Importing the G2 Chart into Garmin Homeport.

[Lovey80]

Ok so I've managed to get homeport up and running and have a second SD card to transfer marks to and from the unit to the laptop. When I stick the G2 chart into the laptop the G2 chart automatically loads into homeport. But, I can't get the G2 Chart to remain in home port or import it there permenantly. When I remove the G2 card from the SD card reader the chart drops from home port.

Is it possible to have the G2 map imported into home port so that I just have to remove the second SD card to work on my marks so I can transfer them back and forth between the Unit and the Laptop?

[Lovey80]

OK so I have finally worked out how to do it on a Mac. Without some messing around you can't simply download the map into Homeport. It requires creating a new Disk Image file on the the desktop so that homeport sees it as a drive. PM me if you need details.

[Lovey80]

OK so i thought it best to do a quick write up in case others fall into the same trap because I think it's pretty important that if you are taking the time to plan trips and actively manage your marks then you have to be looking at the more accurate G2 chart not the built in world map that had no detail at all. This is only for Mac and has worked for me.

*Note* If your SD card reader in your machine is showing "Read Only" on your SD card when you get info in Finder then you need to purchase a second SD card reader as the Mac's SD card reader is faulty. Of course double check that the little locking slider on the side is unlocked before you go purchasing another SD card reader @$10-$20.

Step:1. Insert Garmin G2 Card into your machine and open up the folder "Garmin" and copy the file named GMAPSUPP.IMG to a new folder on your desk top.

2: Remove G2 Card you won't need it for the rest of the map install as the above .img file is what we are working with (just under 1GB in size)

3. Go to Applications-Utilities- Disk Utility. Once open up the top of the screen in the centre click "New Image".

4. Rename the Image something Like "Garmin G2 Australia and NZ" in Save As.

5. In Name rename it the same as above

6. Click on the size and go to custom and resize the image to the vicinity of 1.1GB.

7. Change the format to Mac OS extended

8. Select No partition map

9. Click Create. This will take a few seconds. Once complete close down Disk Utility and reopen Finder. The new image file should show up in the list with the eject symbol to the right of it. If it doesn't show up, it means it isn't "mounted" and double clicking on the .img file will make it come bold and it should show like an SD drive does in finder.

10. Create a folder in the .img file named Garmin, open it then copy and paste the GMAPSUPP.IMG file into the Garmin folder. Once done you can close down finder.

11. With the .img file still mounted (shows in the left window of finder) open up the HomePort application. Home Port should automatically recognise the .img file as a Garmin drive and automatically load the more detailed G2 map when managing your marks.

Hope that helps a few.

[Brightsbane]

Cheers, I've been wondering how to go about doing this but haven't had the time to figure it out. Sounds like you've saved me a bucket load of frustration. I'll give it a go on my Macbook tonight hopefully.

[bluefin59]

OK so i thought it best to do a quick write up in case others fall into the same trap because I think it's pretty important that if you are taking the time to plan trips and actively manage your marks then you have to be looking at the more accurate G2 chart not the built in world map that had no detail at all. This is only for Mac and has worked for me.

*Note* If your SD card reader in your machine is showing "Read Only" on your SD card when you get info in Finder then you need to purchase a second SD card reader as the Mac's SD card reader is faulty. Of course double check that the little locking slider on the side is unlocked before you go purchasing another SD card reader @$10-$20.

Step:1. Insert Garmin G2 Card into your machine and open up the folder "Garmin" and copy the file named GMAPSUPP.IMG to a new folder on your desk top.

2: Remove G2 Card you won't need it for the rest of the map install as the above .img file is what we are working with (just under 1GB in size)

3. Go to Applications-Utilities- Disk Utility. Once open up the top of the screen in the centre click "New Image".

4. Rename the Image something Like "Garmin G2 Australia and NZ" in Save As.

5. In Name rename it the same as above

6. Click on the size and go to custom and resize the image to the vicinity of 1.1GB.

7. Change the format to Mac OS extended

8. Select No partition map

9. Click Create. This will take a few seconds. Once complete close down Disk Utility and reopen Finder. The new image file should show up in the list with the eject symbol to the right of it. If it doesn't show up, it means it isn't "mounted" and double clicking on the .img file will make it come bold and it should show like an SD drive does in finder.

10. Create a folder in the .img file named Garmin, open it then copy and paste the GMAPSUPP.IMG file into the Garmin folder. Once done you can close down finder.

11. With the .img file still mounted (shows in the left window of finder) open up the HomePort application. Home Port should automatically recognise the .img file as a Garmin drive and automatically load the more detailed G2 map when managing your marks.

Hope that helps a few.

I have printed of this lot of instructions as my 12 yr old Navman is sure to crap itself sooner rather than later and GARMIN will be my choice of unit . Thanks for that I appreciate the effort you have gone to to help us electronic numphtys...Matt

[Brightsbane]

Legend! Worked perfectly.

[odieman150]

This is fantastic info has anyone got the good oil on doing it on a pc? thanks

[copie]

I have been using Homeport for some years now and have never needed to load the map to Homeport. All my waypoints and tracks etc are saved to My Collection so if you open Homeport without a card you can see all your saved info and then I just put my G2 card in which loads over the top. Over the years I have updated the card so currently I have he latest version including all the green/go slow and yellow zones.

Mark

[Lovey80]

But without the card inserted into your machine your homeport maps will be the most basic and effectively useless. This way you don't have to go climbing into your boat to remove your G2 card so you can work on your marks, tracks and fishing trip planning whilst the G2 details is showing in Homeport.

[odieman150]

That's exactly what I was thinking Lovey, I guess it's more a convenience thing.

[copie]

Just get a formatted SD card put it into the unit in the boat and copy map to card, keep this card inside at you computer.
I never use the card from my unit in the computer.

Mark.