Navionics Platinum +

[bronsonwinston]

I've been trying to chase some information on the platinum plus cards. Has anyone seen any web sites with a bit of info, if so can you flick me the link. I tried the Lowrance and the Navionics site but can't seem to find to much. I think there is a software update for this month so the HDS models can be used with navionics..not sure if it was released though?

[hodges4]

Give Garry Linacre at Navionics an email.
He's pretty good with his replies

garry@navionics.com.au

[selous]

Lowrance released HDS version 2.0.30.50 on 15 May which increases the HDS series functionality. You will need a blank formatted SD card to load the update on - the update is 310mb and available from here:

http://www.lowrance.com.au/en-au/Pro...ftware-Update/

It is the same update package regardless of which unit you have. I have upgraded both my HDS-5 and HDS-8 with it.

These are the new features of the upgraded software package:

* Support for Navionics cartography up to Platinum+ via first release of Navionics Turboview® viewer
* Tides and Currents feature now available for Nautic Insight™ and Nauticpath™ cards, including full-screen tide and current predictor
* General improvements to user interface responsiveness and key-flow, and enhanced pop-up help
* General improvements to chart zoom and pan redraw speed, including much faster drawing of shaded relief in Lake and Nautic Insight™
* New “Steer” navigation panel with full highway display, compass rose overlay and digital route data presentation
* Numeric entry and waypoint position edit mode now faster to operate
* Improved access to waypoint, route and trail library functions
* Improved import and export of waypoints, routes, and trails
* Added ability to export and import user settings
* Default waypoint names shortened to reduce display clutter with large numbers of waypoints
* Added ability to enable & disable WAAS and select the active GPS antenna to the satellites page
* New fast ping speed display settings for very deep water
* Improvements to sonar bottom tracking in particularly difficult conditions
* Improved presentation when networking sonar between HDS and LCX or LMS products
* Both digital and analog gauges now update faster
* Improved access and set-up of pages with new Pages system menu for access to overlay data and SIRIUS® audio controls
* Repeated pressing of PAGES key now rotates the Pages carousel which retains split screen
* selections for faster access to frequently used functions
* Now possible to configure sensors directly from streamlined overlay data selection menu
* Improved Info page layout options including navigation and tournament layouts including for split screen use
* Now easier to set your local time
* Automatic detection of multiple engine and tank data sources
* New steer-to compass available on info page and as overlay data option
* Trip log data items now available as an overlay data item
* Improvements to fuel management user interface
* Data overlays now display port or starboard label for sensors where appropriate
* Now possible to set independent keel offsets for multiple depth transducers
* New support for chart/radar overlay on all Lowrance charts only (including Nautic and Lake Insight™) with multiple palette choices and full transparency control
* Now supports BR24 Broadband Radar close-in ranges down to 200ft or 50m
* Improved radar update performance
* Chart will now keep the vessel on screen when using the chart/sonar or chart/radar shadow cursor at high boat speeds
* Waypoint arrival radius and course deviation indicator settings now accessible via new Navigation system menu
* Chart boundaries now displayed on Lowrance charting
* Trails settings moved to Chart system menu
* DSC support added over NMEA 2000
* Track-Your-Buddy support added for compatible VHF radios
* Improved handling of NMEA 0183 input from some non-standard devices
* Added full SIRIUS® weather transparency control
* Added SIRIUS® weather history animation up to 12hrs (Lowrance charting only)
* Added SIRIUS® marine zone warnings
* Improvements to SIRIUS® audio channel selection
* Support for new SIRIUS® subscription options
* Now possible to upgrade other head units and network modules via the ethernet
* SIRIUS® connection diagnostics moved to Networking system menu
* Improvements to screen capture function interface including full screen preview
* Ability to copy all sonar logs or screen captures to SD card simultaneously
* Networked settings can now be restored to factory defaults
* Added full support for German, Italian, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, Finnish, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Croatian, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Slovakian and Ukrainian languages

Unless you have installed this update, you will not be able to use a Navionics chart on a HDS unit.

I have just found out that the Navionics Platinum card has been discounted by Navionics to the same price as the gold chart ($385) The reason it has been reduced is that a new card is going to be released shortly to take advantage of the advanced features of the HDS series. Doubtless that will be priced around the old price of the Platinum cards - $650 or thereabouts. I am guessing the new card is the Platinum + card.

From what I have been told, the new features will be chooky, but not essential and probably of more interest to the cruising yacht types than fishos. Given the price drop, I have ordered a platinum card from Bias today @ $385 - they will order them in but do not stock them in store.

Cheers

Rob

[bronsonwinston]

Thank's selous, i will use the nautic chart which come with the unit untill the new card is released and then grab the new one when they release it, may as well get all the benifits that the HDS has to offer. I'll flick an email to navionics to see when they might think a release will be available.

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Guys,

I was talking to Navionics today.

The Platinum Plus hasn't been given a definite release date, but it is thought to be late August.

As stated, the difference in the Platinum to the new Platinum + will be of some, albeit little benefit to the fishing brigade.

The new charts will be priced somewhere around the $499 when they are released.

Yes, they have been discounted to $385.

Anyone thinking of buying / upgrading, make sure that your GPS has the ability to handle the Platinum charts.

Cheers

Pete

[Hell Boy]

with the software update released for the HDS, with lowrance still provide a nautic card with the unit?

[Grand_Marlin]

No, the Nautic Path chart offer has now finished.

Cheers

Pete