Garmin 3210 help

[23 Dusky]

Just got this unit & installed. I would like to know what I would do if I wanted to download numbers to the unit or from the unit. I know it comes preloaded with chart information but I want to import my numbers without manually entering. I called product support and didn't get the best explanation. Do I need a certain cable or would I do it by using blank datacards and a reader? I also wouldn't mind using the simulator in the house with the weather the way it has been but the tech said they didn't have a cable, that I would have to buy a the regular power cable and hook it up to a battery in the house. Any help or part numbers would be appreciated. Thanks

[schweidee]

You are on the right track with the blank datacard and reader. Maptec has software for you to manage the waypoint and the 3210 (and some other units) have an upload/download option. Once you get the pieces (blank card, reader, and software) the process is quite easy and very nice to have.

Good luck.

[ReelNauti]

With Maptec you can create watpoint's, routes etc, and download them via a serial cable that you can make.

[SeaSwirler23]

Is the "other" unit another Garmin, or is it from someone else?

[23 Dusky]

SeaSwirler23 - 1/31/2007 7:59 AM

Is the "other" unit another Garmin, or is it from someone else?

It is a Garmin handheld gps 72 unit.

[23 Dusky]

schweidee - 1/30/2007 8:50 PM

You are on the right track with the blank datacard and reader. Maptec has software for you to manage the waypoint and the 3210 (and some other units) have an upload/download option. Once you get the pieces (blank card, reader, and software) the process is quite easy and very nice to have.

Good luck.

Where is the best place to buy the blank cards & readers?
tx

[DONZI54]

You can get everything you need right from Gamin. Buy the Marine data management kit from Gamin. That comes with the software you load on your computer, USB programmer and 32 meg data card. You will also probably need a cable to download your numbers to your computer, then load onto the blank data card and install it your 3210. I think the management kit Comes with 1 free unlock certificate for the charting area of your choice. Than you can plot and download waypoints from home and load them into your plotter. I have been using the 3210 and management software together and it works great. I'm not sure of downloading your numbers from your Gamin 72, but I see on Garmins web site they sell PC interface cable. Check garmins site for your units and click accessories for more info.

[dhauz]

Dusky

You can also by a 115V AC to 12V 3 Amp voltage convereter at Radio Shack. I just bought my 3210 and this is how I used it in my house. I have created waypoints from my easy chair with the pre installed cartography.

[chainsaw42]

this is simple to do...but can be complex to explain because there several different ways to go about it.

Transferring Info

you can transfer info from the PC2 different ways:

1. Connect unit to PC via AC/PC adapter. this can make a lot of sense w/a smaller unit that you take on and off the boat every time you go out. you don't need a separate card or card reader, just the ac/pc adapter which powers the unit and connects it to the PC.

2. Blank Card/USB reader. this is most likely going to be the way you want to go because you leave the unit on the boat and just take the blank card out. the data transfer from the PC is much faster this way too. keep in mind that you can transfer waypoints/routes/tracks both ways w/the blank card. i.e. you can write to the card with the unit (save waypoints to card), and then review them on the computer and vice-versa.

Software management of data

I'll group these options into 3 categories

1. Garmin Trip&Waypoint manager software. this is inexpensive and has basic cartography. this is the way to go if you already have your waypoints and just want to transfer them to the garmin unit.

2. Garmin bluechart cd-rom. this more expensive (street price of ~$100 for an area), but has fully detailed cartography. you can still transfer known waypoints/routes but in addition, because the cartography is fully detailed, you can plan new routes on the computer, taking the time to make sure you are navigating around any charted hazards etc. the software also can be a useful reference if you're just curious about a certain marine area. i have this software and love it. actual trasferring of info from/to the unit is the same as #1.

3. 3rd party software such as maptech. i am not going to elaborate because i don't know much of anything about them except that they are out there.

hope this helps