Q. What is a Gold chart?
A. Gold charts are the Navionics worldwide marine standard for saltwater and Great Lakes charting. Navionics Gold charts include depth contours, spot soundings, buoy information, obstruction information, show the chart in a paper like view (the water has different shades of coloring), the Xplain feature (which explains different icons and symbols on the chart), has major coastal roadways, enhanced port services, and is NavPlanner & NavPlanner2 compatible. |
Q. Which chartplotters are compatible with Gold Charts?
A. Please reference our Gold plotter compatibility guides: Americas | Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia |
Q. What type of media cards are Gold Charts available on?
A. Gold Charts are available on CF (CompactFlash) and MicroSD (MSD) media cards or SD (SecureDigital), also commonly referred to as cartridges or chips.
Download Gold compatibility guides: Americas | Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia |
Q. What is the difference between Gold & Platinum+ charts?
A. The marine Gold charts have depth contours, spot soundings, buoy information, obstruction information, show the chart in a paper like view (the water has different shades of coloring), the Xplain feature (which explains different icons on the chart), has major coastal roadways, enhanced port services, and is NavPlanner & NavPlanner2. The marine Platinum+ charts have the same information as the Gold charts but include additional advanced "award winning" features such as Coastal Points-Of-Interest, Panoramic Port photos, geo-referenced Coast Pilot Books, top-down satellite photo overlay and 3D view for land & water. |
Q. How do I update my Gold chart?
A.Navionics makes updating easy with our hassle-free Trade-In/Update Program. |
Q. If I find an inaccuracy or error in my Gold Chart, can Navionics correct it?
A. Navionics always appreciates receiving customer support and feedback and asks that you please complete a one-page Problem Report Form or e-mail us the nature of the problem in as much detail as possible. We have devised the Cartography Problem Report online for customers to notify us of any inconsistencies that are found. Customers are then contacted once the Cartography Department receives the report, when we investigate the report, if we need additional information and also when/if the area is updated. Customers can always feel free to contact Navionics directly to inquire about the status of a Problem Report. Navionics strives to provide the best customer service, and the input of our customers enables us to improve the quality of our charts. |
Q. Can I add my own User Generated Content (UGC) or Points of Interest (POI) to Navionics Charts?
A. Yes! As part of Navionics' commitment to quality and providing valuable information, we have begun collecting UGC. Please use our new UGC Collection Form to input data you feel would be a valuable addition to Navionics charts. Thanks for your feedback! |
Q. Are there any videos that show me more about Navionics Mobile Apps and Charts?
A. Yes. You can learn much more about Navionics Mobile Apps and Charts on our YouTube Channel. |
Q. Are Navionics Gold Charts PC and Mac compatible?
A. First and foremost, Navionics Gold charts are available on preprogrammed plug-and-play cartridges, or chips, that are compatible with a growing number of today's most popular chart plotters (download compatibility guides: Americas | Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia).
Navionics Gold charts can be used in your PC or Mac using a compatible software package*. If you wish to view your chart(s) to plan boating trips in the comfort of your own home, as well as transfer routes and waypoints from your computer to your GPS plotter, then we recommend NavPlanner (Europe-Asia-Oceania-Africa-Polynesia users) or NavPlanner2 (Americas users). If you wish to also add GPS and navigation capabilities for your PC or Mac, then please see our list of compatible software manufacturers*.
*Please contact the respective software manufacturer for PC- and Mac-compatibility, as well as compatibility with Navionics Gold charts. |
Q. What do all the code numbers mean when selecting a map on my Gold chip?
A. Some chartplotter models, mainly Lowrance, allow users to select the map they want to view using a 'Map data' menu. These models show a list of codes to choose from, rather than a list of areas or regions. Please see the following cross-reference table of codes related to your Gold chart. Please note that this list refers to the latest XG codes and may vary slightly with earlier versions. |
Q. Why are the updates of the Dutch waters always so late in the season?
A. Navionics uses the best available up-to-date information from Hydrographic Offices all over the world.
In Holland we use the same high quality source. Navionics uses the paper charts as a reference to make the update. The Dutch paper charts (1800 series) are normally released mid-March.
Producing an update, in vector charts, takes 2 months. So if Navionics can start with the update in mid-March, then we are typically ready in mid-May. Each delay in the release of the paper charts postpones the release of the Navionics update as well. |
Q. Why not use only Dutch HO Notices-To-Mariners (NTMs)?
A. Navionics has investigated this option, since the NTMs are available sooner than the full updated charts, but the changes in Holland are so significant that using only the NTMs would mean a half-update. Therefore, paper charts together with the NTMs are required. |
Q. What is Navionics doing to change this (Dutch HO delay issue)?
A. Navionics is in contact with the Dutch HO to see how we can improve the release date of the Dutch updates.
In the mean time, Navionics introduced a free update for those who are willing to buy a new Navionics chart. Please feel free to ask your dealer about this option.
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Q. Do electronic charts replace paper maps?
A. The electronic chart is an aid to navigation designed to facilitate the use of authorized government charts, not to replace them. Only official government charts and notices to mariners contain all information needed for the safety of navigation, and as always, the captain is responsible for their prudent use. |
