Overview

The Garmin New Zealand, South Coastal Charts is an electronic chart region for compatible Garmin chartplotters, covering the entire coast of the South Island and the southernmost part of the North Island from Foxton Beach to Cape Turnagain, including Wellington.

Coverage also includes offshore areas such as the Bounty Islands and the Snares Islands. The same New Zealand South coverage is offered as BlueChart g3 (HXPC417S) or BlueChart g3 Vision (VPC417S), depending on whether you want the additional Vision layers.

These charts add practical navigation detail such as aids to navigation, spot soundings, depth contours, tides and currents, and port information. On compatible units you can also use Auto Guidance route suggestions, Depth Range Shading for up to 10 depth ranges, shallow-water shading you set to your preferred depth, and up to 1-foot contours for bottom detail.

Key features

• New Zealand South coverage: South Island coastline plus Foxton Beach to Cape Turnagain on the lower North Island, including Wellington, with coverage that includes the Bounty Islands and Snares Islands
• Two chart options for the same region: BlueChart g3 (HXPC417S) or BlueChart g3 Vision (VPC417S)
• Delivered either on a microSD card with SD adapter or as a download you install to a microSD/SD card using Garmin Express
• Navigation detail including aids to navigation, spot soundings, depth contours, tides and currents, and harbor information
• Auto Guidance route suggestions on compatible chartplotters, using your boat's dimensions
• Depth Range Shading for up to 10 depth ranges plus shallow-water shading you can set to your preferred depth
• BlueChart g3 Vision versions add satellite imagery overlays, aerial photos of ports and marinas, and 3D views such as MarinerEye and FishEye

Variants

This chart region is sold in multiple configurations so you can match the cartography level and the delivery method to how you load charts on your Garmin system.

Across the range, the New Zealand South coverage stays the same. The differences are the BlueChart version (g3 Vision vs g3) and whether you receive it on a microSD/SD card or as a download.

• 010-C0875-00: BlueChart g3 Vision, SD card format. This version adds the Vision photo layers and 3D views and is used by inserting the card in the chartplotter.
• 010-D0525-00: BlueChart g3 Vision, download format. The chart is installed to a microSD/SD card with Garmin Express before you use it in the chartplotter.
• 010-C0875-20: BlueChart g3, SD card format. This is the standard g3 cartography for the same region, supplied on a card for the chartplotter.
• 010-D0547-00: BlueChart g3, download format. The standard g3 chart is downloaded and installed to a microSD/SD card for use in the chartplotter.

Compatibility and fit

Confirm that your chartplotter supports BlueChart g3 and accepts the BlueChart version you are buying (g3 or g3 Vision). The SD card versions require a chartplotter with a compatible microSD or SD card slot. Download versions require a computer with Garmin Express and a card reader so you can load the chart to a microSD/SD card.

Electronic charts are tied to a single chartplotter once they are registered and installed, so this is best planned as a dedicated chart for the boat where it will live.

Installing and updating

For SD card versions, power up the chartplotter and insert the card, then allow the unit to index the chart data. For download versions, load the chart to a microSD/SD card with Garmin Express, then move that card to the chartplotter. Plan for one chart per card so your chartplotter always sees the correct region.

Use on board

For coastal passages around the South Island and approaches into Wellington and nearby harbors, the depth contours and shading tools help you keep an eye on safe water and spot structure changes as you work along the coast. The Vision option is a good match for skippers who like to cross-check ports and shoreline detail with photo overlays and 3D views when entering unfamiliar areas.