Ok I am about to get a new gps and sounder for the new boat. I am looking at either getting the Garmin 240 Blue sounder and keeping the 176 gps as my plotter or going with the Garmin 188 plotter/sounder unit and selling the 176 gps. Has anyone used the 188 or know of anyone that has the unit that I may talk to? I like the idea of having both in one unit but then if one goes down the are both out and that does bother me a bit. Hey Mike what are you looking at for the new rig?

GBOUTDOORS,
I run the Garmin 160 Blue, and love it. The 240 Blue is even better I think. In regards to the GPS, I run the matching Garmin 162 with external antenna and bluechart software. It is excellent.......

A little info about Garmin, over the summer my external gps antenna shorted out. The line had gotten kinked inside the 90^ angle of the T-Top tubing, the inside edge was jaggered and frayed the cable. I called Garmin to purchase a new antenna, explained to them what had happened. They insisted on sending me a free replacement antenna ups nextday delivery at no charge. The problem had nothing to do with their equipment, it was an installation problem. A+ customer service in my book...

Greg , I,ve already purchased a sitex color sounder
I have a Garmin 180 with only a few hours on it , i,m thinking of upgrading /but not for any real reason
same with the radio, its fine but might upgrade & put the current one as upgrading my base unit
basically ,if someone wants to buy the 180 then I,ll upgrade otherwise i,ll keep what I got because its fine////

Don,t like putting all the eggs in one basket//
I can,t believe the guys I know that don,t have a compass because of the gps == STUPID

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Thanks guys, I went with the 240 blue and a new 182 plotter that way if one goes down I still have the other and I also will keep the 176 as a back up plotter. I am with you Mike you still should have a good compass and know how to use it. And you should also know the headings to get to and from your favorite spots. Glad to hear that Garmin was so good at getting you back up and running 179 and at no charge:D :D service is almost as important as a good product.