Garmin GPSMAP 640

[gtod25]

Nice, very nice. I expect to see the 640 soon, but the screen resolution is excellent and I love the touch screen. I have been using a 5210 touch screen for over a year and have had no problems. I think the 640 will give the 545 a run for its money especially for someone who wants a portable battery unit.

Contrary to a previous post the 640 is NOT designed to be permanently mounted and it will kill off the 478, which is already being discounted.

The 640 has build in charts for the US and can only use "BlueChart g2 VISION" cards and NOT BlueChart or BlueChart G2 charts as previously stated also.

[floatsome]

Originally Posted by gtod25

The 640 has build in charts for the US and can only use "BlueChart g2 VISION" cards and NOT BlueChart or BlueChart G2 charts as previously stated also.

Looks like the 640 has preloaded Canada and US coverage in BlueChart g2:" "comes ready to go with preloaded BlueChart® g2 data and City Navigator NT road maps for North America ... optional BlueChart g2 Vision cards" https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=14898.

1. So BlueChart g2 Vision appears to be optional (each subregion card costs about $300, I think).
2. Looks like each BlueChart g2 sub-region requires an unlock code that appears to cost about $200 -- does the box price include one unlock code for one subregion?
3. And does the box price include one unlock code which unlocks all the City Navigator NT maps for all of Canada and US?

[gtod25]

As I said I was using the 620 which has only the world basemap (i.e. no detail). Garmin states thet the 640 has built in BlueChart® g2 data for North America. If it is the same as the 545 (which I believe it is) no codes are needed. The 545 series the charts only cover the USA and not Canada or Mexico.

Outside this area you need to buy BlueChart g2 Vision at $310+/- each.

I have no knowledge of City navigator as I see no reason for putting a $1000 device in a car, when you can get a Nuvi for $100.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by floatsome

Looks like the 640 has preloaded Canada and US coverage in BlueChart g2:" "comes ready to go with preloaded BlueChart® g2 data and City Navigator NT road maps for North America ... optional BlueChart g2 Vision cards" https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=148&pID=14898.

1. So BlueChart g2 Vision appears to be optional (each subregion card costs about $300, I think).

yes, but the g2 vision has some information and photos that the G2 pre-loaded charts don't.

2. Looks like each BlueChart g2 sub-region requires an unlock code that appears to cost about $200 -- does the box price include one unlock code for one subregion?

Should include the unlock code for one sub-region to load the charts into two GPS units. Garmin provides you the ability to use the charts you unlock on TWO separate units IIRC.

3. And does the box price include one unlock code which unlocks all the City Navigator NT maps for all of Canada and US?

Yes, Canada and US maps are under a single unlock code, again, believe they give you the option of loading them onto TWO devices.

[floatsome]

Originally Posted by floatsome

Is NMEA 0183 enough these days, now that NMEA 2000 is out?

What are thoughts about this issue with the Garmin 640? I'm refitting a new to us boat, and looking at starting over with the instruments, but budget is also an issue so cannot replace everything. But I would prefer not to spend this much on a GPS receiver that is only 0183 if the future is 2000 should I get a new VHF radio, for example.

[floatsome]

How weather resistant are the 640 and 478? Can they be mounted on the steering pedestal of a 27 foot sailboat in the open for coastal cruising?

[sailingdog]

IIRC, both are rated at IPX7 for water resistance.. That means they can withstand submersion for 30 minutes at one meter of depth... if you have more water than that at the helm of a 27' sailboat, you're doing something wrong.

Originally Posted by floatsome

How weather resistant are the 640 and 478? Can they be mounted on the steering pedestal of a 27 foot sailboat in the open for coastal cruising?

[floatsome]

1. I understand IPX7, but I wonder about all the electrical plug-in connections on the 640's bracket (power, 0183), and the ability of the bracket to withstand weather. I can't physically see a 640.

2. Another issue: planning on a PC. If the BlueChart G2 charts come preloaded on the 640, how does one view the charts on a PC, to use the PC to plan ahead and upload waypoints to the 640? Or does Garmin allow a user to copy BlueChart G2 charts from the 640 onto a card or via USB into the PC, so a user can plan on the PC using MapSource? Or, does a user have to purchase a BlueChart G2 CD and get unlock codes for use on the PC?

[sailingdog]

Yes, the bracket is part of the unit and should withstand the same conditions. Garmin usually gold plates their electrical connectors so that corrosion isn't an issue for them.

Originally Posted by floatsome

1. I understand IPX7, but I wonder about all the electrical plug-in connections on the 640's bracket (power, 0183), and the ability of the bracket to withstand weather. I can't physically see a 640.

Most of these questions would be answered in the product's manual, which is easily available to anyone on Garmin's website. I would suggest you download the manual you provided a link to previously and read it before asking basic questions it can answer.

The manual discusses copying the pre-loaded charts, waypoints, tracks and routes to an SD card on page 29. The MapSource software can then read the SD card, provided you have a SD card reader...

You can create/edit/archive waypoints and routes on a Windows-PC running MapSource. You can archive tracks using it as well.

2. Another issue: planning on a PC. If the BlueChart G2 charts come preloaded on the 640, how does one view the charts on a PC, to use the PC to plan ahead and upload waypoints to the 640? Or does Garmin allow a user to copy BlueChart G2 charts from the 640 onto a card or via USB into the PC, so a user can plan on the PC using MapSource? Or, does a user have to purchase a BlueChart G2 CD and get unlock codes for use on the PC?

[floatsome]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

I would suggest you download the manual you provided a link to previously and read it before asking basic questions it can answer. The manual discusses copying the pre-loaded charts, waypoints, tracks and routes to an SD card on page 29.

The manual says the user can copy the basemap, not the e-charts.