Garmin Trip Planning Software-gctid352956

[Eyeman]

Does anybody on BOC us the HomePort software for planning and downloading navigation information? I run a handheld Oregon 400c with the factory loaded BlueChart G2 navigation charts and would like to purchase this software($30.00) for ease of route planning. Thanks in advance.

[Guest]

I use Garmin Homeport for route planning as it is simple to use and pair it with Garmin Nroute on my laptop for navigation. The only thing is that you have to manually create the route, there is no auto-routing for marine use.

[Eyeman]

k-townguy wrote:
I use Garmin Homeport for route planning as it is simple to use and pair it with Garmin Nroute on my laptop for navigation. The only thing is that you have to manually create the route, there is no auto-routing for marine use.

Thanks for the info. What is Garmin Nroute and what does it do? I thought the HomePort(a Garmin product) was a software package that allows us to create the route on the laptop/Ipad/desktop then we download that route directly to a Garmin charting unit. (in my case it would be downloaded to a Garmin 400c handheld)

By manually creating a route; do you mean putting each specific waypoint in where a course change is made? Are there programs that allow us to plug in a start point and an end point, then the software determines and creates the best/shortest/safest route?

I'd like to use an Ipad rather than my laptop. Does anybody else do this? If so, which Ipad is the best for this application?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm an old school paper chart and compass sailor. My Loran C and now GPS is now going to be used for more than finding my fishing hotspots.

[Guest]

I use Garmin's Homeport. It is pretty good. It's not fantastic, but for the price it works well. If you have your G2 Vision card in your computer while you're planning the detail shows up there too.

[Guest]

Eyeman wrote:
Thanks for the info. What is Garmin Nroute and what does it do?

Garmin Nroute is basically a pc-based GPS system. It tracks you as you move and shows it on the map that you have.

Eyeman wrote:
By manually creating a route; do you mean putting each specific waypoint in where a course change is made? Are there programs that allow us to plug in a start point and an end point, then the software determines and creates the best/shortest/safest route?

By manually creating routes, yes you have to plan you route by inputting your own waypoints from A-B etc. As for software that does the auto-routing from garmin and pc-based, i'm not sure, but i dont think so. I have been on the search for this as well, but the upside to laying out your own route is that you get to see any potential dangers in advance before heading out on the boat.

[Eyeman]

Originally Posted by Eyeman

Thanks for the info. What is Garmin Nroute and what does it do?

Garmin Nroute is basically a pc-based GPS system. It tracks you as you move and shows it on the map that you have.

So by using the Nroute software, I could use my laptop/iPad as a navigational charting tool while on the water? If I can download the Blue Chart G2, it would function just like a chart plotter right?

[Guest]

Not sure about compatibility with iOs(mac, iphone,ipad etc), but if you pair your windows based pc with this http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/usglobalsat/bu353.htm, it will work as a chart plotter (minus the auto-routing) I have tested this out in my car and it works perfectly, Aquires signal fairly quick and ive had accuracy don for about 6 ft. I have yet to do this on my boat but have plans to mount it at my cabin doorway in the spring, as i do not have room on deck. I have Trak map Marine 7.0 and this works with the garmin software.

[Eyeman]

k-townguy wrote:
Not sure about compatibility with iOs(mac, iphone,ipad etc), but if you pair your windows based pc with this http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/usglobalsat/bu353.htm, it will work as a chart plotter (minus the auto-routing) I have tested this out in my car and it works perfectly, Aquires signal fairly quick and ive had accuracy don for about 6 ft. I have yet to do this on my boat but have plans to mount it at my cabin doorway in the spring, as i do not have room on deck. I have Trak map Marine 7.0 and this works with the garmin software.

Nice. You mean all I need is a laptop with this $35.00 GPS puck plugged into it, some charting software and that's it?? What are we paying $3,000 - $5,000 for? Water proofing and toughness? I'll use zip-locks, a pillow mounting system and replace everything annually. Am I missing something here or is this the same old story - "tag a marine label on it and the price triples."

[Guest]

Im sure that waterproofing and toughness are an issue as well as sizing. The one thing that i can see being an issue is visibility. Laptops do not fair well in direct sunlight, hence why i will be mounting it inside the cabin near the door. I have a 15" laptop that will be visible from the helm on my boat.

[Eyeman]

Nehalennia wrote:
I use Garmin's Homeport. It is pretty good. It's not fantastic, but for the price it works well. If you have your G2 Vision card in your computer while you're planning the detail shows up there too.

I have factory loaded g2 on my hand held Garmin Oregon 400c. Does anybody know if I can transfer those maps/charts from my hand held to my laptop? If I only purchase the Homeport, do I need additional mapping/charting software or will it allow me to creat routes and then download them to the handheld or just use them while navigating with the laptop?