Is Navionics compatible with Hummingbird?

Yes, Navionics charts and maps are compatible with Hummingbird fish finders. Here’s a quick overview of how they work together:

What is Navionics?

Navionics is a company that produces electronic navigational charts (ENC) and maps for marine use. Their charts provide detailed bathymetric data, nautical information, and points of interest for lakes, rivers, and coastal areas around the world.

Types of Navionics Charts

Navionics offers different types of charts and map products for different needs and budgets:

• Platinum+ – Highest level of detail, includes SonarChart live bathymetry.
• Platinum – Detailed charts with aerial photography.
• HotMaps Platinum – Highest level of detail for select popular lakes.
• HotMaps Premium – Detailed charts for select lakes.
• HotMaps – Basic charts for select lakes.
• Navionics+ Regions – Details charts for specific regions.
• Navionics Updates – Yearly updates for existing charts.

How Navionics Integrates with Humminbird

Most Humminbird units are pre-programmed to be compatible with Navionics charts right out of the box. It’s just a matter of installing the SD card or microSD card with the Navionics maps into the card slot on the Humminbird unit.

Once installed, the Humminbird will read the Navionics charts and display them on-screen. You’ll be able to pan around to different areas, zoom in and out, mark waypoints, and overlay the chart data with Down Imaging, Side Imaging, or regular sonar views.

Benefits of Using Navionics with Humminbird

Here are some of the biggest benefits of pairing Navionics charts with Humminbird fishfinders:

• Pre-loaded contours and depth information – The charts contain detailed contour lines and depth shading so you can quickly identify holes, drop-offs, channels and underwater structure.
• Navigational aids – Navionics charts plot out buoys, obstruction areas, marinas, boat ramps and other POIs to aid navigation.
• SonarChart live bathymetry – Platinum+ charts use crowdsourced sonar data to show a real-time picture of the bottom.
• Aerial photography overlay – Platinum charts feature high-resolution aerial photos of the land so you can accurately identify location by landmarks.
• View fishing spots – Hot Spots highlight prime fishing areas based on information crowdsourced from the Navionics community.
• Community edits – Users can make edits to charts and submit corrections, which are then reviewed and added to updates.

Setting Up Navionics with Humminbird

Getting Navionics charts running on a Humminbird fish finder only takes a few steps:

1. Select a Navionics chart card for the geographic area you’ll be boating and fishing in. Most regions are covered in detail on SD or microSD cards.
2. Insert the chart card into the card slot on the Humminbird unit. Push gently until it clicks.
3. Power on the Humminbird. It will automatically detect and load the Navionics charts.
4. On the Home screen, select the Navionics chart view. Panning and zooming functions will now utilize the Navionics data.
5. You can toggle between Navionics charts, Humminbird basemaps, Down Imaging views, etc using the on-screen menu options.

It’s that easy! Now you’ll have a detailed navigational chart and be able to overlay Humminbird’s industry-leading sonar technology.

Tips for Using Navionics with Humminbird

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your Navionics charts with Humminbird:

• Update to the latest chart version annually or biannually to have access to the newest POI data.
• Select a chart level appropriate for your needs – Platinum+ provides the highest level of detail for serious anglers.
• Zoom in on areas of interest to see individual contour lines, depth readings, structures, etc.
• Use the layer function to overlay Down Imaging, Side Imaging or 2D sonar on top of the map.
• Drop waypoints on fishing hot spots, structure locations, etc to ease navigation.
• Use the Community Edits layer to see chart corrections submitted by other anglers.

Conclusion

Navionics charts and Humminbird fish finders work extremely well together. Having access to detailed bathymetric data, aerial photography, and POI information can take your fish finding capabilities to the next level. Plus with real-time sonar overlay, you get the best of both worlds – enhanced navigation and structure scanning.

As long as you select a Navionics chart card corresponding to the regions you boat and fish in, setup is quick and easy. Just insert the card and Humminbird will automatically integrate the Navionics mapping. For serious anglers looking to maximize their time on the water, it’s hard to beat the combination of Humminbird sonar and Navionics charts.