Garmin updates BlueChart® Mobile 2.0 app to stream worldwide weather to chartplotter

Garmin Ltd, the global leader in satellite navigation, has announced an enhanced version of its popular marine app for iPad and iPhone – the BlueChart Mobile 2.0.

Whether you are planning a trip from the comfort of your home or navigating the open waters, access to weather data is an important part of boating. As well as planning and creating routes using the same feature rich and highly accurate BlueChart data found in Garmin chartplotters, BlueChart Mobile 2.0 adds streaming worldwide weather through a cellular-based iPad or iPhone.

“BlueChart Mobile 2.0 makes planning your day on the water easier than ever by allowing you to stream weather information from your iPad or iPhone to your chartplotter,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

“In addition to using BlueChart data to plan and create routes, users now have access to detailed weather information at their fingertips.  When you’re ready to go, wirelessly transfer your route to the chartplotter and continue to receive pertinent weather information from the app while you boat.”

Version 2.0 uses the same BlueChart g2 data available for Garmin chartplotters. Users can plan and create routes, view shaded depth contours and inter-tidal zones with spot soundings, and can search for a marine service point to find out the phone number, hours of operation, and information about amenities and services available. With BlueChart Mobile 2.0, users will experience the same vector object-oriented data and seamless chart presentation found on Garmin chartplotters. The intuitive radial menu makes marking waypoints, establishing a destination for a route, and learning about the features on the chart easier than ever.

BlueChart Mobile 2.0 also provides temperatures, dew points, wind direction and speed, radar and cloud cover – all overlaid on the chart data. In addition, version 2.0 can provide weather observations and buoy reports, marine zone forecasts in the US, Canada and Europe, land zone forecasts in the US and Canada, surface wind forecast grids, sea surface temperatures, surface pressure forecast and sea state forecast. In-app weather upgrades, including infrared clouds imagery, radar imagery, lighting, and StormWatch watches, warnings and advisories, are also available to purchase.

Once on board, users can wirelessly transfer routes, waypoints and tracks created with the app to a compatible Garmin chartplotter1. To keep an eye on the weather while underway, the app enables its users to receive continuous streaming weather updates from BlueChart Mobile 2.0 via an iPad or iPhone directly to the chartplotter2. The iPad or iPhone can also be used to “follow the boat” along its route by wirelessly sharing the GPS location from the Garmin marine network. This capability enables precise GPS positioning, even on iPads that don’t include GPS functionality.

Users can also take advantage of the app’s ActiveCaptain content; an online community that provides real-time content for marine data, reviews, local knowledge, anchorages and hazards generated by mariners for mariners. With BlueChart Mobile 2.0, users can use ActiveCaptain data to read and contribute information and reviews about their experiences on the water.

The BlueChart Mobile 2.0 app is expected to be available in the iTunes store in Q2 2015. The app is free to download, however additional chart downloads vary in price by region and premium weather features are offered at an additional fee. Current BlueChart Mobile customers are encouraged to log on to their myGarmin account to begin using the enhanced features offered with version 2.0. For more information visit www.garmin.com.

Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability and ease-of-use.

For 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation.

1Compatible with the GPSMAP 7400 series, 8×0, 10×0 and 7×1/5×7. Also compatible with the GPSMAP 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8000 series through Garmin WiFi adapter kit (optional).

2Compatible with the GPSMAP 8000 series, 7400 series, 8×0, 10×0 and 7×1/5×7.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For further press information or images, please contact Amy Hutson or Abbie Whitehouse on 01460 241641 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

About Garmin International Inc.

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.  Garmin and BlueChart are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.  

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

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