Do you use the built in chart on your gps handheld unit or buy the various Blue Chart regions? I ask because I sail where three regions come together in the upper Great Lakes and I think may need to pay for three Blue Charts. Thanks kevin
GPS Charts
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What area are you in
Kevin I just bought the Lake Huron, Lake ST. Claire area and it covers the east end of Lake Superior, North Lake Michigan, and all of Lake Huron. What area do you sail in?
Kevin I just bought the Lake Huron, Lake ST. Claire area and it covers the east end of Lake Superior, North Lake Michigan, and all of Lake Huron. What area do you sail in?
Northern Lake Michigan
I live near Traverse City and sail norther Lake Michigan, Mack Island over to North Channel andwant to go into Lake Superior. I bought a Garmin Americas v6.5, I just haven't opened it yet. A friend (in a powerboat) just uses the base map in the handheld. I wanted to see what others are doining. How far into Lake Mich does your Lake Huron go? kevin
I live near Traverse City and sail norther Lake Michigan, Mack Island over to North Channel andwant to go into Lake Superior. I bought a Garmin Americas v6.5, I just haven't opened it yet. A friend (in a powerboat) just uses the base map in the handheld. I wanted to see what others are doining. How far into Lake Mich does your Lake Huron go? kevin
charts
to me, sailing without blue charts or paper charts, or better both, is like sailing with your eyes closed.
to me, sailing without blue charts or paper charts, or better both, is like sailing with your eyes closed.
Charts
Kevin, It depends also upon what sort of weather and if you're sailing at night. Another factor is the waterway and depths. I often sail in Florida and wouldn't think of sailing without the charts in both my laptop (Maptech's Offshore Navigator) and the GPS Blue charts for my Garmin 76MAPS. When I sail to Catalina Island from Long Beach, it's not quite so critical since there's ample depth and no channel to follow. Only need to watch for ships in the ship channel. So the definitive answer is: it's up to you, the skipper to decide whether or not you need electronic charts. Paper charts, yes. Cheers.
Kevin, It depends also upon what sort of weather and if you're sailing at night. Another factor is the waterway and depths. I often sail in Florida and wouldn't think of sailing without the charts in both my laptop (Maptech's Offshore Navigator) and the GPS Blue charts for my Garmin 76MAPS. When I sail to Catalina Island from Long Beach, it's not quite so critical since there's ample depth and no channel to follow. Only need to watch for ships in the ship channel. So the definitive answer is: it's up to you, the skipper to decide whether or not you need electronic charts. Paper charts, yes. Cheers.
West to W 85 01
Kevin, I have the Garmin Bluechart of Lake Huron, and it goes as far west as W 85 01, so it won't get you home to Traverse City. As for Lake Superior, it gets you through the locks into Whitefish Bay in great detail, but does actually have all of Lake Superior in small scale (not sure why). So unfortunately if you won't full detail you are faced with getting 3 Bluecharts for all three great lakes you want to sail. But if you mostly want it for cruising the North Channel I can tell you that the Bluechart is quite good for that region. Steve Christensen
Kevin, I have the Garmin Bluechart of Lake Huron, and it goes as far west as W 85 01, so it won't get you home to Traverse City. As for Lake Superior, it gets you through the locks into Whitefish Bay in great detail, but does actually have all of Lake Superior in small scale (not sure why). So unfortunately if you won't full detail you are faced with getting 3 Bluecharts for all three great lakes you want to sail. But if you mostly want it for cruising the North Channel I can tell you that the Bluechart is quite good for that region. Steve Christensen
built in
Hello, Last year I used the built in charts in my Garmin ETrex Legend and this year I will use the built in charts in my Lowrance unit. I also have paper charts and use them to plan the route. The waypoints get loaded into the GPS and that's what gets used underway. Barry Barry Lenoble Noble Prize 1986 Newport 28 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hello, Last year I used the built in charts in my Garmin ETrex Legend and this year I will use the built in charts in my Lowrance unit. I also have paper charts and use them to plan the route. The waypoints get loaded into the GPS and that's what gets used underway. Barry Barry Lenoble Noble Prize 1986 Newport 28 Mt. Sinai, NY
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