Garmin LakeVu HD

[Bill D]

Has anyone used the Garmin LakeVu HD software? I have a Garmin 740S unit that was installed on the boat when I bought it and am looking to add charts for more inland lakes and rivers.

Thanks!

 

[txav8r]

I have the Garmin Echomap 70S with the LakeVu HD inland lakes and rivers pre-installed. What can I help you with?

 

[Bill D]

Thanks Mel, I was just wondering how you like it and if it covers (most)everything you would hope for? I just didn't want to spend money on the wrong package.

 

[txav8r]

Apparently your 740 has an SD card slot and the linked maps to it online says it takes that package...but I would verify that before you order it. The charts seem to cover all that I wanted. The detail is better than on my old GPSmap 431S, but they weren't the HD charts installed, just inland lakes. I wish I could get the navionics charts on it, and they could be installed...until the 2014 models I think...except updates on older models would also inhibit their use. There are good things about both chart bundles and less than good things...but overall, I like Garmin and I like the hardware better than other competitors at that price point. If I were spending several thousand, a few other makes come to mind. I am thinking Bill, that I read that the addition of the Ultra would get you the ability to set water levels of a lake that was up or down from the norm. I haven't tried that nor do I have the Ultra LakeVu HD charts, just the LakeVu HD. But if I added the ultra, I would have dynamic lake level settings. I have searched for your plotter, but that may not be available for yours, as the Ultra charts don't come up under the maps tab. It may have something to do with sonar too, I don't know. My unit has sonar and shows my depths based on it, not on the chart...but the chart contour lines of course are based on mapping, not the sonar. I think the way the dynamic lake level works, is that it adjust the contour lines to the current lake levels...but I am guessing. I have to get a RV version before september for the bus, and I am currently shopping for that and I think Garmin will win that battle too. I hope I have given you the info you wanted, bottom line, I like the charts.

 

[GTBRMC]

Looks to me like the GPSMAP 740S is not compatible with the LakeVu software:

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod148922.html

Appears that compatibility began in the replacement series, the GPSMAP 741. However, other Garmin pages show that your 740S may be compatible with the LakeVu software series - I would contact Garmin directly as their website info on this is conflicted.

I have the GPSMAP 720S, which is essentially identical to the 740S other than the 720S came pre-loaded with an inland lakes map package where the 740S came pre-loaded with a coastal waters maps package.
I have and have been satisfied with the Garmin BlueChart g2 Vision map packages. You may want to see if those meet your needs... they were the state of the art when I bought my 720S in 2010 and I have not seen the need to shell out more $$$ for a newer software package since. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-water-maps/bluechart-g2-vision-/prod9618.html

Regarding @txav8r's notes about current lake level adjustments...I don't know as I have never had an issue with that... not much lake level fluctuation up here.

Your 740S is a very capable unit. It is touchscreen and has a fast, accurate GPS engine. The interface is a bit dated as it is not multi-touch (pinch to zoom, etc) but it is still very workable.

Good starting reference for your unit if you have not already been there: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod101693.html

 

[Bill D]

Thanks for the replies! This unit seems very good. I like some of the combination screens that let you use the sounder and plotter at the same time. I'm not looking for anything too advanced, just basic charts so I can drop pins for coves I like and explore the lakes a little better. I'm not sure where I would need the bells and whistles that some of the new plotters offer.

GTBRMC from what I have seen, the 740S is compatible with the LakeVu HD, but not the LakeVu HD Ultra. The reason I was looking at the LakeVu instead of the g2 was because when I looked into specific coverage for Lake Tuscaloosa, my home water, it was listed under LakeVu but not the g2.

 

[Bill D]

Went ahead and got the LakeVu HD and love it. Seems to have very good coverage and the GPS is much more useful when it knows there is a lake there!

I would recommend the software for someone who is looking to upgrade.