Garmin and Bizer

Marie · 08-17-2007, 06:45 AM

DO you know if the software will work on a Garmin 496?

NHskier · 08-17-2007, 09:39 PM

Bizer provides a test file you can download from the website:

http://www.bizer.com/garmin

to see whether it will work on your unit. You need to be able to attach your unit to your computer to do the transfer.

NHskier

Bizer · 08-18-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

DO you know if the software will work on a Garmin 496?

I've had one user that uses the 496. Some of the high-end units have a map selection page. On the 496, it was necessary to temporarily disable the base map so that the Bizer map appeared. See "map selection" in the index of the user's manual.

As previously stated, if it doesn't work or if it just isn't your cup of tea, Bizer will refund your $$$ (So far, nobody has asked for their $$$ back).

Airwaves · 08-18-2007, 11:34 PM

Is it possible for someone to show me what you are talking about? (maybe a photo?)
I don't have a GPS on the Winni boat, but I would consider one.
Cowislander wrote:

Quote:

The Bizer site does say they plan to continue to improve the map....adding depth contours, etc...

What does that mean? When I look at the GPS I am not seeing islands and land masses?
Please explain if you (everyone) would. Thanx

GWC... · 08-19-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airwaves

Is it possible for someone to show me what you are talking about? (maybe a photo?)
I don't have a GPS on the Winni boat, but I would consider one.
Cowislander wrote:

What does that mean? When I look at the GPS I am not seeing islands and land masses?
Please explain if you (everyone) would. Thanx

Bizer’s Garmin version:

Bizer's normal version:

NHskier · 08-19-2007, 10:09 PM

Airwaves,

You can compare a paper Bizer chart with the photos shown on the website page I referenced in an earlier post. You won't see the blue shoals areas or the water depth contours. You will see the islands, rocks, and markers.

The C-Map version of the Bizer chart, which can be used on some Standard Horizon units (and others?) is equivalent to the paper chart.

NHskier

Airwaves · 08-21-2007, 01:32 PM

So at this point in development the C-Map version in a Standard Horizon unit is more detailed than the Garmin unit's version?

I guess that is what my question boils down to, which unit GPS would produce the best result on Lake Winnipesaukee.

As far as paper charts go I was a fan of the single page chart of the lake I find the half on the front and half on the back that Bizer and Duncan now produce a pain so that's why I'm considering adding a GPS.

NHskier · 08-21-2007, 08:52 PM

The C-Map version has been available for some time and is complete. The Garmin version is new and still in development. So yes, at this point the C-Map version is the best.

While many shops around the lake probably carry the Standard Horizon unit and C-Map chip, I know that Thurston's has the unit on display on the counter in their showroom.

Hopefully Bizer has seen enough interest in the Garmin version to continue development and add in the remainder of features in the not-too-distant future.

NHskier

Marie · 08-22-2007, 06:08 PM

The test download worked on the 496, so I sent my $ for the full file. I will let you know my success with the whole thing when I get it.

Gatto Nero · 08-23-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marie

The test download worked on the 496, so I sent my $ for the full file. I will let you know my success with the whole thing when I get it.

It also worked on my nuvi 350 in that I could see the markers etc but the colors of the markers did not show up. Since it's not made for marine use I couldn't find anywhere to download that particular type of upgrade. Has anybody else had that type of issue with non-marine specific units?

Marie · 08-24-2007, 07:07 AM

Got the software emailed from Bizer and it downloaded perfectly to the 496. Understand it is a prototyple at this point, but it is much better than the "old" C-Chip I had in a 2001 boat. It identifies buoy's and suggested travel routes but lacks the glitz of more developed software. I dont see any reason Bizer won't get there for 2008.

NH_boater · 08-24-2007, 12:59 PM

Good to hear it works on the Nuvi and the E-trex since I have both. This would be more valuable for me if it had recommended routes around certain markers since a few areas are a bit tricky as you direction changes from N/S to E/W.

Gatto Nero · 03-17-2008, 01:53 PM

According to the Bizer web site http://www.bizer.com/garmin/ they have made some improvements. Curious to see if anyone has tried them out (on a sled) since the latest revision.

Overlake97 · 06-02-2008, 12:56 PM

I've been trying to load the bizer test file (3islands) onto my Nuvi 200w, but no matter how I try it it does not seem to work. Everything appears to be going smoothly onscreen, but then when I disconnect, go to settings > map, then click "map info" on the bottom of the screen, only my onboard road map is listed as a selectable option. Any suggestions?

Sunset Bob · 06-02-2008, 05:37 PM

Overlake97 try this. If you have a NuVi or StreetPilot, please read garmnuvi.doc. http://www.bizer.com/garmin/garmnuvi.doc
Let me know how it works I just got one of these for a 35 year anniversary gift from work.

Overlake97 · 06-03-2008, 10:23 AM

I had already read the garmnuvi.doc, and followed the procedure, but that seems to describe what to do with the official purchased file, not the "test" 3islands file. I did everything the garmnuvi.doc suggested, except for changing the name (which seemed to relate to the full operational file). There is also a 'read me' file which downloads along with the zipped 3islands test file. That describes a slightly different procedure, which also did not work.

The person answering the phone at BIZER said he'd never heard of it not working on any particular Garmin unit, so I'm still hopeful. Maybe I'll call him again.

Bizer · 06-03-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overlake97

I did everything the garmnuvi.doc suggested, except for changing the name ...

The file must be renamed. The only way Bizer has been able to use a NuVi is if the map file is named GMAPSUPP.IMG.

Overlake97 · 06-03-2008, 12:04 PM

Thanks BIZER! I changed the name from 3islands to GMAPSUPP.IMG as instructed on the garmnuvi.doc page (and as you noted above), then dragged that file into the Garmin (K) folder showing on "my computer" (Dell laptop). Then I opened the Garmin (K) folder/directory and further dragged the GMAPSUPP.IMG into the Garmin folder inside.

That last step was essential, as just dragging the file into the main Gamin (K) folder/directory (where it showed up besides "Garmin" and "JPEG" folders on my system) did not do the trick. Meaning, opening settings > maps > map info [at screen bottom] on the nuvi did not show that the map had been downloaded. After doing the second drag, the test map appeared there just as described in the garmnuvi.doc page. I seleced it, de-selected the other (main) map, went back to the screen, and there it was! Long, Cow and Bear islands - with buoys showing.

So, the test worked and my check for winni-g2 is in the mail!

upthesaukee · 06-05-2008, 10:52 PM

Test worked fine, once I figured out how to zoom in. No difference with the Streetpilot as far as color goes...buoys were the same color...no matter, it's not my primary navigation tool anyway as I will always have my Bizer chart handy as well. Oh yeah, my check is in the mail as well.

thanks bizer.

08-24-2007, 12:59 PM	#12
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	Nuvi Good to hear it works on the Nuvi and the E-trex since I have both. This would be more valuable for me if it had recommended routes around certain markers since a few areas are a bit tricky as you direction changes from N/S to E/W.

03-17-2008, 01:53 PM	#13
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 697 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	According to the Bizer web site http://www.bizer.com/garmin/ they have made some improvements. Curious to see if anyone has tried them out (on a sled) since the latest revision. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

06-02-2008, 12:56 PM	#14
Overlake97 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 246 Thanks: 146 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts	Bizer with Nuvi 200w? I've been trying to load the bizer test file (3islands) onto my Nuvi 200w, but no matter how I try it it does not seem to work. Everything appears to be going smoothly onscreen, but then when I disconnect, go to settings > map, then click "map info" on the bottom of the screen, only my onboard road map is listed as a selectable option. Any suggestions?

06-02-2008, 05:37 PM	#15
Sunset Bob Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 115 Thanked 25 Times in 13 Posts	Try This Overlake97 try this. If you have a NuVi or StreetPilot, please read garmnuvi.doc. http://www.bizer.com/garmin/garmnuvi.doc Let me know how it works I just got one of these for a 35 year anniversary gift from work.

06-03-2008, 10:23 AM	#16
Overlake97 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 246 Thanks: 146 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts	Followed garmnuvi.doc; still no luck. I had already read the garmnuvi.doc, and followed the procedure, but that seems to describe what to do with the official purchased file, not the "test" 3islands file. I did everything the garmnuvi.doc suggested, except for changing the name (which seemed to relate to the full operational file). There is also a 'read me' file which downloads along with the zipped 3islands test file. That describes a slightly different procedure, which also did not work. The person answering the phone at BIZER said he'd never heard of it not working on any particular Garmin unit, so I'm still hopeful. Maybe I'll call him again.

08-17-2007, 06:45 AM	#1
Marie Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DO you know if the software will work on a Garmin 496?

08-17-2007, 09:39 PM	#2
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 292 Thanks: 44 Thanked 36 Times in 33 Posts	Bizer provides a test file you can download from the website: http://www.bizer.com/garmin to see whether it will work on your unit. You need to be able to attach your unit to your computer to do the transfer. NHskier

08-19-2007, 10:09 PM	#6
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 292 Thanks: 44 Thanked 36 Times in 33 Posts	Airwaves, You can compare a paper Bizer chart with the photos shown on the website page I referenced in an earlier post. You won't see the blue shoals areas or the water depth contours. You will see the islands, rocks, and markers. The C-Map version of the Bizer chart, which can be used on some Standard Horizon units (and others?) is equivalent to the paper chart. NHskier

08-21-2007, 01:32 PM	#7
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	So at this point in development the C-Map version in a Standard Horizon unit is more detailed than the Garmin unit's version? I guess that is what my question boils down to, which unit GPS would produce the best result on Lake Winnipesaukee. As far as paper charts go I was a fan of the single page chart of the lake I find the half on the front and half on the back that Bizer and Duncan now produce a pain so that's why I'm considering adding a GPS.

08-21-2007, 08:52 PM	#8
NHskier Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 292 Thanks: 44 Thanked 36 Times in 33 Posts	The C-Map version has been available for some time and is complete. The Garmin version is new and still in development. So yes, at this point the C-Map version is the best. While many shops around the lake probably carry the Standard Horizon unit and C-Map chip, I know that Thurston's has the unit on display on the counter in their showroom. Hopefully Bizer has seen enough interest in the Garmin version to continue development and add in the remainder of features in the not-too-distant future. NHskier

08-22-2007, 06:08 PM	#9
Marie Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The test download worked on the 496, so I sent my $ for the full file. I will let you know my success with the whole thing when I get it.

08-24-2007, 07:07 AM	#11
Marie Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Got the software emailed from Bizer and it downloaded perfectly to the 496. Understand it is a prototyple at this point, but it is much better than the "old" C-Chip I had in a 2001 boat. It identifies buoy's and suggested travel routes but lacks the glitz of more developed software. I dont see any reason Bizer won't get there for 2008.

06-03-2008, 12:04 PM	#18
Overlake97 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 246 Thanks: 146 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts	BIZER (finally) worked on NUVI 200W Thanks BIZER! I changed the name from 3islands to GMAPSUPP.IMG as instructed on the garmnuvi.doc page (and as you noted above), then dragged that file into the Garmin (K) folder showing on "my computer" (Dell laptop). Then I opened the Garmin (K) folder/directory and further dragged the GMAPSUPP.IMG into the Garmin folder inside. That last step was essential, as just dragging the file into the main Gamin (K) folder/directory (where it showed up besides "Garmin" and "JPEG" folders on my system) did not do the trick. Meaning, opening settings > maps > map info [at screen bottom] on the nuvi did not show that the map had been downloaded. After doing the second drag, the test map appeared there just as described in the garmnuvi.doc page. I seleced it, de-selected the other (main) map, went back to the screen, and there it was! Long, Cow and Bear islands - with buoys showing. So, the test worked and my check for winni-g2 is in the mail!

06-05-2008, 10:52 PM	#19
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,602 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,468 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	Streetpilot C550 Test worked fine, once I figured out how to zoom in. No difference with the Streetpilot as far as color goes...buoys were the same color...no matter, it's not my primary navigation tool anyway as I will always have my Bizer chart handy as well. Oh yeah, my check is in the mail as well. thanks bizer. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!