Navionics updates post Garmin takeover

[lustyd]

Has anyone been through the update process since Garmin took over? I’m talking about Navionics charts for non-Garmin plotters here and not the phone app. The process has changed and there are a bunch of caveats in the docs now which has left me with doubts over whether things still work.

The old system just let you order a new card for any area online. New system seems to be a generic blank card which is less useful but I can cope with that.

Not clear to me that I can change area and since the card cost is fixed I don’t see how that would now work.

Not clear which cards can be used to activate, there are some weird caveats like card not renewed after 2023.

Not clear whether the old card remains usable as in the past or if they’re now disabling them. Obviously I’d prefer to keep the spare.

Anyone tested and have answers?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Did one last weekend using a Samsung s22+ running the boating app and a Raymarine Axiom 2 Pro ... worked quickly over WiFi - certainly as fast as downloading the Navionics charts to the phone over WiFi. Was expecting a nightmare but was very pleasantly surprised .... also the syncing of waypoints, routes etc. between app and plotter was flawless and fast.

 

[lustyd]

I thought you had to use the PC app to load new charts on a blank card?

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I thought you had to use the PC app to load new charts on a blank card?

That is the first install. The card is effectively a proof of subscription so you buy the card with a subscription key and use the Navionics chart installer on your PC. It requires you to log into your Navionics account, where the subscription and card are checked, then the data is written to the card.

After the card is inserted into the plotter it lives there permanently, and updates can go through your Boating App directly to the plotter over WiFi.

If you then cancel your plotter subscription then a load of functions disappear - syncing of waypoints/routes with the phone app, and you get no more updates.

Basically I need 2 subscriptions, one for the Boating App Chart and one for the Plotter Chart. Then everything seems to work seamlessly.

This will be my first season with this setup so we'll see .... but so far nowhere near as much of a nightmare as I expected.

This is pretty important because the Axiom+ has it's card reader slot in the rear, so if it is panel mounted, you need to extract the plotter to get access to the slot.

 

[PeterBoater]

That is the first install. The card is effectively a proof of subscription so you buy the card with a subscription key and use the Navionics chart installer on your PC. It requires you to log into your Navionics account, where the subscription and card are checked, then the data is written to the card.

After the card is inserted into the plotter it lives there permanently, and updates can go through your Boating App directly to the plotter over WiFi.

If you then cancel your plotter subscription then a load of functions disappear - syncing of waypoints/routes with the phone app, and you get no more updates.

Basically I need 2 subscriptions, one for the Boating App Chart and one for the Plotter Chart. Then everything seem to work seamlessly.

This will be my first season with this setup so we'll see .... but so far nowhere near as much of a nightmare as I expected.

This is pretty important because the Axiom+ has it's card reader slot in the rear, so if it is panel mounted, you need to extract the plotter to get access to the slot.

I had Raymarine's separate card reader slot mounted on the panel next to the plotter so that I can remove the chart card to update it on my laptop at home. I can also use it for the occasional firmware updates and route/waypoint backups, each on separate cards.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I had Raymarine's separate card reader slot mounted on the panel next to the plotter so that I can remove the chart card to update it on my laptop at home. I can also use it for the occasional firmware updates and route/waypoint backups, each on separate cards.

The Axioms do everything over WiFi ... will see how well the marina WiFi deals with updates in future. As it is all Android based it should be pretty painless - only time will tell.

The Axiom 2 Pro has a double card reader on the front, which it shares with my Axiom+ at the chart table ... so they both work off the same card and subscription. I guess the classic card-removal updates will still function too.

 

[lustyd]

Just to be clear I’m talking about subscription renewal not just regular updates. There is/was a 50% discount for renewal and you could change region even with that discount. It’s changed since Garmin took over and unclear whether these still apply

 

[Creek]

Just to be clear I’m talking about subscription renewal not just regular updates. There is/was a 50% discount for renewal and you could change region even with that discount. It’s changed since Garmin took over and unclear whether these still apply

Call Navimaps in Plymouth. They are UK agents for Navionics and have provided me with good advice on options.