posted 10-02-2009 04:02 PM ET (US)        

Cost is $29.00 You can download it from the Garmin Website.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=64242#

Here are some of the features:

--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
__________________

posted 10-03-2009 10:21 PM ET (US)            

In that you recommended the 8GB SD card I assueme it works in the 545s. I ask because when I first received the unit I called Garmin about the recommended size of the SD card and I was told 'no larger than 2GB'

This is the 'regular' size vs. the MINI SD card - right?

posted 10-04-2009 03:15 AM ET (US)            

I'm also still trying to understand what the "White Line" feature is indicating. Just as I think I know, something changes to raise another question.

posted 10-04-2009 01:28 PM ET (US)            

Here's a link where I explained it all.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum/ 247308-garmins-new-planning-software-new-release-2.html

Most of new functions in the updates Garmin is making are from inputs from their users.

posted 10-06-2009 07:38 PM ET (US)            

When reading through the internet I came to the conclusion that the 8GB cards are referred to as "SDHC" vs. "SD".

The e-bay ads indicates:
"At 8 GB, SDHC cards offer larger-volume data storage and optimized recording performance with support for FAT 32 file formats. SDHC is the next generation SD format. SDHC stands for SD High Capacity and should be the default standard for any SD cards having capacity larger than 4GB.

Although identical in size to today's standard SD card, the new SDHC cards are designed differently and are only recognized by SDHC host devices. To ensure compatibility, look for the SDHC logo on cards and host devices (cameras, camcorders, etc.)." [My concern]

Do you know if the "SDHC" will work in the Garmin 545s?

Also, I found the cards are rated at different speeds i.e., 2, 4 and 6 with 6 being the highest speed. Do you know what your card is or what Garmin may be recommending?

posted 10-06-2009 08:04 PM ET (US)            

Here you go ......

video

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/4327860_4779163#imageID=82613618

posted 10-07-2009 05:39 PM ET (US)            

You didn't specifically mention anything special about the 8GB card so I'm assuming that any card that fits the Garmin slot, i.e. the same size, regardless of the speed, will work OK?

Ron

posted 10-07-2009 09:57 PM ET (US)            

They ain't the same.

- My IBM-issue Lenovo ThinkPad T61p was quite happy with SD
cards in it's built-in card reader, but would not handle SDHC
cards until I installed a driver of really strange provenance.

- My USB card reader will is quite happy with SD cards but
won't read SDHC cards (on the same T61p). And same thing
on my old T42p.

- My new personal Lenovo ThinkPad W700 wouldn't handle SDHC
cards in it's built-in card reader on Vista SP1, but was
quite happy with SD cards. When I installed Vista SP2, SDHC
cards started to work.

Net: borrow a card and try it BEFORE you open the package.
All 8G and up cards are SDHC. Almost all (but not ALL) 4G
cards are SDHC. Or ask Garmin.

posted 10-09-2009 04:50 PM ET (US)            

Tom, I'm curious as to your response.

COPY & PASTE ________________________________________
"From: "Product.Support@garmin.com" <product.support@garmin.com>
To: "Ron
Subject: Re: SD or HCSD Card for HomePort (KMM14634338I15977L0KM)
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 22:09:03 -0500

Dear Ron,

Thank you for contacting Garmin International.

I am pleased to assist you. Why would you want to use an 8 gig card? [comment deleted] You can download the preloaded maps from your 540 to work with them on the PC. The maps require 911 MB. That leaves more than enough room to store all of the waypoints, routes and tracks that the 540 could possible hold. That means a 1 gig card will suffice. You can only view g2 Vision cards in Homeport using an SD card reader. You cannot copy Vision cards.

Having said this, the largest card we have tested in the 540, here in product support, is a 4GB. I have not seen any brands that do not work. As I understand it, any card larger than 2 gig is an HC card. You do not
want to use a high speed card. Besides they are not necessary and are more expensive.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

With Best Regards,

posted 10-09-2009 06:15 PM ET (US)            

Go do what you want.

Enjoy ..........

posted 10-10-2009 10:56 AM ET (US)            

You mayjust be a step or two ahead of Garmin on the card capabilities. My inclination is to get the 8GB - I just want to make sure I get the right one.

posted 10-28-2009 07:18 PM ET (US)            

I have the program on my 'C' (hard drive) in the Program Files/Garmon. When I click on the icon to start HomePort the program opens and runs fine. What is strange and a bit annoying is that the computer tries to access my 'A' (floppy drive). The 'A' drive indicator light stays on the whole time the progam is open and the drive keeps clicking as though it is reading the floppy. As soon as I close Homeport it's back to normal.

Did you have this experience?

posted 10-29-2009 12:29 PM ET (US)            

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/4399275

posted 10-29-2009 09:55 PM ET (US)            

Another question, have you been able to add a new waypoint and then change it's properties. When I add a waypoint the only symbol that shows is a gold anchor. I have tried to change it's properties via the 'file' route and also the mouse buttons. No luck?

I'm very familiar with MAPSOURCE and can change properties with no problem. I suspect HOMEPORT is supposed to function the same re. changing properties but it isn't working for me.

BTW, so far so good with the 8GB SD card.

posted 10-29-2009 10:27 PM ET (US)            

http://i676.photobucket.com/albums/vv129/bluewaterpirate/ Garmin%20Homeport/HPProperties.jpg?t=1256873133

posted 10-29-2009 11:16 PM ET (US)            

I'll be on the water tomorrow. I'm anxious to see if the 5.1 update functions and see the tracks etc. on HomePort when I get back.

At first I thought HomePort was a waste but now that I'm beginning to learn more of it's capabilities I think it's more than worth the $30.

Thanks again

posted 11-06-2009 02:36 AM ET (US)            

Also, with one of the recent downloads a 'tape' feature was added which displayed the position at the top of the screen. I had that feature then lost it. I tried downloading the update and running it again but it still doesn't appear in the menu or display.

Thanks

posted 11-06-2009 02:42 PM ET (US)            

transferring wpts/rte/tks to SD card from HP or MS

http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/4399275_4822138#imageID=84429303

Compass Tape ....

From Chart Display press the menu buttom > from the new menu select Data Bars > you will see the Compass Tape selection at the bottom of the new page.

posted 11-06-2009 07:32 PM ET (US)            

I tried to open it several times and get the same thing. It also starts immediately as if it's stored on my computer?

posted 11-12-2009 06:32 PM ET (US)            

Since doing this and downloading the latest Garmin files I have had a problem with my SONAR display. I am getting about a 3/4" band of distortion on the right side of the screen. This is seperated by a very thin white line. Other than that the sonar appears to be working fine. I checked the transducer and it't tight and hasn't moved, it's not damaged and it's clean.

Garmin techs are trying to determine if it is hardware or software problem. I get the feeling they think it may be software.

If you encounter anything like this let Garmin and me know.

posted 11-12-2009 09:52 PM ET (US)            

Also, the biggest problem I had was when I selected TRANSFER DATA, on the GArmin, I didn't realize that I had to highlight and "SELECT" DATA when it got to that point since it was the only option that came up on that screen. Unfortunately it's a real pain running back & forth to the boat to see what progress you made.

Ron

posted 11-14-2009 01:34 PM ET (US)            

I don't think HomePort is as user friendly as Mapsource but the more I experiment with it the more comfortable I am.

I'm reluctant to give you advice because of my uncertainty yet but, for what it might be worth:

There are 2 sections on the left side of your computer screen when you have the SD card in the reader: MY COLLECTION and MY DEVICES.

In the DEVICES section there should be a folder named "UserData" or something similiar. The information in the "UserData" folder is what is on your SD card - I'm pretty sure of this.

If I recall correctly, I think I opened both the "UserData" in HomePort and also the appropriate file in Mapsource. I then highlighted all of the waypoints, routes and tracks in the Mapsource file, using the shift key, and copied the information. Then I simply put the curser on any spot on the 'map' in the Homeport screen and pasted it. All the data was transferred at one time. As Tom suggested this may not be necessary but it worked for me.

Now the data should be on the SD card and transferrable to the Garmin unit when you start it.

I found that you can also open new folders in either MY COLLECTION or MY DEVICES. In MY COLLECTION I opened a 'Backup ******' file with a date and I simply slide my SD USERDATA into that file. As the data is being transferred there will be a thin green progress bar active directly under the file you are transferring the data to.

I also opened several folders and named them whatever my longest tracks or routes are and pasted just that route or track in that folder for individual reference or transfer to the SD card at a future time if needed.

I hope this helps and doesn't mislead you in anyway. Hopefully, Tom or someone more knowledgeable will chime in and be of more help.

posted 11-16-2009 02:18 PM ET (US)            

What version of the 545 software are you running and what size SD card?

posted 11-16-2009 10:21 PM ET (US)            

I installed v 5.2 on 11/6/09 on my 545s

I am using an 8 gb card as per your suggestion.

I downloaded my maps to my card but none of my waypoints , routes or tracks were downloaded.

I then was able to download many of my older waypoints and routes from my mapsource software on my computer downstairs.

I wanted to try to get all of my newer waypoints to my 8gb card so I deleated all of the files, I went to the boat and formated my card (I am not sure it is formating though). When I try to download my maps again I get the "Cannot write to card" message with no reason as to why not.

posted 11-20-2009 02:47 PM ET (US)            

Somehow I managed to lock my card when i put in in my little watch pocket in my jeans.

I went back to the boat today (to windy to take her out)and got my map to upload to my 8 gb card. I went back into the manage card menu on my unit and tried to upload my data.

The only thing that seemed amiss was that it stuck on sending routes. It said it sent my waypoints and my tracks and that the transfer was complete. I also got these messages in seconds.

posted 11-21-2009 10:09 PM ET (US)            

Open Homeport then reduce the size of the screen.
Then, Open 'My computer' and reduce the screen so you can see both the Homeport & all of your computer drives.

Next, click on the Homeport 'USERDATA' file (or another you may have created) and simply slide that file over onto the SD card's icon. That should transfer all the data onto the SD card.

If you still can't get it, I'd take your laptop, SD card and cell phone to the boat and call Garmin. I've called them numerous times and they are very patient & helpful.

Don't give up

posted 11-23-2009 04:29 PM ET (US)            

When I read what is on my card via my card reader shows that I indeed loaded my maps but as far as my user data that file has 0 bytes in it. The boat will be in my driveway within a week or so and I will give it one more shot then.
Thanks

posted 11-28-2009 10:28 PM ET (US)            

I downloaded my maps (no other data would transfer from my unit)to my 8gb SD card. After going down to the boat and failing again at transfering my data I left the SD card in my pants and washed and dried them. When I found the card I left it out to completely dry. After checking to see if it could be read in my card reader (it could) I transfered my old waypoints from my Mapsource software and went back to the boat.

When I first installed my card in my 545s the unit said the card was not formatted properly. I transfered the data to my gps and then I transfered the user data back to the card and this time it transfered everything, waypoints, routes and tracks.

Everything works as it should now (shrug).

Thanks Ron for taking time to help with this delemma. Next week I pull the boat.

Ed

posted 11-29-2009 12:52 PM ET (US)            

When I returned my unit to Garmin for repair I told them to be careful they did not delete the BlueChart2 Vision data that was stored on the Garmin unit. I was concerned because I had inadvertantly overwritten the original card with waypoints etc. I had not seen Garmin's warning to avoid overwriting the BlueChart card.

When I got the 'replacement' back, instead of my original unit, I called Garmin and they told me that as long as I had been able to read the data from the 8gb SD card I was using, and still had that SD card, the data would "ALL" still be on that SD card. They told me that the Garmin unit reads the data directly from the SD card. It does not "transfer" the data to the unit.