Raycaster

Actually I'm pretty sure the blue maps are built-in but Sat image overlay and community edits require data. Just seems it now needs internet access to "turn on" the detail WATER information each time the app is started. The older app US & CANADA LAKES never required DATA once installed. (except for overlays etc.)

As mentioned in another post I opened the wallet and paid for Navionics HD Boating ($60) even though I owned a older version. I loved the apps because no data was required as the maps preloaded etc. and all that was needed was a device with GPS. I ran out to Lake St Clair and brought my tablet along to play. I was out of Belle River closing in on the hump and fired up the tablet. For the life of me I could NOT get a detailed map of the lake. It appeared blocky with no contour info. I wondered that since I was given a free "fisherman" add-on trial if that screwed up the license or something. I notcied it only showed the GOV map option and I think the Navionics/sonar were ghosted. Sure enough when I got back on land with Wifi and internet access it all worked out like originally. The other day I was planning a trip to Sturgeon Lake so I looked at the tablet maps at a friends house without wifi. Trying to locate Goose Bay and pickeral point. Guess what? Same thing... All blocky no contours. It may be requiring a internet connection to confirm ownership or to refresh what maps are on the phone/tablet... I'm probably the last guy on the planet not to have DATA on their phone but I seriously only need it less than 5% of the time and can just wait till I'm at a hotspot or home. I now have to turn the tablet on before every use with internet access to make sure the maps are ready. I'm using a Samsung Tab 2 10.1" and Samsung Note 2 phone. I know most guys here use the "chip" in their units but wondering if there are any mobile users here with the same setup? Thanks Guys.

You can pick up a cheap 10" tablet with GPS under $150 instead of phone. I have a Samsung Tab 10" that is nice with navionics. Don't need a high end tablet, just a cheap kijiji used one. Just need a good mount and some weather proofing and away you go. If anyone is looking for the "Hump" on LSC, here it is.

Predicted on this board probably 2 years ago that a bluetooth fish finder option would be available to run wireless with Navionics. I'm a tech geek at heart and have been watching the launch of the "go deeper" sonar unit but without maps and gps not ideal. They may have changed things not sure. Anyways, noticed a fishfinder option on Navionics yesterday with a "demo". Basically the demo just shows a fishfinder readout running under the maps. The app appears free within Navionics (could be wrong...) but you would of course need the hardware. The hardware is by Vexilar "T-Box" and looks like a simple transducer ($150 US). The price seems right and then just adding a cheap no-name 10" tablet with GPS and it could be a nice combo. A usb charger onboard would probably be necessary to keep on all day. I read some of the reviews and there are a few complaints that its really not setup for icefishing and some tablets have problems with the wifi as its a hotspot not internet access. Some tablets will jump from access point to access point looking for best internet connection. Well I guess holding out for a Side Scanner model would be nice but I think being able to play back routes with fish patterns might be handy. Heck I could see spending a few days re-mapping your personal lake with updated contours and stumps/rock etc. May not be up there with the pro equipment but for $300 (Tablet + Navionics + T-Box) it looks pretty inviting. Didn't post links, I'm sure its not hard to find more info.

Getting a guide for the day was the best thing we ever did on Nipissing. We spent the first 2 hours on Cache Bay snagging and tangling like 5 year olds. We hated the weeds but by noon we were ripping every lure through the soup like champs. Think we ended the day over 15 pike and a much learned appreciation for REALLY fishing with a smart plan and a better understanding of lake. I now head to the thickest cover I can find whatever lake I'm on. I know everyone says "not me" but I 10X agree with the above posters about the rocks there! I swear we were in the middle of the lake in deep water when we took out a prop. Another time we were skating between islands and ended up on slate top in 1' of water bottomed out! We were very careful, had maps, and were warned several times. When locals each have 2 sets of extra props in their boat you should be very weary...

I know with the Boating license you can phone and have them send you a temp. pdf file you can print up. I have a slow pontoon and am targeted the minute I launch from Balsam every year. I have been stopped 3 times in 18 months while boats around me are breaking Guinness Speed Records.... grumpy... a little.

Our family has netflix but we have something like a 275G limit. We are probably guilty as the next family thinking that you would eventually start eliminating extra packages from cable TV to basically even it up or save money. Well, it hasn't happened and it just makes it easy to watch tv on your tablet or laptop etc. Netflix does have a few things extra like movies and tv series made just for Netflix like "House Of Cards", and Orange is the new Black etc. Bottom line is that with 4 members in the house during non-summer months we can push the 275G to the limit easily. We don't sit and watch TV 24-7 but it just adds up. Besides Netflix we use XBMC and also have the Slingbox... Still can't figure out why after spending all this cash on programming I never seem to get the fishing channels!

This is actually the Android App not the chip for the fishfinder/chartplotters. Guess it makes sense that I keep the current maps but only updated maps for a year.

Well I don't think its a question... Yesterday gave in to purchasing the new Navionic app for my tablet as the old version for my phone and tablet ($14.95) just randomly stop working. Kinda sucked paying for the same app twice (new maps same detail as old and I don't use the social media stuff). But I really like the Navionics app so I went and installed the new Navionics Boating HD for free (With map purchases inside). Saw the Canadian maps for $45 but then saw the US+Canada for $54 so thought what the heck... Went to sync with phone and saw a 356 days remaining blurb... What? Am I mistaken or is the Navionic Android App subscription based? Reading the site says: Navionics + Receive a 12 months subscription to all the value of Navionics+: Nautical Charts, SonarCharts™ and Community Edits. It also provides 12 months of chart updates. At the end of your subscription, you will retain all the charts you have downloaded and have the option to renew your subscription to updates.

Just back for the Hump (fished Thursday/Friday). 2 days bumbling around in a 16' pontoon with a 30hp, but was very lucky the lake was like glass Thursday and calm yesterday. Spend most of my time in the Kawarthas so really not set for Lake St. Clair, think I was the only guy chucking 2lb lures around. The majority of the "floatilla" (5-15 boats) at the hump appeared to be jigging their limit of wally I guess. Noticed 2-3 boats trolling with planar boards for musky. Went all over the lake after some time on the Hump and ended up with a small guy (38") in the net/boat/quick pic and back in the lake. I am still very much a newbie for LSC (only been twice) but I would suggest a detailed contour map or navionic etc. I would 100% pay attentions to posts above also, they REALLY know there stuff (Mike, Lew etc.) I would not suggest a small boat as mine is close to minimum on the lake. Mitchel Bay to Belle River took over an hour easily and alot of gas. BTW, I was in shock Thursday as 2-3' GAR were everywhere on the lake surface swimming beside my boat like dolphins! Apparently locals ignore them and no one targets them (don't blame them!). Never saw one last year but looks like an explosion this year! Bottom line.... Lake St Clair is not Buckhorn...Be very careful of weather too...

I have a 30 hp yamaha 1985ish and when replacing the lower unit oil noticed the nice creamy yellow liquid coming out... It caught me off guard in the fall and really hoped it was worn screw grommets... Well after a new season start and a few trips around Balsam a quick check showed the same results. Seen tons of video how to diy and just wondering on the pros and cons and what a mech would charge. I,m home next week with it in Hamilton and probably will start calling around.

Thx guys.

Pulled a braindead move and forgot license at home. Is there a quick way to get a replacement? Should my name be on file to obtain a paper copy as proof until I get home in a few weeks? Might be easiest to walkin to the towns internet cafe retake the test online and print out the temp? I usually keep in boat but was preseason cleaning etc. I know I can order replacements but probably wont help for the next 2 weeks. Thx ahead. Ya I know, I know... dumb move.

Thx guys, will do.

Putting the finishing touch ups on my pontoon trailer and I had a gentleman inform me that the chains from the trailer must be secured with links after looped under the vehicles hitch etc. I have the standard "S" ends that I latch on making snug. Talked to UHaul and they said the "S" ends are fine. Just might go grab a pair anyways but does anyone have info on this? Thanks.

Bought the exact as Hoser, worked well. Actually have to pick up more as I want to install inside glides for my pontoon trailer. Have to redo my front bumpers too. It was very economical as it also came in 6' widths.

Just cleaning the garage listening to my favorite podcasts ("Stuff you should know") and wondering if there are any fishing podcasts concerning Ontario etc. Rather be fishing but boat sitting under a tarp up at Balsam still until Wednesday...

I know Lew would know best but has anyone fished Cache Bay lately? Last time I was there it was 100% cabbage with zero chance of retrieving any musky lure more than 5 feet without super polarized xray glasses on for guidance. Medium spinner baits seemed the least likely to tow back a 100 sq ft block of weeds. Very successful with pike on Cache bay due to the weeds but can't imagine double tens...

Thank guys, appreciated.

Thank you for the reply. That would be the pink (gas) teflon tape right? Not the white stuff?

Well not quite assembly but wondering what most people use for the fuel quick connector threading. (Metal to plastic gas connection). The instructions always point to some kind of special thread sealer but never able to hunt it down at the local stores. Thanks guys.

I have it running pretty smooth from my pc so I went and ordered a unit from gboxcanada for downstairs without a pc. The $129 price jumped to $139 when I ordered, the shipping added $20 and the taxes rounded it out to $180!!!. I ordered on Tuesday and received confirmation 2 days later. Its still in transit in the maritimes due to my bad timing (Easter holidays). $20 shipping for over approx 10 days shipping of a small parcel seems pretty high. The $20 UPS or something better than Canada Post 10 day expedited shipping might had been more in line. My one question that I don't seem to get an answer with xbmc is the p2p. Is this just a glorified streaming torrent app? Is the cache of the movie I watch being uploaded to others? Just a follow up... Package arrived Tuesday and I have been playing with it big time! Unfortunately I am going to return it as I was really expecting more. I have xbmc installed on a pc and tablet and it works great but the Android box seems very under powered and handicapped without a mouse or touch screen. It took almost an hour to enter in my login information for Netflix as the remote and cursor would cancel the input so I finally had to plug a keyboard in. Then the unit wouldn't allow the shift key on the keyboard for "@" so I did 1/2 with keyboard and 1/2 with remote cursor. A lot of the applications had these problems of input which probably could of been prevented with another $$$ remote. Also had a ton of problems viewing any movies where the PC version had no problems. I thought the GBox with OTA updates would have the latest respository info etc. but really seemed slow. The GBox may be a great unit but just not for my family. Unfairly I wanted it to be super user friendly for the wife/kids but it's input killed that right away. I unfairly hoped for more of a "AppleTV" environment having easy control and access to Netflix and Slingplayer along with xbmc.

Picking up a cheap or used 7" android tablet with NavFree. You get free GPS that works without DATA fees etc. You also have a fine e-reader, movie viewer, email etc. I have an older Nexus 7 which works awesome for GPS. Once out the car it comes with me and then its Navionics time for the boat!

Propwash, thanks you for the very informative reply. Luckily my brother and I are used to Cache Bay in Nippisising and I have the pontoon so the weeds don't bother us too much. Was in Mitchel early this year and it was weedy but the concern was logs/stumps. Again thank you for the replies and hopefully I'll be able to post some success.

Thx for the replies guys. Since this is actual a "Family Weekend" I will probably remain on Canal and see if I can sneak over to Ant Island one of the days. Funny how a decent sized lake close to Mitchel and Balsam doesn't share their success. Maybe the locals want to hide it!