HomePort Help

Former Member
Former Member
This HomePort s/w is driving me up the wall. The s/w can't possibly be as bad as it seems to me so I must be doing something wrong. Finding out how to communicate between my GPSMAP 540S and my PC has been painful. On my 540S I can set "markers" to define reefs, wrecks, etc. In the HomePort s/w those are "waypoints". So using the HomePort s/w on my PC I began defining "waypoints", every thing seemed to be fine at first. Then when I would enter a new waypoint or edit an existing waypoint to create another one the s/w would not accept new NORTH coordinates. The WEST coordinates it takes fine, but the NORTH coordinates it changes to a different setting. It's a nearby coordinate but not the same. I don't have a clue where the new number might be coming from. Does anyone out there have any idea what is happening?
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 15 years ago
    homeport

    i cant figure this homeport either. i was under the impression that i would be able to put my bluechart g2 vision card into the comp and add waypoints then put the card back into my garmin 540s but so far it doesn't work that way. is that possible to do? am i just doin something wrong? please help!!!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 15 years ago
    Seafox,
    Try this. Insert your Bluechart SD card into the 540s with power off. Turn on the power and choose "I Agree" when screen appears. Then choose "Information", "User Data", "Data Transfer", then "Replace From Card". I don't have the Bluechart card yet but that is how I add waypoints I've created on my PC. Hope that helps. Once you get it working I'd like to know if the Bluechart card is worth buying.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 15 years ago
    SD card won't load routes to gps 541

    I created routes on Homeport. Exported to an SD card. Put the SD card in
    my 541. Prompt to merge, replace or :copy map appears. When I choose
    merge or replace it just sits there with nothing happening.

    I chose the copy maps once but it took forever to get a few percent done.

    Help I cant get homeport data onto my GPS
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 15 years ago
    NELDML, I am not an expert on the 541. For device specific questions, your best option is the link provided in the read this before posting thread.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 14 years ago
    NELDML,
    I just purchased a 541s and I have not come off the hip for the g2 vision card $$$. At this point I just want to get my waypoints from Homeport to my 541 so I submitted a trouble ticket. Here is their response:
    ------------------------
    If you have created waypoint data in the HomePort program, please follow these instructions:
    1. You will need to format the SD card in the GPSMAP 541s. To do this, simply insert the SD card into the device while it is powered off.
    2. Power on the chartplotter and when the I Agree button appears on the screen, the card will be formatted correctly.
    3. Once the card is formatted insert it into the computer and open the HomePort software.
    4. Create all of the waypoints you need, or if they are already created, right click on the waypoint or select multiple waypoints and right click on them and choose Send To, then Choose the GPSMAP 541s (which is actually the card you just formatted) and then choose untitled.
    5. At this point, the information will be transferred to the SD card.
    6. Insert the SD card into the device while the device is already powered on.
    7. Choose Manage Card
    8. Choose Merge From card.
    The information will now be copied from the card into the internal memory of the device and can be used for navigation purposes.
    ---------------------------
    I have not tried it yet but hopefully it will work.
  • ........

    I chose the copy maps once but it took forever to get a few percent done.


    Define "forever".

    It akes a few minutes. Yes, minutes. It is a very large file and your plotter, unlike your PC, is not optimized for file transfer.
  • "This HomePort s/w is driving me up the wall. The s/w can't possibly be as bad as it seems to me "

    "i cant figure this homeport either."

    "Help I cant get homeport data onto my GPS"

    Folks, HomePort is actually pretty good software. I've been using it since it first was released. I am also a MapSource user so I have an idea of what it is supposed to do. I am also a retired IT and computer support specialist.

    There are a few features that I would like to see added and a few changes to the existing software, but I realize the software was written for the "public", not just for me. Many of the suggestions I and other users made in the past have been incorporated into the latest update.

    My suggestion to those having trouble with a feature or with the interface between HomePort and their plotters is to study the manual that came with your plotter, particularly the sections on importing and exporting data and the use of "SD" cards. You should also note the limitations of your plotter as it may limit you to a certain number of waypoints or routes. Also, use the “Help" feature included in HomePort. It will answer most of your questions.

    Once you understand what the software does and how it interfaces with your plotters, it is very easy to use and very powerful.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 11 years ago
    NELDML,
    I just purchased a 541s and I have not come off the hip for the g2 vision card $$$. At this point I just want to get my waypoints from Homeport to my 541 so I submitted a trouble ticket. Here is their response:
    ------------------------
    If you have created waypoint data in the HomePort program, please follow these instructions:
    1. You will need to format the SD card in the GPSMAP 541s. To do this, simply insert the SD card into the device while it is powered off.
    2. Power on the chartplotter and when the I Agree button appears on the screen, the card will be formatted correctly.
    3. Once the card is formatted insert it into the computer and open the HomePort software.
    4. Create all of the waypoints you need, or if they are already created, right click on the waypoint or select multiple waypoints and right click on them and choose Send To, then Choose the GPSMAP 541s (which is actually the card you just formatted) and then choose untitled.
    5. At this point, the information will be transferred to the SD card.
    6. Insert the SD card into the device while the device is already powered on.
    7. Choose Manage Card
    8. Choose Merge From card.
    The information will now be copied from the card into the internal memory of the device and can be used for navigation purposes.
    ---------------------------
    I have not tried it yet but hopefully it will work.




    I tried it and this method works great. all my waypoints showed up. i was able to save the waypoints to the g2 card as i only have a couple i wanted on my gps. im sure more may take up too much space.
    the G2 card and its like day and night, id suggest it to anyone!
    cheers!