View Full Version : anyone with advice on gps/fishfinder??


vermonster
01-17-2006, 07:00 PM
I am looking for a gps chartplotter/sounder.thinking about garmin 178c. does any one have this unit or one like it that they really like.my boat is 18 foot center console so would want one i can remove thanks

SandyPtMayor
01-17-2006, 07:06 PM
I have an Eagle Fish Easy 240 that i have mounted on my kayak...can be removed easy...Kayak fishing.com is where i got mine...has very good luck with it....

blue oyster
01-17-2006, 08:20 PM
i bought the 178c at the end of summer for my new 18cc parker , the thing is awesome .it can do a million things although i have only started to scratch the surface . i have gone out in the complete fog where before i got it i would stay in port . the only draw backs i have found is if the screen faces the sun for a long time the screen lightens up , then i just put the face cover on for a couple of minutes and its fine , its also not cheap , good luck

devils fiddle
01-17-2006, 11:03 PM
Couldn't agree with Blue Oyster more. Great unit with an amazing screen for the size. Have it in the a 21 CC and don't need much else. The fishfinder isn't bad either. Blue Oyster if the screen is lightening up in the sun it may have some water in it. Garmin has a one year warranty not covering on that kind of stuff but they don't warranty shipping costs which is bull.

Raider Ronnie
01-18-2006, 04:35 AM
In my opinion,
Garmin is the most user friendly GPS made !!!
I'm not a big fan of combo units and splitting screens though, but if space is limited, go with one!
For fish finder/ bottom machines, there a better choices than Garmin

beamie
01-18-2006, 07:11 AM
I have a simple Garmin 152 on the boat. Just a GPS not a plotter/finder. I love. Like others said very user freindly. Harly ever had to look at the manual. Does a milllion things although I just use it for a handful. Someday when I get some extra doe was thinking of getting the 192C. Like Ronnie said I personally would rather separate units but space is a factor in smaller boats.

Westport Jeff
01-18-2006, 01:52 PM
Same set up as Blue Oyster. Garmin 178C on an 18' Parker CC. Perfect for an 18' boat. Lots of features and easy to use. If you have the extra money, get the color. Better resoultion.

gf2020
01-18-2006, 05:59 PM
I have the Garmin GPSMAP 238 combo fish finder/gps/chartplotter on my 20' center console.

It has a bigger B&W screen than the 17X or 18X series but if I were purchasing today I would probably go with a color screen.

SolOmoN
01-18-2006, 08:54 PM
Navman 5600 color.... nice features... fuel moniter interface it's a straight plugin to a Mercury and an inline fuel transducer for just about any other engine type. Gas or Deisel. c map nt+ and is a good size I have it on my 18' cc.

nice unit.

cost anywhere from 675 - 900 depending on where you go.

sol...

saltyric
01-20-2006, 07:39 AM
I have a Garmin 178c, unit is fantastic and won't break the bank! Screen is sunlight viewable, perfect for a 18cc. Garmin has a great "user interface" as well. Very easy to use.

capecodder
01-20-2006, 12:10 PM
I also have the Garmin 178C on my GW 18' CC. Easy to install and use. I carry a handheld GPS as a backup when travelling offshore. Being my first FF, I don't puch much faith in the fish marking aspect but it tracks the bottom very well even at 30 knts+.

I bought the detailed chart of CC and it is great, quick screen refresh. Highly recommend...

MTC
01-22-2006, 03:58 AM
The new Raymarine A65 is a nice unit (Combo) Comes preloaded and Raymarine digital Sounder is awesome...

pmueller
01-23-2006, 04:22 PM
Without checking, I think I have the Garmin 186C.
Looking at the specs of the 178C, very similar.
Suprisingly, the combo unit has been great. I did not want to get one, but the consolse was way too small for extra stuff.
Always good luck with Garmin products. The GPS rocks.

gf2020
01-24-2006, 12:53 PM
The new Raymarine A65 is a nice unit (Combo) Comes preloaded and Raymarine digital Sounder is awesome...

The A65 is an awesome new unit...the MSRP is also over $2000! :eek5: