[625145]

I am currently in the market for a GPS-CHARTPLOTTER im currently looking at the Garmin - GPSMAP 176C WAAS GPS Chartplotter - w/ Color Screen If anyone is currently using this model I would appreciate some feed back or even
if your using a closely priced model by a diffrent mfg. Im all ears thanks.

 

[Leprechaun]

My buddy has that 176C in a Shamrock 20 Pilothouse. Since its mounted about 15" from his nose, he has no problems with the little screen.

What he has a BIG problem with is this unit's unfortunate propensity to screen wash-out in sunlight. Even his completely enclosed pilothouse is insufficient to shade that screen.

Interesting, as the Garmin color plotters, like the 182C and 2006C do not suffer from this problem. They must have a different screen technology.

Before you buy that 176C, make sure:

A/ you can comfortably see the screen from whatever distance fromthe helm you are mounting it and

B/ make sure you can see the unit during the daylight hours under the day-light conditions that actually exist in your boat.

They all look nice under the fluorescents at West Marine.

Just a heads-up.

rgds, Leprechaun

 

[625145]

garmin 176c

Thanks a lot Leprachaun I have a 20ft. Grady Angler I think I will see the screen just fine from my small helm. I checked out the prices of the other models you mentioned @#@$ yeah I think ill go with this model for the price thanks a lot...

 

[625145]

garmin 176c

Thanks a lot Leprachaun I have a 20ft. Grady Angler I think I will see the screen just fine from my small helm. I checked out the prices of the other models you mentioned @#@$ yeah I think ill go with this model for the price thanks a lot...

 

[5ofakind]

Garmin 182C

TracyB -- I to wanted to get a GPS. Aftre talking to a lot of people on this site I was convnced to get the Garmin 182C. It was in the general price range and had all the extras. I did a search on yahoo. Type in Garmin 182C and it will give you all the stores that sel it. I found it for $859. I went to boaters world and also west marine and they both said they would match the price, just bring in a copy where you got the price from.
Only problem I had was with space. See the next picture.

 

[5ofakind]

Bracket for GPS

I really had no place to put the GPS and f/f because of a small cut out space in the console. ( 26' w/a striper). So my dad made up this bracket and we put it next to the elec. box, mounted to the hard top. Came out great and did not interfer with the view out of the wndshield. The bracket they give you can only be flush mounted, they really did not think about it to well. When I poseted questions about this before I was told to undo the 4 screws in the back of the unit and turn the back around so you can mount it from the top. I REALLY did not feel comfortable doing this. I had o idea what wires are in there. So that is my story. Hope it helped a little. Go with the 182C.

 

[leakyrivot]

I've got the 176, the non color model. They are a great piece of equipment. One of the things I like most about it is that it's really just a giant handheld & I can bring it inside for programming. At the same time, these have much better resolution than many of the equivlant priced larger screen models.

I have trouble in a certain angle of light seeing details on the screen; the color model probably solves that. Most of my navigation is done w/ the "navigatin for idiots" screen - a big arrow points in the direction you should go, that's my favorite.

The things are so packed w/ features that are easy to use, I've never had to read the manual; it's all menu-driven. My only problem w/ the things is the **** propriety map chips.. it's the whole industry that does this and it sucks to be us who have to spend $150 on a data card, made in china for 50 cents. Hopefully some day we will start seeing more standardized map chips and/or cheap gray market options to bring the price down.

Jon

 

[625145]

Gamin 182C

I justlove this site its the best thang since fall fishing. 5ofakind,leakyrivot
you really dont know how much you have
helped me being a rookie on the water I find it really hard to get info on topics such as this. I guess ill just have to scrape up the extra beans to buy the 182 as Leprachaun had already advised me to but my next problem is the
mounting I dont have a hard top its a soft top I only have the console similar to a dash in a car I have room for it but it will defintely have to be mounted vertically im sure ill figure
something out.Thanks

 

[625249]

I have a 176C w/bluewater chart and love it. There is a setting for brightness/contrast and if adjusted, should not have any problem. Great thing is to be able to use it w.AA batteries. If you buy the new Nickle Hydrate batteries & charger you will always have batteries ready to take w/you on your buddy's boat. Check around the net for prices, the vary a lot but you can save a bunch of money compared to West Marine and some of the other shops.
The more you learn about how to use it the more you will enjoy it.

 

[Hipshot]

I have the older moder 180 Garmin-while a good unit as Leprichan said, it is verry difficult to read in some light situations! The color model should be a lot better. Also the bigger the screen that you have space for the better! Another suggestion-when you mount the unit be sure it is close enough to easily reach the buttons. Mine is fine on smooth water, but hard to work while pounding in a tight chop. When you're pounding those little buttons are hard to hit. Just a few things to think about!
Hip

 

[koolkats]

gps/loran

I have an Apelco 6700 GPS/Loran unit that I got from Bass Pro shop about 6 years ago. I can't set any #'s into the unit. I really haven't used it & it has been in the box in my shed. Can anyone who knows about this unit tell anything about it.

 

[622807]

look at the Lowrance 5000c

the lowrance color 5000c for 800 has a 6 inch daylight viewable screen + holds memory card that you can creater maps at home with the free software and usb card reader that comes with it.
Open a west marine card and save the 10%
Bought mine with the 10% and with some other promo that knocked another 50 off.
The unit takes the Navonics card which covers from my dock to the canon for 199.
Just my 2 cents. I am sure garmin makes a good product. But this Lowrance unit is so jamed pack w/ great map creation features.
Don Devocean
good luck w/ your choice

 

[STRIKERTHREE]

i'm torn between the lowrance and the navman i like the lowrance because of the programing navionics but i like the navman for the fuel flow meter i fish the navman was able to download the fishing hot spots program its a tuff decsion

 

[616012]

Garmin 176c

I just installed this under the electronics box on a 23'Hydra-Sports W/A Hardtop. I played with it for the first time this past Sunday morning and I am very pleased with it. The technology is outrageous. Good Luck! "The SEA-CILIAN"

 

[623933]

just bought the Furuno 1850 with WASS system. no fishfinder in it but love the machine....actually keeps up with the northstar but the northstar is still easier to use.

GG

 

[626043]

chart plotters

Take a look at Standard horizon. I have a standard horizon black/white and would have gotten the color but they did not have it out yet. For 400.00 I am very happy and the machine is easier to use than any instructions read. My model is CP150 if you need colr i beleive the cast is $150.00 to 200.00 more. Good luck.