Garmin 4212 - Blue Chart g2 Vision - is it worth the money ?

[mikkelv]

I just bought the Garmin 4212 and would like to know what experience people have adding the Blue Chart g2 Vision from Garmin to the unit.

Thanks

[TEAM BUCK WILD]

I have it in my setup (5212) and I personally like it, truely incredible what that machine can do. Touch screen is the way to go!

[bonecollector]

I have one -it's nice. Bottom contours, aerial photos, more marina info (if you cruise). Drop in the bucker compared to the cost of the unit.

[bluewaterpirate]

If you fish offshore and need bathy chart informationthen you'll have to buy a G2 Vision card for your area. There is a host of capabilities that come embedded in the G2 Vision cartography. Auto routing, 3d vision, bathy info to name a few.

Here are some videos of the additional functionalities:

3D

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=16450810

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=16450812

Bathy slideshow

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/slideshow.aspx?username=bluewaterpirate&album_ id=267343§ion_id=486664

G2 Vision Cartography

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=17197171

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=17183509

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=17183506

SST Info (XM Weather functionality) superimpsoed over the bathy charts

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=16375937

[R220Robalo]

I have it also.....didnt think it was worth the money till i started to use.......You need to atleast try it.... most places will let you try for 30 days.....The auto routing feature was just changed ...it was set for 6ft...it was reduced for us here in the Great South Bay of Long Island.

Jimmy

[q3131a]

BWP,

I got an error trying to view the Bathy Slideshow.

Bad Parameter
A parameter is missing or incorrect. If you copied and pasted the URL, please re-check it.
If you need help please consult the Phanfare Support Site.

[kerno]

It is a "must have" item.. Without it, you are giving up too much. I bought and like the 4212, since I am a bit old school and am not in favor of a touchscreen in a salt water environment, especially with the problems of cleaning an anti reflective screen without harming the coating.

[Glen E]

kerno - 1/7/2008 12:10 PM

It is a "must have" item.. Without it, you are giving up too much. I bought and like the 4212, since I am a bit old school and am not in favor of a touchscreen in a salt water environment, especially with the problems of cleaning an anti reflective screen without harming the coating.

garmin nailed it this time - the refelctive screeen is buried in the glass, not on top of it...but you'll still get the screen yucky if you don't have clean fingers....

[bluewaterpirate]

q3131 ......

Click on Start Slideshow when the link opens.

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/...ageID=22230172

[mikkelv]

Thanks a lot for your SUPER feed back - I am very impressed with the videos you have made

[txhedg]

R220Robalo - 1/7/2008 8:31 AM

I have it also.....didnt think it was worth the money till i started to use.......You need to atleast try it.... most places will let you try for 30 days.....The auto routing feature was just changed ...it was set for 6ft...it was reduced for us here in the Great South Bay of Long Island.

Jimmy

Jimmy, could you (or someone) explain a bit how the auto-routing works...I just installed a 3210, and am also interested in what benefit i would get with the G2....I am a newbie to chartplotters, so I'm not quite sure what the autorouting does for you.

I dont really concerned care about the photos from the G2, so not sure what id really get of use (I mostly use boat in LIS, with a bit of NJ shore bays/close-in offshore

thanks

[gcscart]

I have a 4212 with the large format G2 chip. Whether it is worth it depends on your expectations. I am happy I picked it up. The satellite overlay is kind of neat but I do not find it very useful. It slows down the refresh rate noticeably so you have to turn the detail level down quite a bit. Only time I use it seems to be when I am showing off the unit to a friend. The bathymetric charts are great for fishing. Best feature though is the auto routing. Simply pick a location on the GPS with the curser and it plots the course for you. I have used it quite a few times at distances up to 100 miles and it is very handy. I am going to be interested to see how the new Garmin auto pilot interfaces and whether it will follow an auto route.

[bluewaterpirate]

txhedg ....

Your unit is not compatible with G2 Vision Charts so you won't be able to use the functionality of the G2 Vision Charts. Your unit has terrific base maps (G2 Charts).

[txhedg]

bluewaterpirate - 1/8/2008 8:15 AM



txhedg ....

Your unit is not compatible with G2 Vision Charts so you won't be able to use the functionality of the G2 Vision Charts. Your unit has terrific base maps (G2 Charts).*

Oh, I was told by the installer (admitedly not a garmin expert) there were some "upgraded" charts that i could buy to add to it......was he wrong, or is it just that they are not the G2s? I thought i remembered a thread from many months ago talking about updating the based 3210 charts in some way to include arial photos....

I gotta head back to the search function i guess

btw, thanks for the great reference info BWP!!! (even if its not applicable to my unit, it was interesting watching the videos)

[bluewaterpirate]

No he wasn't there are the offshore bathy series ....... and inland lakes. Your unit has great detail right out of the box.

[mikkelv]

I got it yesterday - yes, it is worth the money BIG time.