Exciting news for Lowrance users!

Lowrance have released a free tool, the Navico Map Creator, which creates stunning maps for Lowrance devices in the AT5 map format. AT5 maps are compatible with a wide range of Lowrance units, from older LMS right through to the most recent Touch systems, with none of the issues that can affect the older LCM map format. AT5 format maps not only work better on Lowrance units, they offer many more features and possible map styles than did the LCM format, and over time ReefMaster will be updated to take advantage of many of these.

In a few weeks, we will release an update to ReefMaster that includes support for exporting contours in shapefile format, with the parameters required for the NVM tool, as well as raster map backgrounds that can be used in AT5 maps to provide depth shading in more recent Lowrance units. This release will also contain the custom palette editor. The output files produced by ReefMaster will allow very simple use of the NVM; the files just need to be loaded, and the map "built" with a single button click.

The examples below show what will be possible with the next ReefMaster release; separate major and minor contours, with minor contours displayed only above a certain (configurable) zoom threshold, raster (coloured) background in a custom palette, and shorelines and islands defined using the boundaries of the ReefMaster map project.

Big thanks to Trevor at Angling Charts for putting these maps though his Lowrance HDS10 emulator and generating these screen-grabs.

Zoomed out, with only major lines displaying:


Zoomed in, showing minor contours. The zoom level at which the minor lines show is configurable in RM:



Zoomed in, with a different palette used for the background:


A white background used in place of the depth colours. This is how maps look on older (pre-HDS) units:

That is looking really nice Matt.
Almost can't wait for using these new features.

Yes Danny,

with this Feature Reefmaster would be the best depth chart software on customer market.
Matt carry on.

Best wishes
fjordfisher

Sounds good Matt.

The lcm format is limited although I've found using the Reefmaster generated contours very useful. Great product.

Hi,

where does one get hold of the simulator?

I do not have always meant for the HDS of devices give it simulators!

Paulchen

Hi Paulchen,
HDS simulators are not publicly available, unfortunately - I don't have access to one either. Trevor from AnglingCharts does, and was kind enough to create these images for us.

thanks,
Matt

Paulchen wrote:
I think that it was only delivered to some beta testers, but not to public.

EDIT
OK, Matt was faster.
..How can i delete my Post ?

Try sending an email to Lowrance and ask nicely. :)

I can not find an emulator hds10 (7) to experiment with the cards, thanks in advance for the link!

woda wrote:
This emulator has never been available for public download. Only very few people have access to these HDS emulators. This is what I was told to...

Woda,

at the moment the HDS emulator is restricted software. It is available to Navico Partners only, and Navico have some very good reasons for insisting on this I'm sure. Certainly neither Danny or myself are in a position to provide access.

Your best approach would be to Navico direct if you feel like persuing this - meantime there are a lot of emulators on their website - or you could simply use the Insight Planner.

all the best

Trevor

I'm Lucky to have all the models in my shop so I'm able to test everything.

Guido Steijaert
Ribbink Nautic