Garmin GPSMAP 4xx and 5xx Tips and Tricks

[firecadet613]

I just picked up a Garmin GPSMAP 531s. I know we have quite a few members with similar 4xx and 5xx units. I did a search, and did not come up with any threads showing how to best use these chartplotters/sounders.

It is quite an upgrade from my 76Cx. The interface seems very user friendly, but I'm sure with anything there is a lot to learn. I did try to quick create a route between two waypoints I created, and it took me over land. Obviously this won't work.

Maybe we can share info/tips/tricks on these units on this thread. I know a lot of boats left the factory with the 545 in them.

 

[Nehalennia]

The G2 Vision card for your area really unlocks the full capability of the unit. It will allow you to pick a destination and it will auto-plot your course to follow. It also opens a couple extra views.

 

[MonacoMike]

The G2 Vision card for your area really unlocks the full capability of the unit. It will allow you to pick a destination and it will auto-plot your course to follow. It also opens a couple extra views.

I do not understand this Garmin chart stuff. My 441s has detsailed "BlueChart g2 Marine" pre-loaded with Vision optional. Why even offer those other charts? For $150ish I have entire US inland lakes in addition to complete US coastal and Bahamas. Am I missing something? MM

 

[Jack F]

I do not understand this Garmin chart stuff. My 441s has detsailed "BlueChart g2 Marine" pre-loaded with Vision optional. Why even offer those other charts? For $150ish I have entire US inland lakes in addition to complete US coastal and Bahamas. Am I missing something? MM

I have the 545s with the Bluechart g2, it's a nice unit.
The auto guidance is pretty cool, just click the curser to were you want to go and it sets all your waypoints for you.




What is BlueChart® g2 Vision?

Plug an optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card into your new Garmin chartplotter and tremendously expand its capabilities.
By adding a BlueChart® g2 Vision card to your compatible chartplotter, you'll have access to premium mapping features such as true 3D-view detailed mapping capabilities (both above and below the waterline), plus helpful Auto Guidance, high-resolution imagery, and “real picture” aerial photos of ports, harbors, marinas, waterways, navigation landmarks and other points of interest.
Purchase your g2 Vision SD cards today, and see water in a whole new light.
BlueChart g2 Vision features:






BlueChart g2 Vision SD cards enhance the preloaded maps on your chartplotter and add a whole new dimension of exceptional features such as:

• High resolution satellite imagery, when overlaid on the chart, provides the mariner with unparalleled situational awareness. (A)
• Aerial reference photography provides “real world” photos of ports, harbors, marinas, waterways, navigation landmarks and other points of interest, offering the mariner another powerful tool for navigating unfamiliar waters. (B)
• Mariner’s Eye View perspective provides a bird’s eye view from behind the boat showing the chart information for a quick, reliable and easy position fix. (C)
• Fish Eye View 3D perspective provides an underwater view that visually represents the sea floor according to the chart’s information. (D)
• Auto Guidance technology searches chart data to suggest the best passage to a destination. (E)
• Fishing charts allow the mariner to hide navigation data from the SD card while leaving the bottom contours and depth soundings for their next fishing adventure.
• Includes tides, currents, marine services, coastal roads and points of interest.
• Detailed BlueChart g2 maps are included on the card to supplement the maps on your chartplotter.

test

 

[firecadet613]

Well that answers a lot of questions right there. The g2 Vision is a requirement to really make it work to the best of its ability.

 

[Jack F]

They update them a couple of times a year I think, so make sure you get the latest version before you buy it.
I don't know if you can check to see when the next updated version will be released.

 

[MonacoMike]

Well that answers a lot of questions right there. The g2 Vision is a requirement to really make it work to the best of its ability.

I knew about the additional views, but not additional features. Why would you need auto guidance Joe?

Thanks Jack.

MM

 

[electricaldoctor]

Re: Garmin GPS MAP 4xx and 5xx Tips and Tricks

I don't think that there is a set number of times a year that updates are available. As a rule, I think that most updates are made because of reported glitches, etc. I simply Google Garmin updates & downloads for my specific model of GPS unit. I can then download changes to an SDS card and then insert SDS card into my GPS unit and upload the changes. It is really an easy and simple process. You won't be advised of when changes are available, so you just have to check back as often as you wish and the best part is that these down-loadable updates are free.

 

[Jack F]

I was talking about the vision card updates,they charge for that.
The system version/firmware updates are free and easy to do like you said.

 

[SeaRide]

Auto guidance is a great feature, but if you boat along the Intra Coastal in SC, you will need to change the default setting under configuration for minimum safe water depth. Otherwise, this feature will not work.

 

[firecadet613]

No need, but a lot better than trying to setup a route and have it route you over land! Might as well unlock all the features of the GPS. I was planning on buying a chip for Lake Michigan anyways since I got the inland lakes basemap.

 

[Jack F]

Did you get a transducer with the 531s? you need it for the 3-D fisheye view.

 

[Nehalennia]

I do not understand this Garmin chart stuff. My 441s has detsailed "BlueChart g2 Marine" pre-loaded with Vision optional. Why even offer those other charts? For $150ish I have entire US inland lakes in addition to complete US coastal and Bahamas. Am I missing something? MM

Oh yeah. The base maps are very good, but it's a night and day difference with vision card. It really makes this little plotter amazing. I wish I had the helm space for a larger screen, but this one really give me everything I need to feel safe.

Well that answers a lot of questions right there. The g2 Vision is a requirement to really make it work to the best of its ability.

It's worth it.

I knew about the additional views, but not additional features. Why would you need auto guidance Joe? Thanks Jack. MM

Where I go boating, the auto guidance can be very handy. If you go to Bing.com/maps or google.com/maps and type in San Juan Islands, and then zoom in you can see how many islands there are and having the auto-guidance feature makes for relaxing navigation.

Auto guidance is a great feature, but if you boat along the Intra Coastal in SC, you will need to change the default setting under configuration for minimum safe water depth. Otherwise, this feature will not work.

+1

 

[firecadet613]

Did you get a transducer with the 531s? you need it for the 3-D fisheye view.

Yes. Although now Todd has me thinking of ditching the 531s for a 535s to get the better display. I played with a 546s and a 441 that West Marine had out yesterday. The screens are HUGE compared to the 76Cx they had next to it (thats what I had prior to this).

Without the vision card in either, I couldn't justify the extra $$$ for the display. But with me getting the vision card, $80 more might not be so bad after all.

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

This may helps some people similarly situated. Its an email response from Garmin I saved when questioning the best card for my use; Inland Lakes in KY, IN & OH but also wanting the best option for Lake Erie. Based on this response, you would need 2 different cards. Based on this, we do not have G2 Vision for inland lakes. This is the email exchange:

Dear Me,
Thank you for your reply.
If you are needing information for Inland Lakes in Kentucky and the areas to the Northeast, then the Inland Lakes Vision Northeast would be the best for your needs. The Inland Lakes Vision Northeast will not contain much information for Lake Erie, as coastal areas like the Great Lakes are covered by Bluechart G2 or Bluechart G2 Vision.
The Bluechart G2 and G2 Vision contain no detail for Inland Lakes. These maps are strictly for coastal waterways, such as the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. If you are wanting detail for Lake Erie, on both the US Side and the Canadian side of the waterway, I recommend the Bluechart G2 Canada Card. The link is included below: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/products/010-C1019-20
The reason that this card is recommended is because Bluechart G2 Canada includes detail for both the Canadian and US side of the Great Lakes; the Bluechart G2 US only includes detail for the US Side of the Great Lakes.
For the smaller lakes in Kentucky and Indiana, the Inland Lakes Vision Northeast is the card that is recommended: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=9852&pvID=11229#coverageTab
I hope this information has been helpful.
With Best Regards,
CJ S.
Product Support Specialist
Marine Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-440-8280 (fax) Att: CJ S., Associate #6928
www.garmin.com




Original Message Follows: ------------------------

Michael-

From your website, it looks like the Inland Lakes Northeast map would be better suited for my purpose. Is that correct?
My next question is, does a Bluechart g2 or g2 Vision cover my inland lakes in Kentucky, Indiana and Lake Erie? If so, what additional features will I see on it over the Inland Lakes Vision card?

-Me

 

[firecadet613]

Thats why I ended up with the X3X series. The X3X series have the detailed inland lakes as the basemap. Granted not a vision type basemap, but more than ample for a small inland lake.

Here is the vision card for Lake Erie. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8787&pvID=10407

I just picked up one for Lake Michigan. Talk about pricey. I believe with the fuel flow gauge and the chart it should help save some $$$ on trips this summer.

 

[MonacoMike]

Thats why I ended up with the X3X series. The X3X series have the detailed inland lakes as the basemap. Granted not a vision type basemap, but more than ample for a small inland lake.

Here is the vision card for Lake Erie. https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=8787&pvID=10407

I just picked up one for Lake Michigan. Talk about pricey. I believe with the fuel flow gauge and the chart it should help save some $$$ on trips this summer.

How does the fuel flow connect? MM

 

[MonacoMike]

This may helps some people similarly situated. Its an email response from Garmin I saved when questioning the best card for my use; Inland Lakes in KY, IN & OH but also wanting the best option for Lake Erie. Based on this response, you would need 2 different cards. Based on this, we do not have G2 Vision for inland lakes. This is the email exchange:

Dear Me,
Thank you for your reply.
If you are needing information for Inland Lakes in Kentucky and the areas to the Northeast, then the Inland Lakes Vision Northeast would be the best for your needs. The Inland Lakes Vision Northeast will not contain much information for Lake Erie, as coastal areas like the Great Lakes are covered by Bluechart G2 or Bluechart G2 Vision.
The Bluechart G2 and G2 Vision contain no detail for Inland Lakes. These maps are strictly for coastal waterways, such as the Great Lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean. If you are wanting detail for Lake Erie, on both the US Side and the Canadian side of the waterway, I recommend the Bluechart G2 Canada Card. The link is included below: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/products/010-C1019-20
The reason that this card is recommended is because Bluechart G2 Canada includes detail for both the Canadian and US side of the Great Lakes; the Bluechart G2 US only includes detail for the US Side of the Great Lakes.
For the smaller lakes in Kentucky and Indiana, the Inland Lakes Vision Northeast is the card that is recommended: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=9852&pvID=11229#coverageTab
I hope this information has been helpful.
With Best Regards,
CJ S.
Product Support Specialist
Marine Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-440-8280 (fax) Att: CJ S., Associate #6928
www.garmin.com




Original Message Follows: ------------------------

Michael-

From your website, it looks like the Inland Lakes Northeast map would be better suited for my purpose. Is that correct?
My next question is, does a Bluechart g2 or g2 Vision cover my inland lakes in Kentucky, Indiana and Lake Erie? If so, what additional features will I see on it over the Inland Lakes Vision card?

-Me

All this sucks for a trailer boater. :smt021 I would only want $1000 in additional chips. :smt100

 

[firecadet613]

Splices right into the fuel line and wires directly to the sensor. GFS 10 is the part you need. Jim's pricing is about the best on it.

 

[JohnEGraham]

RE: "Auto guidance is a great feature, but if you boat along the Intra Coastal in SC, you will need to change the default setting under configuration for minimum safe water depth. Otherwise, this feature will not work"
Okay, here on Long island. NY "The Great south Bay" I have tried to use the Auto Guidance feature but it never could get it to work. I tried to lower the "minimum safe water" to 3 feet but some of the water in our area is 0 at low tied so even though I was not near those areas? JG.