Garmin Bluechart/G2/Vision Compatibility

Jimbo · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:18 pm Post subject:

Marco422
Thanks for the info. I'll make sure I get one of those cards with it.
Looking at the coverage, I'll go with the lesser of the 2, which will hopefully be cheaper.
Tnx, Jimbo

Ramon Sr · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: Garmin 545 S

I've been reading this thread, which has answered some of my questions. I am also looking at buying a Garmin 545 S. I am new to all this so please bear with me. My understanding is that the base maps should work well for coastal waters, which include the Great Lakes but will not include the inland lakes and rivers. If I buy the unit and the G2 vision for the inland lakes and rivers, will I be OK? Do the base maps for the Great Lakes, and the East and West coasts provide sufficient details to survive?

Thanks,

Ramon Sr. Question

thataway · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

From the Garmin web site on the 545s "The 545 has preloaded detailed maps cover all U.S. coastal areas and the Bahamas." I have several versions which have the coastal maps, and they are as good or better than the NOAA maps. I use the G2 chip for Canadian waters, which is excellent. These detailed maps are far better than "base maps"--which are very rough images and outlines. Some "base maps" do have nav aids. The coastal detailed maps, even have some private aids to navigation, as well as all of the official aids.

I have a Colorado 400c which you can get inland charts and topo's for--and these are also excellent. I have other brands (Lowrance and Standard Horizon) and have their chips for the inland waters from Mobile to Great Lakes--and most of the major tributaries inbetween--Garmin should be comperable.

marco422 · Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject: Re: Garmin 545 S

toyman · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:23 am Post subject:

One thing to remember is that the GPS will tell you exactly (within feet) of where you are globally. The chart will tell you where a rock is relative to another point. That point MAY have been plotted in the 1800's using a sextant and hour glass so that position on the face of the globe may be off by 50-100 yds, or more. When the two "references" are merged the outcome may not be predictable enough to use to navigate a rocky channel. Keep your head UP.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:59 am Post subject:

This has got me thinking - might start a new thread - on C-Brat chip loans / exchanges. For example, I have my Raymarine compatible Navionics for Upper BC and SE Alaska, which perhaps Bob Austin could use. Maybe a persistent thread on "GPS Chips Wanted - Chips Available." Why not loaners or temporary exchanges? I will want Georgian Bay (let's say) around the same time somebody from the East wants to cruise Puget Sound, the Gulf Islands, Upper BC or SE... Sure, some compatibility issues but why not?

thataway · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

I assume that Dave, is refering to both paper charts and digital charts. Since both are subject to the same errors, and the digital chart base is taken off the same data base that the paper chart is. This is always a precaution. But I have found that both the US and Canadian charts today are excellent. Many chip cartographers have even gone to the use of more accurate private databases; such as the "Lewis" explorer charts of the Abbacos.

Thanks for the offer Pat. I think it is a great idea. But for example I have a Garmin and a Lowrance--and might be compatable with the Raymarinae navionics. If the chip format (SD) is the same as the Lowrance, then it would work--but if it is CF card, then not. So one would have to be sure that the format and card type is the same.

Marco442 makes an excellent point--which is part of this and other discussions of the Canadian/US charts.
I am surprised on how good the Garmin chart on the Colorado 400 is of the North Shore of the Great Lakes--it definately is not quite as detailed as the South Shore, but adequate to navigate with the paper charts of the harbors or a chart guide (if available). On the West Coast--Gulf Islands, the detail is not as good as it is within 5 miles of the international boarder, but even up to Niamo there is fair detial and the major ATN are show. It would be enough on a good day to make a safe passage (again I would want paper charts--but the little chart plotter gives a lot more information than I had when cruising these waters 13 to 16 years ago) I sprung the $295 for the Garmin Chip for up to the end of Vancouver Island--but for next summer putting in Prince Rupert and going to AK, I'll probably not buy the chip--just go with charts and what is on the chart plotter spill over...

Pat Anderson · Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject:

Yeah, the Raymarine Navionics is indeed a CF - so that info would need to be included in any chip loan / chip exchange program for sure. Still seems like it might be a viable idea...