[wyovino]

Does anyone have any experience with the Garmin 168 Chartplotter/FishFinder combo unit? I have limited space on my console and would like to use the combo unit if feasible.

Also has anyone used the "Fishing Hot Spots" Chart CD? I was wondering if it was useful for the Long Island south shore area.

 

[Leprechaun]

I think you mean the "188" combo unit.

I don't think the smaller-screened 168 has a fishfinder component and anyway it requires you to load charting software to its memory with a cable from your computer's CD reader. Not too convenient, but its a compromise that's made to keep the price down.

The 182 or 182C color unit utilize the Garmin proprietary Bluechart cartidges in a little port down low on the face and this cartographic software is really a thing of beauty to use coming up a channel in the dark or late in the season after the CG pulls the buoys.

I have the 182 monochrome on my boat and though I also have a quality radar, I cannot imagine how I got along without the chartplotter all these years. Its just wonderful.

The 188 is the same unit I have except it has the capability to also function as a fishfinder.

I would question however the utility of splitting such a small screen into two instrument displays, maybe if you toggle from one to the other using the full screen for each, but for my eyes, on my boat, I would have problems with such a small image split in two.

If that's what you want to do, and you do not need a color machine - then consider upgrading to the monochrome 238 - a much larger display, that would better serve you in a split-screen mode, with not all that more footprint to take up on your console/dash.

rgds, Leprechaun

 

[wyovino]

Leprechaun,

The unit that I looked at was the Garmin 168 GPSMap/Sounder. It has the functions of the GPSMap 162 and the Fishfinder 240. The 188 and 188C look like great units but are a bit out of my price range. The 168 is about $500 with transducer. You can have several size arrangments of split screens as well as full screens.

 

[Leprechaun]

Wow, I wasn't aware of that unit.

I really do think that the display is pretty small for a split screen format, unless you are sitting right on top of it, I guess.

Well anyway, its a Garmin and that's all I need to know that its a fine piece of highly accurate equipment. My 182 is just dead-nuts taking me down the narrow channels in my area of Seaford to Jones Inlet.

Just a pleasure to use, espeially last winter when my radar conked out. First time I relied strictly on the plotter and I was shocked at how easily I was able to run the channels in the dark. What with my un-natural addiction to radar and all.

rgds, Leprechaun

 

[614653]

I have the 188 monochrome w/sounder...Agree with comments re bluechart chip..A real pleasure to use...Make sure the 168 takes that chip, as opposed to having to download charts from your pc.