GPS/Chartplotter

[DieselCamel]

Just picked up a Garmin 640 off of craigslist today. What are other people using?

 

[upperdeck]

I use a Lowrance HDS5, with lake insight and coastal maps. I mounted it with RAM Mounts. I love it!

 

[jetboater4life]

Lowrance Elite 5 DSI here

Edit: added some pictures

 

[RumDiet]

Garmin 640 - but it does not show well in full sunlight - I would not go with this unit again.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

That's a common complaint on the Garmin unit. I purchased one a year ago and returned it the next day. There is someone who makes a "hood" for these units that helps cut out the sun wash effect.

 

[maboat]

Lowrance Elite 5 DSI with Ram mount

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Here's the shade manufacturer:
http://www.mountguys.com/product_p/stomper-324.htm

 

[davel501]

Humminbird 597 HD/DI - reads well in the sun and dims down very nicely for night boating. Night boating is so nice with a good plotter.

 

[RumDiet]

Murf - the sun problem is really not a problem with most MARINE Garmin units - problem with the 640 is that it is primarily a unit designed for use in autos. My Garmin Chart Plotter 3020 in my Cruiser Yacht works just fine - of course it cost x4 times what the 640 cost and that was in 2005!

I've also had other Garmins that worked fine in the sun - the 440 unit (circa 2009) was sweet - I liked it better than the 640 even though the screen was a bit smaller.

 

[soggyshoes]

On my fishing boat I have the Lowrance HDS10 with structure scan. I do a lot of crabing and the structure scan is like taking a picture of the bottom. The GPS is really accurate, you can really zoom in. It has good maps. It also ties in with my radio and can give the location of commercial ships and with NMEA 2000 it should be able to tie in to the engines. It also has the only accurate fuel meter I have ever seen. It actually measures the fuel flow rather than a float in the tank.
I was planning on putting a system in my Yamaha so I could just put the head unit in whatever boat I was using but I think it is just to big to mount in the Yamaha.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Just bought the elite 4 havent tried it in the water yet.

 

[xoomer]

Garmin 640 - but it does not show well in full sunlight - I would not go with this unit again. View attachment 2664

X1
I can't see a thing in the sun. Looking for a sunshade and/or some anti-reflective film to see if that will help. I just keep it on-board in case I need it for an emergency. Not too crazy about the on-land features either--often get the wrong directions and turns.

Otherwise, it's a great unit

 

[Topper232]

I have the Garmin 640 also. I agree about the sun issue, but for me it's just a matter of bending down for a second to get a better view. Overall, I like it and is simple to use and fits just above the dash

 

[Trm1765]

Hummingbird 788ci, works awesome in all light, GPS works great.

 

[maboat]

Just bought the elite 4 havent tried it in the water yet.

Just remember its only rated for maximum 30 minutes at 1-meter depth IN the water.

 

[Gumbeaux]

Are you guys having to drill holes in your boat to mount the transducers? Was it tought to figure out where to get switched power? Anyone with a 242 have input on how you ran the wires?
Sorry...have not looked at the boat in a while...so it's hard to visualize.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Just remember its only rated for maximum 30 minutes at 1-meter depth IN the water.

Too funny @maboat

 

[RumDiet]

I ran a dedicated line from the battery (with a fuse near the batteries) up the port side, through the "head" compartment and then under the lip of the ski locker into the helm compartment - it was really easier than it sounds - but I did have to take most of the head compartment apart. Taking the head compartment apart led to some unexpected good results - I was able to track down a leak from the port side upholstery (sealed with silicone) and discover that the screws holding the aft wall covering were not screwed securely and fix that. I ran the antenna for the fixed mounted VHF at the same time.

 

[Trm1765]

I secured my transcuder to the inside rear of the boat with epoxy, near the rear plug. It reads perfect through the bottom of the boat, no holes drilled. It was very easy running the wire to the dash. I routed it though the existing holes into the engine compartment and then into the fuel compartment. And then there was also easy access to get from the fuel compartment to under the helm and I tapped the power line in the a hot wire under the dash. Very easy and no holes drilled any where.

 

[RLG2]

Garmin 547 XS