I wondered if anyone has any practical experience of the 'Homeport' software from Garmin.Garmin support say that it is the only way to transfer data (including charts) from their chartplotter to a PC - in this case a 551. At extra cost of course.If it really does give the ability to use the charts at home for passage planning and then transfer all the needed data to the plotter then the cost is probably worth it.But other supposedly seamless software has disappointed - so a bit of actual user experience would be helpful.Thanks. I wondered if anyone has any practical experience of the 'Homeport' software from Garmin.Garmin support say that it is the only way to transfer data (including charts) from their chartplotter to a PC - in this case a 551. At extra cost of course.If it really does give the ability to use the charts at home for passage planning and then transfer all the needed data to the plotter then the cost is probably worth it.But other supposedly seamless software has disappointed - so a bit of actual user experience would be helpful.Thanks.I have used Garmin Homeport. Yes, it is nice to be able to see the same charts as you see on your plotter, but I have stopped using it.The charts aren't actually transferred as far as I recall - its just that you use a card reader to display them, so you have to remember to take the card back to the boat.It is possible to transfer waypoints, but to me that is of little value.

• Manual For Garmin Homeport Screenshots Download

They say no plan for battle ever lasts beyond the first few seconds of engagement with the enemy, and I feel the same way with passage plans. No point in putting in lots of waypoints as I prefer to adapt my plan to wind and tide and with our Garmin plotters we just point and click anyway, so who cares about lots of waypoints. I just do one where I want to go and them do another when I reach the first etc.From a planning standpoint it is a lot easier on an ipad which is what I now use.My other concern is that despite being a big Garmin fan, I do not think this software is important to them and I can see them ditching it. It hasn't developed much and I do not think it will.

Download Garmin GPSMAP 840xs Manual in pdf format. Table of contents; introduction, inserting memory cards, software update, GPS satellite signals, customizing the chartplotter, setting the vessel type, adjusting the backlight, adjusting the color mode, setting up the wifi, connecting a wireless to the chartplotter, changing the wireless channel, using the garmin helm app with the chartplotter. HomePort trip-planning software for Garmin marine devices lets you transfer BlueChart data between your chartplotter and your computer, making it easy to view charts in detail on your computer and mark waypoints and other points of interest. Route planning got a whole lot easier when I discovered Garmin HomePort and figured out how to use it effectively. Route Planning with Garmin Home Port. (Pan) that’s just above the red arrow in the screenshot above. Then use a combination of your mouse wheel to zoom in and out and click and drag to reposition the map so that both the.

It could easily be a complete navigation tool but that would compete with their plotters so is unlikely. As far as I'm aware, Homeport is the development of nRoute, which in it's original incarnation, allowed you to download your charts onto a PC, and then attach a GPS dongle to allow real-time plotting. However, ever since Bluecharts were hacked, Garmin has successively removed functionality from such software, and now it's relatively useless.I can't help but wonder whether Garmin is going down a dead end - they've seemed to have funneled down the proprietry hardware/software route and with other systems being more open, they could progressively lose market share.

Think of Mac - had they opened up the operating system in the early days, we'd all be using Mac now, not just the cognoscenti, like my self. As far as I'm aware, Homeport is the development of nRoute, which in it's original incarnation, allowed you to download your charts onto a PC, and then attach a GPS dongle to allow real-time plotting. However, ever since Bluecharts were hacked, Garmin has successively removed functionality from such software, and now it's relatively useless.I can't help but wonder whether Garmin is going down a dead end - they've seemed to have funneled down the proprietry hardware/software route and with other systems being more open, they could progressively lose market share.

Think of Mac - had they opened up the operating system in the early days, we'd all be using Mac now, not just the cognoscenti, like my self. Same goes for MapSource, which used to have far more capability than it now does. As far as I'm aware, Homeport is the development of nRoute, which in it's original incarnation, allowed you to download your charts onto a PC, and then attach a GPS dongle to allow real-time plotting. However, ever since Bluecharts were hacked, Garmin has successively removed functionality from such software, and now it's relatively useless.I can't help but wonder whether Garmin is going down a dead end - they've seemed to have funneled down the proprietry hardware/software route and with other systems being more open, they could progressively lose market share. Think of Mac - had they opened up the operating system in the early days, we'd all be using Mac now, not just the cognoscenti, like my self. I disagree with the analogy.Garmins strategy is to be the platform of choice for navigation, irrespective of the environment. As far as i can see, they are the only manufacturer that has leading products on the water, in the air, walking and driving.

The problem they have is that there is no dominant player in the cartography space, so until one emerges they have chosen to do their own.Mac can chose to do what they did because there were leading players emerging. The nav market is nowhere near as mature.I actually like proprietary, as long as it works. Give me a benevolent dictatorship any time over the democratic mess that the Microsoft environment has become, or the free-for-all (but no money) Linux space.P.S.

And this is from a Mac convertee. Thanks for all the comments.I'm going to try it and see. It's 'only' £25.I take the point about plans not surviving - understand that very well - lol.Howeveer the biggest issue is managing the data on the plotter. Four of us own our boat and so the plotter data isn't as well organised as it perhaps could be.

Faffing about putting naming data in by the scrolling button is a real pain but always just taking the allocated WP no. When 4 people are doing it independently makes for potential mistakes.The annoying thing is that I already have chart data on the PC (Imray and not too bad at all) but there's no easy way to get data from it into the plotter. Your proprietary vs. Open comments are well made.

ETrex Owner’s Manual 41Device InformationSpecificationsWaterresistanceRugged plastic,waterproof to IEC 60529IPX7Battery type 2 AA batteries,(alkaline, NiMH, lithium,or precharged NiMH)Battery Life Up to 25 hoursOperatingtemperaturerange From -4°F to 158°F(-20°C to 70°C)About the Batteries‹ WARNINGThe temperature rating for the device(page 41) may exceed the usable rangeof some batteries. Alkaline batteriescan rupture at high temperatures.Do not use a sharp object to removebatteries.‹ CAUTIONContact your local waste disposaldepartment to properly recycle thebatteries.noticeAlkaline batteries lose a significantamount of their capacity as temperaturedecreases. Therefore, use lithiumbatteries when operating the device inbelow-freezing conditions.Maximizing Battery LifeYou can do various things to increasethe battery life.Leave the backlight off when notneeded. Lower the backlight brightness(page 40). Decrease the backlight timeout(page 40).

42 eTrex Owner’s ManualDevice InformationLong-Term StorageWhen you do not plan to use thedevice for several months, remove thebatteries. Stored data is not lost whenbatteries are removed.Caring for the DevicenoticeAvoid chemical cleaners and solventswhich can damage plastic components.Cleaning the Device1.

Dampen a clean cloth with a milddetergent solution.2. Wipe the device with the dampcloth.3.

Thoroughly dry the device.Cleaning the Screen1. Dampen a soft, clean, lint-free clothwith water, isopropyl alcohol, oreyeglass lens cleaner.2. Wipe the screen with the cloth.3.

Thoroughly dry the screen.Water ImmersionnoticeThe device is waterproof to IECStandard 60529 IPX7. It can withstandimmersion in 1 meter of water for30 minutes. However, prolongedsubmersion can cause damage to thedevice. After submersion, be certain towipe dry and air dry the device beforeusing or charging.Extreme TemperaturesnoticeDo not store the device whereprolonged exposure to extremetemperatures can occur because it cancause permanent damage.

ETrex Owner’s Manual 43Device InformationData ManagementNOTE: The device is not compatiblewith Windows® 95, 98, Me, or NT. It isalso not compatible with Mac® OS 10.3and earlier.File TypesThe device supports these file types. Files from BaseCamp™ orHomePort™Go to. GPI custom POI files from theGarmin POI Loader.

GPX geocache filesInstalling a microSD CardThe eTrex 20 and eTrex 30 can usemicroSD cards for additional storage.Also, some maps are availablepreloaded on memory cards. Goto for moreinformation.1. Turn the D-ring counter-clockwise,and pull up to remove the cover.2. Remove the batteries or battery.3. Slide the card holder➊ towardthe bottom of the device and liftup, as instructed in the batterycompartment.➊➋. 44 eTrex Owner’s ManualDevice Information4. Place the microSD card ➋ in thedevice with the gold contacts facingdown.5.

Close the card holder.6. Slide the card holder toward the topof the device to lock it.7.

Replace the batteries ( page 7).8. Replace the battery cover, and turnthe D-ring clockwise.Connecting the Device to aComputernoticeTo prevent corrosion, thoroughlydry the mini-USB port, the weathercap, and the surrounding area beforecharging or connecting to a computer.1. Connect the USB cable to a USBport on your computer.2.

Pull up the weather cap➊ from themini-USB port➋.➊➋3. Plug the small end of the USBcable into the mini-USB port.Your device and memory card(optional) appear as removabledrives in My Computer on Windowscomputers and as mounted volumes onMac computers.Transferring Files to YourComputerBefore you can transfer files, you mustconnect the device to your computer(page 44).1. Browse your computer for the file.2. Select the file.3. Select Edit Copy. ETrex Owner’s Manual 45Device Information4. Open the “Garmin” or memory carddrive/volume.5.

Manual For Garmin Homeport Screenshots Download

Select Edit Paste.TIP: You must put geocache files inthe GarminGPX folder.Deleting FilesnoticeIf you do not know the purpose ofa file, do not delete it. Your devicememory contains important systemfiles that should not be deleted. Beespecially cautious of folders entitled“Garmin.”Before you can delete files, you mustconnect the device to your computer(page 44).1. Open the “Garmin” drive orvolume.2.

If necessary, open a folder orvolume. 3.Select the files.4.

Press the Delete key on yourkeyboard.Disconnecting the USB Cable1. Complete an action:. For Windows computers, clickthe eject iconin your systemtray.

For Mac computers, drag thevolume icon to the Trash.2. Disconnect the device from yourcomputer. 46 eTrex Owner’s ManualAppendixAppendixOptional AccessoriesOptional accessories, such as mounts,maps, fitness accessories, andreplacement parts, are available ator from yourGarmin dealer.Optional MapsYou can purchase additional maps,such as BirdsEye satellite imagery,Garmin custom maps, Inland Lakes,TOPO, BlueChart g2, and CityNavigator maps.Optional Fitness AccessoriesFitness accessories are available forthe eTrex 30. Before you can use thefitness accessory with your device, youmust install the accessory accordingto the instructions included with theaccessory. You can use optional fitness accessoriesincluding a heart rate monitor or acadence sensor with your device.These accessories use ANT+™ wirelesstechnology to send data to the device.Using Optional FitnessAccessories1. Bring the device within range (10ft.

Or 3 m) of the ANT+ accessory.2. Select Setup Fitness.3. Select Heart Rate Monitor orBike Cadence Sensor.4. Select Search for New.5. Customize your data fields to viewthe heart rate or cadence data(page 28). ETrex Owner’s Manual 47AppendixTips for Pairing ANT+ Accessorieswith Your Garmin Device. Verify that the ANT+ accessoryis compatible with your Garmindevice.

Before you pair the ANT+accessory with your Garmin device,move (33 ft. Or 10 m) away fromother ANT+ accessories. Bring the Garmin device withinrange (10 ft. Or 3 m) of the ANT+accessory. After you pair the first time, yourGarmin device automaticallyrecognizes the ANT+ accessoryeach time it is activated.

Thisprocess occurs automatically whenyou turn on the Garmin device andonly takes a few seconds whenthe accessories are activated andfunctioning correctly. When paired, your Garmin devicereceives data from only your accessory, and you can go nearother accessories.Data Field OptionsNot all data fields are available for allmodels.Data FieldDescriptionAccuracy ofGPS The margin oferror for your exactlocation. For example,your GPS locationis accurate to within+/- 12 ft.AmbientPressure The uncalibratedenvironmentalpressure.Ascent -Average The average verticaldistance of ascent.Ascent -Maximum The maximum ascentrate in feet or metersper minute.Ascent - Total The total elevationdistance ascended. ETrex Owner’s Manual 49AppendixData FieldDescriptionGlide Ratio toDest. 50 eTrex Owner’s ManualAppendixData FieldDescriptionSpeed -Overall Avg.