Garmin 545s

Nehalennia

Nehalennia

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2007
10,006
Marysville, WA
Boat Info
2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
Engines
Twin 350 MAG V-drives
I looked at the Garmin 545s at West Marine.
Looks like I need to install the transducer.
Jim, or anyone
What are your thoughts on this unit and should I e-mail you on BOE for pricing?

Thanks
 
The 545 is a very nice unit. You can go 2 ways for depth, either get the 545S which has a built-in fishfinder to show depth or get the 545 and get a P79 Smart ducer. The smart P79's are about $250 :smt119 and will only show depth. It hooks to the 545 via nmea 0183.

Its probably cheapest to get the 545S http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=38355&cat=2620&page=2

and the regular P79 in-hull ducer - http://www.byownerelectronics.com/store/product.php?productid=16141&cat=0&page=1
 
Thanks Jim
Are these in stock? If not, what are the lead-times. The Admiral says put it on the Christmas list and "if I'm a good boy" Santa might bring one.
 
I had a bad sonar transducer, so instead of buying a $150 all-in-one replacement, I bought a through hull transducer (for $200) and a 545s (for $$$$).

SLICK!

I really like the 545s over the other models because of the higher screen resolution. Sure, the 540s is a bit cheaper, but the maps look like something you get off a cheap (not an expensive) PDA.

The only knock on the unit is that you can't download maps and waypoints to a PC. Oh sure, the unit has a SD slot -> but garmin never bothered to develop compatible software. Their mapsource stuff won't work.

I would recommend this unit with one caveat: If radar is in your future, then I would get a plotter that can integrate with the radar.

And yes. . .I did buy it from Jim.
 
Thanks Comsnark.
I did see the significant resolution difference, which I do like on the 545s Much better. I'll have to do more research on a through hull v. transom mount transducer.
 
comsnark said:
...
The only knock on the unit is that you can't download maps and waypoints to a PC. Oh sure, the unit has a SD slot -> but garmin never bothered to develop compatible software. Their mapsource stuff won't work.
...
Click to expand...

Jim,

If this is true how do you do pre-planning on a unit like this. I know with my 276C I use Mapsoure on the PC. I do all my Trip Pre-Planning (Can even see the route and way-points on Google Earth). Once I've got it all planned out, I then transfer everything to the unit.
 
Last edited:
I'm wrestling with this same question. I have an old fish finder that still works, but I wouldn't mind replacing it. $250 for a transducer? Holy cow!!

I've been looking at either the 440, 540 or the 545 as well as some used units. I found a 498C for $469 that seems good, but I just don't know WHICH one or which brand to buy. I guess more research is in order?
 
chuck1 said:
I know with my 276C I use Mapsoure on the PC. I do all my Trip Pre-Planning (Can even see the route and way-points on Google Earth). Once I've got it all planned out, I then transfer everything to the unit.
Click to expand...
Chuck can you briefly explain how you do this? I would love to do the same thing I if I had a clue where to start.
 
Hi,

I agree the 545s is the way to go. The screen is really nice and it's preloaded with maps.

Now the problem!!!! "mounting it". Anyone know where to get a different bracket then the factory one.???
I would like to mount it to the side of my boat and have a swivel adjustment. I have seen this bracket in other pictures but dont know where to purchase or what will fit the unit?
 
Well. . . .I am actually QUITE cheesed off by the lack of PC support for the 545. I suspect the same is true for all the Garmin chartplotters. As a result, I don't do any trip planning with the unit. But I only have a cuddy. . longest journey is 5 hours in a loop back to my house. I am not pressed.

I have a 10 year old Garmin, and a 10 month Garmin car GPS. . both work with the mapsource software, and actually have PC interfaces (the old one has a serial connection, the new one a USB connection).
 
tony1b2000 said:
Hi,

I agree the 545s is the way to go. The screen is really nice and it's preloaded with maps.

Now the problem!!!! "mounting it". Anyone know where to get a different bracket then the factory one.???
I would like to mount it to the side of my boat and have a swivel adjustment. I have seen this bracket in other pictures but dont know where to purchase or what will fit the unit?
Click to expand...

I plan to make a nice Mahagony dash to house mine(whatever I get).
200026010-28-079.jpg

I will set it up next or surround the vertical stanchion for the windshield.
 
Sorrento 25 said:
Chuck can you briefly explain how you do this? I would love to do the same thing I if I had a clue where to start.
Click to expand...

I'll try. I guess I should start a new topic as to not get this off topic.
 
no Chuck go ahead. It may be a good piece of info for those following this one.
Also that is one question that I have. I used MapSource and had the US waterways disc to add on it. I suppose I can't re-use that to "program" the SD card for the 545s?
 
Ok Jim,
I'm getting closer to ordering. What antennas and transducers are available on your site for this model?

I think I want a puck style antenna and the transom transducer.
 
tony1b2000 said:
Hi,

I agree the 545s is the way to go. The screen is really nice and it's preloaded with maps.

Now the problem!!!! "mounting it". Anyone know where to get a different bracket then the factory one.???
I would like to mount it to the side of my boat and have a swivel adjustment. I have seen this bracket in other pictures but dont know where to purchase or what will fit the unit?
Click to expand...

I used a Ram Mount for my 440 - just make sure it is the one that has the round plate mount on both ends... being anal, I ended up buying two to get the pieces I wanted... the round end fits perfectly on the base of the 400 series (assuming they are the same as the 500 series)...

It provides a fairly wide swivel area...
 
I received my 545s from BOE today. I'm excited to get it installed, but that may ba a challenge. I May make a housing out of Mahogany, but depending on where I select to install it, that may vary.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,256
Messages
1,429,437
Members
61,135
Latest member
Gregger
Back
Top