HomePort, Oregon 400c, and internal BlueChart

Former Member over 15 years ago

Hi,

I'm looking for a way to view a chart, and create waypoints and routes, from the convenience of my laptop prior to a trip. Seems like HomePort can do all this and more. But will HomePort be able to use the BlueChart map pre-loaded in my Oregon 400c? I have only the map that came with the unit ... no CD's or other purchased maps.

If it IS possible to use the Oregon's internal map with HomePort, is it just a matter of transferring the pre-loaded .img file to the laptop or other storage media?

Just want to make sure I'll be able to do what I intend prior to purchasing HomePort. Thanks in advance for the help!

Pete

0 Former Member over 15 years ago

Thanks NeoLite, in that case I will start experimenting :)

0 GORDONFSNYDER over 15 years ago

Any luck? I purchased Homeport to use with my 400c based on this thread conversation. I can't seem to get the chart off the 400c into my pc. I was able to pull the waypoints over but can only see the global Map on the pc.
How do I get the detailed chart that I see on the 400c to the pc?

0 MACHRIA over 15 years ago

Any luck? I purchased Homeport to use with my 400c based on this thread conversation. I can't seem to get the chart off the 400c into my pc. I was able to pull the waypoints over but can only see the global Map on the pc.
How do I get the detailed chart that I see on the 400c to the pc?

If I recall correclty (been a while since I connected my 400c to Homeport), you can only view the 400c's charts in Homeport when it is connected. In other words I don't think you can download them to a chip like you can with the full screen chartplotters. But double check that as I'm going off memory.

0 Former Member over 15 years ago

I could not get the maps to load into Homeport either from the 400c.

The reason I bought the 400c & Homeport Software was to be able to lay out courses and plots to areas I was going to travel to.

And, of course, I still have that incessant searching of my "A" drive that will not stop the entire time I'm using HomePort.

0 Former Member over 15 years ago

Hi, as far as I know you can put any Bluechart G2 or Bluechart G2 Vision on a SD Card or on an USB stick (gmapsupp.img in folder garmin) and use it with HomePort. So if the chart on Oregon 400c is a BlueChart G2 (Vision) it should be possible to us it with HomePort!
I don't know how HomePort decides which gmapsupp.img is a BlueChart G2 (Vision), but maybe the decision is linked to the mapset name (for instance VUS021R etc.). It is not possible to change the mapset name.
(If you have a very very tiny BlueChart G2 you maybe can put it on a "diskette" on A: drive and use it with HomePort :rolleyes: ).
Best greetings
kurumbawien

0 BenLuddington over 14 years ago

Same issue

I have an Oregon 450 and Homeport can't see the chart

0 Former Member over 14 years ago

I wonder if we have to somehow copy the image file on the internal memory of the unit onto a memcard in order for Homeport to see it or load it from the unit.

It seems counter-productive... but if that's what we gotta do, then that's what we gotta do.

Kinda dumb to have a fair amount of internal memory on the unit and have to spend even MORE money for a memcard just to use it with HomePort.

0 rwidman over 14 years ago

I wonder if we have to somehow copy the image file on the internal memory of the unit onto a memcard in order for Homeport to see it or load it from the unit.

It seems counter-productive... but if that's what we gotta do, then that's what we gotta do.

Kinda dumb to have a fair amount of internal memory on the unit and have to spend even MORE money for a memcard just to use it with HomePort.

A 2GB SD card is less than $10 at Walmart. It's impossible for a product designer to make something that suits everyone's personal prefferences. Me, I would much rather leave my flush mounted plotters on the boat and just carry an SD card back and forth.

0 rwidman over 14 years ago

The .img file is the map. HomePort does not edit maps from your device.

While at first thought, it would seem like a great idea to be able to edit the actual maps (or charts), think about this - If you accidentally (or on purpose) changed a depth reading or moved and obstruction such as a bridge, the result could be disastrous.

The maps are non-editable for good reason.

0 MACHRIA over 14 years ago

What about when the charts are wrong?? As with Moriches Bay on Long Island, they have not even been close for over 5 years. It would be REALLY nice to edit the bouys 26 thru 28 in Moriches bay and put them where they belong.

You can't live life based on what "possible mistakes" one can make. We would all be locked up in rubber rooms.