Heronboy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2018
- Messages
- 49
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-302 SC
- Non-Fluid Motion Model
- Formula f-223LS
Yesterday I called Garmin as we are getting ready to head back to FL for Christmas. I had a few questions about software upgrades and hardware (I want to add Autoguidance and a camera to the 31). I’m glad I did instead of just buying online.
My apologies in advance if some of you know this stuff but it was always confusing to me so it was nice to get a lesson from the source.
For several years Garmin has had chartplotter map/software upgrades called BlueChart G2 HD and BlueChart G2 Vision HD software. Let’s just call them G2 and G2 Vision to keep my fingers from cramping. G2 and G2 Vision offer increased detail over the built in base map but at the expense of regionalizing that data. This means you need to purchase carefully in order to avoid unnecessary expense. For instance, where we are south of Naples, multiple overlapping G2 Vision map upgrades are available. However, each is different overall with some going up the west coast of FL, some into the Caribbean and none covering all of FL and the Caribbean. And in case you are wondering, the G2 Vision maps are the same as the G2 maps but add Autoguidance, satellite imagery and coastal road maps. Not all areas of the globe have G2 Vision or even G2 upgrades available.
However, starting in February 2019 that all changes. Garmin will be introducing G3/G3 Vision series software about that time. G3 will have several notable changes/enhancements.
1. G3 will add Autoguidance meaning G3 Vision will be set apart strictly by the inclusion of images.
2. Pricing should be similar, whatever that means.
And here are the biggest kickers:
3. The G3 maps will be much larger. The rep I spoke to noted that it is possible that North America would be broken into only three maps. East coast, West coast and Canada/AK. This is subject to change ahead of the launch but the dozens of North American G2 Vision maps now currently available (and the frustration of choosing between or buying multiple upgrades) will likely disappear.
4. And remember when Garmin bought Navionics last year? Well, here’s the payoff. All G3 maps will incorporate Navionics.
The only caution the rep added is that due to the size of the G3 maps, only SD cards of 16 GB or larger will work. And due to FAT32 file restrictions in the chartplotters’ Windows architecture cards above 32 GB can’t be used either. So only 16 GB and 32GB cards will work. And the card will have to live in the slot in the chartplotter. But hey, Navionics! In other good news, networked boats with multiple chartplotters (like the CB models) only need to have one chartplotter upgraded.
Again, apologies if this was already discussed but a quick forum search turned up nothing so I thought it useful to post.
My apologies in advance if some of you know this stuff but it was always confusing to me so it was nice to get a lesson from the source.
For several years Garmin has had chartplotter map/software upgrades called BlueChart G2 HD and BlueChart G2 Vision HD software. Let’s just call them G2 and G2 Vision to keep my fingers from cramping. G2 and G2 Vision offer increased detail over the built in base map but at the expense of regionalizing that data. This means you need to purchase carefully in order to avoid unnecessary expense. For instance, where we are south of Naples, multiple overlapping G2 Vision map upgrades are available. However, each is different overall with some going up the west coast of FL, some into the Caribbean and none covering all of FL and the Caribbean. And in case you are wondering, the G2 Vision maps are the same as the G2 maps but add Autoguidance, satellite imagery and coastal road maps. Not all areas of the globe have G2 Vision or even G2 upgrades available.
However, starting in February 2019 that all changes. Garmin will be introducing G3/G3 Vision series software about that time. G3 will have several notable changes/enhancements.
1. G3 will add Autoguidance meaning G3 Vision will be set apart strictly by the inclusion of images.
2. Pricing should be similar, whatever that means.
And here are the biggest kickers:
3. The G3 maps will be much larger. The rep I spoke to noted that it is possible that North America would be broken into only three maps. East coast, West coast and Canada/AK. This is subject to change ahead of the launch but the dozens of North American G2 Vision maps now currently available (and the frustration of choosing between or buying multiple upgrades) will likely disappear.
4. And remember when Garmin bought Navionics last year? Well, here’s the payoff. All G3 maps will incorporate Navionics.
The only caution the rep added is that due to the size of the G3 maps, only SD cards of 16 GB or larger will work. And due to FAT32 file restrictions in the chartplotters’ Windows architecture cards above 32 GB can’t be used either. So only 16 GB and 32GB cards will work. And the card will have to live in the slot in the chartplotter. But hey, Navionics! In other good news, networked boats with multiple chartplotters (like the CB models) only need to have one chartplotter upgraded.
Again, apologies if this was already discussed but a quick forum search turned up nothing so I thought it useful to post.
