Garmin bluecharts

[massimofinance]

Anyone try to get a blank Garmin data card and load their own bluecharts onto it?

 

[JB]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

If you have the correct and unlocked Mapsource CD it is a piece of cake.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

Thanks JB (and great FAQ on the engine!)<br /><br />So Mapsource and bluecharts are the same?<br /><br />How do I physically transfer the data from the CD to the data cartridge? I suppose I need some sort of data card writer? Also, what size data card do I need?

 

[cuzner]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

I,m not too up on computer security,but I'm pretty sure garmin unlocks the blue chart program on your computer, that alows it to open the reigions you need,and then marries it to a specific gps unit.Who ever designed this system is an EVIL GENIUS!!! I,ve had nothing but problems instaling the regions on my computer and gps, one its up and running it works great! Customer service is helpful.... if you can aford to take an afternoon off to talk to them during buisness hours. Good luck.<br /><br /> Jim

 

[mikebc]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

If anyone figures this out, let me know. ALso if anyone knows a website that provides free charts, let me know. Thanks, Mike.

 

[kesso]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

Free charts....well sort of.<br /><br />If you use a File Sharing Program, lets say for instance 'Limewire' and you put in a search for 'Mapsource Bluechart', you will be inundated with results and you can download an entire Bluechart CD 'Atlantic, Pacific etc'.<br /><br />Then you can put in a search for...lets say 'Bluechart unlock codes' and download that and use it to unlock the maps.<br /><br />A mate of mine told me this....yeah, yeah thats right a mate of mine. Sort of a try before you buy.<br /><br />After that Korean passenger jet was shot down over the Soviet Union and President Reagan announced that GPS would no longer be military only and free for people to use, he should have included mapping software aswell.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

I have tried the limewire way, and it only works on the computer. It will not work on the Garmin unit.

 

[massimofinance]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

thanks all, very useful. <br /><br />b.gagnon, did you try to load it onto a data card?

 

[kesso]

Re: Garmin bluecharts

b.gagnon,<br /><br />It may not work on your Garmin unit; however, it works on mine.<br /><br />Simple: <br /><br />1. download Mapsource and Bluechart Map<br /><br />2. unlock specific region<br /><br />3. identify and 'cut' area of interest (limited by size of GPS memory, mines 8MB) upload to GPS unit thru serial cable<br /><br />4. You may need to ensure that you have the latest software installed in your Garmin, for an etrex legend, Feb 2005 is the latest version.