Garmin 541s bluechart G2 vision cards

[Fin Fever]

I`m new to more modern electronics and am curious to the advantage of the bluechart G2 vision cards vs the pre loaded map/chart that comes with this unit or for that matter, any other brand that takes additional cards.
Do they provide more detail, accuracy or what?

[drewzim]

They don't add much in way of detail to the base chart. Just add more features and gingerbread like satellite overlay over base chart, aerial photos of ports and landmarks, some different viewpoints that they call Mariner View and Fisheye View, guidance so you can use it like a GPS in your car to give you a safe route (not just straight line navigation), a fishing chart that is more like a topographical map, and tide and current tables and more info.

Is it a necessity, no. Does it add some cool and useful features, definitely.

I just switched out a Garmin 4208 to go to a Lowrance HDS8 (with Navionics Platinum) a month ago. Love the HDS as a FF but sorry, Lowrance chartplotter doesn't hold a candle to Garmin. Garmin is way easier to use with more features and better charts. Already miss it.

If you want to try a Bluechart G2 Vision chip I still have one that covers the coast from Long Island down to VB. Sold my Chesapeake chart already.

[Fin Fever]

Thanks, I think I am going to run the base chart for a while and see what this unit will do for me before I lay down $$$ for a chip.