The used boat I'm looking at buying has a 04 Garmin 188C color chart and fish finder, curious what experience others might have had that them. I seem to be a magnet for fogging depth finders over the past few boats, so I'm hoping this puppy is "really" sealed.

tight lines.

I had one, loved it.
Never had any problems with it, had it about 3 years and let it go when I sold my boat.

i have a 178 c bought new in 2005 maps good , fish finder fair but managed to fog the screen , i used to cover it with a plastic bag when boat not in use , i was told thats what made the mess it only lightens up when exposed to direct sun light toss the cover on for a couple of minutes and its fine for a while . i will be looking at others next time around

I have been using the 188C for about 3 years now. I have had no issues with fogging. It is a great unit.

I have 172C and buddy has 182. We had these over 3 years. They are well sealed.

I only use the Garmin Cover. I don't leave it out in the weather. On my old boat I took it off every day. On the new boat I mounted it under the dash which has a door. So now I leave it on the boat with no issues.

I have one now and it's on it's 3rd year with me ... LOVE IT!

I do take it off the boat though at the end of the day, never a problem with fogging, very good display, use the Blue Chart chip and your golden!

The charts with the gps are great. The FF is good, nothing fantastic or eartrhshatering. It does the job. There may be better FF on the market.
Did have some issues with interfearence after installation, the GPS would relocate when using the vhf. Added some ferrite filters to the affected units and everything is fine.

I have the 188c, and I think it is great.

Finally have the boat back, what are my options on software for this unit, any recommendations?

whatever model Chart I have is great // went with Furano with the depth ;)

Check out their site -
http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap188s/

You might still have the good ole "H" bouy still listed on yours.
It was always a feat making it to the H bouy in my buddys leaky 14fter.

Good unit I have one with a 23' Grady attached to it for sale... $37K!

Any sources of used Blue Chart chips for these units for eastern Mass?

Try ebay, they may have something. I don't know if i'd buy a used one though unless I knew the person, they're only about $125.00 and that comes with a warrantee, used doesn't.

You could also try Craigs list, if you do look on ebay and there isn't anything there then post in in Want It Now in ebay and people on ebay will see that and maybe have one for you.

I have an 06 Garmin 172c and love it. I use it just for the GPS and have a seperate Hummingbird fishfinder with temp etc. No problem with fogging the 172c but I don't leave it on the boat when I'm not there..