Discount Marine Electronics GPS Software – Garmin BlueChart G2 series

Confused about the complex array of marine navigation software for your Garmin Marine GPS? You are not alone. Here we will take a look at how to find the right charts and what format to purchase to ensure it is compatible with your marine GPS.

BlueChart g2 Vision is highly detailed, visual representation of above and below water with 3 dimensional perspective. High resolution satellite imagery is standard with most Garmin chart plotters. When you upgrade with the optional regional maps you also get aerial photography that provides unparalleled detail for navigation using realistic visual representations. BlueChart g2 charts install in your GPS using the SD card slot on the device to provide complete marine coverage.

The 3-D mapping capability allows you switch between topside view and fish eye view for a realistic picture above or below the water. Below the surface views include shaded depth contours and other features such as reefs, rocks, and shoals. Optional auto guidance software charts the safest known route automatically avoiding known obstacles such as buoys, reefs, harbors and so on. You can also get information about fishing charts, tides, currents, wrecks, anchorages and other points of interest.

Garmin is continuously updating their stock of aerial photographs and satellite imagery to constantly improve the BlueChart for their line of marine GPS electronics.

Find the Right Charts for your Marine GPS

Garmin makes two types of software. BlueChart software is a series of maps for coastal waters and the Great Lakes of North America. BlueChart also covers other worldwide large bodies of water. For example, Blue Chart Americas covers North and South America. For Asia and Oceania, choose BlueChart Pacific and for European and African marine adventures choose BlueChart Atlantic.

For boating in the interior on any of America's abundant freshwater lakes, choose Inland Lakes software for your Garmin marine GPS.

Installing the Charts on your Marine GPS

Formats for Garmin's marine GPS software line include CD-ROM and USB data card. Typically for GPS chart plotter, you purchase the CD-ROM and upload the data onto your PC. Then you use a data card programmer (which connects to your PC's USB port) to transfer information onto a memory card that you install in the chart plotter's memory card slot. You can purchase blank memory cards of various sizes to do this. Garmin's handheld series of marine GPS may have internal memory that allows you to upload the chart data directly into the unit (bypassing the need for a memory card). Other models use a micro-SD card for uploading charts directly.

The CD-ROM method requires you to unlock the software for the region you have purchased with a special license key.  If you don't want to use the PC method you can also purchase pre-programmed SD memory cards with the BlueChart software already embedded. These do not require license keys, but on the whole you get more flexibility with the PC approach. Having the navigation and charting software on your PC allows you to plan ahead. You can also save waypoints to the computer. Having routes and waypoints backed up to your PC is a good precaution against data loss as well.

Different Garmin marine GPS devices have different requirements and capabilities for uploading the maps, so when you are purchasing discount charts and add on marine electronics online have your model number handy for reference.

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