Downloading Marine Charts to a Chartplotter with Garmin Express™

Note:  See Downloading Marine Charts to a Handheld Device if downloading maps to a marine handheld device.

Garmin Express™ can install Garmin Navionics+™, Garmin Navionics Vision+¹™, BlueChart® g3, and LakeVu® g3 charts directly to a micro/SD card to use in registered marine chartplotters. Before purchasing a map, view the Compatible Devices tab in its product page to ensure device compatibility.

NOTE: Only one chart can be installed to a single micro/SD card.

To download the charts in Garmin Express:

1. Insert a micro/SD card (32 GB or less) into an SD card reader connected to the computer

   • It is recommended to use a new card

   • Do not use a card that already contains a map file or software update files

2. Open Garmin Express

   • See How Do I Install Garmin Express? for instructions to install Garmin Express if necessary

3. Select the vessel associated with the chartplotter

   • See Creating and Deleting Vessels in Garmin Express if a vessel has not been previously created

4. Select Charts

5. Select the Download symbol next to the chart name to download the chart

The maps will now be downloaded to the micro/SD card. Once the maps have been downloaded, remove the micro/SD card and insert it into the chartplotter for use.

If the chart download fails, see Garmin Express not Working for Updates and Downloads.

¹ Not including Raster Charts, Satellite Imagery, Sonar Imagery, Quickdraw Community, ActiveCaptain Community. These features are available by download using ActiveCaptain.