Bluechart G2 Vision

[Eyes Up Chuck]

Has anyone used/seen this new GPS charting system in use in the open oceans.

Does it have the graphics it advertises for the seabed bottom?
Is it clear & graphic? Can you actually see structures on the bottom?

Then, do you think it's worth all the extra $$$'s?

 

[Whole in the Water]

Looks very simliar to Navionics Platium series maps which have been around for a few years. What is good about Navionics charts is that they are not propritary and can be used with many different units such as Raymarine, Northstar, Lowrance and Humminbird, etc.

http://www.navionics.com/PlatinumCharts.asp

 

[Whole in the Water]

To answer your question about actually seeing structure on the bottom keep in mind that:
- the map chart shows you only the structure as depicted on the map, not what is there in real life.
- to see good structure you need a high quality sounder with lots of RMS power, good quality (Airmar) transducer, and the highest screen pixel resolution as you can afford (e.g. 600X800= 240,000 pixels).

 

[Charlie]

I run the Garmin GPSMAP 545s (the "s" stands for sonar)

"This offshore chartplotter boasts the brightest, sharpest, most colorful graphics you’ve ever seen on a 5-inch screen. The GPSMAP 545 has a 5” VGA display; preloaded BlueChart g2 maps of the U.S. coast; and simple, straightforward buttons and menus. You can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card for even more enhanced features."

I have used many others in the past, but been using this one for over a year and am very pleased!

 

[Eyes Up Chuck]

Charlie, here's something I came across you might be interested in.

http://www.westmarine.com/recalls/GarminGPSMap061807.htm

 

[Charlie]

quote:Originally posted by serenity

Charlie, here's something I came across you might be interested in.

http://www.westmarine.com/recalls/GarminGPSMap061807.htm

Serenity,
Thanks for the information, but mine is not one of those units! My part number is: 010-00601-00 Also, I run two units, as I really do like to know where I am and where I am going! Both are plotter/sounder combos. Been using two units to back me up for years! My other plotter/sonar is a Raymarine, also dual freq and color.

I have the BlueChart g2 Vision SD cards, which I really like a lot and they have great detail! I can switch from navigation charts to fishing charts with a push of a button. The 3d mode is interesting to view, but kind of useless (if you can read contour lines). The unit is very user friendly! It makes updating a lot easier (and cheaper) by using a standard 512 SD card.

The sonar for the Garmin is a Airman dual freq, which is also very reliable and shows good detail. Both my sonars are color and very good! The Garmin has the edge, I believe,only because it's newer. My other sonar is also a Raymarine, which I can't complain about. Both usually read within a foot of each other in deep water and usually reads the same in shallow.

The Garmin is a nice unit and I do prefer it over all the other units I have had in the past; which include Raymarine, Garmin, Lowrance, Sitex, just to name a few of the best! Meaning none of these units are bad!

Cheers
Charlie

 

[eastpoint]

I am reviving a thread that I found by searching. I just bought a Raymarine A50D and now want to know if people prefer 2D or 3D chart plotting. Navonics 3D is about $100 more expensive and covers smaller area, IE BC coast, whereas 2D covers Pacific North West to Alaska. Is it possible to get the charts online?

 

[scott craven]

Fast forward a couple years...
should be lots of G2 Vision cards in use by now.
Any feedback as to how you like the product ?