garmin homeport imputting routes and trails

Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails how to#
Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails install#
Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails plus#
Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails series#

You have to use the card every time - there is no way to copy the charts to the hard drive and have HomePort read them from there. Put the SD card in your computer’s SD card slot.When complete, you can remove the SD card and turn the chartplotter off. Select and wait for it to copy the maps (takes a minute or so). On ours - and all Garmin models seem to be pretty similar, but perhaps not exactly - the menu sequence is as follows, starting from the “Home” screen: Information > User Data > Data Transfer > Card > Copy Built-In Map. Put the SD card into the chartplotter and turn the chartplotter on.I recommend having a card that you use just for HomePort, it makes life much simpler. If you don’t have one on hand, you can buy them at most big-box stores, computer stores, even some grocery stores and pharmacies (they’re the same data cards that most digital cameras use) or you can get one for less than $10 on Amazon.

Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails plus#

You will need a blank 16GB SD card (mine uses a full-size SD card check yours) - the charts on ours take over 8GB, plus you need space to store the routes.

This is also how it works on my computer (Windows 10) and my chartplotter - other systems may be slightly different but this should point you in the right direction.

Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails how to#

If you do, and you want to transfer files via the network, you’ll have to check your owner’s manual to determine how to transfer data (ours is not wifi-enabled). NOTE: These instructions assume you do NOT have a wifi network connection between your computer and chartplotter.

Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails install#

If you’re in the same boat (bad pun), here’s a quick rundown of how to install and use it. I am certain that I have only scratched the surface of what HomePort can do! However, this past winter I spoke to at least a dozen other cruisers in Boot Key Harbor who were also looking for easier route planning with their Garmin chartplotters and helped them get started. I am certain that I have only scratched the surface of what HomePort can do! You can also save the route (as a.gpx) to use with backup navigation programs that you might have on a tablet or phone. Ours isn’t wifi enabled, so I use an SD card to “sneaker net” the data transfer. If your chartplotter is wifi enabled (and you have it set up on a network with the laptop), you can transfer the route to your chartplotter via wifi. It also allows you to overlay Active Captain data on the chart. It then lets you create a route using your mouse on the larger screen, zooming in and out to see the overall picture and also details of hazards. More on Blue Chart at the bottom of this article.) HomePort is a free app that works on Windows and Mac laptops and desktops, using your existing Garmin charts. (This is not the same as their Blue Chart/Active Captain app - both are good but in different situations. After a few months and combing the internet for ways to make it easier, I stumbled on Garmin HomePort - an app that Garmin does not publicize at all well. Even simple routes took hours and it was difficult to see potential hazards.

On the chartplotter, I had to use a rocker switch with either the chart view or waypoint list. But frankly, I found trying to plan and set up a route on the Garmin to be a horrible experience. On one hand, it was a major step up from our previous boat, where we had only a simple handheld GPS with no maps - we simply entered a list of waypoints gleaned from charts and cruising guides.

Garmin homeport imputting routes and trails series#

Ii Montana 600 Series Owner’s Manual Viewing the Calendar and Almanacs 30 Setting an Alarm 30 Opening the Stopwatch 31 Satellite Customizing Your Device 32 Customizing the Main Menu and the Application Drawer 32.īarefoot Gal came with a Garmin 541S chartplotter, installed by a previous owner. 3 Follow the on-screen instructions to download the manual for your product. Copying Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks from HomePort to a.