Garmin Navionics download vs card?

[GerGa]

When buying Garmin Navionics charts for a Garmin fish finders specifically, is there a difference between the micro sd and download option?

As far as I know, losing the preloaded card means you have to buy it again.

The other option is a download for the same price but to your own card.  

I think a download sounds better, because if you lose your card, you can just buy another micro sd and download again...unless Garmin has some blocks in place to prevent that.

 

Anyone have any idea?

[Jig Man]

How would you lose a map card?  Mine never comes out of the unit.

[Boomstick]

You seem to have the right understanding. I would do the download and load it into your own card myself. Of course, I lost my USB card reader so I still need another one, but it's not too hard to load them onto a card.

[RipzLipz]

I would call them & make absolutely sure you can do the blank SD card because I do not think that is how it works, at least for the card which allows access to all of US inland & coastal waterways including some of Canada (called Navionics+ Large). Too much data for a single SD card with that option. A regional card might work that way - don’t know for sure because I have the Navionics+ Large card.

 

I believe you buy the card, download their chart installer software which requires registration on your part & identifies your card. Use the chart installer for choosing which areas you want on your card as well as updating card. Once subscription expires, you renew your subscription & can update your card for another year. Expired subscriptions do not mean your card won’t work in your unit, it just means you can’t update your card to the latest & greatest surveys, POIs, etc.

 

EDIT: Went to Garmin Navionics website & didn’t see any options for downloading charts, for Garmin or other branded units. Buy the card (includes 1 year subscription for updates), they mail you card, use Chart Installer software as described above. Card continues to work after subscription expires but cannot be updated until subscription is renewed.

[GerGa]

On 12/2/2023 at 2:29 PM, RipzLipz said:

I would call them & make absolutely sure you can do the blank SD card because I do not think that is how it works, at least for the card which allows access to all of US inland & coastal waterways including some of Canada (called Navionics+ Large). Too much data for a single SD card with that option. A regional card might work that way - don’t know for sure because I have the Navionics+ Large card.

 

I believe you buy the card, download their chart installer software which requires registration on your part & identifies your card. Use the chart installer for choosing which areas you want on your card as well as updating card. Once subscription expires, you renew your subscription & can update your card for another year. Expired subscriptions do not mean your card won’t work in your unit, it just means you can’t update your card to the latest & greatest surveys, POIs, etc.

 

EDIT: Went to Garmin Navionics website & didn’t see any options for downloading charts, for Garmin or other branded units. Buy the card (includes 1 year subscription for updates), they mail you card, use Chart Installer software as described above. Card continues to work after subscription expires but cannot be updated until subscription is renewed.

Sounds like the install/installer identifies the card so maybe no installing on a second card when lost but I'd really just have to ask Garmin.  Not there really is much chance of losing a card though figured I'd ask the forum while Garmin was off on the weekend.

Navionics for Garmin fish finders is actually different from other-than-Garmin fish finders.  

I bought a Garmin 93SV UHD2 & US east charts for download so that I have both ocean & lakes.  I read a little on their website and it looks like I probably need my own card to update to the new mapping I bought, but I have not opened the box or read directions on the UHD2.  When you go to buy charts for a Garmin device, the last option is for a download or micro sd.

[RipzLipz]

@GerGa

ETA: Are you going to Navionics site or Garmin’s site?  I am going to Navionics.

 

At Navionics, users have 2 choices, Garmin or non-Garmin under the Chart Plotter pull-down.  Third choice is irrelevant. Then 2 choices once you pick Garmin. I have checked every mapping product on Navionics site & no option for download is shown. I am using a tablet & some sites can detect that & send the user to a mobile site, so it might be different on a PC.

 

One option, SD card for Garmin chart plotters, for the Navionics+:

[GerGa]

1 hour ago, RipzLipz said:

@GerGa

ETA: Are you going to Navionics site or Garmin’s site?  I am going to Navionics.

 

At Navionics, users have 2 choices, Garmin or non-Garmin under the Chart Plotter pull-down.  Third choice is irrelevant. Then 2 choices once you pick Garmin. I have checked every mapping product on Navionics site & no option for download is shown. I am using a tablet & some sites can detect that & send the user to a mobile site, so it might be different on a PC.

 

One option, SD card for Garmin chart plotters, for the Navionics+:

its garmins own website.  navionics.com doesnt have a download for whatever reason.  also no sale on the map either. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/794377/pn/010-D1893-20

[RipzLipz]

@GerGa That’s why I am not seeing the same options you are. I went to the Navionics site.

 

I did some digging for you & found this: https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=4nP6W4556t3FmuRB6gwNu8&productID=Garmin Navionics%2B&tab=topics&topFaq=true

 

Choose the lower option of the 2. I believe that is the process to go through if using a download option. No clue if that equates to being able to use your own card. Seems like a lot of effort compared to inserting the SD card into a computer, choosing the area to update from the chart installer & then putting the card back into the chart plotter. I’d be confirming all this with Garmin before assuming the download is the way to go. One thing is for sure, their online self help & documentation is [insert expletive of choice].

 

Not trying to be a jerk, but that’s all I can offer. Do it how you wish - your time, your money. 👍

 

[gulfcaptain]

So I have Garmins updated chart software.  It unlocks features such as adjusting lake levels, color shading I believe and a bit more lakes then come preloaded which is a navionics chart.  1 chip does the whole network.