Downloading navionics charts to sd card for axiom

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roaringgirl

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I've never done this before and am finding it hard to decipher the process.

Can I use any micro-sd card, or do I need to buy a blank from navionics/raymarine?

It looks like I need to use a special installer app from navionics. Does anyone have any foolproof instructions for the process?

Thanks!
 
Absolutely ... the programme just looks at what version Navionics you have and overlays any relevant updates.
 
Ah

Call 01752 258726

That's Navionics Uk

Really helpful ... and there today ... just tried them ?
 
You have to buy a new Navionics card.

You can buy an 'update card' if your current card is a suitable range to 'activate' it. Once you have activated the new card the old card will retain its data, but cannot be updated anymore.

If your current card is not suitable for updating a new card, or you want to still be able to update it, you will have to purchase a full price new card for the new area(s).
 
Raymarine used to offer a lighthouse pc and Mac program through which you can buy new charts.

They seem to have recently switched to an app that connects to the MFD over wi-fi and handles purchases etc.

There are cheaper options than navionics but I do like their charts.

The raymarine web site is so full of marketing guff that you can't find anything useful. They should hand it back to the techies.
 
roaringgirl said:
I don't want to wipe what's already on the card, can I just add more without wipimg what's already there?
Click to expand...

Don't format the card! I'm led to believe this will render it useless where use with Navionics is concerned. I also had to call them today and they couldn't have been more helpful. Great company to deal with.
 
I phoned the number and spoke to them, they confirmed that I must use a navionics card rather than any old card I buy in a shop. I spoke to the local shop here who wanted 200EUR for a card blank, or preloaded with the Caribbean. In the end I took my old card containing the Baltic sea (I'm in the Canaries and heading west), and overwrote it with the Carib for 100EUR and change. It all seemed to work, although I haven't put it in the plotter to check it yet...
 
alexincornwall said:
Don't format the card! I'm led to believe this will render it useless where use with Navionics is concerned. I also had to call them today and they couldn't have been more helpful. Great company to deal with.
Click to expand...

Slightly off topic but provided ones keeps the text file containing the licensing information then the card can be reformatted.

This is useful if an update causes the chart data to become corrupted.

I suspect the dire warnings date back to the time when cf cards were used and could only be updated by dealers.
 
Little Grebe said:
Slightly off topic but provided ones keeps the text file containing the licensing information then the card can be reformatted.

This is useful if an update causes the chart data to become corrupted.

I suspect the dire warnings date back to the time when cf cards were used and could only be updated by dealers.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I didn't know that. Thanks for the heads up!
 
Apparently Samsung EVO Plus 32GB MicroSDHC card and some other cards allow you to rewrite the SD card's ID.
Navionics uses this CID to lock their card to that SD. so when you make a regular copy, it won't work because the CID will not match.
If you clone an SD with its CID, then the maps will work at your duplicate SD.

There is some info here:
Changing the CID on an SD card - Working! - Richard's stuff
 
BabySharkDooDooDooDooDoo said:
Slightly off topic but provided ones keeps the text file containing the licensing information then the card can be reformatted.

This is useful if an update causes the chart data to become corrupted.

I suspect the dire warnings date back to the time when cf cards were used and could only be updated by dealers.
Click to expand...

mmmmm I used to change areas on Navionics cards and I disagree ... formatting should be avoided.

Yes the licencing info is important - but the cards ID itself is locked into the the writing of charts. What we did was to take an old chart card .. CF / SD standard or mini ... delete the chart files leaving the text files and Key file. Write the new area files to the card. What basically happens is that the card works because of its lock code etc but runs the charts you put on it.
But it could never be updated ... except by repeating the process.

If you formatted the card - then the Key lock and Card ID encoding was lost - it would not work.

I stopped doing it after "discussions" with a certain Charting Program Proprietor ...

Prior to the Lock encoding - the old MS DOS days of Copy programs that could create EXACT duplicate discs was the way .. in those days you could duplicate a 5.25 disc onto a 3.5 .... and it would run in the 3.5 drive as if it was the original 5.25. I proved it to a guy - took an SD card and using an old MS-DOS copy program - created a second exact copy. But now with Windows having moved on and lost its DOS root - many of those programs no longer work.

I DO NOT ADVISE ANYONE TO DO THIS NOW >>> If anyone does this now and ruins their card - don't blame me ... I warned not to do it.
 
My dilemma is similar: Navionics+ sells Europe cards divided in 4, like each area of Europe separately. Well, I might have to travel through all of those areas. Do I need to buy 3-4 cards? No way can I afford them, especially since the Turkish dealers are asking for 280 EUROs for each card.
I mean, can I buy ONE card, delete the map files (not the lock/key files) and put new maps on them?
 
tkalfaoglu said:
My dilemma is similar: Navionics+ sells Europe cards divided in 4, like each area of Europe separately. Well, I might have to travel through all of those areas. Do I need to buy 3-4 cards? No way can I afford them, especially since the Turkish dealers are asking for 280 EUROs for each card.
I mean, can I buy ONE card, delete the map files (not the lock/key files) and put new maps on them?
Click to expand...

I warn against it ... its been some time since I last did this and I have no idea if it still works.

Do you really need brand new chart cards ?? There are various sellers on Ebay who sell 'expired' cards - I have recently bought one that is updated to the last update available in 2023 ... cost with shipping 50 euros.
They have many areas ....

Also maybe get one those 'expired' cards and then when you get where you are going - see if anyone is leaving that area - will sell their card or swap with your card etc etc.

Don't know about now - but it used to be a way to get cards for new areas ... amongst long term cruisers etc.

I have no connection with them other than buying a card myself.
 
Refueler said:
I warn against it ... its been some time since I last did this and I have no idea if it still works.

Do you really need brand new chart cards ?? There are various sellers on Ebay who sell 'expired' cards - I have recently bought one that is updated to the last update available in 2023 ... cost with shipping 50 euros.
They have many areas ....

Also maybe get one those 'expired' cards and then when you get where you are going - see if anyone is leaving that area - will sell their card or swap with your card etc etc.

Don't know about now - but it used to be a way to get cards for new areas ... amongst long term cruisers etc.

I have no connection with them other than buying a card myself.
Click to expand...
Many thanks! I'm negotiating with an ebay seller right now. He says he only ships to Europe. I'd say 3% of Turkey is in Europe technically :)
 
roaringgirl said:
I've never done this before and am finding it hard to decipher the process.

Can I use any micro-sd card, or do I need to buy a blank from navionics/raymarine?

It looks like I need to use a special installer app from navionics. Does anyone have any foolproof instructions for the process?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Hello everyone, I came across this thread from many moons ago! Despite the significant changes to technology since then I have a not to dissimilar challenge as I am trying to use Navionics on a Raymarine Axiom 7 which came with my boat.

I use the Navionics app on my android phone but would like to know if I can use the app on my Axiom and if so, how to get it loaded as this functionality appears restricted when I try to connect online - any help or workarounds appreciated.

Alternatively, if someone can suggest an easy way to download/upload the maps via the paid subscription without losing any existing tracks/routes that are on the existing nano card in the Axiom?

Thanks
 
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