Connecting Legacy Garmin Marine Network Devices to a Garmin BlueNet Network

You can connect many legacy Garmin® Marine Network devices to a Garmin BlueNet™ network using a Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway.

You can refer to these considerations and examples for information about how to organize your Garmin BlueNet network when connecting legacy Garmin Marine Network devices.

Important Considerations When Using a Garmin BlueNet 30 Gateway

There are important things to consider when connecting legacy Garmin Marine Network devices to a Garmin BlueNet network to ensure the best performance and communication between all devices on the network.

  • You must connect only one Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway to a Garmin BlueNet network. Connecting more than one gateway will cause network performance issues.

  • You can connect up to two legacy Garmin Marine Network devices directly to the Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway because the gateway has two legacy Garmin Marine Network ports.

  • If you have more than two legacy Garmin Marine Network devices you want to connect to the gateway, you must connect them to one another using one or more chartplotters with multiple NETWORK ports or using a GMS™ 10 switch. Only one interconnected chartplotter or the GMS 10 switch needs to connect to the gateway, but you can use both legacy Garmin Marine Network ports on the gateway if that is best for your installation.

  • If you have more than one Garmin BlueNet device you want to connect to the gateway, you must connect the devices to one another using one or more chartplotters with multiple Garmin BlueNet NETWORK ports or using a Garmin BlueNet 20 switch. Only one interconnected chartplotter or the Garmin BlueNet 20 switch can connect to the gateway because the gateway has only one Garmin BlueNet NETWORK port.

Garmin BlueNet Network Containing Legacy Garmin Marine Network Devices Example

You can refer to this diagram to better understand how to connect legacy Garmin Marine Network devices to a Garmin BlueNet network using a Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway.


Network connection diagram with callouts

Item

Description

Notes

Callout number 1

Garmin BlueNet network devices

All Garmin BlueNet network devices must connect to one another or to a Garmin BlueNet 20 switch.

Only one Garmin BlueNet network device or Garmin BlueNet 20 switch may connect to the Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway to communicate with the legacy Garmin Marine Network devices.

Depending on the types of devices you plan to connect, there are requirements you may need to follow when constructing the network (Specific Garmin BlueNet Device Network Connection Requirements and Considerations).

Callout number 2

Legacy Garmin Marine Network devices

If you have more than two legacy Garmin Marine Network devices, these devices must connect to one another or to a GMS 10 switch.

Only one legacy Garmin Marine Network device or GMS 10 switch needs to connect to the Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway to communicate with the Garmin BlueNet network devices.

If you have only two legacy Garmin Marine Network devices, you can connect them both to the Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway without first connecting them to one another.

Item

Description

Notes

Callout number 1

Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway

All Garmin BlueNet network devices must be connected on one "side" of the gateway, and all legacy Garmin Marine Network devices must be connected to the other "side."

NOTICE

Only one Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway can be installed in a mixed network. Attempting to install more than one gateway in a network will result in poor performance or no communication between devices.

Callout number 2

Garmin BlueNet radar

Callout number 3

Ignition or power switch (not included)

You should connect the Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway to power through the ignition or another physical switch. The device continues to draw power when the system is off and drains the battery if it is connected directly.

Callout number 4

Legacy Garmin Marine Network cable

Garmin Marine Network cables have larger connectors that look more like a common RJ45 network connector.

Callout number 5

Garmin BlueNet network cable

Garmin BlueNet network cables have smaller connectors to allow for easier cable routing and installation.

NOTE: Although they have a similar appearance, Garmin BlueNet network cables are not the same as NMEA 2000® cables, and you cannot use them interchangeably.

Callout number 6

12 to 24 Vdc power source

The Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway must connect to power using the included power cable.

Callout number 7

Garmin BlueNet 20 switch or Garmin BlueNet chartplotter

If you are using a Garmin BlueNet 20 switch, the best practice is to connect that switch to the gateway. If you are not using a switch, you can connect a chartplotter with multiple Garmin BlueNet network ports or a single Garmin BlueNet chartplotter to the gateway, depending on the types of devices on your vessel.

Callout number 8

Garmin BlueNet chartplotter or other device

NOTE: You must have at least one Garmin BlueNet chartplotter on the boat. The Garmin BlueNet 30 gateway is not necessary without a Garmin BlueNet chartplotter.

Callout number 9

GMS 10 switch or legacy Garmin Marine Network chartplotter

If you are using a GMS 10 switch, it is the best practice to connect that switch to the gateway. If you are not using a switch, you can connect a chartplotter with multiple legacy Garmin Marine Network ports or up to two single legacy Garmin Marine Network devices to the gateway, depending on the types of devices on your vessel.

Callout number 10

Legacy Garmin Marine Network chartplotter or other device

GUID-C3D5DCE9-C0FF-4AC4-B759-D5B34E1EB78E v2
December 2023