BlueYonder
Active Member
I use Garmin express to download the basic chart and put it on one SD card. That way you don't need to transfer the basic chart via Active Captain. I then designate a second SD card as the Active Captain card and all updates, raster charts, satellite imagery, and hi rez shading end up on that card. The latest Garmin software update allows compatible plotters and the USB external card reader to support much larger SD cards. I currently use 2 256GB SD cards (they are cheap). Once you have done the initial download via Active Captain, updates are much faster. You don't have to update multiple MFDs as the information on the SD cards will be shared among networked displays. I have the entire state of Florida and the Bahamas downloaded to my iPhone with all the extras and it takes up 473mb. With 256gb of storage, I have used only a small fraction of the available storage space. I don't concern myself with what remains after a year because I renew the subscription. $129.00 per year is chump change in the scheme of running a boat.