This latest offering from GARMIN will provide users with twice the coverage area for half the price. The detailed vector data will resemble paper NOAA charts and will be stored on pre-programmed micro data cartridges that can be inserted into the unit.
"GARMIN BlueCharts are going to be important new tools for mariners," said Gary Kelley, director of marketing, Garmin International. "Each data card will contain detailed depth contours, inter-tidal zones, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids, port plans, restricted areas, cable areas, anchorages and much more."
GARMIN BlueCharts will be compatible with the following GPS/chartplotters: GPSMAP 176, GPSMAP 182, GPSMAP 188 Sounder, GPSMAP 232, GPSMAP 238 Sounder, GPSMAP 2006 and GPSMAP 2010. The cartography is expected to be available in May at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $149 for a regular cartridge and $299 for a large cartridge. In June, GARMIN will begin offering BlueChart cartography on a CD-ROM. The CD will be compatible with the GPSMAP 76, eTrex Legend, eTrex Vista, and other GARMIN products.