denwatson
Member
- Aug 3, 2010
- 74
- Boat Info
- 2007 240 Sundeck and before that 1988 Sea Ray Sorrento 23
- Engines
- 350 MAG MPI BravoIII and before that 5.0 Merc 260 with Alpha drive
Yep everyone just has to have one! The GPS. Next question, after you buy it, where do you install the thing? We don't fish, and we have the depth finder on the dash so for us we just needed a chartplotter. The selection is a personal preference, we liked the Garmin GPSmap 640. It has a little bigger screen and much better screen resolution than most small units and can be moved to a car if desired. We added the BlueChart chip that allows complete satellite photo coverage for specific regions. For example, if you are approaching a marina you are able identify slip or fuel locations in advance.
Mounting options are somewhat limited on smaller boats. Mounting on top of the dash can interfere with forward vision and can be a distraction, looking at the map moving instead watching what's in the water around you. Tucked down in the side pocket requires taking your eyes too far of water let alone operating the GPS. Flush mount, where? I feel like the GPS should just be an extension of the dash as near as you can make it. That is, about the same line of vision as your other gauges and within close reach to poke buttons.
Finding the correct mount is a key. After searching around we settled on the RAM ball mount. If you call their sales rep you will find they are very helpful. I jumped around their website trying to configure a mount and finally called. The rep advised that I needed a pre packaged kit for the Garmin 640, cost under $40. The kit consists of, a circular deck mount, an adjustable arm with rubber balls at each end, and an adapter that attaches to the GPS. All powder coated marine grade aluminium.
After trying every conceivable mounting location I decided the verticle left hand surface of the dash module made the most sense. That surface is inset from the passageway to the bow and keeps the GPS out of the walkway. Using the RAM mount allows almost infinite adjustment, only limited by the arm bumping into another surface. Mounting was easy. I enlarged one of the holes in the deck mount to allow the power cable to run through the mount into the area behind the dash. There was a spare circuit at the fuse block easy to connect power. The unit detaches from the mount quickly for security purposes.
You could actually rotate the entire unit to face your co-pilot navigator, if you have one. I was a little concerned about vibration because there is some flexibilty involved with the rubber balls but no problem. Reaching the unit for operating purposes is about the same as flipping the other dash switches. All in all a very satisfactory install.
PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: 1) Mount location in relation to rest of dash. That little object that appears to dangling off the bottom of the GPS is a rubber connector cover that came loose on one side, just needs to be snapped in place. 2) Circular deck mount secured with three SS screws, power cable shown running parallel to arm and through deck mount. 3) Adjustable arm with thumbscrew and adapter screwed to Garmin marine mount. Flipping the latch at the top of the mount releases the GPS. I cover the entire mount with a plastic bag while the boat is stored.
Mounting options are somewhat limited on smaller boats. Mounting on top of the dash can interfere with forward vision and can be a distraction, looking at the map moving instead watching what's in the water around you. Tucked down in the side pocket requires taking your eyes too far of water let alone operating the GPS. Flush mount, where? I feel like the GPS should just be an extension of the dash as near as you can make it. That is, about the same line of vision as your other gauges and within close reach to poke buttons.
Finding the correct mount is a key. After searching around we settled on the RAM ball mount. If you call their sales rep you will find they are very helpful. I jumped around their website trying to configure a mount and finally called. The rep advised that I needed a pre packaged kit for the Garmin 640, cost under $40. The kit consists of, a circular deck mount, an adjustable arm with rubber balls at each end, and an adapter that attaches to the GPS. All powder coated marine grade aluminium.
After trying every conceivable mounting location I decided the verticle left hand surface of the dash module made the most sense. That surface is inset from the passageway to the bow and keeps the GPS out of the walkway. Using the RAM mount allows almost infinite adjustment, only limited by the arm bumping into another surface. Mounting was easy. I enlarged one of the holes in the deck mount to allow the power cable to run through the mount into the area behind the dash. There was a spare circuit at the fuse block easy to connect power. The unit detaches from the mount quickly for security purposes.
You could actually rotate the entire unit to face your co-pilot navigator, if you have one. I was a little concerned about vibration because there is some flexibilty involved with the rubber balls but no problem. Reaching the unit for operating purposes is about the same as flipping the other dash switches. All in all a very satisfactory install.
PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: 1) Mount location in relation to rest of dash. That little object that appears to dangling off the bottom of the GPS is a rubber connector cover that came loose on one side, just needs to be snapped in place. 2) Circular deck mount secured with three SS screws, power cable shown running parallel to arm and through deck mount. 3) Adjustable arm with thumbscrew and adapter screwed to Garmin marine mount. Flipping the latch at the top of the mount releases the GPS. I cover the entire mount with a plastic bag while the boat is stored.
