Map and grid don't match

I've been comparing the routes, coordinates and 'reality' and it seems the Homeport map is just plain crude. It doesn't come very close to the shape of Shelburne Bay (and spells it incorrectly) and lets the east shore of Lake Champlain near Burlington jut out so we appear to be sailing on land.

So now I have to figure out how to get Homeport to read the 540s built-in map, since it won't read a copy from the hard drive (I got it there via my camera, but Homeport doesn't see the camera as a legitimate SD drive either.)

Such hoops.

Thanks for reading!

I assume that you've already used the device's command to copy the built in map to your SD card.

When you copy the built in map to an SD Card, your device will also place a file called GarminDevice.xml on the card to let HomePort know what to do with the card.

HomePort doesn't really read the SD Card's built-in map, it simply indexes the map when the card is first inserted so that it can find information in the map faster. So you definitely need to leave the SD card connected using an SD Card reader.

I'm not sure why your camera isn't functioning as a card reader but I think that you'll get better results with an actual card reader.

When you first connect your card with maps to HomePort, you should see your ChartPlotter appear in the device list, with the map shown in a progress bar as the card is indexed. Then, depending on the speed of your card reader, you'll be able to use the map in a minute or two. Once the card is indexed, reconnecting the card and map should only take a few seconds.

Thank you for the help ... working now.

I assume that you've already used the device's command to copy the built in map to your SD card.

I have. My card reader is an older combo unit and won't read cards larger than 2GB. I have a new one on order so I don't have to use the camera.

HomePort doesn't really read the SD Card's built-in map, it simply indexes the map when the card is first inserted so that it can find information in the map faster. So you definitely need to leave the SD card connected using an SD Card reader.

A shame that the copy I put on the hard drive won't work. So much faster. I assume it's an intellectual property issue, as it doesn't make technical sense that it wouldn't work. It should just be draggable into one of the Garmin folders.

I'm not sure why your camera isn't functioning as a card reader

It is now. I had to lock the card so the camera wouldn't write the DCIM directory. It reads it now ... much happier that I don't have to use the sketchy Homeport map.

Once the card is indexed, reconnecting the card and map should only take a few seconds.

Good to know. I wasn't enthused about the wait the first time it ran ... and I had visions of yelling with impatience during future sessions. :)

Thanks for the help ... very much appreciated.

I assume that you've already used the device's command to copy the built in map to your SD card.

I have. My card reader is an older combo unit and won't read cards larger than 2GB. I have a new one on order so I don't have to use the camera.

HomePort doesn't really read the SD Card's built-in map, it simply indexes the map when the card is first inserted so that it can find information in the map faster. So you definitely need to leave the SD card connected using an SD Card reader.

A shame that the copy I put on the hard drive won't work. So much faster. I assume it's an intellectual property issue, as it doesn't make technical sense that it wouldn't work. It should just be draggable into one of the Garmin folders.

I'm not sure why your camera isn't functioning as a card reader

It is now. I had to lock the card so the camera wouldn't write the DCIM directory. It reads it now ... much happier that I don't have to use the sketchy Homeport map.

Once the card is indexed, reconnecting the card and map should only take a few seconds.

Good to know. I wasn't enthused about the wait the first time it ran ... and I had visions of yelling with impatience during future sessions. :)

Thanks for the help ... very much appreciated.

What sort of PC do you have that doesn't have a built in SD card slot? How old is it?

You shouldn't have to use a camera as an SD card reader.

I believe SD card readers are pretty cheap. I bought an SD to USB adapter on ebay for about a dollar. Put my SD card with the map copy on the SD card, put the card in the adapter and plugged the adapter into the USB slot on the computer. It works just like the actual SD slot on the computer.

Your maps should fit on a 2 GB Sd card with no problem.

Card reader

What sort of PC do you have that doesn't have a built in SD card slot? How old is it?

Two years. No built-in peripherals; everything is external. I built it and only included a CF card reader. Until buying this current camera and the Garmin, all my devices were based on CF cards (audio work). I did pick up a multi-reader a few years ago for my wife's machine, but it has a 2GB limit on SD cards.

I believe SD card readers are pretty cheap.

Yes. A new multi-reader arrived yesterday. It handles a dozen different card types.

Your maps should fit on a 2 GB Sd card with no problem.

I thought so. But the Garmin says it doesn't have enough space when I insert a blank 2GB card.

Too bad the maps don't un-dock from the main window. I have two 24-inch monitors (one portrait and one landscape) and it would be very cool to keep the map on one screen and all the data on the other. But it's not bad at all for $30 software.

Thanks again,
Dennis

My maps, downloaded from a 5208, take 1.69 GB on the SD card.

Either you have different maps or there is something else already on the card when you try to download the maps.