Using Garmin BlueChart SD chip on a Netbook

[Babylon]

Last summer I bought a handheld Garmin GPSMAP 76c, which came with a free BlueChart g2 chip which fits into the SD card slot in my Samsung N140 Notebook.

I find the handheld screen a little to small to use for practical pilotage and navigation, and am thinking of experimenting with a basic inexpensive chartplotter on the Notebook.

I've downloaded Open CPN but cannot fathom how to (and whether it can indeed) access the g2 chart in the slot.

Can this be done or, if not, what inexpensive chartplotter software can I load for use with the Garmin g2 BlueChart? (I'll then buy a cheap GPS dongle - or puck - and give it a go in practice.)

Thanks

Babs

 

[RestlessL]

Garmin's Homeport may fit the bill: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=64242

John

 

[Babylon]

A chartplotter or just planning software?

Garmin's Homeport may fit the bill: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=64242

John

Thanks for the lead, but from their website it doesn't make it clear whether this is a proper chartplotter for use underway, or just planning software. Quote from site:

"Before heading out on the open water, plan your voyage with HomePort — marine trip-planning software¹ that lets you plan and organize routes from the convenience of your computer.

Use your existing BlueChart® preprogrammed card, or transfer the preloaded maps² directly from your chartplotter to an SD™ card. Then simply plug the card into your computer's card reader to start planning your voyage.

Navigating waters with no visible landmarks or shallow shorelines can be a daunting task for even the most experienced navigator. With your existing BlueChart data together with HomePort on your computer, you’ll have the ability to view map details such as underwater hazards and hidden obstacles and plan a route to avoid them.

HomePort also offers features such as depth profiles, distance and bearing measurements, and tidal predictions."

 

[Neil]

Garmin used to have a program called Nroute, which was a laptop-based charting program that took GPS input and Garmin charts. However, following the hacking of the bluechart CD they no longer offered it as a download it. I was waiting for the Mac version to be released when they dropped it, so it was never any use to me.

 

[Babylon]

Thanks for the kind offer.

Garmin used to have a program called Nroute, which was a laptop-based charting program that took GPS input and Garmin charts. However, following the hacking of the bluechart CD they no longer offered it as a download it. I was waiting for the Mac version to be released when they dropped it, so it was never any use to me.

Thanks for this kind offer, I'll PM an email address.

BTW I've used Macs for work for 25yrs now, but bought a Netbook PC with long-life batteries last year for all my sailing stuff so - if it works on my Windows OS - then that'll be perfect.

Cheers

Babs