I’ve got a helix 7 mega chirp and love it.
Jim

No, you shouldn't have to take the card out but on your menu there will be an option for which map overlay you want. I think it's something like default, lakemaster, and autochart. You'll select the autochart one. On my solix, the autochart supersedes the others and will show either way but my second Gen helix does not so I have to select that layer. I don't know which one yours will follow.

I'll Just say this about Lowrance HOOK.
When I finally snap, I'm going drive my truck to the Lowrance headquarters and see how far I get trying to drive the entire length of the building to return mine.
Probably have to wait in line behind a bunch of other trucks fixin to do the same thing.

Used numerous makes of fish finders/sonar units on several different vessels and I wouldnt own anything unless it was a Garmin. Sorry you got duped into buying one of the others.....as someone else mentioned, sell it on marketplace and put the money towards a Garmin.

Not much help but I researched both hard and went with the Garmin and love it. The big touch screen i can run with my feet up and use my toe lol.

Garmin all the way

thats one of the reasons i didn't want a garmin. i hate touch screens. i prefer buttons and knobs.

Scheels had a class here on the hummingbird helix series. I sat through that. Was awesome class. Brought your own helix (I have the helix 7 mega chirp) and plugged it in. They had electronics plug ins at each class station. Put it in demo mode and Mr. Johnny Candle led the course on how they work and how to use them.
Jim