Blue Charts to Garmin data cards?

[Roger Long]

I think I'm OK on this but you never know with Garmin so I'd appreciate a check.

I just picked up a card reader and card. It says right on the back of the box that map data can not be transfered right after it crows about how convienient it is to set up routes and waypoints on your computer.

Huh? I have several area unlocked and installed on my handheld and the Garmin web site says I can put them on a second GPS I own which is now the 3502. I've gone through the unlock for this unit routine on their web site. I should now be able to copy the charts for Canada the data card, stick it in the unit and have them work. Right? Why would it say on the box that I can't do this?

I'd like to be sure Garmin isn't sending another of their curve balls before breaking the seal on the box. I believe the system is set up so I can't stick that data card in someone else's chartplotter and have them work.

 

[sailingdog]

Yes, you can use the card to transfer routes and waypoints... and don't even need the card reader or computer to do that from one Garmin to another...provided they use the same card format.

As for charts, yes, you can transfer the charts that are unlocked from the COMPUTER to the GPS, but even if you've unlocked a set of charts for both the 3205 and another unit, the charts have to come from the computer or the 3205 won't realize they're unlocked for it.

For instance, say you have a Garmin 192C and just bought the 3205... and you had unlocked charts for the 192C...since you've had it and just got the 3205... if you pull the card out of the 192C, and put it in the 3205, the waypoints, routes, and tracks will transfer—the charts will not. To put the charts on the 3205, you have to go back to your computer and download them from there after unlocking them for the 3205.

Does that help??

The charts use an unlock code that is keyed to the UNIT ID on your two chartplotters...

 

[Roger Long]

When you say, "have to come from the computer", you mean the computer that is writing to the data card, right? I understand that the data card I write will only work on my specific 3205 or a second that had an unlock code in the computer that was driving the card writer.

 

[sailingdog]

If you wrote the charts to the card prior to unlocking them for the 3205, you have to copy the charts to the card again after unlocking them for the 3205... Once they've been unlocked for both units, the card should work in either... but the ones you have currently in your existing chartplotter probably won't work in the 3205 since they weren't unlocked for it at the time you copied them.

The unlock data gets embedded into the charts at the time they're copied... if the unlock data embedded in the chart doesn't include the key for your chartplotter's UNIT ID, it won't be openable or usable by that unit. Is that a bit clearer???

When you say, "have to come from the computer", you mean the computer that is writing to the data card, right? I understand that the data card I write will only work on my specific 3205 or a second that had an unlock code in the computer that was driving the card writer.

 

[Roger Long]

Is that a bit clearer???

Perfectly. It's also what I understood before posting. The description on the box is poorly written although exactly correct syntactically. You can use the card reader / writer to INSTALL charts on your chart plotter but not transfer them. I would think of moving them from a computer to a GPS as a transfer. However, since they have no GPS related navigational function on the computer (thanks to Garmin blocking the ability to input information from a GPS dongle antenna into the program so they can sell more chartplotters), it is probably incorrect to call it a transfer.

I got the radar going with the radome hung up in the shed rafters and played around with the chartplotter. You are going to love this unit.

 

[sailingdog]

I like the Garmin equipment and have installed quite a few different units of their gear (over 40)... I got the 3205 since it was a price I couldn't resist and is one of the smallest units that can eventually be upgraded to digital HD radar.

 

[Roger Long]

I like the Garmin equipment.

My conflicted love / hate relationship with them is quite resolving. I'd never bothered to compare prices before and Mainesail's brief cost analysis did open my eyes to the benifit of their copy protection schemes to the end user. Although their charts are locked up tighter than (scatalogical / political reference omitted) the unlock and user management system is beautifully thought out and has worked flawlessly for me once I figured it out.

I didn't know about the digital HD. It's nice to know that, if I hit the lottery, I can just bolt a different antenna on the mast mount and be upgraded without pulling out a whole system.

Although simple and cheap, the Raymarine ST1000 Tillerpilot that drives my windvane linkage when under power will accept NEMA input to run a trackline and even turn at waypoints to follow a track. It's tempting to run a wire to make those simple connections for the "Gee Wiz" factor but I'm not sure I want my boat running itself to that extent. Too easy to let the mind wander without the need to keep checking current, drift, etc.

OTOH, if it was a rainy nasty day in the fall when I needed to take the boat to the yard for haul out, I could just send it there and meet it

 

[Stu Jackson]

It's tempting to run a wire to make those simple connections for the "Gee Wiz" factor but I'm not sure I want my boat running itself to that extent. Too easy to let the mind wander without the need to keep checking current, drift, etc.

Roger,

There's a whole "cottage industry" built around this discussion. On one hand, there's the point that, if you do, you get more time to be alert and an active navigator. Others say that it keeps you too removed from the navigating itself, because of 'dependency' on the machines to do the work.

I think it's fine on sailboats either way. I personally prefer independent equipment, others have it all interfaced. If interfaced, you finally get to say, and really mean it: "Beam me up, Scotty!"

It's the stinkpotters who interface and then "set it and go," and who are world's most dangerous waterborne folks.

I like your haulout idea, though!!!

I think you'll just love your 5203 :dance::dance::dance: Garmin unit!!!

 

[sailingdog]

The 3250 is a great unit... Glad I could help. Personally, I wouldn't use an Autopilot to follow a GPS route, since it would be a PITA under sail... it would only be really helpful under power.

 

[Roger Long]

Personally, I wouldn't use an Autopilot to follow a GPS route, since it would be a PITA under sail... it would only be really helpful under power.

I never use the Autopilot under sail. That's what the wind vane is for. Too much power draw when the engine isn't running so I wouldn't use one even if I had a wind input sensor.

I do a lot of motoring though, enough so Strider is probably functionally a motor sailer. It's partly the extensive calms of the Maine summer and partly my temperment. I'm as happy listening to the diesel run and watching the shore slide by as sailing. We typically get half a day of calm up here and half a day of wind so it works out nicely.

I expect to be doing a lot of motoring on this upcomming cruise because gettting the specific points and keeping as close to the schedule as safety (not comfort) permit are the objectives. It's going to be more like working than vacationing but I'm looking forward to the experience of the working lifestyle on a sailboat.

Background here for anyone who didn't see it before:

http://www.rogerlongboats.com/RVStrider.htm

If you did see it before, look at the updated animation I did tonight just to have something mindless to do while listening to music.