Garmin Blue Charts vs New G-2 Charts - The Hull Truth

george2431 · 05-25-2006, 09:24 PM

Trying to decide which unit to buy---Garmin 192c or the new Garmin 492c. After reading all of the literature from Garmin, the only difference I can find between these two chartplotters is the pre-programed cartography. Is the G-2 cartography significantly better/different than the Blue Chart? If so is it worth the difference in price between the two units? I fish, not cruise, so the harbor/marina overhead views on the G-2 are of little interest to me. Need your opinions please. Ready to place an order.

Thanks,

George

tyates · 05-26-2006, 06:36 PM

The g-2 charts have better detail and brighter clearer graphics I also think they have several more colors.

chesbay · 05-26-2006, 07:14 PM

Look at BOE sight, even with the 192 on sale it is only about $130 less than the 492. I'd go with the newer charts for that difference.

Think Tweiss · 05-26-2006, 07:33 PM

Just remember that the chart is the chart....that is, the chart shows whatever the latest coast guard chart shows, no more, no less. If you think more colors will help you, go for it, etc. You get exactly the same information on a mono 182 as you do on a new unit with the new charts.....believe it or not,the depths don't change

chainsaw42 · 05-26-2006, 07:59 PM

i just got the g2 charts after using regular bluecharts for the past 7 years on both b&w and color plotters. i would say the g2 charts are definitely worth the small premium you would pay for them. i don't agree w/those who say a chart is a chart. if you can interpret one chart better and faster than another then they are not equal. yes they are made from the paper charts, but no they don't convey that information equally as well by any strecth of the imagination. i would say that it is not a night & day difference & i wouldn't go selling existing equipment solely to get g2 charts, but i definitely think it's worth the small difference when buying one or the other new. just my opinion. oh and btw, you are not going to get the aerial photos on the preload g2 plotters anyway. you need to get the data cards to get the photos and some other detail that garmin claims 'is not needed for navigation'.

Haifischjager · 05-31-2006, 03:49 AM

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll just leach off this one. I'm going to buy the Garmin Bluechart for the Texas coast that includes Morgan City, La to Brownsville, TX. Just how far out does the coverage go and how much offshore detail is there? Plus once I buy the chart, will that be my final purchase or are there strings attached somewhere... basically what I'm asking is will I get the entire coverage area depicted on Garmin's website or will I have to buy extra unlock codes to get the area that I want?

Thanks,

chainsaw42 · 05-31-2006, 10:50 AM

you get full coverage of the area depicted on the garmin website, and partial coverage immediately outside that area (that depends on how the particular paper charts overlap the area in question, but you always get full coverage inside the coverage zone). the only detail you don't get is the bathy curves, there are separate maps for that. if you have specific questions about coverage, there is also a list of the charts included in an area on garmin's website and their cartography people will also answer all your questions quickly via email. they will even give you screen shots if you're on the fence about it.