My beloved garmin 188C GPS/FF finally reported her last ping, after 12 years of use and abuse.

I am thinking about maybe sticking with the garmin, assuming/hoping that maybe I can use the same sounder and gps antenna.

Or maybe I just go all new.

I am hoping to spend under $1000, would like to spend under $800.

I want/need a GPS/FF combo, and it needs to be removable, mounted in a bracket on top of my console.

I don't really know about chirp or any of the new sonar tech, so I guess I have to get boned up on that.

Any advice??

Thanks!!

Z

I'm almost positive that you can reuse your GPS antenna. I wouldn't be surprised if you can also use your current transducer. You may not be able to use your current transducer on all models, so factor that into your research. I'm planning on upgrading my electronics next spring, so I'll be doing all my research over the winter. One thing I already know is that a lot of the new stuff has the GPS receiver built in.

If the GPS antenna is good I'm pretty sure you can keep it, possibly even the harnesses, but probably not the transducer. Occasionally though it's good to replace the antenna anyway - if I spent $1000 on a new unit I'd be replacing the antenna for the added $50.

If you were happy with what you had, just go on Ebay and buy a used one that's similar. There are a zillion models they made in the last 5-10 years that are practically just that 188C and lots of people upgrade, selling what they have off on the cheap - for $150 I bet you can find one that looks about like new and comes with the box even, you can likely find a refurb for $200.

On my new boat I'll put electronics made at least within the last few years, figure a 2016 boat should be about current more or less.. But on a 10 year old boat I'd never go buying brand new - waste of $$ for stuff that looses 50% of it's value after it sits on a shelf for 1-2 years.

I'd say with fishfinders there's certainly room to improve upon the older stuff, if you actually use a fishfinder (depending what sort of fishing you do, they can be less or more important for actually finding fish).. but a 10 year old Garmin that takes bluecharts is just as good for navigating as the brand new stuff if you ask me.

Jon

I also had the 188c, which I upgraded this year to a Raymarine A78, which I bought off of a member here. So here is my take on what you need to be aware of; The new units often have an internal antenna. The technology of the sonar, downscan and sidescan is what you are really upgrading. The downscan/chirp is very good and when displayed side by side with the basic sonar, you will realize how many ghost images we use to react to. I did not get the sidescan, but could easily make use of it. The sidescan is available with an upgrade of transducer. Transducer is the greatest variable for your cost, imo. I like the touch screen. As for the gps, mine has Navionics gold charts. Not impressed. Preferred the Garmin Bluecharts much more..... Don't know if the Navionics Platinum is worth $199 given my experience with their Gold charts. That said, I am still learning the unit's functions and variable settings. I really need to reach out to someone at Navionics to see if I am missing something in set up. I was expecting more detail. I was originally looking at Simrad, before Peter listed this unit in classifieds, and the entry price sealed the deal. If I were to do it again, I would probably go with Garmin. I am not missing the sidescan but would like to try it. Hope this helps.

I'm almost positive that you can reuse your GPS antenna. I wouldn't be surprised if you can also use your current transducer. You may not be able to use your current transducer on all models, so factor that into your research. I'm planning on upgrading my electronics next spring, so I'll be doing all my research over the winter. One thing I already know is that a lot of the new stuff has the GPS receiver built in.

Getting ready to start running back to the edge?
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Z my died this spring .....&& my main concern was keeping my way points /they arn,y transferable to all units .

& was luckY & got one from LINK on this site ..........I traded his chip for the time & knowledge to tranfer my data ..................I,m a happy camper with the same old unit >><>:fishin:

I also had the 188c, which I upgraded this year to a Raymarine A78, which I bought off of a member here. So here is my take on what you need to be aware of; The new units often have an internal antenna. The technology of the sonar, downscan and sidescan is what you are really upgrading. The downscan/chirp is very good and when displayed side by side with the basic sonar, you will realize how many ghost images we use to react to. I did not get the sidescan, but could easily make use of it. The sidescan is available with an upgrade of transducer. Transducer is the greatest variable for your cost, imo. I like the touch screen. As for the gps, mine has Navionics gold charts. Not impressed. Preferred the Garmin Bluecharts much more..... Don't know if the Navionics Platinum is worth $199 given my experience with their Gold charts. That said, I am still learning the unit's functions and variable settings. I really need to reach out to someone at Navionics to see if I am missing something in set up. I was expecting more detail. I was originally looking at Simrad, before Peter listed this unit in classifieds, and the entry price sealed the deal. If I were to do it again, I would probably go with Garmin. I am not missing the sidescan but would like to try it. Hope this helps.

Yep agreed - I'd put it about this simply, if it's not a Garmin GPS it's inferior. I get around on a lot of different boats and lots of guys fall prey to other brands of GPS, not sure why - maybe they are cheaper when you get the big multi function unit or maybe the Garmin FF just isn't very good?

One boat I usually tuna fish on has a huge lowrance GPS and I'd love to rip the thing out of the dash and throw it out the window, the interfaces suck, it's hard to notice when you are getting off course, it's hard to plot out a drift and where to set an anchor. Always makes me shake my head thinking that I've got a 10 year old handheld that works better, we've actually used it instead.

Jon

Getting ready to start running back to the edge?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Maybe. :)

Maybe. :)

Good :kewl:

Don't bother right now though.... :crying::crying::crying:

I also had the 188c, which I upgraded this year to a Raymarine A78, which I bought off of a member here. So here is my take on what you need to be aware of; The new units often have an internal antenna. The technology of the sonar, downscan and sidescan is what you are really upgrading. The downscan/chirp is very good and when displayed side by side with the basic sonar, you will realize how many ghost images we use to react to. I did not get the sidescan, but could easily make use of it. The sidescan is available with an upgrade of transducer. Transducer is the greatest variable for your cost, imo. I like the touch screen. As for the gps, mine has Navionics gold charts. Not impressed. Preferred the Garmin Bluecharts much more..... Don't know if the Navionics Platinum is worth $199 given my experience with their Gold charts. That said, I am still learning the unit's functions and variable settings. I really need to reach out to someone at Navionics to see if I am missing something in set up. I was expecting more detail. I was originally looking at Simrad, before Peter listed this unit in classifieds, and the entry price sealed the deal. If I were to do it again, I would probably go with Garmin. I am not missing the sidescan but would like to try it. Hope this helps.

Good info, thanks. I did a lot of research last night, the new sonar tech looks great. But I am not a huge user of the fish finder other than to pinpoint structure or sometimes bait, and I had no issue with what I had been using. So, spurred on by comments by riff_raff & clammer, I am probably going to try to find a used 188c.

Thanks guys! From me & my wallet!!!

Z