Any body have experience using Navimatics maps in their Garmin chartplotters ? They are so much cheaper than Garmin maps that I am tempted to try them in my 378 Garmin chartplotter
Navimatics Maps for Garmin chartplotters
- Thread starter Ms Hillary
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Hmm... They're pretty new.... Why not download one of the sample files from them and see how they look/work on the Garmin you have... that would at least give you an idea of what they're like.
They are made to be used with Garmin products that utilize the Blue charts and/or Mapsource. The maps are a lot cheaper so they are worth a try if they will work with your unit.
Contacted Navimatics !
I E mailed them and this is what he said:
Sir:
Our charts work fine with all Bluechart compatible units from Garmin. I myself use a GPSMAP 478, which is closely related to the 378.
To transfer our charts onto your device you will have to use MapSource. Please note that this particular unit does not have internal memory on which to store our charts, you will need to have a separate data card for that.
Kind regards,
Bill Zissimopoulos
Navimatics Corporation
I E mailed them and this is what he said:
Sir:
Our charts work fine with all Bluechart compatible units from Garmin. I myself use a GPSMAP 478, which is closely related to the 378.
To transfer our charts onto your device you will have to use MapSource. Please note that this particular unit does not have internal memory on which to store our charts, you will need to have a separate data card for that.
Kind regards,
Bill Zissimopoulos
Navimatics Corporation
Garmin only; what about Humminbird, Lowrance, etc
I also checked with them as I have a Humminbird chartplotter. I can use the Navionics on a SD card. As all of these guys (Garmin, Navionics, Navimatics) are just re-packaging and enhancing the NOAA charts, they are all using the same base data with enhancements. Theoretically, you should be able to download charts from NOAA (they make it really easy) and write these out to an SD card for navigation quality charts.
Is there any good software (I need to qualify as I hear the Humminbird software is pretty bad if it works) that can take these charts and put them into the correct format and file structure so you can use them?
I also checked with them as I have a Humminbird chartplotter. I can use the Navionics on a SD card. As all of these guys (Garmin, Navionics, Navimatics) are just re-packaging and enhancing the NOAA charts, they are all using the same base data with enhancements. Theoretically, you should be able to download charts from NOAA (they make it really easy) and write these out to an SD card for navigation quality charts.
Is there any good software (I need to qualify as I hear the Humminbird software is pretty bad if it works) that can take these charts and put them into the correct format and file structure so you can use them?
But none of the commercially available chartplotter that I know of can read either BSB or ENC encoded charts. All of them use some proprietary chart format. Navionics goes a step further and uses a proprietary card format.... which requires a special reader to access.
The older Garmins required a Garmin proprietary flash memory card, but the newer units use either SD or microSD cards.
The older Garmins required a Garmin proprietary flash memory card, but the newer units use either SD or microSD cards.
It appears that
Since you have to buy the blank data card from Garmin, as nothing else will fit or work, and you have to buy the connector cable with card reader from Garmin to load the data card, it would be just about as cheap, and much less hassle to purchase the data card for the area you want, pre loaded, again from Garmin. I had a Garmin 198 on previous boat, and loved the unit, but thought I was being ripped off every time I wanted to add an area data card. Went with a 498 on this boat, entire coastal US already there, so at least now I don't get that been had feeling at reguar intervals.
Since you have to buy the blank data card from Garmin, as nothing else will fit or work, and you have to buy the connector cable with card reader from Garmin to load the data card, it would be just about as cheap, and much less hassle to purchase the data card for the area you want, pre loaded, again from Garmin. I had a Garmin 198 on previous boat, and loved the unit, but thought I was being ripped off every time I wanted to add an area data card. Went with a 498 on this boat, entire coastal US already there, so at least now I don't get that been had feeling at reguar intervals.
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