Garmin 7212 upgrade?

[dougxn]

I recently acquired a 2015 R27 and have been putting together a todo list- upgrades, maintenance, etc.

It appears it has been a while since the Garmin was upgraded, Garmin doesn’t make it clear how to do this :cry: .

It seems to only support SD card upgrade sadly.

Short of calling them, I am wondering if anyone has done this and did you have to buy something to get the maps all up to date along with the core sw.

Thanks

 

[barbeque2]

Garmin is famous for no support once they develop a new model.. They always want you to buy new stuff. If the MFD works for everything else it shows, I would not replace it. Nav charts on Apps such as, Aqua-Maps or Navionics are always up to date, weekly. And much, much cheaper than a new MFD.

John Grill
BAR-B-Q
Gold Looper

 

[scross]

When you say upgrade are you talking about updating the 7212 software rather than completely removing an replacing the unit?
If so, the last and final software for the 7212 is version 5.10 which was released in June of 2015. That version is as good as it’s going to get for the 7212.

https://www8.garmin.com/support/ch.jsp? ... 0-00749-01

 

[sgeary]

We have the same vintage chartplotter.

Check out the Garmin Legacy chartplotter software update page at: https://www8.garmin.com/support/note.jsp?id=8745
This will give you the latest software updates for all the Legacy chartplotters and related Garmin systems.

The chartplotter has not been updated since 2015, but the radar, autopilot, AIS, gps, and xm systems have more recent updates.

You can compare the software versions of your hardware via your Chartplotter and decide if you have all the latest versions or not.

I downloaded the latest software updates to my PC and then onto a newly formatted SD card. The SD card needs to be at least 8GB and no more than 32GB in size. Then you can put this SD card into your chartplotter and it will update all the systems. But first, remember to have all chartplotters (if you have the command bridge), AIS, radar, and the autopilot turned on before you load the SD card, so they can all receive the updates.

 

[knotflying]

If it works, don't fix it.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Nav charts on Apps such as, Aqua-Maps or Navionics are always up to date, weekly.

I navigate my 2012 R27 with the original Garmin 5212 which still works fine. That said, the charts are old and not updated. To fix that I always use Aqua Maps on my iPhone to confirm depths and get a ton more info and get it easier than on the Garmin. Quite frankly I've been amazed at how good AM is and they always answer my questions over email. Finally, IMO it is one of the best value buys of software you will find. I also notice that the Garmin unit gets very hot during use and always open the helm access door in the v-berth to help cool it down. HTH, Gary

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

+1 for doing nothing. I have a 2011 R29 with the 5215. I've transitioned to navigating with my iPad running Navionics and AquaMaps. I use the 5215 as a display for engine data, AIS display, depth sounder display and radar display. I have a nice RAM mount on the dash above the 5215.

 

[allanrs74@gmail.com]

+1 for leaving things alone. "If it ain't broke don't fix it". I use i-NAV X on my iPhone as my working navigation system and my 2016 - 7612 system as a back up and engine, radar, depth sounder display. I keep my boat 2.5 hour drive from where I have access to reliable high speed internet and the thought of loading an SD card and then trying to update the system with help from GARMIN without high speed internet 'in my driveway' keeps me from doing an update.
Regards,
Bob

 

[dougxn]

Thanks for all the good information everyone - really appreciate your comments. I called Garmin with a few other questions and as suggested by by barbeque2, they where not helpful and as suggest by many , they no long support or offer upgrades. So a $1000 piece of hardware is only supported by Garmin for a relatively short period of time - that really sucks.

I also have the vhf 200, that has a burned in mmsi number that I cannot get transferred and Garmin doesn't offer a way to fix that, apparently S3 Maritime said they would do it for $130. The replacement radio, from Garmin, is about $400 or so.

I watched a video where a guy did it by soldering a connector inside the circuit board - way above my pay grade.

Anyway, I will go with the if it ain't broke model and not fix anything.

Thanks again for all the good advise and hints.

 

[dougxn]

Just wanted to add one follow up - I do have navionics on my iPhone, and have downloaded the coastal waters of Washington & BC, so I can alway navigate if I need to some place. I think Garmin bought navionic though so I am expecting it may not always be serviceable either....

 

[CaptT]

"I also have the vhf 200, that has a burned in mmsi number that I cannot get transferred and Garmin doesn't offer a way to fix that, apparently S3 Maritime said they would do it for $130. The replacement radio, from Garmin, is about $400 or so."

I have the same radio, VHF 200, and sent it back to Garmin to have the old mmsi number taken out so I could enter my new number. I did this around the end of 2020 and they charged me $50.00. I'm sorry to hear they have quit doing this for their customers. The information was in the radio's manual but I believe I also called and talked to a Garmin tech as well.

You may want to consider adding a second chart plotter/sonar this allowed me to have a backup plotter and a much better sonar. I went to a 9 inch screen for less than $1000 and that included the transducer. I still use my 7212 for general cruising with and without radar and also refer to my new chart plotter which can download updates via the wifi and Active Captain .
Terry

 

[FreeSoup]

Just a side note, coming from the sailing world we wanted wind info so added a Garmin gWind and a 7" chartplotter on the command bridge that let's us use an Ipad anywhere (mainly down below) with Active Captain/etc. Aligns with the idea of not spending a bunch of $ on refreshing the existing.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

...wanted wind info...

That reminds me, I forgot to mention that the latest update of Aqua Maps can now add layers for Wind, Waves and Currents.

 

[dougxn]

Okay, one final post on this subject.

Apparently, the fix is a dongle that Garmin supplies. For reasons of ..., greed, they just threw them all away(?) and many authorized dealers either gave them back or cannot find these dongles. I still have a few options, but I am just going to live with the radio as is until it dies or I do.

S3, said they could do it, but they couldn't find their dongle.

The only thing I am going to be sad about is the auto pilot. Sometimes it is nice to run in auto pilot as one walked around the bridge and does things(?). Currently if I try auto pilot it will just drive me across someones front yard. I have a iPad with Navionics installed and that is primo - Garmin owns them I guess.

Thanks again for all the good responses - dn

 

[tranmkp]

I upgraded with the newest software (not really that new) and it went without issues - it did chart plotter, autopilot, vhf , and what ever was left - I asked if I could install newest maps and they said no- not enough memory.

So I asked what’s the biggest difference between the 72 and 8x versions? Rep said Rex and speed - biggest gains are in the autopilot - but not the old one. Well thanks!


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