How to Record Sonar Logs With Your Lowrance Plotter

Most Navionics®-compatible, third-party chartplotters can create real-time depth charts on the plotter or by connecting to the Navionics Boating app. These logs can then be uploaded to enhance our SonarChart™ high-definition bathymetry map.

SonarChart Live With Compatible Chartplotters

Creating SonarChart Live

SonarChart Live is the easiest way to create and upload sonar logs. With compatible chartplotters¹, turn on the SonarChart Live option/overlay in your chart settings. For more information, you can consult our various Support documents for accessing charts and features on many of the chartplotters supporting Navionics charts.

Upload Your Logs

An active marine chart card subscription is not required to upload sonar logs.
To upload sonar logs created on most chartplotters, launch the Chart Installer software and plug your card in. Sonar logs are uploaded automatically during the process. Once the logs are processed and combined with the SonarChart layer, they are made available with chart updates during an active subscription.

Additionally, most Raymarine plotters can upload sonar logs through Plotter Sync with the Navionics Boating app. Logs will be synced to your mobile device for upload to Navionics once you have an active internet connection through Wi-Fi or Cellular. This feature does not require an active subscription for the Boating app; however, an active subscription is required to update charts, including SonarChart, within the app.

SonarChart Live With the Navionics Boating App

Creating SonarChart Live

SonarChart Live is a free feature of the Navionics Boating app. Create real-time depth contours within the app by connecting your mobile device to your plotter Wi-Fi and open the app to start creating SonarChart Live. 

Upload the Depth Data

Once your mobile device connects to the internet through Wi-Fi or Cellular, depth logs are automatically uploaded. Once the logs are processed and combined with the SonarChart layer, they are made available with chart updates during an active subscription.

¹ A marine chart card subscription may or may not be required to use the SonarChart Live feature. Check our compatibility guide for more details.