LakeMaster with the added features of Aerial Imagery and 2D Shaded Relief (see below for more details)
Version Numbers Have Been Reset
Throughout the years, as the LakeMaster survey teams surveyed new bodies of water or re-survey of existing bodies of water, regional cards would be updated with a new version number to indicate the most current contour data.
For all new LakeMaster (VX) Cards, version numbers have been reset.
For example, LakeMaster Southeast was on Version 5 and LakeMaster PLUS Southeast was on Version 3. New LakeMaster and LakeMaster Premium Southeast cards will be found at retail as Version 1 (V1).
Compatibility
LakeMaster with VX Technology cards are compatible with the following Humminbird Models:
- APEX (All Models)
- SOLIX (All Models)
- HELIX and ICE HELIX (G3/G3N and Newer)
LakeMaster VX - New Capabilities and Feature Updates
The new lineup of LakeMaster cards with VX Technology are packed with more information and capabilities than ever before.
VX Technology - New
New to all LakeMaster cards, VX Technology provides exceptional marine map performance, more precise contours and 5 new depth color palettes.
You will immediately notice smooth contour lines at increased zoom levels and the ability to customize depth contour color palettes that suite your preferences is something that all anglers will appreciate.
Anglers that are familiar with Humminbird’s AutoChart Live custom mapping feature will be pleased to see that the AutoChart Live style color palette has been added to the list, making even the most subtle depth changes pop on your fish finder.
To learn more about VX Technology and see how to customize depth color palettes, check out this VX Technology video.
Depth Highlights – Updated
Most Humminbird users are familiar with the Shallow Water and Depth Highlight function which allows anglers to highlight shallow water in red (Example: Less than 3ft) and a desired depth range in green.
Now, anglers have the ability to highlight shallow water and up to four depth ranges with eight customizable color options. This allows users to focus in on multiple different contour depth ranges that they may want to target during their day of fishing.
To learn more about the updated Depth Highlights Feature and see how to customize them, check out this Depth Highlights video.
SmartStrike – Updated
As stated in the product offering section, SmartStrike was previously sold separately as its own product, but now, all new LakeMaster cards will contain this powerful technology.
SmartStrike is a one-of-a-kind feature that is exclusive to Humminbird that combines High Definition LakeMaster lake map data and extensive search algorithms to help you pattern and locate fish at any time of the year. It’s your digital fishing guide.
Just punch in your fishing scenario and SmartStrike will highlight high-percentage areas that your target species may be found on that particular day. It serves as a great starting point to locate quality fishing areas on a new body of water.
To learn more about the SmartStrike Feature and how to use it, check out this SmartStrike video.
Chart Presets – New
New to all LakeMaster cards, Chart Presets allow users to customize their chart views in three presets, allowing them to quickly change between different chart layouts for fishing or navigation scenarios.
For example, one preset could contain aerial imagery, navigational icons, and lower contour density, while another preset could feature a different depth color palette and high-definition (1ft) contours.
To learn more about the new Chart Presets feature and how to use it, check out this Chart Preset Overview Video.
2D Shaded Relief – New (Premium Cards Only)
Quickly identify fish-holding areas with 2D Shaded Relief, which make bottom detail and depth changes easy to spot on your chart. In the example below, the shaded relief makes the contour changes near this point stand out, making it easy to identify.
The shaded relief layer is available on LakeMaster Premium cards only.
To learn more about Shaded Relief and see how to turn on this layer option, check out this Shaded Relief Video.
Aerial Imagery – Updated (Premium Cards Only)
Navigate confidently and find new fishing spots with the help of enhanced aerial imagery. A great way to identify land and water structures like docks, marinas, vegetation, and more.
Aerial Imagery layer is available on LakeMaster Premium cards only.
To learn more about Aerial Imagery and see how to turn on this layer option, check out this Aerial Imagery video.
LakeMaster Lake Lists
Do you want to see if your favorite places to fish are included on the latest Humminbird LakeMaster cards? Check out the LakeMaster Chart List page to view the coverage of each regional card.
Browse the New Lineup of LakeMaster Mapping Solutions
Now with VX Technology, LakeMaster and LakeMaster Premium cards provide exceptional marine map performance, precise contours, customizable color palettes, and a host of features to help you find prized fishing spots faster.
Browse the lineup of LakeMaster cards for you region.