Garmin chart advice?

[CROCSinTN]

I just installed a Garmin 742xs with bluechart/ lakevu g3 and I can't figure out why it won't show some nav buoys. Previously, I had been using Navionics on my phone which showed every set of buoys on the lake, but the Garmin only shows daymarks off the main channel, but all buoys on the tributaries.

Am I missing a setting or something? Or is this data just not on these particular charts? If this is really not on the g3 charts I've got is there a Garmin map that does have this data? I'd love to ask Garmin, but their support is apparently closed due to technical issues, and I'm running out of time to return this unit if it isn't going to do what I want it to do. Plus I kind of dread trying to explain exactly what's missing to someone that isn't familiar with marine charts.

I was happy with Navionics maps, except that I was using it from a phone and that was prone to overheat and shut down in direct sunlight and hot weather. I was under the impression that since Garmin bought Navionics, I'd be getting the same maps I was used to, but I'm starting to suspect I should have just bought a Raymarine Axiom 7/9 and hoped Navionics keeps supporting Raymarine devices. Anyone faced a similar decision and have any words of wisdom?

 

[FootballFan]

Thinking there is a chart settings which determines level of detail.

Are you zooming in on an area?

 

[Lazy Daze]

First, double check that your lake (you don't mention where) is included in the LakeVu - somewhere on Garmin's site there is a listing. Although if you're seeing some navaids, then it sounds like it is.

Second, as FF mentioned, go into the settings and look for chart detail - set it to high. Or, at least, it used to be called something like that with the Garmins from a number of years ago.

Oh... and read 'yer manual... it probably tells you that in there!

 

[alnav]

Have you registered your charts and gotten the free update? You will need to download an application called Garmin Express to enable this as well as to download your purchased chart to an SD card. Also, registering lets you share charts across platforms. Where I am going is to recommend you install the Garmin Active Captain app on your phone/tablet or both. The chart in that app will be the same as you have registered and it will give you more or less the same functionality of the Navionics app without having to buy a separate chart license. Assuming your MFD has wireless, you can synch routes/waypoints and more. Once you've got it set up I would think you could check for the coverage you're looking for and see if it shows in the chart displayed in the app. I don't have any experience with lake boating but I would think all "official" nav marks would be charted. But, there is a level of charting that Garmin offers above the G3 level; they call it "Vision" and of course, charge more for it.

 

[ttmott]

If the buoys are maintained by the COE then Garmin shows them. If they are private or maintained by local authorities then it's a hit or miss. I believe that is true with all of the chart packages...

 

[CROCSinTN]

Thanks for the responses! I'm on lake Chickamauga, it is listed as a LakeVu area. I have updated the maps as of yesterday.

There is a chart detail level, and I have it turned up as much as I can. At least I think I do. It runs from "Least" to "Most" but there is no "All".

What I find frustrating is that I can see the buoys up all the little feeder creeks as I pass them, but none in the main river channel where there is commercial barge traffic. Take a look at this spot with Navionics for instance. The junction buoy at the mouth of the creek and all the buoys on the creek to the north west show as I pass them in the channel. But the buoys along the main channel don't show. That just doesn't make sense to me. I mean, I can tell where the channel is, from a dotted line on the chart. But I like to know where the next buoy should be anyway just to make sure I'm where I think I am.
Maybe I'm just weird and no one else cares, so Garmin took those out to save storage space? Seems like something you'd really want to know though. Navionics shows it by default.

Good idea on checking on Active Captain, I'll try that when I'm at the boat again. I'm not sure who maintains the navaids, this is a TVA reservoir, COE runs the locks.

If anyone is really bored and has a Garmin with lakevu g3 (or the "ultra" version), look around MM 490-489 on the TN river or really anywhere near Chattanooga, TN and see if you get a different result than I'm describing. I'm starting to think they left these out of the whole US g3 maps, and maybe it is available on the Eastern US g3 "Ultra" maps. I'm not willing to buy a non-refundable $200 map just to test that theory though.

 

[alnav]

It so happened that I had Garmin Homeport (PC chart app) open and my SD card still has my original G3 Lakevue chart. I found the MM 489-490 area. Screenshot 1, attached, is at the approx area/size of the Navionics bookmark and clearly a couple of the river buoys are missing. But, when I completely zoomed in (Screenshot 2), they appear. So, at least on my version they are there. But, if the plotter zoom behaves like my PC version, you have be zoomed in almost to the extent the picture may be unusable in practice. It's also true that the level of detail in the Garmin vs. Navionics view is strikingly different, in favor of Navionics. Hope this helps.

 

[CROCSinTN]

It does help a lot, thanks so much for doing that! That may explain it. At least now I know that data is in LakeVu g3 after all, I just need to dig around some more.