 Over the last couple of years, Garmin has introduced new marine mapping programs including supplemental maps, Fishing Guides, Garmin Lakes Vision, and Garmin Lakes. These map lines add interior charts to BlueChart G2's coastal coverage. The BlueChart G2 series is actually replacement for the original BlueChart software that was available on CD and DVD. The first of the new Fishing Guides, the Upper Midwest region, is available on both DVD and preloaded microSD with SD adapter. The bathymetric data shows the underwater depth for over 9500 lakes. The guides also contain rivers, inlets, channels, and access points. Additionally, 500 of the lakes come with extra depth contour details, detailed shorelines, and bottom structure. Inland coverage has come a long way, especially with the availability of Garmin Lakes mapping in Vision format. On compatible models, Lakes Vision offers Safety Shading. Safety Shading is a user-defined option that allows the user to input a minimum depth. This information is then displayed on the screen as a shaded area. As for the original Garmin Inland Lakes Vision, it will be discontinued immediately, along with the standard Inland Lakes software. The improved Garmin Lakes mapping is comparable to the BlueChart G2 maps, with sharp colorful graphics and smoother lake representation. Covering over 17,000 lakes throughout the continental US, these maps are indispensable for the recreational mariner. While Garmin has not discussed any upgrades to Canada's Inland Lakes mapping, there is a good chance of an announcement in the near future. Along with the new mapping, Garmin has discontinued some older software. The latest maps to be discontinued are the LakeMaster series, a line of maps designed to navigate lakes across the US and parts of Canada. To replace LakeMaster maps, Garmin introduced the Inland Lakes cards, which cover the majority of the US as well as five provinces and one territory in Canada. |
