Garmin 3000 series data card questions

[Roger Long]

I have the Garmin 3205 for my radar installation on order from Tiger. Looking at the downloaded manual, it appears that it does not have a computer connection and only takes the propriatary Garmin data cards. It says that Blue Charts can be loaded from a CD but is rather vague on how.

I have previously purchased and activated Blue Charts for Canada to use on my handheld GPSmap 76c. Questions:

Am I correct that the only way to get these into the 3205 is to buy a blank data card and load them onto that?

Do I have to buy a propriatary Garmin data card writer (,Boy will I be steamed in that case. Another 50 bucks, it's got a network port, why couldn't it talk to a computer?) or can I use my regular computer card reader/writer to transfer the files?

Is there likely to be enough room on the pre loaded card that comes with the unit to add some of Canada? Having to swap cards just as I cross the border doesn't thrill me since I'm apt to have wet hands, be bouncing around, and otherwise distracted at that point.

 

[Tim R.]

Roger, I have 2 Garmins that I download charts via computer. Etrex Legend and a Quest II. I once had a Garmin 182c(old boat) that I also downloaded charts to. The 3206(present boat), according to Garmin, does not support this function. You must download charts to a chip programmer and insert the chip into the unit. The 3205 is the same GPS but with a slightly smaller screen and keypad. A friend and I share a card reader to update FW on our units. I am still running the original built in charts but plan on buying the Maine chip this year. When you plug in the Maine chip, it overrides all the charts but the unit runs faster(according to MS).

That being said, you can connect your 3205 to a computer via serial port in order to update waypoints and routes. I use this method while cruising as it is much easier to plan on a laptop then the CP. I have wayponts and routes from here all the way to NE harbor and in between. Let me know if you would like a copy of them.

 

[Roger Long]

The 3206(present boat), according to Garmin, does not support this function.

That's the essence of my love/hate relationship with Garmin. The function existed on smaller and simpler GPS units. The larger one will talk to a computer for uploading routes and waypoints. The only possible reason it won't upload charts is intentional software obstruction so they can sell additional equipment, 1/7 my cost for the whole chartplotter in this case by the time I buy one of their overpriced cards and a programming unit.

The greedy bastards make great equipment though.

 

[Maine Sail]

That's the essence of my love/hate relationship with Garmin. The function existed on smaller and simpler GPS units. The larger one will talk to a computer for uploading routes and waypoints. The only possible reason it won't upload charts is intentional software obstruction so they can sell additional equipment, 1/7 my cost for the whole chartplotter in this case by the time I buy one of their overpriced cards and a programming unit.

The greedy bastards make great equipment though.

I think this is because the bigger units are usually physically hard installed and people don't want a car battery sitting on their desk powering the 3200 series while downloading stuff from their computer.

Perhaps it is why the Garmin is such a great value when compared to Raymarine or Furuno..?? With Raymarine you have to buy the GPS antenna for an additional $300.00 and ALL the charts!!! This makes the Garmin MUCH less expensive even if you do pick up a card writer...

 

[Roger Long]

I think this is because the bigger units are usually physically hard installed and people don't want a car battery sitting on their desk powering the 3200 series while downloading stuff from their computer.

OK, I'll scale down my annoyance to just the failure of their engineers to forsee that nearly every boat will have a computer on board by this time.

[/quote]This makes the Garmin MUCH less expensive even if you do pick up a card writer.[/quote]

Hmmm, when you put it that way..

I love Garmin!:dance:

Just don't ask me again tomorrow

 

[Steve_Catalina]

Roger,

I own a 3206, which like the 3205 comes with Blue Chart software loaded which is great if you are in the US.

Because I have mine mounted in a NavPod access with a direct connect PC is difficult.

I chart many waypoint, routes, etc on my PCs, I then DL to a USB card reader with a data card and then insert into the 3206. I purchased both of these on eBay a few years back.
(Search on Garmin data card, etc)

From the PC I also upload these same additions to my Garmin 76S as an additional backup.

Great product,

Steve

 

[Tim R.]

Roger, you can borrow my card reader any time you like. I use it about once or twice a year.

Also be aware that the last time I checked the latest Garmin electronic charts still do not have the new(2006) channel markers in the Casco Bay ship channel. I will be checking again soon. Also be aware that the chips do not have any current info east of Muskungus Bay. I have been complaining to them directly and the regional rep for years. They do not offer any explanation. Unfortunately, I am most interested in currents when in Penobscot Bay. I still use the manual method.

I have my 3206 mounted at the helm and ran the 2 wires needed(18 ga) to a DB9 at the nav station where I can plug in my laptop.

 

[William12213]

Roger I have a couple blank data cards and a card reader you can have. I sold the unit and have no need for them any more

 

[damauney]

Download File Format

Steve
Did you happen to notice what file format was used to download the waypoints and routes to your data card from your PC that the chartplotter read. Thanks
Good Winds
DaveM

 

[Steve_Catalina]

Dave,

I did not even look to see the file format. From the bluechart software on my PC I just chose the option to transfer to a device and the card and reader was recognized.

I had originally purchased the blue chart software for my handheld 76S

Good Luck

Steve

 

[sailingdog]

Garmin has since upgraded to industry standard SD and MicroSD cards, rather than continuing to use their odd proprietary memory cards. Of course, the down side of this is that if you upgrade to a newer model at some point, the cards you bought for the older Garmins won't be of any use anymore.

 

[Roger Long]

Garmin has since upgraded to industry standard SD and MicroSD cards

Ah, perhaps that explains why the 3205 is "discontinued" and Garmin dumped a bunch to Tiger GPS selling at less than Hamilton pays for them. Hamilton spent two days trying to get Garmin to honor their price protection and then told me I'd better go with Tiger which I did immediately. I went in this morning and Garmin had called back and relented. By then, it was too late so I'm waiting for my unit instead of having it in my hands. Bummer but Hamilton went the extra mile as usual. Garmin hadn't told Hamilton the model was being discontinued but they learned during this fandango.

 

[Roger Long]

Roger, you can borrow my card reader any time you like. I use it about once or twice a year.

Thanks much. I'm taking William up on his offer though. I really believe in having a means to reload on board. I bought a 16 gig thumbdrive and I'm going to put CD images of all the software, the Blue Charts, and the NOAA charts on it so I can do a complete system restore if necessary.

 

[sailingdog]

Roger—

It is a very wise idea to have the software (mapsource, bluecharts, etc,) on a thumbdrive. Don't forget to put your software unlock key in a text file and add that to the thumbdrive.