Garmin GPS upgrade questions

[sb in gp]

I need to upgrade the GPS/Chartplotter in my boat and I need some advice from you experts. I have been doing my reading for a couple of days, but there are still a couple of gaps in my understanding.

A little background:
1) I am looking at something in the $500-$700 price range, so I'm considering the Garmin 430s or so.

2) I do fish a bit, so having a decent fish finder is a requirement.

3) Our lake (Lake St. Clair) is very shallow and I bounced my prop off a rock twice last year (cost of almost $500), so a primary need is a unit that can help me do route planning on my PC and avoid shallow areas.

4) I currently have an old Garmin 176, monochrome. Works OK, but the screen is too small and hard to read in sunlight, and the route planning is weak.


Questions:
1) I can find the 430S and 535S on e-bay, but many say "no transducer". I thought the "S" meant they came with a transducer?

2) In using my old Garmin 176, planning a course with waypoints was a real pain in the butt. Unlike auto navigation the software did not really help you. If you were going down a bending river you had to drop points all over the place to have a course to follow. What would be nice is to have software where you could say plot a course from point A to point B, and keep me in at least 8' of water. Is this possible with the newer units? Does it require the optional G2 card?

3) Major difference between the 430S and the 535S is the screen. I'm thinking that the extra resolution is not probably worth the cost. I realize this is a personal choice, but interested in opinions.

4) I like the idea of an in-hull transducer because it seems to do a better job and is less trouble. Where and how do you mount it on a boat like mine (99 260DA)?

5) I really like the idea of XM weather for safety reasons. What is needed to make that work with a Garmin?

Thanks to all those that help.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

I recently got the 430GPS and matching 400 Fish finder for my birthday and Christmas. I have not yet hooked them up but plan on doing that in the next few weeks. Once it all gets done I will post some pictures. I got them here from Jim and at very reasonable prices compared to other web sites so you might want to look at his prices on boe marine.

The 430 I got comes with inland lakes and river's already plugged into the programming. I am going to buy a CD and sd cards for the gulf later in the spring. The 400 Fish Finder I got the wife ordered the through hull transducer with mounting puck and will mount that on the port bottom hull directly across from my existing transducer that came in with the boat. Sits just in front of the motor about 3-4 inches off center line. No holes to drill. The mounting puck is glued to the hull using silicone, wire run right next to my other depth finder.

Good luck with your decision. :thumbsup:

 

[Sundancer]

The mounting puck is glued to the hull using silicone, wire run right next to my other depth finder.
QUOTE]


I don't think silicone will work to seal it to the bottom? Won't that absorb the sound waves instead of letting them pass through? A friend did that in an old Sun Runner and it didn't work. He had to pull it all up and use an epoxy. The last one I put in back in the 80's came with it's own glue so I'm not really sure!!

 

[comsnark]

A few things;

First, the "s" in the model number means that the unit is *capable* of handling a transducer. It does not necessarily come with a transduce.

Second, there are three basic types of transducers; "Transom mount", "shoot through", or "through hull". Transom mount is very common, but can be problematic. "Through hull" is the best installation, but requires a hole in the boat. "Shoot through" is the same gizmo (more or less) as the through hull, but you don't drill a hole. You just pray that the signal gets through the hull!!

A 260DA should already have a through hull transducer installed. I would replace that puck with a garmin compatible model.

BTW: Doing what Stihlbolts is doing will also work, but be aware that having two functioning transducers on a boat can lead to interference problems.

Third; 430 vs 530 results in difference in screen size. Is the 430 ok, or too small? When running on plane in shallow water. . . . .bigger is better.

The 535 vs 530 implies a difference in resolution (factor of four) but the same screen size. I thought the 430/530 resolution was kinda cheesy. The 535 resolution is more like a computer monitor. (I actually have the 545 because I wanted a different set of charts)

Fourth: Don't need G2 to plot courses. But it may be easier if you could do it on a PC and download the route to the unit using the SD card. Supposedly, this works well. I failed last year to make it work on my 545, but I know I have a few things more to try to make this work.

In reality, the charts on the unit are NOAA charts, right? When running in shallow areas, I don't bother plotting a route: I look at the screen and it is immediately apparant where the shoal areas are and which way I need to go. I sometimes use a paper chart to get bearings for, say, a 10 mile stretch. . and use the plotter well zoomed in to see where exactly I am relative to the details.

BTW: Depth finders won't stop you from hitting rocks. It only confirms that you didn't have enough water after you hit the rock.

 

[sb in gp]

I recently got the 430GPS and matching 400 Fish finder for my birthday and Christmas. I have not yet hooked them up but plan on doing that in the next few weeks. Once it all gets done I will post some pictures. I got them here from Jim and at very reasonable prices compared to other web sites so you might want to look at his prices on boe marine.

Thanks Stihlbolt, never even thought of getting 2 units. I'm already having trouble figuring out where to put one unit on my cramped console on the 260.

Are the standalone fishfinders significantly better than the chartplotters at finding fish?

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Scott

 

[sb in gp]

A 260DA should already have a through hull transducer installed. I would replace that puck with a garmin compatible model.

I assume that when you do this you disable the on-board depth sounder, correct? I don't always put the GPS on when I go out (that could be because current model is a POS )

Third; 430 vs 530 results in difference in screen size. Is the 430 ok, or too small? When running on plane in shallow water. . . . .bigger is better.

The 535 vs 530 implies a difference in resolution (factor of four) but the same screen size. I thought the 430/530 resolution was kinda cheesy. The 535 resolution is more like a computer monitor. (I actually have the 545 because I wanted a different set of charts)

You've got me thinking. I might save my pennies and go for the 535s.

Fourth: Don't need G2 to plot courses. But it may be easier if you could do it on a PC and download the route to the unit using the SD card. Supposedly, this works well. I failed last year to make it work on my 545, but I know I have a few things more to try to make this work.

I was thinking the "Auto Guidance" (requires G2) feature would help navigation and avoiding shallow spots. Anyone have experience with this feature?

 

[Still LauCo]

SB,

I am also at the Pier Park, well 60. I don't have anything to add except I am a fan of most Garmin products, and I love your avatar! I have a bad addiction to that most frustrating organization!

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

The 400 series units are small enought to sit on the dash with out obstructing too much of a view. I spend most of my time on the bolster, looking over the windshield. :grin:

 

[SeaRide]

SB,

I have a 430 (inland maps) and also bought it from Jim. The 430 will need the G2 Vision card for the auto guidance along the coast. The auto guidance feature is not enabled with the inland maps. I use a Ram mount (ball joint style) attached to the windshield support post. I'll try and post pictures later.

 

[sb in gp]

SB,

I am also at the Pier Park, well 60. I don't have anything to add except I am a fan of most Garmin products, and I love your avatar! I have a bad addiction to that most frustrating organization!

I don't remember my well #, but we are on the very Southern most side of the marina (next to the beach).

Yeah I'm a Lion's season ticket holder. Someday, someday.

 

[sb in gp]

SB,

I have a 430 (inland maps) and also bought it from Jim. The 430 will need the G2 Vision card for the auto guidance along the coast. The auto guidance feature is not enabled with the inland maps. I use a Ram mount (ball joint style) attached to the windshield support post. I'll try and post pictures later.

Does anyone out there have any experience with the Auto Guidance feature on Garmin? Can't find much info on their Website.

 

[SeaRide]

SB,

I have the g2 Vision Card for my 430. It was my intention to get down to the coast to see how it operates. However, I ran out of time before cold weather set in. I have scrolled down to Charleston just to have a look at the sat. images. Looks nice we'll see how it works later this year.

Pg. 16 of the owners manual states that "Auto Guidance suggests passage based on available BlueChart g2 Vision chart information." To the best of my knowledge Garmin does not offer a Vision card for inland lakes. You may want to call Garmin and see if this applies to your local areas. Their customer support is very good. You can also search their website (click on the g2 icon) and see if Garmin has a card for your area. Garmin has a card for the Great Lakes area.

Just for heck of it I tried using the auto guidance feature on our local, inland lake and it did not work, nor did I expect it to.

 

[ghuskin]

sb in gp,

I am kind of in the same situation as you are with gps. I have an old garmin POS also. I can't believe they even sold that model! anyway, i spent about an hour at the local WM store and asked a bunch of questions. they have the software you are talking about, and can demonstrate it for you.

The software seems pretty cool, and would be a nice to have, but doesn't fit what I'll be doing with my boat. I will probably end up with the 535s. anything more would be overkill, i think.

 

[comsnark]

Personally, I think the G2 software is WAY overpriced. Mind you, I stay within 20 miles of home most of the time, so that probably colors my thinking.