Garmin 478/545s New England Lake Digital Cartography

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Author Topic:   Garmin 478/545s New England Lake Digital Cartography

Ranjr13 posted 05-23-2007 06:08 PM ET (US)
I have both new 478 and 545s units. Both have offshore charts for the entire US pre-loaded in them. The 478 also has streets and trips for the entire US.
I am interested in adding [digital cartography] that would enable them to travel to lakes in the New England area and the Southeast US area.
Garmin's Tech Support says that the regional batches of charts run a little over $100 each (need separate ones for the 478 and the 545), but will do the trick.
The local vendor, who is pretty up on Garmin, says that the lakes [digital cartography] on the east coast is very poor. In Maine, for example, there is only one lake that is charted - Sabago, and it is very poor - missing some underwater obstructions that are on other waterway charts/maps. He said that he's not had any customer [complaints] with Garmin that weren't able to be resolved, except the lakes [cartography]. He did not recommend spending the money for it.
Does anyone have any experience with using either of these types of units in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Florida, or Georgia areas when you're at all inland?
Thanks in advance as usual for the guidance and support.
BarryGreen posted 05-25-2007 09:29 AM ET (US)
Ranjr -
I realize this doesn't address your direct question, but for what it's worth I did a lot of research on detail and availability of New England lake charts recently. Navionics seemed to be well ahead of the others for all inland lakes. As a result I bought a Lowrance color fishfinder/GPS unit and a dedicated Navionics Premium chart chip for Lake Winnipesaukee (NH). The detail is spectacular. Unfortunately, Navionics won't work for your Garmins.
Barry
Ranjr13 posted 05-25-2007 11:26 AM ET (US)
Barry - funny you should mention that - I considered getting the Navionics software on a CD and running it on a laptop w/GPS - I worry about taking it in the Whaler, though. Good idea anyway - thanks...Bob
gorji posted 05-27-2007 07:20 AM ET (US)
I have the Garmin Lakes map.
[At this point the author requested that further discussion be moved to private email. We feel that this is contrary to the entire purpose of having a public discussion. If people have information to contribute, please contribute it to this public discussion so that it can be beneficial to all who read it.--jimh.]
jimh posted 05-27-2007 09:59 AM ET (US)
This discussion demonstrates one of the most important considerations to make when selecting a particular brand and model of chart plotter: the digital cartography that is available.
The GARMIN brand seems to be somewhat unique among chart plotters in that it uses its own brand of digital cartography. While this may not be a problem for some regions, as we read here, a lack of suitable digital charts may render the chart plotter somewhat handicapped in certain water.
gorji posted 06-20-2007 07:35 PM ET (US)
Since it was not whaler related, I had him contact my by email.
My post was censored. The owner has the right to do this as its his forum. But I will not post on a forum that censors information any longer. Ofcourse this might be censored too.
bluewaterpirate posted 06-21-2007 08:46 AM ET (US)
This is the G2 Vision Lake Charts your looking for. I have not seen the detail or coverage.
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/301034/405378/ 19554035/file.jpg
http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/inlandvision/card.jsp?sku=VUS203R
Tom

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Author	Topic: Garmin 478/545s New England Lake Digital Cartography
Ranjr13	posted 05-23-2007 06:08 PM ET (US) I have both new 478 and 545s units. Both have offshore charts for the entire US pre-loaded in them. The 478 also has streets and trips for the entire US. I am interested in adding [digital cartography] that would enable them to travel to lakes in the New England area and the Southeast US area. Garmin's Tech Support says that the regional batches of charts run a little over $100 each (need separate ones for the 478 and the 545), but will do the trick. The local vendor, who is pretty up on Garmin, says that the lakes [digital cartography] on the east coast is very poor. In Maine, for example, there is only one lake that is charted - Sabago, and it is very poor - missing some underwater obstructions that are on other waterway charts/maps. He said that he's not had any customer [complaints] with Garmin that weren't able to be resolved, except the lakes [cartography]. He did not recommend spending the money for it. Does anyone have any experience with using either of these types of units in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Florida, or Georgia areas when you're at all inland? Thanks in advance as usual for the guidance and support.
BarryGreen	posted 05-25-2007 09:29 AM ET (US) Ranjr - I realize this doesn't address your direct question, but for what it's worth I did a lot of research on detail and availability of New England lake charts recently. Navionics seemed to be well ahead of the others for all inland lakes. As a result I bought a Lowrance color fishfinder/GPS unit and a dedicated Navionics Premium chart chip for Lake Winnipesaukee (NH). The detail is spectacular. Unfortunately, Navionics won't work for your Garmins. Barry
Ranjr13	posted 05-25-2007 11:26 AM ET (US) Barry - funny you should mention that - I considered getting the Navionics software on a CD and running it on a laptop w/GPS - I worry about taking it in the Whaler, though. Good idea anyway - thanks...Bob
gorji	posted 05-27-2007 07:20 AM ET (US) I have the Garmin Lakes map. [At this point the author requested that further discussion be moved to private email. We feel that this is contrary to the entire purpose of having a public discussion. If people have information to contribute, please contribute it to this public discussion so that it can be beneficial to all who read it.--jimh.]
jimh	posted 05-27-2007 09:59 AM ET (US) This discussion demonstrates one of the most important considerations to make when selecting a particular brand and model of chart plotter: the digital cartography that is available. The GARMIN brand seems to be somewhat unique among chart plotters in that it uses its own brand of digital cartography. While this may not be a problem for some regions, as we read here, a lack of suitable digital charts may render the chart plotter somewhat handicapped in certain water.
gorji	posted 06-20-2007 07:35 PM ET (US) Since it was not whaler related, I had him contact my by email. My post was censored. The owner has the right to do this as its his forum. But I will not post on a forum that censors information any longer. Ofcourse this might be censored too.
bluewaterpirate	posted 06-21-2007 08:46 AM ET (US) This is the G2 Vision Lake Charts your looking for. I have not seen the detail or coverage. http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/show/external/301034/405378/ 19554035/file.jpg http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/inlandvision/card.jsp?sku=VUS203R Tom