Auto Chart, Auto Chart Pro & Auto Chart Live Information Resource

[nitro78]

Is it possible to create a bridge between ReefMaster/ AutoChart to use the data already processed from devices other than the Humminbird as professional bathymetric data or Garmin, Lowrance as in case of change of brand and not lose everything?
For now I do it with DD but it's like handling a heavy !.
It would be enough to add a format x, y, z to see the hardness!
Thanks
Sorry for my English i'm french!

[Bob B]

I think the best thing would be to organize and save the source data.

[rexico]

I get the message "Wrong Beam Buddy" when trying .son files from my auto chart card. What am I doing wrong?

[judecca]

rexico, choose the data that contains "B001.SON" from your recording folder. That will be the correct beam.

-RW

[Darkhorse]

HI Guys
I have two Onix 8 (si and combo) with 360 and have just recieved my Auto chart live Africa Chart card. I have been recording and am happy with the results. One major issue it only intermittently shows the recorded map. Sometimes it shows but more than often not, it even though the "show AC live "is ticked and transparency is 100%. It often comes on when I start recording AC live but then sometimes not. Very frustrating!!! Any one have similar issues???

Al

[Tundah]

I just picked up a Helix 9 SI GPS model and I've previously been using AutoChart Pro with the core series. If I put the zero lines card into the Helix and record new data onto it, does the head unit process all of that like the PC software and create the map so I could then plug it into another non-Live unit?

Also, is there any need or functionality to take a recording on the zero lines card from AutoChart Live and plug it into the AutoChart Pro software (bottom hardness, etc)?

[fishfood]

I just picked up a Helix 9 SI GPS model and I've previously been using AutoChart Pro with the core series. If I put the zero lines card into the Helix and record new data onto it, does the head unit process all of that like the PC software and create the map so I could then plug it into another non-Live unit?

Also, is there any need or functionality to take a recording on the zero lines card from AutoChart Live and plug it into the AutoChart Pro software (bottom hardness, etc)?

I don't know if the unit processes like the computer program but I read that the AC live data will automatically transfer to a ZeroLine card if it's inserted into a Helix 9,10,12 unit.

A customer asked me if the AC data also stayed on the unit it was mapped with.

I contaced Deborah at HB and she verified that .....

1. Data is automatically transferred to a Zcard when inserted in the Helix.
2. The Data is then removed from the unit

If you want it on two units, which my customer did, you will have to re-map that area or map it on both units to start with.

I know this doesn't answer all of your questions but maybe it will give you some insight as to how AC is handled on the Helix models.

[Tundah]

Thank you sir, that helps. Going to give it a test drive tomorrow. Sounds like I can map on the helix and then use those maps from the zero line card to plug into a core unit on the kayak.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

If you want it on two units, which my customer did, you will have to re-map that area or map it on both units to start with.

I know this doesn't answer all of your questions but maybe it will give you some insight as to how AC is handled on the Helix models.

If you want two copies of the same data and have 2 HELIX or 2 ONIX you could subscribe to the same transducer creating the data and turn on AutoChart LIVE on both units and it would make the same exact maps on 2 units at the same time. Not need to redo it just run AC LIVE at the same time

[fishfood]

If you want two copies of the same data and have 2 HELIX or 2 ONIX you could subscribe to the same transducer creating the data and turn on AutoChart LIVE on both units and it would make the same exact maps on 2 units at the same time. Not need to redo it just run AC LIVE at the same time

That's a good idea Doug but I still don't understand why the unit erases the data when it transfers. That would be a lot easier.

I'll pass it on though, beats doing it twice.

[Robertl69]

Well, as James knows the whole nickel and dime routine of having to get ZLC(s) to begin with chaps my a__ to no end. BUT, with that said; if one were satisfied with having the Live data on only one unit while it was being mapped using AC Live, can you simply copy the data to another ZLC after the fact; even offline using PC or perhaps an offline copy from slot 1 to slot 2 on the unit?? And then have it on two separate ZLCs, one in each unit?

[Wayne P.]

Well, as James knows the whole nickle and dime routine of having to get ZLC(s) to begin with chaps my a__ to no end. BUT, with that said; if one were satisfied with having the Live data on only one unit while it was being mapped using AC Live, can you simply copy the data to another ZLC after the fact; even off line using PC or perhaps an offline copy from slot 1 to slot 2 on the unit?? And then have it on two separate ZLCs, one it each unit?

I don't think you can copy the Auto Chart Live data, only load it to a Zero Line card.
To get multiple copies, you would need to record sonar logs, load that to the computer software Auto Charts or Auto Charts Pro, then copy it to Zero Line cards.
Map data is encrypted and can only be manipulated with mapping software.

[Robertl69]

Wow, guess I should have done a little more research; basically makes the AC Live virtually useless to me (not everyone, but certainly many others like myself) until I spend yet another $150+.....it just keeps going. It's a good thing they have the 360!

Sorry, not meaning to rant, I'm sure I will love it; just would have much rather paid a little/fair bit more for features that were obviously excluded for marketing/revenue purposes, even on the Onix it seems. At least then I would not feel so nickel and dimed. Probably others that will never use those features that are happy they are not included in the base price so maybe its just me.

[Robertl69]

If you want two copies of the same data and have 2 HELIX or 2 ONIX you could subscribe to the same transducer creating the data and turn on AutoChart LIVE on both units and it would make the same exact maps on 2 units at the same time. Not need to redo it just run AC LIVE at the same time

Another thought, as opposed to my knee-jerk frustration; on my bow Helix 10 unit could I tell it to use the ducer on the stern Helix 10 for AC Live, BUT still use the local TM mounted ducer for 2D, simultaneously? Thus allowing me to have continuous mapping on both units (still require two ZLC's but not the separate PC software) whether the TM was down or not, and still be able to use my TM 2D for vertical jigging when it was down.

If so, does this impact accuracy of waypoint markings using say the 360 at the bow? I'm guessing not since the way point would be a gps coordinate independent of the mapping?

[Tundah]

So I gave the AutoChart Live on the Helix 9 a test drive a couple days ago on a little 400 acre lake near the house and mapped about a quarter of it. On the plus side, using it was very easy and the returns were impressive. I had the ZeroLines card in the unit during recording and it did record directly to the card.

I then plug the ZeroLines card into my 859ci HD DI unit and it loads the lakemaster lake outlines one would see from AutoChart, but no contours from my recording on the Helix. The Base Layer option wasn't even present on the Chart Menu.

For laughs, I then plug the ZeroLines card into my laptop and fire up AutoChart Pro and as expected its a no go. I'm hoping I missed something in the process, but I'm fairly confident I did not. The data on the ZeroLines card from the AutoLive appears to be in a different proprietary file format. It appears, again if I have not made a mistake, that AutoChart (standard & Pro) and AutoChart Live are two distinctly separate products with limited to no cross-compatibility.

I love the concept of Live but at this time from what I saw and have read on this forum, it appears very singular in functionality and deployment.

So in conclusion if I want to use the AutoChart Pro tool for bottom hardness and side imaging mosaic, I need an additional ZeroLines card and process sonar recordings as I did with the core series...essentially duplicating efforts for the two products.

[Bob B]

So I gave the AutoChart Live on the Helix 9 a test drive a couple days ago on a little 400 acre lake near the house and mapped about a quarter of it. On the plus side, using it was very easy and the returns were impressive. I had the ZeroLines card in the unit during recording and it did record directly to the card.

I then plug the ZeroLines card into my 859ci HD DI unit and it loads the lakemaster lake outlines one would see from AutoChart, but no contours from my recording on the Helix. The Base Layer option wasn't even present on the Chart Menu.

For laughs, I then plug the ZeroLines card into my laptop and fire up AutoChart Pro and as expected its a no go. I'm hoping I missed something in the process, but I'm fairly confident I did not. The data on the ZeroLines card from the AutoLive appears to be in a different proprietary file format. It appears, again if I have not made a mistake, that AutoChart (standard & Pro) and AutoChart Live are two distinctly separate products with limited to no cross-compatibility.

I love the concept of Live but at this time from what I saw and have read on this forum, it appears very singular in functionality and deployment.

So in conclusion if I want to use the AutoChart Pro tool for bottom hardness and side imaging mosaic, I need an additional ZeroLines card and process sonar recordings as I did with the core series...essentially duplicating efforts for the two products.

I agree .... These 2 products that share the name Autochart should "play" together ..... and it pretty much sucks if the mapping created with Autochart Live is exclusive to the unit it is created on.

[Robertl69]

I agree .... These 2 products that share the name Autochart should "play" together ..... and it pretty much sucks if the mapping created with Autochart Live is exclusive to the unit it is created on.

Wait a second, so the AC Live data is also specific to a given unit even using a zlc, even if u put it in a virtually identical unit?!? Someone please tell me that's not the case. I think that is correct about the AC and AC Live being completely different products with no cross compatibility at all from what I have been reading and learning just today, which is ridiculous enough alone! Pls tell me the specific to a given unit thing for AC Live is at least not correct.... Or even better that both are incorrect....

[Bob B]

Wait a second, so the AC Live data is also specific to a given unit even using a zlc, even if u put it in a virtually identical unit?!? Someone please tell me that's not the case. I think that is correct about the AC and AC Live being completely different products with no cross compatibility at all from what I have been reading and learning just today, which is ridiculous enough alone! Pls tell me the specific to a given unit thing for AC Live is at least not correct.... Or even better that both are incorrect....

After re-reading Tundah's post, It is probably just the 859 that can't use the Autochart Live map ...... Just guessing, but probably any Helix model that has Autochart Live built in could utilize the data.

[Tundah]

I believe a map created on any AutoChart Live device (Helix or Onix) can be displayed on any other ACL unit with that ZeroLines card An ACL map creation will not work on any non-ACL device (core and helix 5/7). Sorry if I caused confusion. Just trying to figure this all out, considering the Helix 9 user manual does not even have a documented section on ACL.

[Robertl69]

That at least makes slightly more sense but still ridiculous.