Garmin Bluechart G2

[morgandlm]

Some help please. I've done some research on this forum and on the Garmin site but remain uncertain. I intend to buy a Chartplotter and am considering a Garmin with Bluechart G2. I want to be able to use the software on my pc at home for passage planning etc and then transfer the data using (I assume) an SD card to the plotter on the boat. Can I do this with, for instance, a Garmin 3005C and the appropriate Bluechart g2 chart?
Alternatively is there another offering (Standard Horizon?) that will provide the same functionality?
Grateful for any help or advice from those in the know.
Morgan

 

[RestlessL]

Morgan:

Probably not the answer you want to hear. I too am moving over to the 3005c unit, so have the same problem.

The Bluechart G2 charts for the 3005c are supplied on proprietary Garmin data cards. You can buy a USB reader for these, but this is not going to help you with the G2 card as Garmin do not provide you with the software to view the G2 charts on the PC.

I will stick with the CD version of the Bluechart software. This is not G2, but is adequate for all my needs. The CD comes with Garmins MapSource software which will allow you to do your planning on the PC, and transfer maps, routes, tracks, waypoints etc between PC and chartplotter.

You will need to buy a data card and a card reader as these are not supplied with either the BlueChart CD or the 3005c, and remember before removing the card after a trip to copy the tracks to it before going ashore.

The charts from the CD have to be locked to a particular chartplotter - you can do this for 2 units before needing to buy extra licences. The G2 data card, on the other hand, will work in any compatible unit.

If you realy want the extra functionality of G2 (and I am not sure what this is), you may need to buy both the CD and the G2 card. You could then plan on the PC, transfer the data to a card, load this into the 3005C, and then insert the G2 card.

In any event, I would not do anything right now as Garmin tell me that Version 10 of the charts will be released in a couple of weeks time.

John

 

[morgandlm]

Many thanks for the comprehensive reply.
Morgan