New data Card for Garmin GPS, what will I lose?

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mrsrobinson

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Mar 9, 2006
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Virginia
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We will be putting a new, more updated, more maps/charts, data card in our Garmin 2006C GPS this weekend. We have never touched the card that's in there.

Will we lose anything saved, like waypoints, routes, tracks, etc? I assume not, it's just a card though I do not know how all this stuff is saved.

Thanks
 
If I am correct, then the data on the existing card will only be a "backup" to the tracks, routes, and waypoints on the GPS unit. And that backup is only present if you choose a transfer option on the GPS itself. At least that's how my 545s works.

Caveat: Look at the card. Is it a blank card, or a Vision G2 data card?
 
Existing data card for the primary GPS, a Garmin 2006C, came from Garmin with the maps/charts on it, purchased and installed by the previous owner. We have never removed it. I think it's a card from Garmin that already had the maps/charts on it, not a blank one.

Since we were buying the CD-ROM for the backup handheld I figured why not go ahead and get a blank card and copy the CD-ROM data to the blank card, remove the existing one and replace it with the new one.

I do not know where Garmin stores 'user saved stuff' though. On the data card or somewhere in the unit itself?
 
I believe when you use MapSource (with your BlueChart CD) to update the new data card, it will offer you the option of whether you want to overwrite waypoints and routes in addition to the map. It offered that option for me. Since I'm using a new map, I elected to replace my waypoints (which I programmed in BlueChart on the PC) since some of the bouys and such may have moved since the time prior map was published.
 
The Data card and the Vision Card are two differnt animals. The same type "SD" card but the Vision Card is proprietary. Pull the card out and see what it says.
I have the G2 Vision card but will get another 'blank' SD card to transfer, and keep Waypoints and routes.
 
Ok, so stick a blank in there and I believe in the menu options you should be able to save to the card. I haven't done it myself, but that's what my manual states and I don't have the software to do anything with it yet.
 
The 2006C has 2 slots, one with the existing card and one marked "2". So I can use 2 cards?
 
I had a Garmin 2010 and a 3210. I stored waypoints on both and they were still on there when I changed my cards. I think they are stored within the unit and not on the card.
 
I have an older model but still Garmin, 188C.
When I change the data card for maps in different areas, the waypoints stored on the GPS remain unchanged.
 
mrsrobinson said:
That was my guess, good to know.
Click to expand...
I purchased a blank disk and downloaded all the points and routes as a backup. I will make the assumption that these are loaded in the unit itself and changing the map disk should leave this stuff untouched.
 
Purchased a blank data card and a card reader. Received the BlueCharts CD today. With Garmins help I installed and sent the charts to both the handheld and the card. Garmin service was fantastic.
 
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