Autochart Tutorial - How to Import Data & Create a Map

Here is a link to a .pdf tutorial file I created to help some of you with learning Autochart.
(You have to be logged into this forum for the link to work.)

Click the link below:
Autochart: How to Import Data & Create a Map

At the link you can view, print, or download the .pdf file for your use in learning the program.

Another Great Tutorial! Thanks CamoHunter

Unbelievable. That is an awesome tutorial.

Very Nice Job

I've got a 797c2i. Will autochart pro work with it at all. I know not all features will cause its an older model

Jojo, I'm not sure.  Actually, I'm pretty sure it will not. You CAN use it for collecting sonar recordings and hummingbird tracks, which you will be able to import into the Autochart program. But I don't think your 797 will read the map that you put on the zero lines sd card. You'll need a newer unit for that. 700series HD models it does work on though.

Thanks CamoHunter! Awesome tutorial!

I having been using an 899CI HD SI unit a little less that a year and will soon add ACP to map lakes that I fish in northern Ontario that aren't on anyone's map cards. I noticed in CamoHunter's tutorial (very helpful, by the way) that he mentioned making a choice between using a track file or sonar recording as the basis for creating a contour map. Not being familiar with ACP I was assuming you would use sonar recordings. What are the pros & cons for using either data source (tracks or sonar)?

You can use either. Nice to have options. Sonar recordings are best, but there may be situations where it is nice to be able to pull in track files too.

Sonar recordings (.dat):
Pros - More detailed, collects more data points, collects ALL raw data collected by the depthfinder including sonar data and side imaging (useful for reviewing sonar in Humviewer), and sonar recordings are necessary for creating bottom hardness or side imaging mosaic in Autochart)
Cons - Takes up more disk storage space on sd card/hard drive

Humminbird Tracks (.ht):
Pros - Takes up very little disk storage space, saves to internal memory on depth finder initially and you export the track files to an sd card, might be able to pull in track files from years ago before AutoChart was available (I was able to import track files from Canada from 2010, 2011, 2012 that contained depth data).
Cons - Not as detailed, a little less data points, NO sonar data/SI/bottom hardness data collected. Data points ONLY contain Latitude, Longitude, and Depth.

Thanks, CamoHunter. Very helpful information. Very helpful forum.

Just a suggestion . . . on several postings I've seen guys pose a question and a few minutes later they have obviously figured out the answer and they post "Never mind. I've figured it out." Unfortunately, when that happens none of the rest of us get the benefit from the answer(s) they've figured out. I would like to encourage guys to post the answer to their question even when they figure it out themselves. That way we can all benefit from their experience.

Thanks again for the help.

I agree. Good point.

Following the tutorial but instead of the options of "Matrix" and "Record" I only have the record file. Does this mean I'm only using track data? Why no sonar data?

Following the tutorial but instead of the options of "Matrix" and "Record" I only have the record file. Does this mean I'm only using track data? Why no sonar data?

Thank you taught me a new skill,very nice job and helpful for my work

mchesney wrote:Following the tutorial but instead of the options of "Matrix" and "Record" I only have the record file. Does this mean I'm only using track data? Why no sonar data?

No. If you have the RECORD folder, that is where your sonar recording data is saved. So if you have that, you successfully made sonar recordings

If you do not have a MATRIX folder, that means you did NOT export any tracks or waypoints from your depthfinder to the sd card. You can put the sd card back into your unit, and export tracks and waypoints if you have a need for those.

CamoHunter wrote:You can use either.  Nice to have options.  Sonar recordings are best, but there may be situations where it is nice to be able to pull in track files too.

Sonar recordings (.dat):
Pros - More detailed, collects more data points, collects ALL raw data collected by the depthfinder including sonar data and side imaging (useful for reviewing sonar in Humviewer), and sonar recordings are necessary for creating bottom hardness or side imaging mosaic in Autochart)
Cons - Takes up more disk storage space on sd card/hard drive

Humminbird Tracks (.ht):
Pros - Takes up very little disk storage space, saves to internal memory on depth finder initially and you export the track files to an sd card, might be able to pull in track files from years ago before AutoChart was available (I was able to import track files from Canada from 2010, 2011, 2012 that contained depth data).  
Cons - Not as detailed, a little less data points, NO sonar data/SI/bottom hardness data collected.  Data points ONLY contain Latitude, Longitude, and Depth.

Exactly the question I was looking to answer!

As a follow up, is there a downside to taking up more storage space on a Zero Lines SD card by recording sonar recordings (as opposed to using track data)?  I think I would prefer to use sonar data for making my maps, but do I risk running out of recording space on the disk?

I could easily be out 8-10 hours using my Helix.  I am not am not always in motion so I will end recordings and start new recordings when I move again.  But, I don't want to start overwriting prior sonar recordings from earlier in the day.

What are the issues that arise?  What should I consider doing?

Thanks!

Just found this tutorial, thanks for the information.

wonder how it is done for Autochart Live recordings from my Helix 9. where and how do I set up the files in auto chart pro.