Garmin GPS charts - The Hull Truth

jsschieff · 03-16-2009, 12:45 PM

The boat I'm buying has a Garmin 2010C chartplotter/GPS installed. This is an older Garmin unit that will only accept the Garmin bluechart data cards.

Garmin has since come out with the Garmin Bluechart G2 charts and the Garmin Vision charts for use in newer Chartplotters like the 3000, 4000 and 5000 series.

I would like to herar from anyone who has worked with the older Bluecharts and the newer G2 and/or Vision charts.

Are the newer G2 and Vision Garmin charts radically better than the old Bluecharts? I am not anxious to upgrade my chartplotter at this point, but at the very least I'll have to buy three Garmin bluecharts at $130 each just to bring the boat back to my home state (RI), so I am considering buying one of the new Garmin GPS units that is pre-loaded with most coastal charts. I'll still need to buy a data card for the Erie Canal since the pre-loaded units do not cover that but if the newer Garmin G2 and Vision charts are much, much better I'll consider upgrading.

If I upgrade the chartplotter/GPS I should probably consider other brands, but I think the Garmin line is well-recommended. I am also looking at autopilots and I have heard the Garmin GHP10 unit is a good unit.

sandyda · 03-16-2009, 04:11 PM

The newer Garmin Chart Plotters offer a lot of bang for the buck and are easy to learn how to use. You can expect to get a good chunk of change selling your 2010C too.

But consider keeping the 2010C. Many people prefer the original Garmin Bluecharts for some of the subtle differences. If you can find used cartridges on Ebay, buy them for the trip and sell them when you get home! Check out the coverage areas of the Bluechart chips compared to loading a blank memory card from CD. You may be able to squeeze the Erie onto a large card with your local area. MoBetter!

If you can stay happy with the 2010C for 24 months Garmin may have Broad Band Radar out then, and you can really upgrade everything.

SEARAY89 · 12-05-2009, 10:14 PM

I need a g chart for my garmin 230 for south florida. I am planning to trail my boat from new jersey to palm beach, florida. Need some input on where i may get this discontinued chart!

dssmith · 12-06-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsschieff

The boat I'm buying has a Garmin 2010C chartplotter/GPS installed. This is an older Garmin unit that will only accept the Garmin bluechart data cards.

Garmin has since come out with the Garmin Bluechart G2 charts and the Garmin Vision charts for use in newer Chartplotters like the 3000, 4000 and 5000 series.

I would like to herar from anyone who has worked with the older Bluecharts and the newer G2 and/or Vision charts.

Are the newer G2 and Vision Garmin charts radically better than the old Bluecharts? I am not anxious to upgrade my chartplotter at this point, but at the very least I'll have to buy three Garmin bluecharts at $130 each just to bring the boat back to my home state (RI), so I am considering buying one of the new Garmin GPS units that is pre-loaded with most coastal charts. I'll still need to buy a data card for the Erie Canal since the pre-loaded units do not cover that but if the newer Garmin G2 and Vision charts are much, much better I'll consider upgrading.

If I upgrade the chartplotter/GPS I should probably consider other brands, but I think the Garmin line is well-recommended. I am also looking at autopilots and I have heard the Garmin GHP10 unit is a good unit.

Bluecharts are very good. I don't know about the G2. Garmin no longer supports or will update bluecharts so the charts you get will slowly become less accurate. (As bridges,bouys, and other things change)

That being said, I have an older garmin supported with bluecharts and the last update was 2007. I plan on using the unit until it fails. (Hopefully many more years)

sandyda · 12-06-2009, 08:37 AM

I was able to find a two-cartridge set containing the entire East Coast for my 3010C. Shop Hard!

Navimatics makes charts for the Garmins, so if you can fine a big enough blank data card (the proprietary Garmin Cartridge before the SD card units) you could possible stay up to date for a good while.

Fortu · 12-07-2009, 07:45 AM

I am VERY happy with my Garmin 2010---very intuitive.

I recently did the northbound trip from Miami to Lake Huron. I bought a card reader and two blank cards and certificates for three regions--a LOT less than buying pre-programmed cards. As I proceeded north, I erased the "used" material and loaded the charts for the waters yet to be traversed.

Forget the Erie Canal----Mapsource is a secondary source of chart data so there is very little detail. Just purchase and use the paper flip chart.

I didn't get a Lake Ontario Region because I was just "coasting" to the Welland Canal.

I'd trade you your Garmin for my Raymarine.

Best wishes on the new boat.