Garmin Echomap MicroSD card

TNDiver · April 13, 2020, 05:52:46 PM

So I pretty much have my Garmin set up other than connecting it to the RAM swivel base (They didn't give me ANY screws so ANOTHER trip to Lowes). I turned it on and started playing around with it (without the transducer hooked up so I don't burn it up) and it then said it takes up to a 32 GB Micro SD. I need to get one, but my question is will I need more than one? How quickly do you use up memory? I know you have no idea how much I may use it, but based on your usage (and remember I don't tourney fish), how quickly did you fill one card? Secondly, might I need one for different lakes? I am mostly on Old Hickory, but I may run over to Piercy Priest, which is only 15 minutes away, or over to Center Hill Lake (about an hour away).

Any advice would be appreciated!

Princeton_Man · April 13, 2020, 06:15:06 PM

I keep several but, I also have the LakeVu Ultra G3 maps. I make several cards every time I update the maps because that's the same card screenshots are saved to. If I pull one out to take inside I put another one in. It also gives me a backup in case it's lost or stolen.

TNDiver · April 13, 2020, 06:18:20 PM

So how many should I get then to start out? It is cheaper to buy multipacks

Princeton_Man · April 13, 2020, 06:34:59 PM

Quote from: TNDiver on April 13, 2020, 06:18:20 PM
So how many should I get then to start out? It is cheaper to buy multipacks

Get two. That way even if you don't buy the Ultra maps, you can swap the cards when you want to take data or screen shots to a computer. If you use the mapping feature to draw your own maps, that data gets saved to the card also.

apiazza · April 13, 2020, 08:09:04 PM

Seems to depend on what you use it for. The online manual says "it is estimated that you might be able to record about 1500 hours of data onto a 2GB memory card" that's when using the quick draw contours.

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Princeton_Man · April 13, 2020, 08:22:16 PM

Quote from: apiazza on April 13, 2020, 08:09:04 PM
Seems to depend on what you use it for. The online manual says "it is estimated that you might be able to record about 1500 hours of data onto a 2GB memory card" that's when using the quick draw contours.

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You are correct. 32GB is necessary for the additional maps, but if you're not using it for the Lakevu HD ultra maps you can get by with less. IMHO you can never have too much storage space... even if you don't need it.

apiazza · April 13, 2020, 08:26:54 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on April 13, 2020, 08:22:16 PM
You are correct. 32GB is necessary for the additional maps, but if you're not using it for the Lakevu HD ultra maps you can get by with less. IMHO you can never have too much storage space... even if you don't need it.

Agreed, I bought a 32gb. I also havent looked into upgrading maps at all. Just running the lakevu G3 that came pre installed. Hey on the topic, how do you take a screen shot? I found how to record a "video" of the sonar output. Is there a way to do a single image or do you have to do it in the homeport software?

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Princeton_Man · April 13, 2020, 08:33:33 PM

Quote from: apiazza on April 13, 2020, 08:26:54 PM
Agreed, I bought a 32gb. I also havent looked into upgrading maps at all. Just running the lakevu G3 that came pre installed. Hey on the topic, how do you take a screen shot? I found how to record a "video" of the sonar output. Is there a way to do a single image or do you have to do it in the homeport software?

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Press and hold the Home button to take a screen shot.

apiazza · April 13, 2020, 08:34:34 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on April 13, 2020, 08:33:33 PM
Press and hold the Home button to take a screen shot.

Good to know! Couldnt find it in the manual anywhere.

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TNDiver · April 14, 2020, 08:55:55 AM

Hmm, so maybe I should have read the manual

. I will I just started it up and was in the intro to get it set up and realized I needed a SD card. Why they don't supply one is beyond me, especially when I just bought TWO online for $10!

Any other tips anyone wants to share, I am taking notes!

apiazza · April 14, 2020, 09:05:03 AM

Quote from: TNDiver on April 14, 2020, 08:55:55 AM
Hmm, so maybe I should have read the manual . I will I just started it up and was in the intro to get it set up and realized I needed a SD card. Why they don't supply one is beyond me, especially when I just bought TWO online for $10!

Any other tips anyone wants to share, I am taking notes!

You don't need one to run it, just to store any information. I used mine several times without the memory card before I had a reason to make an amazon order. I only had big ass cards around from my gopro. I've been struggling with getting the clearvu to give me the optimal image but I've gotten better at tinkering. I've made use of the active captain app because it's a lot easier to go modify the names of new waypoints after the fact. The app is also what allows you to update the software on the unit. The bluetooth text message notifications is nice for me on a kayak because I dont have to dig for my phone in my life jacket to determined if its important enough to care about. On the boat maybe not as much.

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TNDiver · April 14, 2020, 09:08:19 AM

Good to know. I do have the Active Captain. It drained my phones battery when I used it on the boat, so I will be glad to be able to use the Garmin now. I was also excited to learn it has its own wifi. I didn't realize that when I bought it!

apiazza · April 14, 2020, 09:16:20 AM

Quote from: TNDiver on April 14, 2020, 09:08:19 AM
Good to know. I do have the Active Captain. It drained my phones battery when I used it on the boat, so I will be glad to be able to use the Garmin now. I was also excited to learn it has its own wifi. I didn't realize that when I bought it!

The wifi is how you do the data transfer between the unit and your app. That's both mapping info as well as software. It doesnt provide your phone with internet if that's what you are thinking lol

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TNDiver · April 14, 2020, 11:47:34 AM

Dang it! I was hoping we could tap into it and use it while out on the water. Like I said, I was only playing with it for a few minutes while in the garage. Haven't gotten it out in the water yet. And like I said, now I have to run to Lowes to get more screws, etc to connect it to the RAM mount