The main thing really is the Humminbird capabilities with the Lakemaster. It allows the user to highlight depth ranges, set lake levels and other features. The lake level is a great feature (ex. St Clair is 18" low and you can adjust it so you don't think you have two feet of water to run over when you really have 6" – 😯 ).
The navionics is the same for both and more economical because when you buy navionics you get a larger area of maps vs. state specific. Is there anything preloaded mapping on your machine? It may be that you don't need to purchase anything.
I use both Navionics and Lakemaster in my Humminbird and they both have strengths and weaknesses. All of what Will said as benefits are true and they are useful. I would try and look at the specific lakes that you fish and see which chip gives the better details that you are looking for and work from there.
I'm still working on getting the unit hooked up in the boat so I actually haven't seen it on yet. I don't think it has a pre loaded contour map, just a base map that shows where you are in relation to the lake. My GPS isn't color so I guess the detail in Lakemaster really wouldn't be used to its full capacity.
Last year I was in the same situation and Cabelas recommended the Lake Master chip. After getting my hummingbird installed I couldn't get the lake master chip to work and contacted Lake Master. Apparently Lake Master only worked with color versions of hummingbird so double check what works. Also I like my navtronics but my next upgrade will be to a color monitor and lake master for the extra features.
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