May bad luck or Garmin just sucks

Morpheus

Morpheus

New Member
May 7, 2007
2,450
Odessa, FL
Boat Info
2006 SeaRay Sundeck 240
Engines
5.0MPI Mercruiser w/ Bravo III
So after lots of debate I finaly splurge and order a USB Data Card Reader, 128mb Data Card, and the Blue Charts Software with 1 region unlock (Amazon less then $200 for all of it)

I got it all yesterday software is great love all the detail was able to unlock my region without an issue.

So I put in the USB Drivers disk for the reader, and it goes through the install till it get's to the point where it says to plug in your device, I do that and windows detects new hardware, blah blah blah starts looking for drivers, can't find them. So now what? I check garmins site for drivers and try those same issue.

Then I finally find where on their site it states their USB drivers do not work on Vista x64 :wow: Their drivers are dated last update in 2007, are you kidding me, It's 2009 I've had a x64 vista install for over 2 years and they don't have drivers? Windows 7 is coming out and I bet they don't have drivers.

I emailed their support and their solution was for me to find another computer running windows xp x32 and install the software on it.

So now I've spent $200 for something I can't use and have a $1500 GPS I can't update cause someone at Garmin has their head in their sun don't shine side.
 
Yeah they are behind on the 64bit curve as are so many out there. I have it running on Vista 32bit just fine.
 
I could see if 64bit was a new thing but come on, I've had this latop for more then 2 years and their only solution is to tell me to find a 32bit xp machine.
 
BTW - their new plotter units are using SD cards, so the propriertary memory stick and card reader are not necessary on the new devices.
 
Yea I know that, it's another thing that aggravates me cause I bought my current unit just before they made that change. Nothing wrong with my unit I would just like to update it and do some route planning via pc and well I can't. To bad they won't let me send the card, reader, and unit back and get a SD card version.
 
Yea I thought about that but I actually don't have a 32bit install disk for xp or vista anymore didn't think I'd need it after 2 years.

But it get's better. The Blue Chart America's software is worthless, including the card readers and the data cards.

After on hold for 1hr to talk to them they informed me this is the last year any updates to the Blue Chart America's software will be produced there will not be any 64bit drivers produced and the data card reader will no longer be sold. This will be the last year to get updates to your chart plotters. They are going to be coming out with something new but couldn't tell me anything about it.

The only way to get map updates will be via pre programmed cards and even then he said for my unit there will be no more updates after this year.

What a flippin rip off. Now I gotta fight with Amazon.com to returned open products to see if I can get any of my money back and looks like I need to buy a new GPS unit if I want updated maps.
 
Is that what happened? I noticed it not showing up on the normal product listing.

They trying to force us to upgrade? I still wanted the ability to do routes from my pc using a mouse is much easier then the buttons on the unit.

Wonder if I was to sell my 3205 how much Icould get for it.
 
Morpheus said:
Is that what happened? I noticed it not showing up on the normal product listing.

They trying to force us to upgrade? I still wanted the ability to do routes from my pc using a mouse is much easier then the buttons on the unit.

Wonder if I was to sell my 3205 how much Icould get for it.
Click to expand...
The route planning on PC isn't going away. It will be upgraded/replaced with a new edition.
 
Well according to the tech this morning the Blue chart America's software was no longer updated after this year, and he said he has heard nothing about a replacement so there would be no way to chart from your PC.
 
Read the distinctions in bluechart in this link http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/show...0&postcount=61
This was all from a very detailed discussion with Garmin. The PC software CD will be available until the replacement is ready. If you read between their lines, it sounds like they are hoping to have the new software out before the end of the year. If they don't they will continue the PC based stuff with bluechart, just not all the device updates.
 
ChuckW said:
Read the distinctions in bluechart in this link http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/show...0&postcount=61
This was all from a very detailed discussion with Garmin. The PC software CD will be available until the replacement is ready. If you read between their lines, it sounds like they are hoping to have the new software out before the end of the year. If they don't they will continue the PC based stuff with bluechart, just not all the device updates.
Click to expand...

Yes I read that but the tech this morning told me different.

Said no more updates to the software at all no maps either and not to expect x64 drivers for the card reader and said he had no idea if there would be a replacement and if there was when it would come out.

Maybe I need to talk to a sales person there and not a tech person.
 
Morpheus said:
Yes I read that but the tech this morning told me different.

Said no more updates to the software at all no maps either and not to expect x64 drivers for the card reader and said he had no idea if there would be a replacement and if there was when it would come out.

Maybe I need to talk to a sales person there and not a tech person.
Click to expand...
Sometimes even the techs don't get the story straight around Bluechart. It is a very confusing set of pieces in play and they tend to just lump it all into one bucket. I've found you really need to be very specific with them on this stuff. Second, regarding the release date of a new software product, no one will talk about that. Company policy, can't discuss. But the right person on the other end will confirm if something is "in the works". You just need to parce out the pieces very carefully, or they'll just say, "Bluechart is being discontinued".
 
Ok so what do you think I should do? Return all of what I got and wait to see what happens or keep it and figure out a way to either to a VM of XP or what. Can I even install the software on a second pc since I already activated it on my current one.
 
Morpheus said:
Ok so what do you think I should do? Return all of what I got and wait to see what happens or keep it and figure out a way to either to a VM of XP or what. Can I even install the software on a second pc since I already activated it on my current one.
Click to expand...

How long you planning on keeping that boat? I'm planning on keeping mine for a while, so I'm looking at upgrading my unit to 4000 series (Don't like the 5000s). So I will probably work my way up their product line anyway and make this go away.

You can install the software on more than one PC. The maps are actually activated against the UnitID of your 3205 and not the PC. So they are PC portable so to speak. In your "Start / All Programs / Garmin" folder there is a program called the "UnlockWizard". Start it. It has an option to backup your unlock codes to a file. Back them up and then on the other PC you can restore them and start charting away.
 
I plan on keeping it a while, the 3205 I liked cause it was a decent size for my boat, I do with I had gone for the 3210 will the full keyboard, but the 3205 get's the job done, I've had it since I got the boat but it's in new like condition. I'll have to look 4000 series and see if it is really worth the upgrade.
 
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