Garmin software

You guys are actually making me feel a lot better about having to wrap the VGA end in tape and pull it through bulkheads! If I had known I was saving money and the hassle of the adapters, I would've sworn less while doing it. :)

Are you sure you don't have room to pull the VGA?

Yes, you can use the remote on a 4208, and yes, you can do anything with the remote that you can do on the unit itself. I create the most comprehensive collection of waypoints I possibly can in HomePort and then transfer them to the unit, so creating additional routes later is just a simple game of connecting the dots.
 
I would need about a 30' VGA cable if you check the prices I would actually be saving time and money using the adapters. I have room for the adapters in the helm and behind the TV so I see no downside here. I just have to decide if I want to do this and I probably will, I'm a sucker for things like this.

Well the software just arrive in near record time and now I can plan around before I head back to work tonight.

Only took a few minutes to realize this doesn't compare to the Mapsource program. I guess you get what you pay for. I.m also disappointed to learn that the g2 maps don't cover the canal system that's a big let down. I was hoping to use it to plan an upcoming trip and this turned out to be a bust.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

...Only took a few minutes to realize this doesn't compare to the Mapsource program....
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As it is not as good? I had mapsource for an older unit on my previous boat. I gave the install disks to the buyer. I only recently upgraded my computer and mapsource didn't transfer. I was hoping that HomePort was Mapsource relabeled.
 
Dave,

re: the cables, I paid more than I had to for my VGA cable because I wanted to support the local electronics shop. Even so, it was only still only $25.

I'm sorry to hear that you're disappointed in HomePort. I was a MapSource user (and a big fan) since version 4, so I had to get used to some changes I didn't understand (file mgt), but in the end, I really like HomePort. I appreciate the ability to use the maps from the unit. I thought I would use the Vision chip in the computer, but I haven't actually found it to be very useful. Instead, I like the flexibility of routing in both Florida and throughout the Great Lakes without shelling out $100 or more every time I want to use another region.
 
I haven't gotten to far into it yet but I don't see some of the features I liked on the Mapsource in regard to route detail.
I also need to find inland water maps for the NY canal system I don't want to spend another $200 on a g2 card. I just want a copy to use with Homeport.

SLW how long is your VGA cable? with you hit about 30' the price jumps to $100 or more.
 
Ah, yeah, the inland detail could be a problem... The basemap from my 5212 shows the Erie canal as a thin blue line... :(

I used a 25' VGA cable, which with just a little searching can be had for less than $20. I ran that from the Garmin to the Electronics shelf fwd of the salon. Then I ran a separate M/M VGA cable to the TV. 6' VGA cables come with many digital computer monitors, so anytime you can use the DVI cable instead, then a VGA is leftover. (if you don't have a 6' laying around, they're very cheap) I used the 6 footer for three reasons:

- the 25 footer was the wrong gender to plug into the TV
- the extra 6' of the VGA cable allowed for a better cable mgt through the closet
- the coupling of the two VGA's gives me an opportunity to connect a computer to the TV without dismounting the TV from the wall to access the VGA port

If I connected a PC to the TV on a regular basis, I could install a VGA splitter, again without dismounting the TV. However, as it turns out, Apple laptops can use a USB and video combiner to become HDMI, so I have only had a PC connected once.
 
The pricing sounds great. I can't imagine running a VGA through this route, I would have to make some pretty big holes that I could do without but I will give it some thought. I have also run media cables in the past with screw on ends that can be changed for different needs the the ends on this cable a rather small but the price was kind on high I'll have to hook up what I paid for that it may be cheaper then the adapters or at least close and it's easier to use if I recall.
I just looked it up it's called RapidRun Cables you just screw on the type of end you need and you can change it at a later date from lets say HDMI to VGA or DVI you just buy and replace the connectors. This is not cheap either it's about $75 for a 35' cable with the VGA ends but you need a much small hole to run the cable. For what I need it may make sense rather then using the adapters. This would make it easy to connect to the GPS as well I wouldn't need as big a hole in the helm either.
 
I have spent most of the morning plotting with Homeport the more I use it the more I like it. I have been using mapsource for so long anything else would require a learning curve. Finding some of the features such as inverting a route took time to locate but over all I have to admit it has more features including fuel burn which could be handy. I do wish I had a more detailed charts of the canal system and lake Champlain but I will pick up paper charts as a backup and may have to just make do.
For the price of the software it can't be beat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

That reminds me, Hogan still owes me a bottle of Gin.
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Yes, I do, I never saw you this past summer... Dave, I never used it, if you want it back, let me know.
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quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

That reminds me, Hogan still owes me a bottle of Gin.
Click to expand...


Yes, I do, I never saw you this past summer... Dave, I never used it, if you want it back, let me know.

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I'm only teasing I have no use for it with my current GPS I hope some day it comes in handy and you get to use it. If you pick up the Homeport software you may enjoy have the ability of transferring routes I find it very helpful.
I spent the morning plotting a route to Albany and it looks like a 5 1/2 hour trip if I where to do it straight. The last time I stopped mid way so I didn't recall how far it was. I believe it's 60 miles to Lake Champlain but most of it is no wake, so I have to figure out how far I want to travel in a day and plan my trip around that. The software is very handy fot planning.
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