GPS Detail Maps and Software

[Boatist]

I have a handheld Garmin GPSMAP 76 unit and it works great. The basic map that comes with<br />the unit is quite good both on land and Sea. It also includes Marine Navigation Aids (buoy and Lights).<br />The Blue chart maps are better for sure but first have to buy the CD and then the UNLOCK KEY.<br />The cost may come to more than the unit it self. The base maps that are in the unit can be uploaded for free.<br />Maps and Navigation aids change with time and I do not think the base maps get updated offten.<br />So here my Questions, and I only interested in Garmin, Lowrance/Eagle, and Furuno.<br /><br />1: How offten are the detailed charts updated?<br />2: Do you get a free ungrade to lastest up to date charts, or do you have to buy again?<br />3: Do you have to buy unlock key again for the undated charts?<br /><br />I have tried some of the Freeware Waypoint software and they seem ok for updating and<br />saveing, but are limited to a small number of Waypoints until you buy the full version.<br /><br />4: Do all the Brands come wirh software to manage your waypoints? Save waypoints to your computer update and reload.<br /><br />I have seen most of the maps either on a plug in card or cd and there seem to be a big difference between brands.<br />I have seen most of this at Boat Shows and one brand is better offshore and another inland <br />or one section is better in band X and the next section is better in brand Y.<br />For example brand X off the California coast does not have depth readings, bottom characteristics (Sand, Rocks, Mud, ship wreck, ect)<br />Brand Y does for this area but next chart up does not. Actual paper charts in all cases I have seen so far have far more detail at a small fraction of the cost.<br /><br />5: Do you think the electronic charts are worth the big Price Tag?<br />I guess to me it really depends on if you get free upgrades or you have to buy the upgrades.<br />I have not been able to get a clear read from dealers, almost like they do not know or do not want to say.<br />Thanks in advance for any and all info.

 

[JB]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

Good questions, Boatist.<br /><br />The situation reminds me of personal computers in the early 80s. Nothing was compatible with any other brand.<br /><br />MS-DOS solved most of that. Suddenly everyone was making "IBM Compatible" hardware and "DOS Compatible" firmware and software. It may have stifled competition, but users were the winners (after they trashed their expensive non-compatible systems).<br /><br />I expect the same to happen with GPS, eventually. I sure hope that all GPS systems become "Garmin Compatible", but I will settle for a single standard that can be used on any brand.<br /><br />On the short term I don't think there are any answers.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

JB<br />Thanks for the reply. This question is one of the main reasons I have not purchased a fixed mount unit. I continue to use a Loran C as my main navigation on the boat with a hanheld GPS as a backup. I am sure the GPS is a little more accurate today but the Loran C is still very good (about 50 feet for repeatability and 1/8 mile for finding a new location on a chart.<br /><br />A standard would be great and I hope you are right. Last year when I planed to buy a fixed mount GPS it was this detailed electronic chart that stopped me. They all say as good as a paper chart but I have not seen one yet that even comes close.<br /><br />I was very supprised that the fixed mount Garmin units last year did not have as detailed a map and navigations aids as the handheld GPSMAP 76. Units I looked at did not even have buoys and lights on the base map. Lowrance units did have all the main buoys. Lowrance calls their units map create software. Do you know if they move a buoy, can you update its location with the map create software? I sure any of the units you can set a waypoint and name it and as long as have enough waypoints that would be good enough.<br /><br />I will be looking again this year at all the boat shows. Since I have two good working units have time to find what I want or wait.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

boatist- check out the garmin website. most of your answers can be found there. they even provide you "what if" scenarios, such as "i bought blue charts on monday, and on thursday a new chart came out. what do i do?" i ran into the same situation- was sold an older addition, but was able to order the updated version online for free.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

Boatist – from what I have read the Loran C is already in the process of being fazed out. The startions (repeaters?) are being converted over for use to establish the differential for use in DGPS. I was of the impression (perhaps incorrectly?) that Loran C is pretty much history due to concerns of its limited range. Seems to me DGPS would have the same range limit. <br /><br />On some things charts and e-charts can’t be accurate, like buoys. The location of a buoy anchor is what should be on your map/e-chart. Those critters often have huge lengths of chain. One buoy in Monterrey Bay has about a ½-mile of chain on it. The buoy moves by almost a mile with currents and tide.

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

18Rabbit<br />Loran C is alive and well according to the coast guard. In fact it is still being improved. The USA, Canada and Russia are all still supporting Loran C.<br /><br /> http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/loran/default.htm <br /><br />I find it hard to belive buoy has a watch circle radius of a have mile. How far out is this Buoy and what is the station or light list. As a example buoy 46013 12 miles west of Bodega and 45 NM north of San Francisco in 405 feet of water has a watch circle radius of 160 yards. 46012 at half moon bay in 288 feet if water has a watch circle radius of 136 yards.<br /><br /> http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?station=46013

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

Mattttt<br />Thanks for the info matt. I have checked there web site quite a bit and not found FAQ's you are talking about. Do you know the link?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

answers some questions about their mapsource software...<br /><br /> http://shop.garmin.com/cartography/mapsource/faq.asp

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

Mattttt<br />Thanks for the link it does answer some of the questions I have. Not sure I like the answer but good to know.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

i thought the same way at first. it sucks to shell out so much money for a digital chart and have it change on you.<br /><br />but it's the same when you buy a paper chart- you don't expect to get free replacements when they change.<br /><br />big toys for big boys = $$$

 

[Boatist]

Re: GPS Detail Maps and Software

Mattttt<br />Your right you do not get free paper chart upgrades, but a paper chart does not cost $150 or more and has much more detail. I will bet a paper chart also cost more to produce after the first copy. Cd is usually 9 or 10 cents.