Hi Jonas,
The bottom hardness module is in beta now and, depending on how testing goes, should be released within 4-6 weeks. Bottom hardness/composition will be an add-on module for the PRO edition. We have developed the BT module in such a way as to allow expansion for any number of different layer types, and vegetation is on the road map. It won't be part of the initial BT release but will be included within the module when it is ready.

Matt

Matt wrote:
How much will it cost for the PRO version?

Hi Woda,
The bottom composition module will be US$50, and will require an existing PRO license.

Matt

So you have to have the pro licens and pay 50 usd extra for the addon?

That's correct Jonas - it is an extra $50 (+VAT) for existing PRO users.

So it will be 119 usd + 50 usd for that information, i think that is quite expensive. But i do understand the effort you make for this great program. But still, 169 usd for full licens is a lot of money. Will vegetation include in this license or will it be an extra charge for that feature?

Hello Jonas,


expensive is ever relative ...
119 USD ... is about the same relation as DrDepth, but much moderately priced as Surfer, GM (and GM can not even interpolating SLG/SL2), Sonar5, Hypack, Insight Genesis ...

I can't believe, that Matt will be a rich man with his program.

But You have a 1st class support, updates and new features, which most other programs no owning.


Matt - on the other side: This is a note, that a few user search a solution for 1 ... 5 lakes and have no interest to work in for a complexly program. Wouldn't it be better for this people, to sent there files, and RM create the chart for separate Price? Tell the truth, if i had only 1 ... 3 lakes, i would not spend more than 20 ... 30 USD for depth charts together, at any rate not so much as Insight Genesis.


Best wishes
fjordfisher

Well i do think 119 usd for the pro is a good price, and it´s really worth it. The Reefmaster team has done a really good job with the program and it´s features and i do hope they do make som good money from it :-)
I will pay the 50 usd for the extra feature, so it´s not that. My point is for a new person who is in thoughts to buy this maybe be a bit scared for the price. And just as you say Fjordfisher, there are people who just want to do like a few ammount of lakes. and 169 usd for 3 lakes, thats expencive. :-) So thats an good idea to buy for single lakes i think.
Excuse me for my poor English :-)

Hi Jonas,
We keep the price of the core program down by offering extra features, such as bottom-type, as additional modules. This way, if you don't need the feature, you don't have to pay for it.
When we do add a vegetation layer (not in the initial BT release), it will be included in the existing BT module as a free upgrade.

thanks,
Matt

For some people, who need only one or two lakes, it would be the best choice to transfer their logfiles to somebody, who is experienced with mapping and pay a few bucks for a 'ready to use' map. A few of my friends ned a solution to insert a ready to use SD-card. Mapping and computers are not their strong suit :)

I think the Price Structure is fair.

For DD you had to pay´d about 100 Euros for Dr.Depth basic,
then again about 100 Euros for the Sidescan Module,
then about another 100 Euros for the Bottom Type Module.
And then DD was sold, the Software wont get any Updates....

I think reefmaster has developed more functions, easier handling, in much less time
and for a better Pricing Structure .....

An i believe reefmaster will get more and more wanted functions and overhaul DD,
as it was developed in a rapid way.

As you gentlemen are discussing, I see two different markets for mapping-software:
- nerds like us that are more or less just as excited about making the maps as fishing with them.
- those that want a plug and play version where they enter data without any messing about, and get a file ready to put on their SD-card.

As most of us belong to the first category, I belive we should be very careful when contemplating on what the second category want and their willingness to pay top dollar. I belive Jonas has a valid point, and just because RM has a better pricemodel then DD does not mean it's perfect. ;)

The marketplace for mapping-software and -services aimed at fishermen is just at a startingpoint in Europe. Take a look at what has happened over the las 5-10 years in the US and you will probably get a glimpse of what will happen in Europe in 2014. Major players like Navico and Navionics are trying to take the market for my second category of user, and I belive this is where the volume resides. I really don't see how RM in it's present form can compete with these services, and therefore conlude that RM will be forced to service us nerds. This is a very expencive customer-base, with huge expectations, and in order to keep us nerds happy RM will have to spend a lot on R&D and CR, a cost that will be reflected in their price.

If RM want's a piece of the second-category market, I belive they should launch products directly aimed at these users. Low pricing (less then 99 USD), and very simple user-interface with as few options as possible. Perhaps one aplication per MFD-brand, just to make it even easier for the end consumer, ie one for Lowrance, one for Humminbird etc. A lot of people out there has no idea what the coneangle on their tranceduser is, and have no intention of even reading the manual of their MFD, but they do want maps like the pros.....