I have a 188c GPS/sounder combo. It is not supported by company anymore. I have an opportunity to upgrade to a larger, yet also non supported unit, 2010c, for short money. But it is only short money if the antenna and transducer wiring are compatible.... Need a Garmin guru

I strongly suspect you will be fine, but if you call Garmin they will tell you. I still use a 188 and find it better suited for my needs than anything new out there. I had to change the memory battery in mine and spoke to Garmin's customer support team. They were very helpful right down to the part numbers for batteries etc I needed.

Nightfighter,

Looking on the Garmin sight both of those units use NMEA 0183 in/out port so looks like you my be good.

Numbskull, couldnt agree with you more. For my needs, I have a 172C and love it, last I tried I could still update the software. I like it much better than all their newer stuff. Also have a simple 152GPS that I also like but no you can't even update that software which I think is criminal BS.

I love my 188c. i often think about getting bigger/badder/newer, but if it ain't broke, don't fix.

i bought a new wiring harness 2 years ago, and it seemed like it was universal. The antenna I am almost certain it is universal (to garmin of course). but like numbskull said, call garmin, i'm sure they will have the answer even though the 188c is no longer supported.

My antenna is not compatible. Would have to upgrade to a 17 or 19 antenna. Customer support was good. Thanks George. Hmm.......

Ross,

I still have my 188C, if you need it you are welcome to it, but fyi I used my same transducer and antenna when I upgraded to the 740.

the 2010 Garmin uses the 17 antenna also the sounder will require a GSD 20
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one more thing the gsd 20 is only a 600 watt unit pretty low end
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I have a 2010C, it is a chart plotter only, no depthsounder, so transducer compatibility will not be an issue, since it doesn't use one. I've had to replace the antenna once or twice (don't remember which), but they aren't very expensive.

I have a 2010C, it is a chart plotter only, no depthsounder, so transducer compatibility will not be an issue, since it doesn't use one. I've had to replace the antenna once or twice (don't remember which), but they aren't very expensive.

The 2010 & 2006 can be used as a sounder.
You have to connect a gsd 20 to the head unit and the transducer to the gsd 20.
Like a said prior.
It's only 600 watt and pretty low end.
I have the 2006C with the sounder module up on my tower.
I love the older garmin chart plotters (I have a 2010c, 2006c & a 182c)
The sounder is nothing great but it's better than nothing for up in my tower.
The newer garmin sounder modules are the cats ass !
The gsd 24 is very very good.
The latest gsd 26 (being chirp or not) is unreal. Lots say it kicks any Furuno units ass !
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The GSD20 that would be included is suspect. A GSD 21 or 22 are compatible with the 2010c, but would add 400-500 to the build. So if I got it for 150, antenna for 125, and GSD for 425, I would have $700 into ten year old technology.... Think I will stick with my 188c, faded screen and all, and put the $700 towards a new unit at some point in the future.

Bob S. I will get in touch with you, re. your 188c.

Ross, I run a Garmin 546S. Around $550 with antenna and dual freq transducer. NMEA 2000 compatible. I have had it on my boat for 2 years. Also run the GDL 40 Garmin weather system in conjunction with it and a Garmin 300c FF. All are hooked together on the NMEA network. Under $1K for everything.

The GSD20 that would be included is suspect. A GSD 21 or 22 are compatible with the 2010c, but would add 400-500 to the build. So if I got it for 150, antenna for 125, and GSD for 425, I would have $700 into ten year old technology.... Think I will stick with my 188c, faded screen and all, and put the $700 towards a new unit at some point in the future.

Bob S. I will get in touch with you, re. your 188c.

pm your address or if you are down the Plymouth area we can hook up and you can plug mine in, should still be good to go.