Questions about my Garmin chartplotter

J

jhwilson

New member
My 2006 CD 22 Cruiser had a Garmin 178C chartplotter and sonar when I purchased it. It came with one media card which is a very small card with a "handle" on the end (not the mini SD card). I want to have coverage of some parts of the ICW and some lakes and rivers. According to the Garmin website the data cards that my unit uses are not used anymore, being replaced by SD cards. They offer some of the coverage I want on CDs. So, I assume you download the info from the CD (in the computer) to the chartplotter. Is that correct?

If my assumption above is right the various areas I want will add up to be very expensive. Am I better off to purchase a more up to date unit with built in maps? If so, and I purchase a 400 series Garmin unit can I use the same exterior antenna and the same sonar/temp sensor mounted on the transom?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Harper
 
Harper, I think you can probably find a chip that will do the trick on e-bay. It's one heck of a lot cheaper than a new plotter. But we all like new gadgets, at least I do!

Charlie
 
I have a 176 and was able to get charts for it a year or so ago. Agree that E-bay, Craig's list may be a good source, or some dealers may still have the charts. Not a thing wrong with this chart plotter. You can down load the Map Source CD's--but the unlock codes kill you. Also finding this chip may be difficult., It is not a mini SD or SD card, as are used now.

The manual is at:
http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/GPSMAP17 ... Manual.pdf

All of their "legacy" products are still covered on the web site.

Keep it and use it for navigation if nothing else--of course you could do it the old fashioned way--and put in lat and long on paper charts...
 
We have a Garmin 188C and I bought a Bluechart Americas CD and downloaded the unlocked map to those Garmin data cards you're speaking of. That's the only way I know to download maps onto the card. I believe you get one unlock code for the purchase of the Bluechart CD and if you want more, you'll have to pay for the additional unlock code, which is expensive as Dr. Bob noted. Otherwise, you can always buy the pre-programmed card.

You should be able to find either of these options on Ebay.
 
Harper,
I have two Garmin Marine Data cards that I used in my previous Garmin unit (188C). One card covers the Chesapeake Bay (MUS 006R)and the other covers the ICW from Norfolk to Florida (MUS 007R). If these can work for you email me and we'll work out the details.
Regards,
Mike "Levity"
 
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