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Bridging Data Through a Garmin Chartplotter

Some data (either NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, or Garmin Marine Network) can be input into a Garmin chartplotter and then output that information using a different format. This process is called data bridging. The tables below contain what information bridges through a device.  J1939 data does not bridge through NMEA 0183 or an NMEA 2000.

GPSMAP 74xx, 76xx, 8xxx, 9xxx, 7x1, 7x2, 7x3, 8x0, 9x2, 9x3, 10xx, 12x2, 12x3 Series Chartplotters
Data TypeSupportedInput Sources SupportedOutput Sources Supported
GPS - PositionYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
GPS - Satellite InfoYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
GPS - COG/SOGYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
HeadingYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Magnetic VariationYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Water DepthYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Water TemperatureYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Water SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Wind Direction/SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 2000/Marine Network

The GPSMAP 8000 series assigns a 'bridge master' device for each data type (e.g., water speed, water temperature, etc.). That device is responsible for bridging that data across the different networks. 
All devices on a system with multiple GPSMAP 74xx/76xx or 8xxx, 7x2, 7x3, 8x0, 9x2, 9x3, 10xx, 12x2, 12x3 series chartplotters need to be connected to Garmin Marine Network  and an NMEA 2000 to facilitate a smooth flow of data.


GPSMAP 4xx, 5xx, 7xx Series Chartplotters
Data TypeSupportedInput Sources SupportedOutput Sources Supported
GPS - PositionNoNot SupportedNot Supported
GPS - Satellite InfoNoNot SupportedNot Supported
GPS - COG/SOGNoNot SupportedNot Supported
HeadingYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000
Magnetic VariationYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000
Water DepthYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000
Water TemperatureYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000
Water SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000
Wind Direction/SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000NMEA 0183/NMEA 2000


GPSMAP 4xxx, 5xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx, 72xx Series Chartplotters
Data TypeSupportedInput Sources SupportedOutput Sources Supported
GPS - PositionYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
GPS - Satellite InfoYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
GPS - COG/SOGYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
HeadingYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 2000/Marine Network1
Magnetic VariationYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 2000/Marine Network1
Water DepthYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Water TemperatureYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Water SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network
Wind Direction/SpeedYesNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine NetworkNMEA 0183/NMEA 2000/Marine Network

1Bridging to the Marine Network only through NMEA 0183.

If the device receives the information supported from any of the input sources, it can output the data over any of the output sources. 


GPSMAP 3xxx Series Chartplotters

The GPSMAP 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, and 70xx/72xx series devices can use the Garmin Marine Network.

A GPSMAP 3000 series device connected through the network to a GPSMAP 4000, 5000, 6000, or 70xx/72xx series device, not all information can be shared. The following shares across the Garmin Marine Network:

  • Sonar (if using a GSD 22)

  • GPS Position

  • XM (if using the GDL 30A)

  • Radar

The following does not share across the network.

  • Mapping

  • User Data (i.e., waypoints, routes, and tracks)

  • NMEA 2000

  • XM (if using the GXM 51)


For more information on these devices, visit Garmin's Manuals Webpage.

data output bridge