GPS and Depth Finder Question

[tommyc_37]

Hey guys,

I have a 1988 268 Sundancer. It's outfitted with a transom-mounted transducer, and the depth reading is displayed on the original dash-mount screen.

The problem is, the reading is very innaccurate/faulty. Sometimes it flashes a number, and other times it just reads the wrong number (like telling me I'm in 4 feet of water, when I'm in the middle of the Hudson River, which is approximately 40 feet deep).

Now, I have a GPS (a Garmin 420), and I've wired it last year, but I've never really used it (my boat was out of commission for much of last season).

What is the best/easiest way I can have depth readings displayed on my GPS unit? Do I need a new transducer, and wire that transducer to the GPS? Or can my old (potentially faulty) transducer be hooked up to this Garmin?

Does the Garmin 420 (not the 420s) even accept transducer connections?? It appears that only the 420s does, unless I'm reading it wrong?

Any help at all would be much appreciated!

 

[JimG]

Is the reading erratic when your sitting still? Most transom mounted transducers will be affected by turbulence created when in motion.

You will likely need the transducer from Garmin for their units. Yes, it appears that the 420s is required for the sounder feature.

 

[tommyc_37]

Thanks Jim. I guess I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy a new transducer and all....or is it possible to repair/replace the old transducer that's currently on the transom, so that it displays the depth in the old display on the dashboard? Or is the display itself most likely the problem??

I guess I'm looking for people who have had similar experiences with an older boat.

 

[Cocktail Time]

What model is the existing depth sounder and the transducer? Some can be linked and others can't. That might sound like a BS answer, but my old 1991 270 Sundancer came with a lowrance 3500 depth sounder that wasn't compatible with the Garmin GPS we installed. Other newer depth sounders had a Nmea 0182 output that would display depth on a compatible display.

 

[tommyc_37]

Not sure on the model, I'd have to go down to the boat to look...but I'm pretty positive it's a Lowrance, and obviously an older one. Different train of thought ... perhaps I'll just buy a handheld depth finder?? Is a handheld useful as a PRIMARY depth finder?

Relatively new to boating (this will be my 3rd season), so I'm still learning some ins and outs of this fun lifestyle.