Garmin G2 Vision Chip

[Scotty Mac]

I recently purchased a G2 Vision chip from a authorized dealer (not eBay knock off) and put in my 7215 chart plotter. Nothing changed. There are no instructions with the chip that says to do anything special. The 7215 manual just says to insert the SD card.
An I missing something or could these be defective cards? I don’t have wifi on this chart plotter so direct down loads are not an option.

Thanks

Scott

 

[Eric R]

All I had to do with mine was insert it. It popped up on the screen asking me to install updates and the new maps, if I recall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Red Raven]

The Vision chip does not do a software update. When installed the system just uses the maps on the Vision chip instead of the built in maps. You won’t notice a difference by just looking at a typical chart and no update message will come up. The map detail is the same. What is different is the additional icons on the screen for Aerial photos of marinas etc., different types of charts available, and autorouting capability. Check the menu options available with and without the chip inserted and you should see the differences. For example, you will only be able to create an autoroute (labeled “Guide To” on the menu) with the vision chip installed.

 

[Eric R]

I am almost certain that mine prompted for software updates when I inserted it, as if they were loaded onto the chip as well as the maps. With that said, maybe I installed the G2 chip and did my regular routine software updates the same day. It was months ago! :lol:

 

[Red Raven]

It may be possible to have a software update loaded on the same chip as the G2 Vision maps. In that case you would get the software update prompt when the chip is loaded. I don’t think the G2 Vision chip normally has a software update in addition to the maps but maybe it can be done.

 

[Scotty Mac]

I don’t see the guide to option or the different views, fish eye, Mariner eye.... so I’m thinking it’s not reading the chip. If I look at the system info it’s still the original 2014 map with updates.

 

[Red Raven]

Not good. Did you restart the chart plotter after installing? Did you buy the chip or download the new maps and load the chip yourself? Should be able to return the chip or re-download the maps.

 

[YukonRon]

I use the G2 Vision chips on my Garmin 5212 and I get all the features as mentioned above. I also put them in my Windows 10 laptop and can use the charts in the Garmin HomePort program. I made copies of my G2 chips so I can play with the working copies, and the originals stay safe on the boat where I won't accidentally mess them up.
If you have a laptop with an appropriate SD card slot or adapter, you can test your card.
Go to: https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/p/64242 to download the free HomePort program and install it.
Insructions manual is here: http://static.garmin.com/pumac/HomePort ... all_ML.pdf
Insert your SD card and start HomePort.
HomePort should find the card, and give you the title of the chart to select it in the top-left sidebar:

 

[Scotty Mac]

Thanks All,
I thought Homeport was a dead issue so I went to Garmin Express and tried to register the maps and it did. So then there was a option to download the map which I did to a blank SD card I had. Afte about an hour it had downloaded and I put that copy into the chart plotter and heck it worked just fine. I guess you need to register the maps befor they will work. A weird setup as the original SD card That came from Garmin won’t work in the chart plotter even now.

 

[YukonRon]

Scotty Mac
Glad you got the copy working; but it is weird the original chip won't work.

Garmin Bluechart Mobile is a dead issue; Garmin HomePort still seems to be available and working. I'm not sure if is still being kept up, now that Active Captain seems to be Garmins main app. Anyone know the deal with HomePort?

I have also registered my Garmin GPSmap 5212 with Garmin Express; its no longer supported, but it registered. However, I have 2 Garmin BlueChart G2 Vision chips, bought direct from the dealer, and they will not register with Garmin Express. I put them in the laptop, hit " add a device", it says "plug in a device, ANT stick, or memory card", and it can not find it. The chips work fine, but they just won't register. I tried copies and originals, neither will register.
Suggestions, anyone?

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Ron,

Sorry in advance, I don’t know the exact specifics on this one but I had the same issue.

There may be a file on your chip getting in the way. To get your maps to register you have to delete the offending file. I can’t remember the specific name but when I called Garmin they had me delete that file and it then worked. Garmin Express needs to only see the G2 Vision file and not a file related to your chartplotter software. Ithink the file may be placed on the chip by the chartplotter or something like that.

I wish I could be more specific. A call to Garmin may be required.

Curt

 

[YukonRon]

Curt
Thanks for the tip! I remembered going through the process of registering the 5212, and seemed to recall that the GarminDevice.xml file was the file that the chartplotter put on the SD card for registering, since it doesn't have WiFi. I temporarily moved that file off the card, and Bingo! it found and registered it. Yay! Well, partial success. One chart it did find now but would not register, it said it was already registered to a different account. Oh, right, the BC chip came with the boat and must be registered to the previous owner. Forgot about that one. Maybe a call to Garmin will let me transfer registration without the PO's consent?
Thanks for your help!

 

[YukonRon]

Oops, double posted.

 

[Red Raven]

😀

 

[gwishon]

I just purchased the G2 Vision card this weekend. Placed the card in the slot and turned on the unit. No new menu options or displays appeared. I opened the card door and found that the card had not fully seated in the slot. Re-seated the card and all the new menu options appeared. Make sure your card is fully seated in the slot. (No software updates were needed for my Garmin 7215).