Navionics+ Regular on SD / microSD Card

The Navionics+ Regular digital marine chart on an SD or microSD card is designed for marine GPS systems and chartplotters compatible with Navionics charts. It allows detailed marine charting to be displayed on the chartplotter screen, including coastlines, depths, soundings, bathymetric contours, ports, marinas, navigation aids, hazards and other information useful for planning and monitoring a voyage.

The Navionics+ range combines detailed nautical charts with SonarChart bathymetric data, Community Edits, Dock-to-Dock Autorouting and, depending on compatible equipment, SonarChart Live and various chart display customization options. Available functions may vary depending on the chartplotter model and manufacturer.

What is a Navionics+ Regular chart?

Navionics+ Regular is a range of digital marine charting available on SD or microSD cards depending on the reference and the equipment concerned. The term “Regular” refers to a chart coverage category and does not indicate a lower level of chart detail.

A Navionics+ Regular chart may display:

• coastlines and islands;

• depths and soundings;

• bathymetric contours;

• channels and navigable areas;

• ports and marinas;

• navigation aids;

• charted hazards and obstacles;

• wrecks;

• tide and current information depending on the area;

• SonarChart bathymetric data;

• additional information from Community Edits depending on the capabilities of the equipment.

The exact geographical coverage depends on the selected reference. It is therefore important not to associate “Regular” with a specific geographical area: each Navionics chart reference has its own coverage.

What is a Navionics+ Regular digital marine chart used for?

A Navionics+ Regular chart is primarily used for coastal navigation, recreational boating, cruising and fishing with a compatible GPS or chartplotter.

It allows the navigator to have navigation information directly on the chartplotter screen for route planning and monitoring the boat's position.

For example, during coastal navigation, the navigator can view depths around the planned route, identify channels, locate ports and marinas along the way and monitor the vessel's position in relation to charted hazards.

For fishing, bathymetric data can also provide useful information about seabed characteristics in covered areas.

Digital charting should nevertheless be regarded as a navigation aid. It does not replace official nautical information, Notices to Mariners, weather data, tide information or other information required for safe navigation.

Navionics+ Regular and SonarChart HD

One of the important features of Navionics+ is access to SonarChart data. This high-definition bathymetric charting provides detailed depth contours in covered areas.

SonarChart can help visualize variations in depth and the configuration of the seabed. On certain compatible systems, this layer can be selected directly from the chartplotter's chart options.

This information can be particularly useful for:

• identifying variations in depth;

• planning an anchorage;

• studying seabed areas for fishing;

• understanding underwater topography;

• complementing standard nautical chart information.

It is nevertheless important to distinguish bathymetric charting from an instantaneous depth measurement. Actual depth can change with tides, water levels, weather conditions and local seabed variations. The boat's sounder and available nautical information therefore remain essential.

Dock-to-Dock Autorouting with Navionics+

Depending on the chartplotter model and its compatibility, Navionics+ can offer the Dock-to-Dock Autorouting function. This feature calculates a route automatically between two points using chart data and boat parameters.

It can be useful for quickly planning a route between two ports, a marina and a waypoint, or two points along a coastline.

Automatic routing should nevertheless remain a planning tool. Garmin states that Dock-to-Dock Autorouting does not replace prudent navigation. The proposed route must be checked by the navigator before use, particularly regarding depths, obstacles, hazards, restricted areas and local conditions.

SonarChart Live and sounder data

On certain compatible chartplotters, Navionics+ also allows the use of SonarChart Live.

This feature can create or enhance a bathymetric representation in real time using data recorded by the boat's sounder. It can be useful in an area that is regularly navigated when the navigator wants a more detailed representation of the seabed.

The availability of SonarChart Live depends on the chartplotter model, its software and how the equipment communicates with Navionics charting. Garmin's compatibility guide distinguishes between equipment that can use SonarChart Live directly on the chartplotter and systems requiring certain additional configurations.

SD or microSD: which card should you choose?

The physical storage format is an important consideration when choosing Navionics+ Regular charting.

Depending on the reference and equipment, the chart may be supplied on an SD or microSD card, sometimes with an adapter allowing a microSD card to be used in an SD slot.

However, having an SD or microSD slot on a GPS does not by itself guarantee compatibility with a Navionics+ chart.

Before choosing a Navionics+ Regular digital marine chart, it is recommended to check:

• the GPS or chartplotter manufacturer;

• the exact model;

• the equipment generation;

• the accepted SD or microSD format;

• the chartplotter software version;

• compatibility with Navionics+;

• the exact chart reference;

• the geographical coverage.

Garmin publishes a compatibility guide detailing models from numerous chartplotter manufacturers and indicating the functions available with Navionics+ Regular/Large.

Attention to the difference between Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics+

A common source of confusion concerns the different generations of Navionics products intended for different chartplotters.

Navionics+ Regular/Large charts intended for third-party chartplotters should not be confused with Garmin Navionics+, which is designed for compatible Garmin equipment.

Garmin states that Navionics+ and Platinum+ charts intended for third-party chartplotters are not compatible with Garmin chartplotters. Garmin equipment uses Garmin Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics Vision+ ranges designed for its own compatible systems.

This distinction is particularly important when a navigator has a Garmin chartplotter and is looking for a Navionics+ chart on microSD.

Example: coastal sailing

Imagine a sailing yacht undertaking a coastal passage between several ports.

Before departure, the navigator can use the Navionics+ Regular chart to examine the different areas along the route, locate ports and marinas, view depths and prepare waypoints.

Once at sea, the chartplotter displays the boat's position on the digital chart. The navigator can then monitor progress and regularly check the route against coastlines, hazards and charted depths.

One of the advantages of digital charting is the ability to display numerous types of information simultaneously and adapt the presentation to the navigation situation.

Example: fishing and studying the seabed

Navionics+ Regular charting can also be used by anglers equipped with a compatible chartplotter.

SonarChart data can provide a more detailed view of certain bathymetric variations. A seabed drop-off, underwater rise or change in depth can therefore be easier to identify on the screen.

By combining chart data with information from the boat's sounder, the navigator has two complementary sources of information: the chart provides a representation of available data for the area, while the sounder measures the conditions encountered beneath the boat.

Actual depth, draft, tides and local variations must always be taken into account.

Navionics+ chart updates

Digital marine charts are regularly updated. Chart data can be modified or enhanced to incorporate new information.

Navionics+ provides chart updates and various associated services. Garmin indicates that Navionics+ charts receive daily chart updates through the appropriate Navionics tools. Certain functions and updates require a subscription.

The navigator can therefore keep the charting up to date during the applicable period for the product.

Activation and update procedures can involve Chart Installer, which allows the chart to be registered and available data to be managed according to the product.

What is Navionics+ Regular suitable for?

A Navionics+ Regular chart can be suitable for many types of navigation:

• recreational boaters regularly sailing along the coast;

• cruising sailboat owners;

• powerboat users;

• anglers using a compatible GPS chartplotter;

• navigators planning routes on their chartplotter;

• users looking for detailed bathymetric data;

• boaters looking for digital charting on SD or microSD.

The choice essentially depends on three factors: the navigation area, the chartplotter model and the functions required.

How to choose the right Navionics+ Regular chart?

To select a suitable Navionics+ Regular digital marine chart, it is preferable to proceed in the following order:

1. Identify the exact GPS or chartplotter model.

2. Check its compatibility with Navionics+.

3. Check the accepted chart format: SD or microSD.

4. Define the actual geographical area required.

5. Check that the Navionics reference covers that area.

6. Check which functions are available with the chartplotter model.

7. Check the conditions applicable to chart updates.

8. Keep the chartplotter software up to date.

This approach is particularly important with older equipment, as the available functions may differ significantly from those offered by newer generations.

An electronic chart does not replace navigator awareness

Even highly detailed, digital charting remains a navigation aid.

The navigator must maintain an overall view of the situation, including weather, wind, currents, tides, visibility, maritime traffic, vessel draft, local regulations and official nautical information.

Automatically calculated routes must also be checked. Software cannot necessarily account for every local change or specific circumstance encountered at sea.

The most effective use of a Navionics+ Regular chart is therefore to regard it as digital charting integrated into the navigation system, rather than as an autonomous decision-making system.

Navionics+ Regular on SD / microSD: key points

The Navionics+ Regular digital marine chart provides detailed charting on a compatible GPS or chartplotter.

Its main characteristics include:

• Navionics+ digital marine charting;

• SD or microSD format depending on the reference;

• detailed coastal and nautical data;

• depths, soundings and bathymetric contours;

• SonarChart HD data;

• ports, marinas and navigation aids;

• charted hazards and objects;

• Community Edits depending on the equipment;

• Dock-to-Dock Autorouting on compatible equipment;

• SonarChart Live on certain systems;

• chart updates during the applicable period;

• use for coastal navigation, cruising and fishing.

The term Regular does not define a single geographical area: coverage always depends on the selected reference.

Conclusion

Navionics+ Regular on an SD or microSD card is digital marine charting designed for compatible GPS systems and chartplotters. It combines detailed coastal charting and nautical information with features such as SonarChart, Community Edits, Dock-to-Dock Autorouting and, depending on the equipment, SonarChart Live.

For coastal navigation, cruising or fishing, it allows numerous useful navigation details to be displayed on the chartplotter screen for route planning and monitoring.

The choice of a Navionics+ Regular chart should nevertheless be based on the exact reference, the desired geographical area and the chartplotter being used. The SD or microSD format alone does not guarantee compatibility. Checking the equipment and available functions beforehand therefore helps ensure that the selected charting is genuinely suited to the intended use.

FAQ – Navionics+ Regular on SD / microSD

What is a Navionics+ Regular chart?

Navionics+ Regular is digital marine charting designed for compatible GPS systems and chartplotters. Depending on the reference, it is available on SD or microSD cards and provides detailed information on coastlines, depths, ports, hazards and other nautical features.

What is the difference between Navionics+ Regular and Navionics+ Large?

Regular and Large refer to different chart coverage categories. The main difference concerns the geographical extent offered by the reference. The exact area should be checked for each chart.

Does a Navionics+ Regular chart work on all chartplotters?

No. Compatibility depends on the model, manufacturer, chartplotter generation, card format and software. Garmin publishes a detailed compatibility guide for many third-party chartplotters.

Does a Navionics+ Regular microSD chart work on a smartphone?

No. A physical Navionics+ chart on SD or microSD is designed for compatible marine navigation equipment. It should not be confused with the charting used by the Navionics Boating app.

What does a Navionics+ Regular marine chart contain?

Depending on the reference and area, it can contain coastlines, depths, soundings, bathymetric contours, ports, marinas, channels, navigation aids, hazards, wrecks, tide and current information and various additional data.

What is SonarChart HD?

SonarChart is high-definition bathymetric charting that displays detailed depth contours in covered areas. It can be selected as a chart layer on compatible chartplotters.

Does Navionics+ Regular calculate routes automatically?

On certain compatible chartplotters, Dock-to-Dock Autorouting can automatically propose a route. This feature is intended for planning and does not replace prudent navigation.

Does Navionics+ Regular receive chart updates?

Yes. Navionics+ provides chart updates during the period applicable to the product. Garmin indicates that the relevant charting can receive daily updates.

Which should you choose between SD and microSD?

The choice depends on the card reader installed in the GPS or chartplotter and the Navionics reference compatible with the equipment. The accepted format should be checked before selecting the chart.

Is a Navionics+ Regular chart compatible with a Garmin chartplotter?

It is important to distinguish Navionics+ charts designed for third-party chartplotters from the Garmin Navionics+ range designed for Garmin chartplotters. Garmin states that Navionics+ and Platinum+ charts for third-party chartplotters are not compatible with Garmin chartplotters.

Is Navionics+ Regular suitable for coastal navigation?

Yes. It can be used for coastal navigation, recreational boating, cruising and fishing when the area is covered and the chartplotter is compatible.

Does a Navionics+ Regular chart replace official nautical information?

No. An electronic chart is a navigation aid. It should be supplemented by official nautical information, weather forecasts, Notices to Mariners, tide data and other information required for safe navigation.