Garmin Bluecharts Issues

[sibow]

i have got mapsource 6.16.2 special installed on the pc and i have the GMAPSUPP.IMG file on the pc and i cant seem to add it to mapsource, can you help in instructing me how to get the maps on mapsource please.

Thanks again

[Airion]

Split the img file using gmaptool to mapsource install files.
A Dos Batch will be created.
Find gmaptool in Garmin Tools and Tweaks thread

[sibow]

i just downloaded the gmaptool is there a tutorial on how to do all this, i only have mapsource install and the gmapsupp.img file do i need anythign else.

[sibow]

is there a step by step tutorial by any chance , i cant seem to find one

any help appreciated.

[teiro]

hello all , i downloaded a bluechart for norway which was unlocked, i stuck it on a mini sd card and it works a treat on my oregon 450 , however i find the screen really small and woudl be nice to do some research into fishing spots on the pc, is there anyway to view the map on the pc and pick spots to enter on my oregon. also is there a view that will tell me what all the symbols mean on the chart like the plus signs etc.
thanks in advance to any help .

Sibow,

The easy way to do that, is to buy - or download - Garmin HomePort (it is like basecamp and mapsource, but for charts)
If you insert a pendrive or a SDcard with a directory and archive named \GARMIN\gmapsupp.img (being gmapsupp.img a given name for the chart of your choice), you will be able to see everything on pc, it is very nice.

Garmin HomePort v2.0.4.0

http://www8.garmin.com/gcdfiles/HomePort_204.exe

Before heading out on the open water, plan your voyage with HomePort — marine trip-planning software¹ that lets you plan and organize routes from the convenience of your computer.

Use your existing BlueChart® preprogrammed card, or transfer the preloaded maps² directly from your chartplotter to an SD™ card. Then simply plug the card into your computer's card reader to start planning your voyage.

Navigating waters with no visible landmarks or shallow shorelines can be a daunting task for even the most experienced navigator. With your existing BlueChart data together with HomePort on your computer, you’ll have the ability to view map details such as underwater hazards and hidden obstacles and plan a route to avoid them.

HomePort also offers features such as depth profiles, distance and bearing measurements, and tidal predictions.

Manage Your Data
In addition to managing waypoints, routes and tracks, you can store information from past voyages right on your computer. HomePort will also help you create point-to-point routes, determine fuel usage and estimate your travel time for each leg of your route — saving you time and money.

View Marine Charts
It’s easy to browse and view chart detail on your computer screen and mark waypoints and other points of interest. When finished, send the data to an SD card or proprietary Garmin datacard to load into your compatible Garmin chartplotter or sounder.

HomePort is compatible with BlueChart, BlueChart g2 and BlueChart g2 Vision navigation charts. It is currently only compatible with Windows® operating systems.

¹HomePort software does not include map data, and is only available in English.

²Inland Lakes software is not compatible with HomePort. If using a device preloaded with Inland Lakes software in conjunction with BlueChart g2 and g2 Vision pre-programmed cards, only the pre-programmed cards are compatible.


•displays both fishing and navigational charts from BlueChart g2 Vision
•allows user to measure distance and bearing on the charts
•displays route/track depth profile
•converts tracks into point-to-point routes (track to route conversion) and specifies the speed for each leg of the route
•provides ETA and arrival times (for each leg) when you create routes
•shows animated playback of data collected on device
•calculates fuel consumption (based on fuel flow data provided by the user)
•exports selected data to Google™ Earth
•displays statistics and graphical information about tide stations, tidal streams and currents
•displays grid lines to show latitude and longitude
•allows you to manage waypoints, routes and tracks
•allows you to view the map north-up, map-up or course-up
•displays celestial information such as sunrise, sunset and moon phase
•displays photos and point-of-interest detail
•supports vector charts
•includes worldwide basemap
•allows multiple map views

Note: HomePort is compatible with Windows® operating systems only. There are no Mac OS® versions at this time.
File Information
A 2 GB card will be required if transferring the preloaded map from your chartplotter onto a microSD/SD card for use with HomePort.
Minimum Requirements
◦Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista or Windows 7
◦Microsoft® .NET Framework 3.5
◦2.0 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent
◦250 MB disk space
◦1 GB RAM
◦1024 x 768 display
◦video card that supports DirectX 9.0
◦microSD/SD card reader or Garmin proprietary USB card reader
◦USB port

MORE INFO:

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=64242&ra=true

[330XR]

Hi Teiro, Thank you for the helpful information above but could I ask you where do I put a map on my PC that Homeport will see without having to put the sdcard in all the time?

Thank you.

[Finjan]

How aboute Garmin Mobile PC, can it works with bluechart?

[qrumba]

If it is a BlueChart G2 or Bluechatrt G2 Vision map you have to put the sdcard in a card reader or you copy the gmapsupp.img of your sd card to an USB stick (in a Garmin folder) or the chart has to be on your GPS device connected to PC. You can put several maps on one USB stick or one sd card, because HomePort accepts all file names ending with .img (f.i. veu012r.img, veu014r.img ....). HomePort scans all removeable devices for .img files and accepts all BlueCharts G2 (Vision) charts.
If it is an 'old' BlueChart (i.e no G2 or G2 Vision), it has to be installed in MapSource to be seen in HomePort.

[rogehr]

I have a strange problem. When viewing the maps in homeport the maps i´ve got look like my old papercharts (the way i want them to be) but after using Garmin Mobile PC they look like this, not at all the way I want! Any suggestions?

[qrumba]

Hi rogher,
Mobile PC is not good for BlueCharts, it is made for street navigation in cars. So for BlueCharts it is better to use MapSource (or nRoute, or if you like it, HomePort). For BlueCharts G2 (Vision) you definitly should use HomePort, because MapSource (and nRoute) is not able to handle this new chart type.
To use img files (like used in your GPS device) with HomePort it is good praxis to put the img files on a virtual drive on your PC. A good software to do this is imdisk (freeware, just google it). With imdisk just create a virtual drive (must be floppy type! formatted FAT32! any size you want and have spare!). Then put a garmin folder on it, in which you put your img files, names don't matter, if ending is .img. HomePort will find them all.