Re: How to Make Best Use of New Chartplotter?

Richard wrote:
Just picked up a boat (Sabre 32) and a new chartplotter (Garmin 545). I also
have a laptop onto which I downloaded the free charts for my area.

I know I can wire in my Datamarine 2000 series speed and depth sensors to
the Garmin. I know I can wire the GPS output to one of those new fancy
radios.

But what is the best way to hook up the Garmin to the laptop and what
specific software should I install onto the laptop to take advantage of the
maps, the Garmin GPS data and the laptop? Any other suggestions for getting
the most out of these devices? Thanks.

I use Garmin's MapSource BlueChart Americas charts (purchased on a
retail CD) on a PC.

That lets me see the charts on a large display and use the mouse and
keyboard to place waypoints and build routes on the PC. Then I can use
the USB ports on the GPS and PC to upload the data to the handheld GPS
receiver (GPSMAP 76Cx) for use while doing boat deliveries.

I see the same charting in both places and it works very well as far as
how the route planning is done and how well the routes work out on the
water.

In some cases I travel with a laptop and can do the route building and
transfers while on the road.

I'm not familiar with the 545 but a recent discussion of another 500
series chart plotter here sort of indicated that Garmin has done little
or nothing to encourage or facilitate the things I can do with my
handheld and a PC.

If I recall right, the other one would allow you to export some data
(routes and waypoints?) but there was little or no capability to
interact directly with the chart plotter from a PC or to build routes
somewhere else and bring them to the chart plotter on some form or
portable media.

I'm not really answering your question but am curious to know if the
recent Garmin chart plotter implementations are as inept as they
appeared to be a first glance. Did you get any charts or anything else
with your that could be installed on a PC and used as I use the

Feel free to email for more details or to exchange some files in formats
that would allow you to test the import capabilities of the 545 a little.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)
.

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