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Could someone tell me the difference between a Garmin microSD card and a Garmin datacard? (as in here:https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=2091&pvID=3378). Was wanting the Southeast Inland Lakes card for a Garmin Vista HCx handheld GPS, but don't really know what the difference is in the two options.
Also, does anybody have this map card, and if so, does it show creeks and rivers (within a lake) with good quality and accuracy?
I think the data card is one that you can stick into a larger GPS unit for Marine or Automotive use. They are different than the micro sd cards. I have been looking at the 128 mb data cards on ebay. They vary in price. Most are blank and must be programed. You can program the data cards yourself with a data programmer that connects to your PC via USB. I've been looking at those as well. The Garmin I have is a GPS map192c.
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=168&pID=319
I cannot run the card programmer through Vista because it's not compatible. So, should I go ahead and purchase the card and the programmer, I'll have to use it on my older XP PC. The last question that I haven't figured out yet, is what and how am I going to input info I want into the XP PC in order to D/L it into the Data card via the data programmer. Confused yet?
I think we need a section of the forum that we might be able to share electronic info without infringing on copyrites. Perhaps a link to a D/L site we could all share. Dunno, just a thought.
I believe in answer to your question is you would have to be able to D/L the inland lakes map into the micro sd card in order for you to have what you want in your hand held. I personally don't plan on fishing a bazillion lakes, so I am going to concentrate on just finding the info for the lakes I fish, and load that into the card for my needs. Hope I have helped.
I've got the Garmin S.E. inland lakes SD card for my Garmin 498. Truthfully I'm quite disappointed in it. My first chance to use it was at Lake Talquin in FL, didn't even have the depths or contours on it, just the shore and feeder creek outlines. I'm hoping to go to West Point in GA this March, and it does seem to have the depths and contours for it. If you want the chip for specific lakes, I'd make sure they are covered in detail on the chip before you buy it. Personally I think you would be better off looking into another GPS system that accepts HotMaps or one of the other popular mapping software. I bought my 498 because it has all the US coastal maps, depths, bouys etc built into it and it's very good from that aspect. Garmins are great units, but I don't think they put alot of effort into their US inland maps.
hey Crappie Reaper, good Idea. I use the humminbird program to download off the gps Ie brush piles and way points. it is pretty easy. I have been looking on the net for one of the card writers but I dont know what I am doing so not much luck at this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crappie Reaper
Thanks fellas for y'alls input. Got the Vista handheld today, and it takes the Micro SD card. I see where BPS has them for $99. What I'm really wanting to know is about the quality of the details (shows river and creek channels, and allows you to zoom in to some detail like bends), as well as the accuracy of the map on these channels?
If you got a Map Source cd and a blank data card, you can load maps via the serial port onto the data card.
Glad you made it back, CP. Like I said earlier, I'm ignert on this map software stuff, but if I bought the Southeastern Inland Waters micro SD chip, wouldn't I be getting the same map (of let's say Grenada) as I would if I buy the Map Source CD and loaded it on a blank micro SD chip on the GPS? Or heck, maybe that's not what you're saying........Again, IGNERT ON MAP SOFTWARE STUFF:o:o:oQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
Same results. Does your unit accept the micro sd? Some units do, some don't?Quote:
Originally Posted by luvjign
You can check it on Garmin web page somewhere. I can't remember.
Yep, it takes the micro sd. That, and the electronic compass was the two features that sold me on this unit........besides a $120 discount.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I am an idiot. I misread your post.........Vista threw me.
I know the 1999 maps I have and the 2006 maps Paul and Vonna have = no difference.
I thought you were talking about a card programmer to program the sd cards that Garmin is now pushing....
That was me Tom that tossed in the card programmer thing. It's a possible alternative to purchasing an expensive card or disc with maps one will never use. Question is, how would one find what they are looking for?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I got lucky with my 520c Lowrance. It came preloaded with a contour map of my home lake of Oologah. It's the same map I D/L'd from Lowrance website for free and intput into the sd card on my Ifinder. It's a fairly accurate map as well. The only difference I have found is the areas that have filled up with silt deposits over the years.