Mapsource Questions

[Mikey P]

I have a Garmin 498 Sounder that has pre-loaded maps in it. I want to be able to do waypoints and routes on my home computer. I have the cable to power the unit and hook it to the serial port and I also have a 64mb memory card and card reader. Do I need to purchase the Mapsource BlueChart CD in order to be able to get the same map on my computer that is in my garmin unit with all the channel markers and depths or is there another program that I can use and somehow transfer the maps that are pre-loaded on my 498 to my PC ?

[1talltails1]

MIne does require the Mapsource cd to do what you are asking

[sandyda]

There have been some hints that the 4000 and 5000 series chart plotters will someday somehow allow you to plan on a PC without buying the CD, but for the earlier models the CD is required.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Mikey P

I have a Garmin 498 Sounder that has pre-loaded maps in it. I want to be able to do waypoints and routes on my home computer. I have the cable to power the unit and hook it to the serial port and I also have a 64mb memory card and card reader. Do I need to purchase the Mapsource BlueChart CD in order to be able to get the same map on my computer that is in my garmin unit with all the channel markers and depths or is there another program that I can use and somehow transfer the maps that are pre-loaded on my 498 to my PC ?

You need to purchase Mapsource and unlock the region(s) you boat in. One unlock code comes with the product, you have to purchase additional unlock codes if you want to unlock more than one region. You don't have to buy them from Garmin, you can get them from on-line vendors such as amazon.com at a discount.