Garmin G3 Chip

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In attempting to search the Garmin website for marine charts, I get to this page : https://maps.garmin.com/en-US/marine

However the page never loads so I am not able to find charts.

?????????
 
Larry H":1uftvn14 said:
Curt,

.....
This Garmin website is not user friendly. I am unable to find the chart you referenced by looking on the Garmin website. How did you find it?

In any event , I have spent $200 on a chart that does not work as advertised, and is not returnable and now I am looking at spending ANOTHER $450.

Why is this so complicated? It seems to be designed to drive sales of new units. (Which will not well fit the location of the old one.)
Click to expand...

Hi Larry,

I agree it is confusing and feel your pain. The chart I referred to was the one you posted the link to and I am just offering my interpretation based on our joint experience and what is written there.

This is the link you posted. https://www8.garmin.com/marine/PDF/unit_compatibility.pdf . I’m not sure where you found the link.

It appears to me that according to the above chart, “compatible” is limited to certain features. Unfortunately the other web pages you refer to do not state the same exceptions and imply more complete compatibility. I agree it is very confusing. I would continue to try to contact Garmin and see if you can get credit towards the correct Vision Map. I wish I could help further.

Curt
 
Curt,

Thank you for the help you have given me.

I am venting my frustration about Garmin here, and I am appreciative for the help that is offered by the tugnuts.

This year has been difficult as far as the maintenance of my Ranger is concerned.

I suspect that Garmin did not have their act together about switching the tech in the chart chips, and perhaps they did not test compatibility properly. They certainly failed on their website in defining and explaining the features or lack thereof.
 
The Garmin story continues.........

Today Garmin had a "call back' feature at customer support to avoid waiting in line on the phone. They did call back in one hour as promised.

The customer service rep, Karissa, was helpful in explaining and admitted that their compatibility explanation on the web site could have been better.

Since I purchased the chart from Hodges Marine, Florida, Garmin could not do anything about an exchange.

I contacted Hodges Marine and they will consider a return/exchange for the correct chart. I am waiting for their return dept to contact me.

Both customer service ladies that I spoke to were friendly, and helpful. I am hoping for a good resolution to this deal.

FYI, the G3 Vision chart for Puget Sound to the Dixon entrance #010-C0701-00 is priced at $449 at Garmin and is $354 at Hodges Marine.

Further FYI, the GPS 7212 is now obsolete, and no further software updates will be issued. Also, repair parts are limited, so repairs to existing units may cease.
 
Considering purchasing the Garmin Vision+ upgrade. Has anyone had experience with this upgrade map system? Also, any comments as whether it is better to buy the loaded SD card or download from Garmin. Garmin tech support seems to favor the download option. Thank you.
 
There seem to be a few options: Garmin Bluechart G3, G3 Vision, Garmin Navionics+...all show compatible with my 7612s, however, I and not sure of the differences and, as mentioned, Garmin's website info is woefully inadequate.
 
I found this site which has a product comparison chart that might help:
https://support.garmin.com/en-CA/?faq=Arf40QDspf2OTMS8irl4t8

Some summary excerps from the site:

"Garmin offers two types of marine charts, BlueChart g3 and Garmin Navionics+ mapping. Both cartography charts provide a standard option and a Vision option."

"BlueChart g3 is an affordable option for compatible Garmin chartplotters. The product includes detailed navigation charts, tidal stations, currents, depth contours, IALA symbols, and detailed fishing (bathymetric) charts."

"BlueChart g3 Vision is a premium option that offers all of the same mapping and features as BlueChart g3, with extra features such as high-resolution relief shading for the continental US Coastline out to 40 miles, 3-D views, and aerial photos. This product is only compatible with certain chartplotters and sounders."

"Garmin Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics+ Vision is the most up-to-date cartography with daily downloads available. Integrated Garmin and Navionics content, it renders a whole new look and feel on the chartplotter with vibrant color palette and popular Navionics-style chart presentations and many other features."

I wasn't able to paste the comparison chart here so you'll have to go to the link for that.
Hope this helps.
 
Per Garmin Tech Support G3 and Navionics are not compatible with the 7612XSV
 
A chartplotter compatibility list is here https://www.garmin.com/en-US/marine/chartplotter-compatibility/ and confirms that Navionics+ won't work with 7612 line and earlier.

Although it lists G3 compatibility, if I recall correctly that does not include some of the more.advanced G3 features (can't find those detas right away).

To the original question, I would call Garmin and ask them what to do. The usual recommendation lately seems to be to run their desktop software Garmin Express, register your chartplotter with it, and then it will.give you the available options. You download the new charts to an SD card yourself (which is great for backup). Just make sure to get an ultra high speed SD card but not larger than 32GB. They're about $10.
 
To the original question, I would call Garmin and ask them what to do. The usual recommendation lately seems to be to run their desktop software Garmin Express, register your chartplotter with it, and then it will.give you the available options. You download the new charts to an SD card yourself (which is great for backup). Just make sure to get an ultra high speed SD card but not larger than 32GB. They're about $10.
Click to expand...

Seems strange when we have ActiveCaptain to need to run Garmin Express, but, I gave that a try any way and it recognized my account creds. However, for charts it took me to a page to Download: BlueChart g3+LakeVu g3 Built in. I think my built in chart is g2, so I don't know why it offers that. When I click on Shop for Charts, it goes to the main pages that are unclear on supportability.

I am already taking the step to speak directly to Garmin for verification if there are any upgrades for 7612s. Thanks.
 
Our boat is a 2016 with the Garmin 7612xsv MFD. When I look at the "Software Information" on the unit, it lists:

Supplemental Map:
HXUS604A-g3 US All & Canadian West Coast v2019.0
v20.50

It then goes on to list
HXUS604B-g3, HXUS604C-g3, HXUS604D-g3, HXUS604E-g3, and HXUS604X-g3 in the same "Supplemental Map:" format.

I pulled the SD card and it is labelled:
GARMIN
g3 US All & Canadian West Coast
HXUS604X v2019.0

So, it looks like g3 works on our 7612. Eerything came with the boat from the previous owner and we seem to have all e features.

EDIT: Sorry, I saw all the posts about 7612 and missed that you have the 7212. That might make all the difference.
 
I have a 2019 with a 7612. Bought a G3 vision preloaded SD. Works well. Has all the stuff mentioned above plus auto route guidance (like a car nav system..just plug in the destination and it plots your route and follows it). Which is the main reason I upgraded.
 
Just to conclude:
I got in touch directly with Garmin by both phone and email. I have two 7612s that came with my 2019 CW and all my Garmin gear is registered on ActiveCaptain and GarminExpress (same login).
- They freely acknowledged that if you follow GarminExpress it misinforms users stating the the Navionics/Vision is compatible, the Navionics charts will not work in these devices.
- The G3 Vision charts will work and, for west coasters, VUS037R will work or VUS021R- U.S., Mendocino, CA to Salina Cruz, MX Coastal Charts.
- Cost is $350 each for both of them.

My main interest is getting hi res. bottom contours that I can now get free on Google Maps, but, not on my Garmin units. I already get and use Auto Guidance so I will need to study what additional benefit that G3 Vision adds over regular G3. It's unclear to me at this point whether it's worth $350, but, I may check with a higher authority in a red suit and beard...Happy Holidays!!
 
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