Changes from BlueChart Ver. 7 to Ver. 8

[Grateful Dad]

I am considering buying a BlueChart Americas CD to load data into my Garmin GPS Map76 (handheld, grayscale). I see Ver. 7 available (with one unlock code) periodically on eBay for $50 - $60 in new sealed packages. I see Ver 8 for $100 - $120 or so. Is it worth the extra $50 or so dollars for the Ver. 8 considering my GPS unit? Is it worth it to add Bluechart period? I plan to cruise in Eastern Long Island sound. Thoughts?

 

[Tim R.]

Worth it.

The newer version has the most recent updates. Would you use old charts? This is the same idea. New wrecks, sand bars, gov. marks all change and will be most current on the latest version. You are talking about a $50 difference that could save your boat and/or your life.Tim R.

 

[RobG]

Try the free stuff first

If your just crusing eastern LIS (like I do) try out the free version of Maptech Chart Navagator. It uses NOAA ENCs. Print on a color printer as much as you want to keep up to date. You can plan trips and plot routes ect...

 

[bob]

if you buy

if you buy the .7 version you can upgrade the version on line with garmin.

 

[sailaway78]

Garmin

It is my understanding that you can update from version 7 to version 8 for free, within 30 days of purchase. You might want to give Garmin a call to check this out, as I have not confirmed it. All my dealings with their tech support has been very good, so give them a call and if true, you can save yourself a few bucks.

 

[Chuck711]

Keep your eyes open

We used garmin Bluechart for 2 1/2 years during our Caribbean cruise 2003-2005 . Going south we used Garmin ver 6 and going north ver 7.When going into palmas del mar on the westernend of Purtco Rico the ver 7 software was putting us right on the reefs near the entrance. The previous year we used verion 6 and the track was good. However in Ver 6 we found Allen Cay ( Bahamas )about 1/2 mile off location. 99.9 % of the time garmin was right on. Good enough for me to rely on. However we kept our eyes open.........