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Registering Garmin Marine Devices and Charts
Note: VHF and AIS devices do not get registered. Retain the device's proof of purchase for warranty and service.
There are three ways to register Garmin marine devices:
Garmin Express desktop application*
ActiveCaptain mobile app*
Website registration
*ActiveCaptain and Garmin Express are the preferred methods for registration. These methods allow for registration of multiple devices at once as well as instant access to software and chart updates.
Some devices may not be compatible with certain registration methods. Select a product below for registration instructions.
Garmin Marine Device Registration with Garmin Express
Marine Device Registration via ActiveCaptain
ECHOMAP series and GPSMAP chartplotters
Notes:
• Charts can only be shared with chartplotters registered to the same vessel account. See for more information.
• If the chartplotter was previously registered to a different owner, or is registered to an account that does not belong to the owner, the registration of its built-in or supplemental charts cannot be transferred. The new owner of the chartplotter would need to purchase a new supplemental chart.
• See Marine handheld devices below if registering a GPSMAP handheld series device, such as a GPSMAP 78 or GPSMAP 86.
ECHOMAP and GPSMAP chartplotters can be registered in the Garmin Express desktop application. Certain chartplotters can also be registered in the ActiveCaptain smartphone app.
Any devices connected to the chartplotter using the NMEA 2000 and Garmin Marine Networks will be registered at the same time, as long as they are powered and turned on.
ActiveCaptain instructions
See to check device compatibility with ActiveCaptain.
The following are required to register devices in ActiveCaptain:
A blank Class 10 micro/SD card (4 GB to 32 GB)
Do not use a card that has a preloaded chart installed
A smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet) with Android or iOS
To register chartplotters in ActiveCaptain:
1. Install the ActiveCaptain app
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store through garmin.com
Read and accept the End User License Agreement by checking the boxes, then select Continue
Sign in to or create a Garmin account, then select Next
Select Take the Tour for an overview of the app, or select Skip if preferred
2. Create an ActiveCaptain card
Turn the chartplotter on
Insert the micro/SD card into the chartplotter
On chartplotters with multiple micro/SD card slots, any slot can be used
Select Set ActiveCaptain Card
If using a new card, select Skip. Otherwise, select Format
Selecting Format will erase all existing data on the card
The ActiveCaptain card will now be created. The micro/SD card must be left in the device while using ActiveCaptain.
3. Connect ActiveCaptain to the chartplotter
From the home screen of the chartplotter, select A/V, Gauges, Controls
Select ActiveCaptain
Select Wi-Fi to enable the network
If necessary, follow the onscreen prompts to configure the Wi-Fi network
Bring the smart device within 24 m (80 ft.) of the chartplotter
On the smart device, open ActiveCaptain
Select Connect to Garmin Wi-Fi
Select the chartplotter Wi-Fi network and enter the password
If necessary, select More to view all detected networks
Select Connect
If prompted, select Connect again
If the message "A new ActiveCaptain user was detected. Is this user the owner of the vessel?" appears on the chartplotter, select Yes if the registered account belongs to the boat owner
Note: If the device has been previously registered to another account, or is registered to the incorrect account, the chart registrations cannot be transferred to the correct account
ActiveCaptain will connect with and register the chartplotter and all networked devices.
Garmin Express instructions
The following are required to register devices in Garmin Express:
Windows or macOS computer
High-speed internet connection
A prepared micro/SD card (4 GB to 32 GB)
Preparing a micro/SD card to use in Garmin Express
Note: Do not use a micro/SD card that has a preloaded chart.
Check that networked devices (such as radar, sonar modules, SiriusXM and GPS antennae) are powered and connected to the chartplotter
See Finding the Unit ID and/or Software Version on a Marine Chartplotter / Sounder to check that the networked devices are detected
Networked devices will be registered along with the chartplotter
Turn the chartplotter off
Insert the micro/SD card
To locate the SD micro/card slot, check the device's owner's manual
Turn the chartplotter on
When the warning screen appears, select I Agree
At this point, the chartplotter will place a file on the micro/SD card that allows Garmin Express to recognize all marine devices connected to the NMEA 2000 and Garmin Marine Networks.
To register chartplotters and networked devices in Garmin Express:
Insert the prepared micro/SD card into the computer or an attached card reader
Launch Garmin Express
Go to garmin.com/express to install the latest version of Garmin Express
Select Add a Device
Select Sign In next to the message Have marine devices or charts?
Create or sign in to a Garmin account using the email address intended for registration
If prompted, set up a Vessel
On the Set Up Your Vessel page, select Next
Add the name of your vessel and select a country, then select Next
After creating or selecting the vessel, select
Add
When the chartplotter is detected, select Add Vessel
Select View All Products Found to see all devices that will be registered
The chartplotter and any networked devices will now be registered.
STRIKER series
The following STRIKER fishfinders are registered using ActiveCaptain. See Other devices with no micro/SD card slot if using a STRIKER model not listed below:
STRIKER Plus 7cv
STRIKER Plus 7sv
STRIKER Plus 9sv
STRIKER Vivid 7cv
STRIKER Vivid 7sv
STRIKER Vivid 9sv
To register compatible STRIKER fishfinders in ActiveCaptain:
1. Install the ActiveCaptain app
Download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store through garmin.com
Read and accept the End User License Agreement by checking the boxes, then select Continue
Sign in to or create a Garmin account, then select Next
Select Take the Tour for an overview of the app, or select Skip if preferred
2. Connect ActiveCaptain to the fishfinder
From the home screen of the chartplotter, select ActiveCaptain
Select Wi-Fi to enable the network
If necessary, follow the onscreen prompts to configure the Wi-Fi network
Bring the smart device within 24 m (80 ft.) of the fishfinder
On the smart device, open ActiveCaptain
Select Connect to Garmin Wi-Fi
Select the chartplotter Wi-Fi network and enter the password
If necessary, select More to view all detected networks
Select Connect
If prompted, select Connect again
If the message "A new ActiveCaptain user was detected. Is this user the owner of the vessel?" appears on the chartplotter, select Yes if the registered account belongs to the boat owner
Note: If the device has been previously registered to another account, or is registered to the incorrect account, the device will need to be de-registered from the other account first. Contact Garmin Marine Product Support for more information 1-800-800-1020, select Marine
ActiveCaptain will connect with and register the fishfinder.
Marine handheld devices
Marine handheld devices such as the GPSMAP 78 and GPSMAP 86 series must be registered through Garmin Express. The following are required to use Garmin Express:
Windows or macOS computer
High-speed internet connection
To register marine handheld devices in Garmin Express:
Connect the handheld device to the computer with the provided USB cable
Launch Garmin Express
Go to garmin.com/express to install the latest version of Garmin Express
When prompted "Sign-in" or "Create" a Garmin Express account with the email address to be used for registration
Select Add a Device
When the handheld device is shown, select Add Device
The handheld device will now be registered.
Force Trolling Motor
The Force Trolling Motor is registered when paired with ActiveCaptain. See for instructions.
Preprogrammed chart cards
Notes:
• Chart registrations cannot be transferred between accounts. If the chart has been registered to a different email address, another copy of the chart must be purchased and registered in order to be eligible for updates.
• Standard Mapping Charts cannot be registered.
Preprogrammed chart cards must be registered in Garmin Express. The following are required to use Garmin Express:
Windows or macOS computer
High-speed internet connection
To register a preprogrammed chart card:
Insert the chart card into the computer or an attached card reader
Launch Garmin Express
Go to garmin.com/express to install the latest version of Garmin Express
Select Add a Device
Select Sign In next to the message Have marine devices or charts?
Create or sign in to a Garmin account using the email address intended for registration
If prompted, set up a Vessel
On the Set Up Your Vessel page, select Next
Add the name of your vessel and select a country, then select Next
After selecting the vessel, select
Add
When the chart or chartplotter is detected, select Add Vessel
Select View All Products Found to see the chart
The chart name will appear multiple times because it is broken into multiple files on the chart card
The chart will now be registered.
Other devices with no micro/SD card slot (including autopilots, sonar modules, wind instruments)
Devices that lack a micro/SD card slot, including 4 in. and 6 in. STRIKER models, can be registered online. Go to https://www.garmin.com/en-US/account/register/ and sign in to a Garmin account to register the serial number of the device.