Gunfleet
New member
Has anyone worked out how you update Garmin blue charts?
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Electronic chart update
- Thread starter Gunfleet
- Start date
steve_cronin
N/A
Try:-
http://shop.garmin.com/cartography/mapsource/update/distributors.asp?L=EN
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http://shop.garmin.com/cartography/mapsource/update/distributors.asp?L=EN
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Gunfleet
New member
Thanks. I looked at that page - Garmin's site isn't that easy to navigate - but it doesn't seem any clearer. I don't have CD ROMs but two little chips, one for the southern north sea, the other for the English Channel. When I asked the dealer they said 'it's done from time to time' which I interpreted as 'we don't know either.'
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markdj
Active member
Do the Blue Charts cover the whole fo the UK and Ireland yet? The Garmin was a system that we considered but we decided on the laptop software option with admiralty charts. For updating ARCS charts the cost is £70 no matter how many charts you have which I think, is very good value. How much is it to get the blue charts updated?
We use Meridian Seatrak software, the lost jewel in laptop charting software.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rcds.co.uk>http://www.rcds.co.uk</A>
Smooth Seas
MarkDJ
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We use Meridian Seatrak software, the lost jewel in laptop charting software.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rcds.co.uk>http://www.rcds.co.uk</A>
Smooth Seas
MarkDJ
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BrendanS
Well-known member
Re: Bluechart updates
I was interested in this myself after buying a 176c with bluechart cards last year.
The Garmin US website has a upgrade/renewal program, where you can swap a card for an update, or another area, for a 50% discount.
I couldn't find any details for the UK, so I called Garmin UK today. They say that they try to update the charts every 6 months, but sometimes charts may have 8 to 10 month intervals between updates. To upgrade to the latest version, the card should be taken to a dealer who will send it to Garmin (Garmin do not accept cards for updating directly). The cost is a 25% discount off buying a new card.
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I was interested in this myself after buying a 176c with bluechart cards last year.
The Garmin US website has a upgrade/renewal program, where you can swap a card for an update, or another area, for a 50% discount.
I couldn't find any details for the UK, so I called Garmin UK today. They say that they try to update the charts every 6 months, but sometimes charts may have 8 to 10 month intervals between updates. To upgrade to the latest version, the card should be taken to a dealer who will send it to Garmin (Garmin do not accept cards for updating directly). The cost is a 25% discount off buying a new card.
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BrendanS
Well-known member
Re: Bluechart updates
Should also have added that the US website 50% discount is only applicable to US/Canadian residents.
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Should also have added that the US website 50% discount is only applicable to US/Canadian residents.
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Gunfleet
New member
Re: Bluechart updates
Brendan,
Thanks for the info. If I described them as cheeky monkeys I would be being nice about it. I think a call to a chum in Boston is required. Bummer.
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Brendan,
Thanks for the info. If I described them as cheeky monkeys I would be being nice about it. I think a call to a chum in Boston is required. Bummer.
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BrendanS
Well-known member
Re: Bluechart updates
Yep! Had similar thoughts. The difference I would hazard a guess is that they are dependent on a contract with the UK Admiralty for updates to UK charts which probably cost them a bundle, whereas US chart updates are a different kettle of fish.
It does seem a bit cheeky only giving a 25% discount, when you've already purchased the card, which must amount to approx 25% of the original price.
Having said that, the number of charts contained on the card I own ( all of south coast, CI, and major proportion of France) means that it was a great deal to start with compared to buying paper charts.
Also, there are no economies of scale for them to spread costs of updates.
Only a relatively few people have BlueCharts, so to update them and all the costs involved in that (someone has to programme in all the changes and check they work, not a minor undertaking, and this from someone who understand this sort of process) means they have to cover costs and make a profit to make it viable.
I'd guess that taking all those paper charts and having the chart company update them all (which they'll only do for relatively recent charts) would cost similar, especially as you'd have to completely replace some of the paper charts every so often means the costs are similar if not less
Having said that, having a US chum do it and get another 25% off seems a good deal!
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Yep! Had similar thoughts. The difference I would hazard a guess is that they are dependent on a contract with the UK Admiralty for updates to UK charts which probably cost them a bundle, whereas US chart updates are a different kettle of fish.
It does seem a bit cheeky only giving a 25% discount, when you've already purchased the card, which must amount to approx 25% of the original price.
Having said that, the number of charts contained on the card I own ( all of south coast, CI, and major proportion of France) means that it was a great deal to start with compared to buying paper charts.
Also, there are no economies of scale for them to spread costs of updates.
Only a relatively few people have BlueCharts, so to update them and all the costs involved in that (someone has to programme in all the changes and check they work, not a minor undertaking, and this from someone who understand this sort of process) means they have to cover costs and make a profit to make it viable.
I'd guess that taking all those paper charts and having the chart company update them all (which they'll only do for relatively recent charts) would cost similar, especially as you'd have to completely replace some of the paper charts every so often means the costs are similar if not less
Having said that, having a US chum do it and get another 25% off seems a good deal!
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