Garmin gpsmap 551s

[gooner-paul]

Hi I have recently purchased a garmin gpsmap 551s very pleased with it however I would like to be able to power up the unit when I'm and it is away from the boat so I can update the software, upload waypoints and download tracks using sd cards!

Has anyone done this I looked for a mains charger but haven't had much luck yet

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by gooner-paul

Hi I have recently purchased a garmin gpsmap 551s very pleased with it however I would like to be able to power up the unit when I'm and it is away from the boat so I can update the software, upload waypoints and download tracks using sd cards!

Has anyone done this I looked for a mains charger but haven't had much luck yet

I'm not aware of any 'mains charger' for a 551.

Why don't you just put the waypoints and tracks on the SD card and take that home and whilst it's there, check for software updates. If there are any, put them on the SD card and take it back. Easy

[NeilH]

I bought a spare cable and wired it up to a little 12v battery. Played with it a couple of times at home and it worked perfectly. Haven't actually done anything useful with it since though!
Cheers
Neil

[TRevor Lawson]

I also have a 551s, and like you, would like to view at home, as it only uses 2 wires ( unless all other stuff used ) i thought about making up a power lead for the 2 pins and connect to a battery at home will have to be carefull not to damage pins in connector though.

[AJ.]

There is a simpler way round this and download Garmin homeport!

I have the same plotter take a copy of the maps and your tracks, weypoints, routes from the plotter onto the SD card, then put the SD card into your pc open Homeport and all your plotter info and maps will be on your PC you can then delete and clear up all of the above and use it for planning by making routes on the PC and copy back to the SD card and update your plotter. Homeport cost £29.

[Johnscubanut]

I bought a spare lead from ebay,( carrickbend,marinesupplier down in the west country) around £20 genuine Garmin lead for the 551. Connect it to a booster battery thing from Halfords with inline fuse protector. Works a treat !Load all waypoints from home now.

[Smithyyy]

Same thing except that instead of wiring up a battery I have a 240V plug with a 12V cigarette socket on the back of it that I came across somewhere - ie its a wee 240VAC-12V dc transformer in a plug

[bliksem]

Originally Posted by AJ.

There is a simpler way round this and download Garmin homeport!

I have the same plotter take a copy of the maps and your tracks, weypoints, routes from the plotter onto the SD card, then put the SD card into your pc open Homeport and all your plotter info and maps will be on your PC you can then delete and clear up all of the above and use it for planning by making routes on the PC and copy back to the SD card and update your plotter. Homeport cost £29.

the way to go is Homeport from Garmin: easy, cheap, fast, ....

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by bliksem

the way to go is Homeport from Garmin: easy, cheap, fast, ....