Garmin® TD 50 Touchscreen Display Common Questions

What is the Garmin® TD 50?

The Garmin TD 50 is a touchscreen display intended to be used as a digital switching display alongside Garmin GPSMAP® chartplotters.

Can the Garmin TD 50 Touchscreen Display be used as a standalone device?

The TD 50 should not be used as a standalone device because many functions rely on a network connection with a compatible Garmin GPSMAP® chartplotter. 

Is the TD 50 only used with EmpirBus™ or can it be used as an additional display on my network?

The TD 50 can also be used as an additional display on your network to work along side GPSMAP® chartplotters. It does not have to be used with EmpirBus. 

How do I update software for the TD 50?

The TD 50 is updated alongside a networked compatible GPSMAP chartplotter when it is updated. See this article for software update instructions Garmin Marine Device Software Updates.

Is the TD 50 compatible with the ActiveCaptain® app?

The TD 50 cannot use ActiveCaptain directly. However, if it is networked via Marine Network to a GPSMAP chartplotter, ActiveCaptain functions will be present. See this article for further instructions Getting Started with Garmin ActiveCaptain.

Can Garmin Marine charts be used on the TD 50?

Charts cannot be downloaded directly to the TD 50 however when it is connected to a GPSMAP chartplotter the charts from the GPSMAP will be shared across the network.

Can the TD 50 commission a Garmin autopilot system?

The TD 50 can commission a Garmin Autopilot in the same way a GPSMAP chartplotter can when networked to the autopilot system via NMEA 2000®. See this article for further instructions Commissioning a Garmin Reactor 40 Autopilot.

Can the TD 50 be used with the LiveScope™ system?

Though the TD 50 can be connected to the Garmin LiveScope System, it is not suggested to utilize the display in this manner as there is no way to update the system software when needed. The TD 50 should not be used as a standalone display without a connection to a compatible GPSMAP chartplotter.

Can the TD 50 be used as a display for a radar?

Though the TD 50 can be connected to a Garmin radar, it is not suggested to do so because there is no way to update the system software when needed. The TD 50 should not be used as a standalone display without a connection to a compatible GPSMAP chartplotter.