Garmin 4200/5200's

[Blue_Moon]

x

[Birdman]

Blue_Moon - 11/10/2008 4:23 PM

I've learned the new garmins can do the following:

1. Waypoint icons from Mapsource can be transferred to the GPS. I was told by Garmin that icons in the GPS could not be transferred via Mapsource and had to be changed one at a time in the GPS. Not so. To transfer the Mapsource waypoint icon to the GPS, select the icon for waypoints (bactch or one by one) in Mapsource and SAVE the file prior to transferring to the SD card.

2. Customized waypoint icons can be done in the Andrews Loran/GPS program.

3. The horizantal compass ribbon on the 3010 is now the vertical data bar. Not quite the same but it works. Set up the data bar to show bearing, off distance, distance to waypoint, eta, and gps speed, etc. The off distance is almost like the old compass ribbon. It turns out this is more flexible than the 3010.

4. Still cannot hide waypoint names or icons. So, I just carry a few SD cards and erase the waypoints when I need to see the weather info. I'm hoping the next software update will restore the feature that toggles the names/icons on and off.

The 4208 is not so bad afterall.

Comments to each point:
1. I transfer WP's (and their associated icons) back and fourth between the 5215 and Mapsource with no problems, and I do nothing special. Just click tranfer button.

2. There are 100's of WP icons in Mapsource available, you need to make your own? What kind ya makin?

3. huh? Lost me on this!! Off distance is simply the distance you are off your route track.

4. I could be wrong, but I remember seeing a setting for "Show Waypoints" under the Appearance menu for chart displays?? I'll have to double check. BUT, if you want to se the weather, why not just go to the Weather display? It sounds like you have weather overlay turned on, on the Nav chart. If so, turn the weather overlay off, and just either go to the wx display, or use a combo screen with wx selected as one of the splits. Or am I missing something? If in fact, WP's can't be hidden, I'll add that option to my imporvement list (see other thread).

[Team Ruby]

Off Distance = Cross Track Error?

[Blue_Moon]

Yes, Cross Track Error. Garmin calls it something like Off Distance (I can't remember exactly, its a non-marine term). They also use left and right on the data bar vs port and starboard. The Garmin units have a hint of car and hiker features and not totally designed for marine use. Like other units do. Still a good machine and great customer support.