June 22, 2022 1 min read 6 Comments
Garmin just announced, effective immediately, you will no longer be able to purchase Birdseye software for your Garmin devices. Newer devices, like the Alpha 200 and Alpha 200i, use Birdseye Direct and will not be affected by this change.
Older devices, like the Alpha 100 and Astro 430 devices, that are still being sold that come with the 1 year FREE subscription of Birdseye will still be able to use the Birdseye for one year, but will not be able to renew at the end of that term. People that currently have a subscription to Birdseye will continue being able to use the software for the remaining subscription period, but will also not have the option to renew at the end of their current subscription plan. If you downloaded map data during a Birdseye subscription period that data will still remain on your device, but you will no longer be able to update the data.
Devices like the Astro 320, Astro 430, and Alpha 100 that do not have Birdseye Direct capability will only be able to obtain Birdseye Satellite imagery through the purchase of the state HuntView map cards.
We are sorry if this change affects your experience with your Garmin device. If you have any questions regarding this change, please comment below or comment on our Facebook post regarding this announcement.
Thank you,
Michael Cassatt, LCS Director of Marketing
February 23, 2023
How is it Garmin sees fit to eliminate a feature of a product with no alternative offered other than recommending you purchase a new product from them. I purchased the Oregon 600 with the intention of using birdseye for hunting and trapping. I used it to that end quite successfully for 6 years. But I found out today that my Oregon can no longer have imagery put on it nullifying the entire reason I bought it. No work around, no trade in option, no concern whatsoever from customer service when I called them. Just a suggestion that I trust them with more money for a new product that they may decide to devalue at an unknown time in the future all over again. I get not upgrading or improving birdseye, but do not understand at all the decision to eliminate it as a feature. Check all over Garmins site and third party sellers and the 600 is still listed as able to support birdseye. Buyer beware I guess.
July 31, 2024
What replaced it? IF we want maps for our basecamp and to download to our devices what is the best option? Are we limited to the “Topo” series of regional maps? Please let us know
October 13, 2022
Regarding the removal of the option to provide birdseye subscriptions. It is understandable that birds eye image resolution was not at the level of other imagery which has become currently available. However in a world where products like airbus imagery with 30cm resolution is now common place Garmin should endeavor to have a product that provides global high resolution imagery to its users. There are many people and users that are not looking for routable maps…..these people can read a map and navigate from it….solid base maps and imagery are a sign if ant tool which is constantly being degraded….dumbing up, with routability and wired oblique gráficos degrades peoples interaction with there environment….certainly a good idea for the mass market….but it leaves the professional looking for other solutions….just my opinion. thanks
October 13, 2022
I just noticed that Birdseye is now discontinued at Garmin. I called customer service to find out the reasons for this decision and no one at Garmin can explain it to me. Birdseye is no longer offered and I have to settle for this answer. Only the Alpha 200 and 200i GPS will continue to receive Birdseye’s service and again, no one can explain the reasons for this decision. As I bought this GPS specifically to obtain satellite views from Birdseye, I can see that Garmin is not concerned about my well-being as a customer. Moreover, the satellite images of Birdseye which were recorded on my GPSmap 64s since the purchase of the device, have disappeared contrary to what is written in the text of the advertisement of Mr.Michael Cassat, director of marketing.
I find it truly unfortunate that Garmin act so unprofessional and abandon their customers to their own fate. For my part, when I find another company that uses Birdseye and has the respect and needs of their customers at heart, I will turn to them and abandon Garmin.
July 02, 2022
Upon going to Hunt/View map cards it seems Astro 320 is out of the compatibility grid, later versions only.
I have used Birdseye and Astro 320 for several years and Garmin has been very good for support. I have even called from WMAs in South Carolina for support with success. I understand the support issues and the need to move on and upgrade.
I laugh at all the disks of map views that I have purchased for different GPS devices over the years.
I guess ONX wins out with the phone and a base direction and location with the Astro 320 is the way to go.
Lion Country has always been excellent on sales and support questions.
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Murray Sanders
May 11, 2023
I bought a drive track 70 and a drive track 71 because I was able to use Birdseye on them , I’m sick of companies selling products and them leaving you high and dry , these products are not cheap , I currently own 8 T5 collars , a Garmin 430 a 100 and a 200i as well as 2 drive tracks , I rely on Birdseye to tell the difference between the paddocks and the bush line , PLEASE RESTORE BIRDSEYE TO AT LEAST DRIVE TRACKS GARMIN , Oh and I have been a faithful Garmin supporter for years going way back to the Astro 220 320 and the DC 20 DC 30 DC 40 and DC50 collars as well as 3 BLOODY WATCH’S