Help me understand Garmin charting options

quality time

quality time

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2007
2,365
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Boat Info
Miss Stress
2006 50' Post
Engines
Series 60 Detroits
This is my first boat with Garmin equipment and I'm confused by the charting options. I have two 8617's that I assumed had charting built-in but have also found evidence that a previous owner purchased chart cards, I can't recall if there is currently a card in the card reader. I was able to get the previous owner to release ownership of the equipment so it shows up in my Active Captain account and I can perform software updates.

I'd like to update my charts and it looks like the only way to do that is to purchase the subscription? Or is that not the correct way to do it since I already have charts they are just not licensed to me.
 
I assume your system doesn't have the separate card reader and you are using the slots in the back of the MFD?
Get a smartphone camera back in there and take a photo to see if there is a micro-chip in the back of the MFD. They are really hard to see. I think there are two slots for cards

You purchase the charts so there is no "license" in the true sense. The charts like Bluechart G3 or Navionics Vision can be purchased as either a download or the micro-chip. I downloaded and installed on a micro-chip then put that chip in the card reader. I also made a backup copy. The chip must stay with the system using the charts. Make sure you read the install instructions both for installing on the micro-chip and installing in the MFD. I have two 8616's and both use the same chart software simultaneously as long as they are both connected to the GMN.

Also in the System page on the MFD under software any chart package should be in the list.
https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=7t0m0AyK7z1Wzh3zRUpQiA

You can also update existing charts using the Active Captain app which you will need for any system updates.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/573254
 
Thanks Tom, I do have the separate card reader with my Active Captain card in one side. I’ll look this weekend to see if there’s a chart card in the other and also check for preloaded maps per your link.

Poking around the AC app, I see now that I can register built-in maps and cards. This is why I assumed the charts were licensed to the original owner since my AC app has always shown very basic charts.
 
There are a few options for charting packages with Garmin. All of which end up on a Micro SD card that goes in the Micro SD slot in the back of your 8617. There is also an Active Captain Micro SD card needed as well. They don't have to be in the MFD to work together, but it would be best if they are.

If you take the AC SD card and put it in a PC running Garmin Express it will read your configuration and you will be able to download updates based on your system and see what is available for chart packages. You will need a Micro SD card reader to do this. Garmin Express is a free download.

I find AC to be the worst utility going and use Express instead.

Garmin Express - Windows | Garmin

Garmin Express, Update Maps and software | Garmin
www.garmin.com www.garmin.com

As far as subscriptions go, that is for the extended features of the Navionics Vision Charts. You can still purchase the Vision+ charts. I have those and find them to be great.
 
I just opted for the Vision + subscription. No need to dink around with installing charts from a card. Just subscribe and keep them updated via ActiveCaptain. You will of course need at least one card installed to hold the charts and your ActiveCaptain data.
 
bobeast said:
I just opted for the Vision + subscription. No need to dink around with installing charts from a card. Just subscribe and keep them updated via ActiveCaptain. You will of course need at least one card installed to hold the charts and your ActiveCaptain data.
Click to expand...

So you still need to "dink" around with the cards ...
 
The 8617 has no built in card reader. You need an external one. If you have the old rectangular reader that connects to the network port on the back of the unit, you will need to replace it with the newer USB card reader as the old one doesn’t work well with Active Captain. Garmin Express will get you the basic charts, but if you want the extras such as hi rez shading, you will have to use Active Captain. Once set up, it works well to keep your system updated.
 
BlueYonder said:
The 8617 has no built in card reader. You need an external one. If you have the old rectangular reader that connects to the network port on the back of the unit, you will need to replace it with the newer USB card reader as the old one doesn’t work well with Active Captain. Garmin Express will get you the basic charts, but if you want the extras such as hi rez shading, you will have to use Active Captain. Once set up, it works well to keep your system updated.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that about the 17", not having the Micro SD slot on the back.

Express works just fine with getting all charts downloaded to the Micro SD card. All updates as well, including the subscribed features.
 
I didn't know that the 17 inch doesn't have card slots either. So, regardless, he has the GMN connected card reader anyway. Updates and purchases can be through Active Captain, Garmin Express, or SD card; your choice.
I find Active Captain very usable in doing the updates on my 86 series MFD's and all other Garmin devices. What is great is the update function updates all of the Garmin equipment except for the Fusion audio. Obviously, everything needs to be turned on and connected to the network..... A note of importance is to also have your smartphone, if using for updating, plugged into power as the updates can take some time and if your phone should shutdown during download there could be significant issues.
But for charts - first find out what you have loaded. Then either purchase a chart package if you don't have one or if you desire, update what you have. Update can be either through Active Captain via your smartphone or downloaded and install using a micro-card through the card reader.

Also, before you load any charts get all of the equipment updated to the latest F/W and S/W.
https://www8.garmin.com/marine/PDF/MarineSoftwareUpdate/2024/January2024.pdf
 
Thanks for the replies. Correct, the 8617's use a separate Garmin card reader which uses SD cards instead of the micros. I'm able to and do perform equipment updates often using Active Captain but from memory, everything syncs but the charts so will have to see exactly what I have this weekend and maybe get some screenshots.
 
BlueYonder said:
The latest Garmin software update now supports SD cards up to 1TB in size.

New exFAT Support on Garmin Marine Chartplotters | GPSMAP 1243xsv US+Canada GN+ | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.
support.garmin.com support.garmin.com
Click to expand...

From that link: "The Garmin® Ethernet Card Reader and NMEA 2000 Network Updater will not be compatible with cards larger than 32GB."

So it looks like only USB attached cards will be supported.
 
If you have the USB card reader, which is required to support Active Captain on models that don't have an internal reader, you will have access to ExFAT formatted SD cards. The OP says he has a card reader, but he doesn't say which one. The newer USB reader is available for about $100.00. It does seem to imply that the internal card reader on the smaller 86xx models is not supported.
 
This is the card reader that is installed, it does not look to be the USB model.

1706113736440.png
 
quality time said:
This is the card reader that is installed, it does not look to be USB model.

View attachment 157777
Click to expand...
Same one I have on the 8616's. Other than the initial system install load the only thing I really use it for is to keep the chart SIM card in and to store my routes and way points on a card.
All other (updates etc) I use my smartphone and Active Captain.

A good question is if I update the charts via Active Captain and have the chart package SIM card installed does the update also update the SIM card???? Don't know that answer.
 
That is the old card reader. You need to replace it with the newer USB version. If you have the older card reader, Active Captain doesn't sync properly and you will have problems with the extra content.
Screenshot 2024-01-24 at 15.08.47.jpg


When Active Captain updates, the data is stored on the Active Captain card. It seems that the plotter software always knows to display the most recent information. I don't believe that it will update the separate chart card if you use one. If you download the chart using Garmin Express, you primarily get the basic navigation chart. All of the extras such as Hi Rez shading, raster charts, satellite imagery, and Active Captain Community markers are obtained via Active Captain and stored on the Active Captain card.
 
ttmott said:
Same one I have on the 8616's. Other than the initial system install load the only thing I really use it for is to keep the chart SIM card in and to store my routes and way points on a card.
All other (updates etc) I use my smartphone and Active Captain.

A good question is if I update the charts via Active Captain and have the chart package SIM card installed does the update also update the SIM card???? Don't know that answer.
Click to expand...

So no they don't. The updates to the charts directly are internal. The AC community update go to the card.

That is one reason I use Express. But I don't really have a choice, when I use AC to do updates from Garmin, my phone just goes in loops. and I never get the update. But the rest of the AC updates work. I know others that have the same issue so it seems to be hit or miss.
 
Skybolt said:
So no they don't. The updates to the charts directly are internal. The AC community update go to the card.

That is one reason I use Express. But I don't really have a choice, when I use AC to do updates from Garmin, my phone just goes in loops. and I never get the update. But the rest of the AC updates work. I know others that have the same issue so it seems to be hit or miss.
Click to expand...
Mine did "loops" also when I was connected to the boat's Wi-Fi. I turn the Wi-Fi off and use the cell network. Good signal where I'm at BTW.
 
BlueYonder said:
That is the old card reader. You need to replace it with the newer USB version. If you have the older card reader, Active Captain doesn't sync properly and you will have problems with the extra content.View attachment 157788

When Active Captain updates, the data is stored on the Active Captain card. It seems that the plotter software always knows to display the most recent information. I don't believe that it will update the separate chart card if you use one. If you download the chart using Garmin Express, you primarily get the basic navigation chart. All of the extras such as Hi Rez shading, raster charts, satellite imagery, and Active Captain Community markers are obtained via Active Captain and stored on the Active Captain card.
Click to expand...
I have no issues at all with the GMN card reader. Is the issue you are referencing specific to the 17 inch displays?
Actually the 16's and under (at least the 86xx series) don't have USB ports that I know of...
 
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