rgsea
08-08-2012, 01:05 AM
I have a Garmin 76Cx. The Garmin MapSource software came with the unit when I bought it. I have installed MapSource on my PC and have used it in the past to transfer waypoints from a .gdb file (that a friend gave me) to my 76CS. This time I want to create my own waypoints. I purchased a BlueChart g2 microSD card for the region of interest and installed it in my 76Cx. When I connected the 76Cx to my PC and started MapSource, it would not display data from my BlueChart. Instead it uses a crude built in map with no details. I would like to display my purchased BlueChart g2 map in MapSource so I can plan my routes and enter waypoints graphically. MapSource has options for entering 25 character unlock codes, but the BlueChart g2 cards I purchased did not come with any such codes. (NOTE: I have the regular BlueChart g2 card, not the more expensive BlueChart g2 vision card).
I have tried this with the BlueChart card installed in the Garmin unit and the Garmin unit connected to the PC via USB. I have also tried removing the card form the Garmin, and putting it into a microSD card reader attached to the PC. Either way, the MapSource software seems to have no knowledge of the BlueChart chip. With the chip installed in the USB card reader, MapSource recognizes the chip as an attached device but says it contains no map data (which I know to be false).
All I need to do is this:
1. Have the BlueChart g2 chart data displayed in the MapSource window
2. Use that to create a set of waypoints and routes graphically by clicking on points on the chart.
3. Save all those waypoints and routes in a .gdb file on my PC
4. Attach my Garmin unit to the PC and use MapSource to transfer the saved waypoints and routes to the Garmin (this last step I have done before, using .gbd files that a friend created for me)
I have heard that HomePort may be the software that can do this, but I saw some posts in this forum warning about over-writing the data on the card thereby ruining my expensive card. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’ve seen lots of postings on MapSource and Homeport, but none seemed to fit my situation.
I have tried this with the BlueChart card installed in the Garmin unit and the Garmin unit connected to the PC via USB. I have also tried removing the card form the Garmin, and putting it into a microSD card reader attached to the PC. Either way, the MapSource software seems to have no knowledge of the BlueChart chip. With the chip installed in the USB card reader, MapSource recognizes the chip as an attached device but says it contains no map data (which I know to be false).
All I need to do is this:
1. Have the BlueChart g2 chart data displayed in the MapSource window
2. Use that to create a set of waypoints and routes graphically by clicking on points on the chart.
3. Save all those waypoints and routes in a .gdb file on my PC
4. Attach my Garmin unit to the PC and use MapSource to transfer the saved waypoints and routes to the Garmin (this last step I have done before, using .gbd files that a friend created for me)
I have heard that HomePort may be the software that can do this, but I saw some posts in this forum warning about over-writing the data on the card thereby ruining my expensive card. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I’ve seen lots of postings on MapSource and Homeport, but none seemed to fit my situation.