Garmin and Bizer

Sunrise67 · 09-05-2008, 03:41 PM

I recently used the W2 version of the Bizer GPS map this summer and was pleased. I purchased the Nuvi 205W which is primarily a car unit. I traveled the entire lake to assess the accuracy of the depth readings and buoy positions and found the GPS map to be very accurate. Like Bizer had mentioned the car units have a few glitches. I found the buoys are colored but not necessarily correctly compared to the paper chart. Secondly the recommended route line through the bouys is pink which does not provide enough contrast with the blue water. You have to rely on the route line since the color of the buoys is not necessarily correct on the screen.

Despite the glitches I found the unit very helpful while navigating the Lake. We have vacationed on the Lake for many years but have always found navigating in unfamiliar areas, tricky.

Seeker · 09-09-2008, 05:19 PM

Have been using the new Bizer data card on my Garmin 172c and find it excellent. Most everything I've seen on it so far seems accurate and feel it is well worth the $$. Of course you still need the paper chart and a good depth finder.
This is the first year I've put my boat in Winnie and I didn't get into my slip til mid August. Hope for a nice Fall.

Phantom · 11-05-2008, 10:34 AM

I am about to commit to a Nuvi one way or the other ........ question I have is has anyone loaded the Bizer chip on a Nuvii 500 or 550 model an provide some feedback ?? Refer back to posts #45 - 46

My dilemna is going with a cheaper Nuvi widescreen or going "multipurpose" (car & boat) with the 500 series

HELP !!

Pier626 · 11-29-2008, 02:12 AM

Hi Phantom,

I have been waiting for a cross over GPS unit that is waterproof AND touchscreen. I just picked up the Garmin Nuvi 550. I have copied the Bizer 3islands image file onto the Garmin device and while I can see the labeled islands, I can't see any other artifacts such as the buoys.

I'll post my progress as it occurs, but if you figure it out before me please enlighten me.

-PIer626

Pier626 · 12-01-2008, 08:39 PM

I had purchased a Garmin Nuvi 550 with the intention of adding the Bizer map. After testing my device using the 3islands test file from Bizer I'd reported that I could not see the buoys.

I called Garmin and spoke at length to one of their support reps. The 550 model is NOT listed as compatible with their Inland Lakes and Inland Lakes Vision map products. The reason I was given is that the 550 device lacks the topographic detail basemap, therefore it will not show the boating detail map objects.

The Nuvi 500 model, which comes preinstalled with the US Topo map will fully support the marine/boating details and is shown as being compatible with the Garmin Inland Lakes (and Inland Lakes Vision) maps.

I'll be returning my 550, picking up the 500 model, and looking again at the Bizer test file.

-Pier626

upthesaukee · 12-02-2008, 12:35 AM

Did you zoom in, and I mean a lot. It seems that when I tested it on my Streetpilot 550c, I had to really zoom in past where I could see the islands. Try that before you trade in.

My streetpilot does not have the capability to add the Inland lakes...Only the street maps.

Good luck

Pier626 · 12-03-2008, 01:07 AM

Good idea, but still nothing when the Nuvi 550 is set to boating mode.

Interestingly enough, in Car mode I see the navaids, but they showup as ghost-like circles with an x overlayed. Well, maybe it was a + sign and my head was skewed.

So apparently the topographic basemap also has the map legend items as they should appear, but the topo is not on the 550.

West Marine accepted my return with no hassle, and I have ordered the Nuvi 500...so now I must wait.

I'll keep you posted.

-Pier626

Pier626 · 12-06-2008, 11:36 PM

I manually loaded the Bizer 3islands image file into my new Garmin Nuvi 500 and I am able to see the spar buoys including colors. Whoo hoo!!!

Now I just need the full Bizer garmin formatted mapfile and I'll be good to go!!

-PIer626

Piston · 12-31-2008, 02:10 PM

Hey everyone,
Thanks for all the good info on here, both on this thread and all the others on this site. Does anyone know if the bizer charts would (or will) work on the new Garmin Oregon? I was thinking of getting one for my motorcycle and car, if i could use it on the boat it would make my buying decision a lot easier.

09-05-2008, 03:41 PM	#1
Sunrise67 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Garmin July-Aug 2008 I recently used the W2 version of the Bizer GPS map this summer and was pleased. I purchased the Nuvi 205W which is primarily a car unit. I traveled the entire lake to assess the accuracy of the depth readings and buoy positions and found the GPS map to be very accurate. Like Bizer had mentioned the car units have a few glitches. I found the buoys are colored but not necessarily correctly compared to the paper chart. Secondly the recommended route line through the bouys is pink which does not provide enough contrast with the blue water. You have to rely on the route line since the color of the buoys is not necessarily correct on the screen. Despite the glitches I found the unit very helpful while navigating the Lake. We have vacationed on the Lake for many years but have always found navigating in unfamiliar areas, tricky.

09-09-2008, 05:19 PM	#2
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Garmin 172C Have been using the new Bizer data card on my Garmin 172c and find it excellent. Most everything I've seen on it so far seems accurate and feel it is well worth the $$. Of course you still need the paper chart and a good depth finder. This is the first year I've put my boat in Winnie and I didn't get into my slip til mid August. Hope for a nice Fall.

11-05-2008, 10:34 AM	#3
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	I am about to commit to a Nuvi one way or the other ........ question I have is has anyone loaded the Bizer chip on a Nuvii 500 or 550 model an provide some feedback ?? Refer back to posts #45 - 46 My dilemna is going with a cheaper Nuvi widescreen or going "multipurpose" (car & boat) with the 500 series HELP !! __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

12-01-2008, 08:39 PM	#5
Pier626 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA, GIW Posts: 11 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Garmin Nuvi 550 doesn't show boating mode details I had purchased a Garmin Nuvi 550 with the intention of adding the Bizer map. After testing my device using the 3islands test file from Bizer I'd reported that I could not see the buoys. I called Garmin and spoke at length to one of their support reps. The 550 model is NOT listed as compatible with their Inland Lakes and Inland Lakes Vision map products. The reason I was given is that the 550 device lacks the topographic detail basemap, therefore it will not show the boating detail map objects. The Nuvi 500 model, which comes preinstalled with the US Topo map will fully support the marine/boating details and is shown as being compatible with the Garmin Inland Lakes (and Inland Lakes Vision) maps. I'll be returning my 550, picking up the 500 model, and looking again at the Bizer test file. -Pier626

12-02-2008, 12:35 AM	#6
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,614 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,483 Thanked 1,987 Times in 1,087 Posts	zoom in Did you zoom in, and I mean a lot. It seems that when I tested it on my Streetpilot 550c, I had to really zoom in past where I could see the islands. Try that before you trade in. My streetpilot does not have the capability to add the Inland lakes...Only the street maps. Good luck __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

11-29-2008, 02:12 AM	#4
Pier626 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA, GIW Posts: 11 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	checking 3islands test file on Nuvi 550 Hi Phantom, I have been waiting for a cross over GPS unit that is waterproof AND touchscreen. I just picked up the Garmin Nuvi 550. I have copied the Bizer 3islands image file onto the Garmin device and while I can see the labeled islands, I can't see any other artifacts such as the buoys. I'll post my progress as it occurs, but if you figure it out before me please enlighten me. -PIer626

12-03-2008, 01:07 AM	#7
Pier626 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA, GIW Posts: 11 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	No difference at close zoom in level Good idea, but still nothing when the Nuvi 550 is set to boating mode. Interestingly enough, in Car mode I see the navaids, but they showup as ghost-like circles with an x overlayed. Well, maybe it was a + sign and my head was skewed. So apparently the topographic basemap also has the map legend items as they should appear, but the topo is not on the 550. West Marine accepted my return with no hassle, and I have ordered the Nuvi 500...so now I must wait. I'll keep you posted. -Pier626

12-06-2008, 11:36 PM	#8
Pier626 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA, GIW Posts: 11 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Garmin Nuvi 500 and Bizer 3islands success!! I manually loaded the Bizer 3islands image file into my new Garmin Nuvi 500 and I am able to see the spar buoys including colors. Whoo hoo!!! Now I just need the full Bizer garmin formatted mapfile and I'll be good to go!! -PIer626

12-31-2008, 02:10 PM	#9
Piston Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Upton, MA/Alton Bay Posts: 81 Thanks: 20 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Garmin Oregon and Bizer? Hey everyone, Thanks for all the good info on here, both on this thread and all the others on this site. Does anyone know if the bizer charts would (or will) work on the new Garmin Oregon? I was thinking of getting one for my motorcycle and car, if i could use it on the boat it would make my buying decision a lot easier.

The Following User Says Thank You to Piston For This Useful Post:
JacksonB (01-20-2016)