Q. What is Navionics HotMaps?
A. Navionics HotMaps is a US & Canadian freshwater fishing product available either on memory cards for your compatible GPS unit, on DVD for planning on your PC, or on Paper through MapTech. HotMaps come complete with HD 1' contours and underwater structure for the top lakes in the US and Canada.
Each of the 5 huge regions can be purchased from your local or online dealer. |
Q. Which GPS chartplotters are compatible with HotMaps Charts?
A. Please reference our HotMaps plotter compatibility guide. |
Q. What type of media cards are HotMaps Charts available on?
A. HotMaps Charts are available on CF (CompactFlash) and MicroSD (MSD) media cards, also commonly referred to as cartridges or chips.
Download the HotMaps plotter compatibility guide. |
Q. Where can I find Navionics troubleshooting information for my HotMaps compatible GPS plotter?
A. Troubleshooting information for HotMaps compatible plotters is available on the below links. Please choose the link that is appropriate for your make & model:
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Q. What is the difference between HotMaps, HotMaps Premium, HotMaps Platinum, HotMaps Explorer & HotMaps Paper?
A. The main differences are in number of lakes and features. Here is a breakdown:
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Q. How can I update to the latest version of HotMaps?
ATTENTION: The US & Canada trade-in program ended on Dec 31, 2010. |
Q. If I find an inaccuracy or error in my HotMaps Chart, can Navionics correct it?
A. Navionics always appreciates receiving customer support and feedback and asks that you please complete a one-page Problem Report Form or e-mail us the nature of the problem in as much detail as possible. We have devised the Cartography Problem Report online for customers to notify us of any inconsistencies that are found. Customers are then contacted once the Cartography Department receives the report, when we investigate the report, if we need additional information and also when/if the area is updated. Customers can always feel free to contact Navionics directly to inquire about the status of a Problem Report. Navionics strives to provide the best customer service, and the input of our customers enables us to improve the quality of our charts. |
Q. Can I add my own User Generated Content (UGC) or Points of Interest (POI) to Navionics Charts?
A. Yes! As part of Navionics' commitment to quality and providing valuable information, we have begun collecting UGC. Please use our new UGC Collection Form to input data you feel would be a valuable addition to Navionics charts. Thanks for your feedback! |
Q. Are there any videos that show me more about Navionics Mobile Apps and Charts?
A. Yes. You can learn much more about Navionics Mobile Apps and Charts on our YouTube Channel. |
Q. How do I display Platinum features in HotMaps Platinum on my chartplotter?
A. Navionics provides Quick Start Cards in the packaging of its HotMaps Platinum Lake Maps to help users access the key features of these products. Download the appropriate Quick Start Card (.pdf) below for your chartplotter:
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Q. I can't see the lake detail on my HotMaps chip, only the lake boundaries. What am I doing wrong?
A. It sounds like you're viewing a lake that is outside of the area you selected in your plotters' menu. HotMaps cartridges are loaded with lakes, divided into regions, then divided again by state, or smaller regions, and listed along with their codes. 
Try reselecting the region again using your plotters' menus, making sure the region you select is the one in which the lake you want to view exists.
If your plotters' menu shows only codes without any state designation, click on the following cross-reference tables: HotMaps | HotMaps Premium. Once you've selected a region and exited the menus, your map should appear on your display. Pan and zoom to the general vacinity of your lake. Small boxes, usually red, appear around each of the individual lakes included in the area you selected. Locate your lake and continue zooming down or in until you reach the desired zoom range. (Because chartplotters and their menu systems differ greatly by manufacturer, please be sure to follow all cartridge-related instructions in your GPS manufacturers users guide.) |
Q. What is the difference between HotMaps and Platinum+/Gold/Classic/Fish'N Chip Charts?
A. Navionics HotMaps are electronic US & Canadian freshwater lake maps for your GPS; Navionics Classic, Gold and Platinum+ Charts are worldwide saltwater marine charts for coastal areas, plus the Great Lakes.
HotMaps lake maps are available in HotMaps, HotMaps Premium and HotMaps Platinum editions on both SD (SecureDigital) and CF (CompactFlash) media cards.
Navionics Classic, Gold and Platinum+ Charts are based on official government charts and provide detailed coastal and Great Lakes navigation and fishing information. Each provides a unique set of features and benefits designed to suit a wide-variety of boaters and fishing enthusiasts.
Classic Charts are available in Large-size regions to support an array of legacy GPS chartplotters; Gold Charts are available in XG- (Americas) & XL9- (Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia) size regions; and Platinum+ Charts are available in XL- (Americas) and XL3- (Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia) size regions. |
Q. Are Navionics HotMaps charts PC and Mac compatible?
A. First and foremost, all Navionics HotMaps charts are available on preprogrammed plug-and-play cartridges, or chips, that are compatible with a growing number of today's most popular chart plotters (download compatibility guides: Americas | Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia).
Navionics HotMaps charts can be used in your PC or Mac using a compatible software package*. If you wish to view your chart(s) to plan boating trips in the comfort of your own home, as well as transfer routes and waypoints from your computer to your GPS plotter, then we recommend NavPlanner2. If you wish to also add GPS and navigation capabilities for your PC and Mac, then please see our list of compatible software manufacturers*.
*Please contact the respective software manufacturer for PC- and Mac-compatibility, as well as compatibility with HotMaps charts. |
Q. What do all the code numbers mean when selecting a map on my HotMaps or HotMaps Premium chip?
A. Some chartplotter models, mainly Lowrance, allow users to select the map they want to view using a 'Map Data' menu. These models show a list of codes to choose from, rather than a list of areas or regions. Please see the following cross-reference tables of codes related to your HotMaps or HotMaps Premium charts. |
Q. I can no longer find the Navionics LOTW+2K (Lake of the Woods) map, where did it go?
A. We have incorporated the Navionics HotMaps LOTW+2K edition lake maps into our HotMaps Premium North Region and HotMaps Platinum North Region. In addition, the data for LOTW has been further enhanced with more detail. The latest HotMaps Charts include thousands of additional lakes including hundreds of new HD (High-Definition) lake maps created by Navionics' own US survey team. |
Q. What is the price of Navionics HotMaps Explorer?
A. The MSRP for Navionics HotMaps Explorer is US$19.99. |
Q. What is the difference between HotMaps Explorer and NavPlanner2?
A. Both HotMaps Explorer and NavPlanner2 products are powered by Fugawi, and are designed for planning trips on your PC and transferring waypoints and routes between your PC and your GPS chartplotter. The main differences include:
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Q. In the HotMaps Explorer product, can the included lakes be uploaded to a GPS receiver or chart plotter?
A. No. The included lakes are for use only with the included PC software. With Navionics HotMaps Explorer software, you can use the included 10,000+ lake maps, or any of the optional High Definition lakes to plan a fishing trip on your PC, print paper copies of lake maps, view lakes in 3D, and create waypoints and routes for transfer to leading GPS or chart plotters. Only waypoints and routes may be transferred to and from a GPS receiver. |
Q. Using HotMaps Explorer, can I connect a GPS directly to my PC or laptop and view my position in "real-time"?
A. This is not possible with HotMaps Explorer. Navionics HotMaps Explorer was designed to be a cost-effective, yet powerful planning tool for all on-the-water activities. It is ideal for map viewing, printing and waypoint creation for upload to a GPS or chart plotter.
To purchase PC software that will allow you to incorporate GPS and other navigation tools, please visit our PC Software page and click on a company logo for more info. |
Q. I just purchased Navionics HotMaps Explorer, how do I receive my BONUS High Definition map?
A. Navionics HotMaps Explorer includes 10,000+ lake maps directly on the DVD. Also available are exclusive and optional High Definition versions of select lakes, which provide up to 1' bottom contour definition from Navionics' own on-the-water surveys. Navionics' meticulous on-the-water process and attention to detail ensures that every Navionics High Definition lake map is unmatched in accuracy and detail.
With your purchase, you are entitled to one free High Definition lake. The lake is downloaded via the internet directly into the Navionics HotMaps Explorer software. The free download is available from directly from Fugawi. Additional High Definition lakes for download are available from Fugawi for a fee. |
Q. Do electronic charts replace paper maps?
A. The electronic chart is an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and notices to mariners contain all information needed for the safety of navigation, and as always, the captain is responsible for their prudent use. |
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