BigBendFishing.Net

Have a new 498 that replaced an older Lowrance. The basemap included is pretty good compared to what I was used to. How big of an upgrade over the basemap is the Bluchart chip? I am already impressed with the basemap detail. Is the chip worth the money?
Flatfish

I'm not sure what your base map looks like,but here's a couple of pics of my bluechart.If you want me to zoom it in on an area for comparison let me know where.This is a 8 mile and 20 mile scale.

Thanks Git, big difference. My basemap does not show that kind of detail until I get down to about the 3 mile range. If you don't mind, could you do a screen shot in the 3-5 mile range of either Steinhatchee, Keaton, or St. George, whatever is easiest for you. From what I have seen so far, it looks like the bluchart upgrade over the base is well worth it. I wish you had left the XM Wx off as now I think I have to have that too. My wife is going to kill me if she ever finds out.

Flatfish

On mine the St. George area is in greater detail than the big bend area. I think this is because of the map availability of this part of the state. At SGI it shows in detail the grassbeds, oyster bars, etc. The Econfina area looks more like a child's map compared to other places.

flatfish wrote:Have a new 498 that replaced an older Lowrance. The basemap included is pretty good compared to what I was used to. How big of an upgrade over the basemap is the Bluchart chip? I am already impressed with the basemap detail. Is the chip worth the money?
Flatfish

Flatfish:

Do you have the 498 set to "most" detail? Check to make sure before you buy the Bluechart add on chip, which I think you already have almost completely as Bluechart G2, built in. Mine does. The "add on" chip does give you aerial photos of harbors, but I think the bathy chart detail is unimproved. If you are still unsure, call Garmin customer service and ask if there is any difference before you shell out the cash. Also, sorry, but the 498 does not do the XM weather. I have the 498, and that would be a nice option.

EJ

Many thanks to both Git and EJ. Looking at the close in map detail of areas I am very familiar with, it looks as if the built in G2 basemap that I have is identical. EJ I think you are correct and the only thing the chip would give me is aerial photos which do not offer me any advantage. Thanks to both of you as I am good to go with what I have and will no longer wonder what if. I will certainly find some other toy to spend money on.

Tight lines
Flatfish