Garmin Blue Water..

[dieselboy]

Ok, so to use the Garmin Blue water soft ware i must but the cd rom "$200" .
The pick a region i want and pay for another code? Did i read that right?
Holy cow talk about a scam...
What is every one here using? Price vrs usability?

[LinekinBayCD]

Are you talking about their Blue Chart maps?

I have a variety of different Garmin units: a GPSMap3006c chart plotter whuch uses date cards; a GPSMap 478 which came preloaded with all coastal charts for the US; and a GPSMasp 76 which uses Mapsource Blue Charts that are uploaded to the unit using a computer and use their radar unit with the 3006c. Also have a GPSMap 12 and GPS 12 that I don't use anymore. When you buy a CD map you get the Mapsource software free. It can probably be downloaded from Garmins site also. I know you can update from their website.

They just came out with some software I believe that will let you use data card maps on your computer. It might cost $25 or so.

I have about 500 waypoints and 50 routes for the Chesapeake and Maine that I like to keep consistent amoung all the units. The Mapsourse software lets me do that. I think that Garmin by far has the greatest range of different units from handhelds to potrtables to fixed mount chart plotters. Their service is great and the unit usage is pretty intuitive, at least for me aftter having used them for so lomg.

Typically they will let uou use or unlock mapping software for two units. If you were to want to use the same map on a third unit you would need to buy another copy of the map. Has mot been an issue for me.

[jephotog]

I read the Garmin pricing the same way and posted a question last week about affordable alternatives to getting marine charts into the Garmin, but got no responses.

I was looking at a Garmin 378, which seemed reasonably priced, but not so after filling it with charts.

What I found out after a brief search (check my facts though as I am not positive of the information). Bluecharts are to be discontinued. You can still use them but they won't be updated. G2 will be available as well as G2 vision. If you think Blue charts are expensive, check out the pricing on the other 2. You can buy the Blue chart for less than Garmins advertised price (google it) and I believe one or two areas are unlocked with the purchase of the disk but you will be paying for more areas when you travel further away.

Based on my research I am looking to buy the Garmin 478 that comes loaded with all the US Coastal and Great Lakes (maybe) G2 charts as well as roads and cities. You will have to buy inland lakes if you go there but those are much cheaper to get.

Originally Posted by LinekinBayCD

Are you talking about their Blue Chart maps?

I have a variety of different Garmin units: a GPSMap3006c ; a GPSMap 478, a GPSMasp 76, Also have a GPSMap 12 and GPS 12

I think if he can afford that many GPS' the cost of feeding them is not as big of a concern as it is for you or me. My current GPS is the Garmin Vista, the original one. I have also used the GPS 12 before, as the sole means of navigation to cross the Gulf of Mexico, not by choice though.

[sailingdog]

First, the purchase price includes the unlocking of a single region. Second, it would help if you said what chartplotter you have, as the chart update options change based on the specific unit. For some units, you can get the entire US Coastal charts updated for about $75....

Originally Posted by dieselboy

Ok, so to use the Garmin Blue water soft ware i must but the cd rom "$200" .
The pick a region i want and pay for another code? Did i read that right?
Holy cow talk about a scam...
What is every one here using? Price vrs usability?

[jephotog]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

For some units, you can get the entire US Coastal charts updated for about $75....

SD,
Which GPS is that? I am looking at the Garmin 478.

[LinekinBayCD]

Originally Posted by jephotog

I think if he can afford that many GPS' the cost of feeding them is not as big of a concern as it is for you or me. My current GPS is the Garmin Vista, the original one. I have also used the GPS 12 before, as the sole means of navigation to cross the Gulf of Mexico, not by choice though.

They were purchased over a 15+ year period. The 478 is the best value IMO. You are good to go indefinitely. The charts don't need to be updated if you also have current paper charts (which you should). I have had the 478 for 3-4 years and haven't needed to update yet. I just keep in mind that its possible that a nav aid could be moved. The rocks up in Maine don't.

Garmin's "unlock" policy:

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