In June, 2015, Bizer started receiving emails that Bizer's data was not working on certain newer Garmin chartplotters. Eventually, Bizer discovered that Garmin has started to block third-party charts from some of its GPS devices. Bizer has contacted Garmin, but they are unconcerned about the fact that many boaters want Bizer accuracy. Garmin has convinced themselves that Garmin's LakeVu product is quite good despite the fact that they show no rocks in Winnipesaukee, and they are missing buoys added/moved since 2004.
So far, it appears that Garmin's blocking only applies to new models manufactured in 2015. Thanks to one Bizer customer who tested Bizer software at West Marine, it appears that the following Garmins will not accept Bizer data:
- EchoMap models (model numbers usually end in "DV")
- GPSMAP 7000 series (e.g. model 7607)
This same customer determined that Bizer's map of Winnipesaukee did work on the following models:
- 840xx models
- 1040xx models
- 741x models
- Montana
It appears that any Garmin GPS that was manufactured prior to 2015 will accept Bizer's data.
If you are contemplating the purchase of a Garmin GPS and would like Bizer's map in that GPS, you should contact Garmin to ascertain whether the model you are considering blocks third-party maps. If you go to Bizer's Garmin web page (
www.bizer.com/garmin), there is a procedure you can use to create an SD or MicroSD card to test any Garmin GPS yourself.
In the absence of any testing, Bizer suggests that you consider a Standard Horizon chartplotter with C-Map charts licensed from Bizer. Since the boating season is almost over, you might want to wait until 2016 to make a decision.
Separately: When Bizer learned of this, Bizer purchased Garmin's LakeVu for our Garmin Montana. It appears that they copied much of Bizer's depth data from an older Bizer chart (rocks that Bizer discovered since 2004 do not appear as shallow areas on LakeVu). If you have Garmin's LakeVu and purchased it between 2009 and 2013, we'd like to hear from you. We'll ask you to send us a few screen shots. Email
maps@bizer.com.