GPSMAP 276C and Bluecharts

[frilaens]

I think I have two choices for charts;

1 buy the Bluechart CD, an USB programmer and a blank memory stick
2 buy the pre-loaded memory stick

But, if I choose 1 I can use MapSource to plan routes, on a PC. My question is can I buy a preloaded memory stick and an USB programmer and still upload the chart to a PC?

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[charles_reed]

As I understand it

The CD will only permit you to download a chart after you've contacted Garmin by internet, paid your money and got your 1trip release PIN.

Unless you have this PIN you can't access a chart.

I would also be a little wary - Garmin's hardware is superb but the BlueChart is developed from the exTsunamis charts of doubtful provenance.

At least with C-Map and Navionics you know their little faults.

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[Talbot]

Re: As I understand it

The other problem with garmin is that they dont support older formats. Blue chart being of doubtful provenance and certainly not up to date may well be replaced by something else in the near future, when that happens dont expect to be able to get additional blue chart map areas!
Navionics is possibly the best format, but C-map is very nearly as good, and has much better worldwide support and update system.

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[frilaens]

Re: As I understand it

I'm at the cheap end of the market here, and I want a map plotter I can also use navigating in the car and walking/cross-country skiing in the mountains. I work in a company that uses GPS; the nerds all swear by Garmin for personal use. So I accept BlueChart may be a poorer marine option (CMAP is standard on ships we use offshore) but overall I'm happy with the compromise. I have a short days worth on the internal battery if needs be, a larger screen than the 60C I considered, voice directing in the car and I will be able to route plan on my PC at home or laptop on the boat.

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[Talbot]

Re: As I understand it

Certainly for personal use garmin and magellan are recognised as the equipment of choice, unfortunately for maritime use, both have rested on their reputation. There are a number of companies that make plotters that are far better than the Garmin or magellan offerings and at better prices, but I have done little research on the land/maritime requirements. What I have seen would lead me to the use of a PDA and use of TomTom2 for car nav, and c-map through <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.chartwork.com/html/winchart_planner.html>winchart planner</A>

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[enterprise]

Re: As I understand it

If you buy the Bluechart CD, after registering with garmin,an unlock code for one area will be supplied.

The areas are quite substantial so if you cruise say the south coast & north coast of france this will most probably be one area.

The USB programer is not essential kit,maps can be downloaded direct to the GPS,it may take slightly longer but were not talking hours,just a few more seconds.

I brought a 176c, at the time only the preprogramed bluechart was available for this unit(bought before bluecharts were released on CD).
You can't upload Bluecharts to your PC from your gps,Waypoints,routes & tracks yes, if you have a program to view them on but not Bluechart Chart detail.

Now this is where the Bluechart cd wins, If you get the cd (same price as preprogramed chip)you will have on your pc the same information and detail that will be downloaded to your chartplotter, Displayed as it would on yor plotter, this allows easier planning & route building,easier waypoint entry & the abilitty to upload from your plotter track information which you can interrogate for detail.

Blank garmin chips can be brought through Ebay 8meg approx £20.

Buy the CD,I now have both & the CD version is far more versatile.

Only one downside to CD version,When you register for the unlock code you have to be speciffic to which GPS it will be used with (ie the serial no).
Once the maps have been downloaded to a chip they will only"unlock" on that specific GPS.
If you then upgrade or lose or break the Gps you can only apply for 1 more unlock code of the same area.
Once you have used both of these then you need to purchase another unlock code which is possibly the same price as the original software!

The preprogramed chip can be used on any bluechart compatible GPS without registration so it can be used on more than 2 gps sets without the purchase of unlock codes.

I have found that the charts are great,crisp, clear & very easy to set to your own taste.
Garmin make a first class job of there Hardware which (touch wood) have been outstanding for reliability.
Software & support via there website is second to none.

Hope this answers your questions


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[frilaens]

Re: As I understand it

Thanks, this means you can put in a blank cartridge and then download (program it) via the USB connection to the GPS unit without the USB programmer, right?

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[charles_reed]

3rd generation

chartplotters are just coming out. The Lowrance 3300 which will do anything a Garmin 182C will do at about 1/2 the price takes navionics Gold cartridges, the super large costs £89, compared with 12 garmin cards for the same area at x10 the price.

I also swear by the Garmin GPS, I've 2 fixed and a handheld on the boat, but the route you're embarked on is of obsolescent technology. Furthermore the Tsunami charts were very much also-ran compared to other vector formats - I don't know how much Garmin have updated them but I'd need persuading to even consider them.
Incidentally you'll find Garmin OEM receivers on a number of plotters, Lowrance and B&G amongst them. I've a typ 36 feeding a Navico chartplotter, which I set up myself. With NMEA 2000 coming thro' fast, I'd definitely hang fire and not commit to any existing systems.

Most hydrographic offices have got their house in order and are starting to issue vector formats to replace their raster electronic charts and may no doubt finally achieve commercial sanity about their prices.
However US charts are all on free download, CMap is easily the most commonly available (frequently as copies) and the Navionics Gold look quite promising.

So I'm going to wait

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[stevebirch2002]

Buy the CD and blank chip with programmer as you can then load onto two different GPS (Garmin). Once installed they can only be on one of the two Garmin GPS you have chosen wheras with the pre-loaded one it can be used on any Garmin GPS that accepts Bluechart. I have a 2006 and a 76S and both work beautifully with the Bluechart. You can get the blank memory quite cheap from Ebay and can always boroow a programmer (I have one). If yoiu want any more info then email me at steve@albinvega.com

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[[2068]]

Re: As I understand it

Yeah, I got this slightly wrong and ordered the USB programmer. It wasn't a big extra expense, but I tried uploading the whole of the Solent area (EU001) using both methods (using the USB port on the GPS and using the programmer), and it took almost exactly the same time. It might be slower on older units, but the USB interface on the 276C is v.fast.

I guess one possible advantage would be that you don't have to remove the GPS from the boat, just remove the card.

Also, I bought a 128Meg Card, which turned out to be a little large. All the EU001 charts occupy 17Meg, so a 32MB or possibly 64MB card would have been enough for me.

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[frilaens]

Re: As I understand it

Thanks. I've ordered the car pack which comes with a 128mb stick so I can use this for the BlueCharts as well. I should get my hands on this and the charts tonight so I'm looking forward to planning my summer sail.... better get some beers in!

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[frilaens]

Thanks for the help

I've just installed CitySelect and BlueChart on the GPS; I'm very impressed that I can switch between them so easily in MapSource and also on the GPS. Now I can be "seamlessly" directed to the marina and sail away! I bought the rather expensive car navigation pack as it included the 128Mb stick and agree it will take a very long car journey to fill it. Now I just have to find a way to show SWMBO the value for (rather a lot of) money...

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