Garmin GPSMAP 230 Questions

[JoLin]

Okay, I did an impulsive thing and grabbed this off eBay last night. NOT my usual M.O., but did it anyway. It's fairly old technology (grayscale- not color)but it has a nice big screen, which is important to my old eyes.

Who can give or direct me to a tutorial on these "G-Chart" cartridges that I assume I need to buy for it. I did some looking around and I'm a little confused about which one(s) I would need for my area (Long Island). There also seems to be downloadable PC software available for it(?). Is it a six-of-one-half-dozen-of-the-other choice as to whether I buy a cartridge, or load the unit via PC interface?

Is there anyone here who actually OWNS this model?

My only GPS experience to date is with a Magellan 2000 that I bought for my wife's car. That came with everything I needed already loaded up.

Thanks for reading!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Garmin GPSMAP 230 Questions

That unit has long since been discontinued and it only uses G-Charts cartridges for map detail. The PC interface for that unit is only used for trip and way point management.

As for the G-charts, good luck. They where discontinued by Garmin back in 2004. You’ll have to find them 2nd hand or somewhere like E-bay.

It looks like you want chart GUS184SL but here is the chart list for that area so you can look for yourself

http://www8.garmin.com/cartography/offshore/region.jsp?RegionPK=10050

 

[JoLin]

Re: Garmin GPSMAP 230 Questions

Ouch!

Well, that's a lesson to me. At least it was a reasonably cheap lesson and nobody got seriously injured. Thanks for the rundown.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Garmin GPSMAP 230 Questions

I certainly wouldn't give up. Check around for the chart and see what comes up.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Garmin GPSMAP 230 Questions

Dingbat, I haven't given up entirely. I've placed "wanted" ads on both eBay and Craigslist. I'll keep my eyes open. It's a funny thing, my wife/family/friends generally accuse me of overanalyzing everything before I make a decision. This is why I "generally" do exactly that.

I wasn't even in the market for a GPS. As a new boater (actually, returning to it after 35 years) I'd decided to re-learn charts and compass and get used to using both before I sprung for a GPS. I think that knowledge is very important.

Anyway, thanks for providing the "straight poop" right away. You might've saved another newbie some money.