GPS suggestions?

[mrfixitct]

as a newbie boater and having little sense of direction I find my exploring in our new toy hampered by the fear that I wont find the ramp I used once I make a few (or many) turns. not looking for lots of bells and whistles but something that can lead me back once I'm done exploring... :lol:

Suggestions appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[moochy]

as a newbie boater and having little sense of direction I find my exploring in our new toy hampered by the fear that I wont find the ramp I used once I make a few (or many) turns. not looking for lots of bells and whistles but something that can lead me back once I'm done exploring... :lol:

Suggestions appreciated!

Thanks!

If you already own a smart phone like the an apple etc then you could get the navionics app and keep It in your top pocket. I use the same setup but with an iPad that I ram mount to the windscreen.


The only downside is I don't have it out all the time an keep it in its pelican case when in rough seas etc. I also tape up the holes to avoid water ingress.

Saved me last friday when coming out of the Yarra river. I followed my yellow line from my last trip back and got back to the jetty no problem. It Will also give you an accurate heading and speed reading too.

 

[seadooguynj]

I have a Garmin 441s that should be arriving today. Already have the hardware in the boat from a previous Garmin model so it should be more or less plug and play. I will let you know how it is. I got it off of eBay for a very reasonable price. I have a sounder (transducer) already installed as well.

 

[johnathanrn]

Hands down the garmin 740. 7 inch screen is perfect size. Any smaller and you have to stare st the screen to see anything. Nice thing also is that it has in internal gps antenna...so that means no drilling or mounting anything whatsoever. I you want to add depth finder fish finder or radar it has the outputs of that. Also, no need to hardware it to your battery and run wires. Charge it atone or use the 12v sockets to charge it. Battery lasts a long time between charges.

 

[mrfixitct]

nice unit but way more $$$ than what I'm looking for.. thanks anyway

 

[seadooguynj]

I've got the Garmin 441s installed now, looks great, does not take up a lot of room and the screen is large enough to not have to struggle to see. The controls, like zoom in and out, respond quickly and the internal antenna works so well that it even gets signal in my garage (not full stength but it shows what street I'm on). I'm excited to get it into the water and try it out. As updateable maps on the garmin website and has a ton of other functions like sonar, tide charts, fishing info, custom alarms, SD card slot, water temp, 3D map view, tracks other ships location and direction (if you have a dsc radio), and a bunch of other stuff. For about $300 on eBay I got a used unit that was in like new condition and I am extremely happy with the purchase. The screen size is 2.4in x 3.2 in or 4.0 diagonal (10.2 cm). You can do split screen with GPS nav and sonar or full screen for either one. The sonar transducer is the same one I had installed for my fishfinder 160c (although it will work with others as well) so it was bascially plug and plug expect for the power cable which was different but took all of 5 minutes to install. I love the thing and it's a perfect unit to use without dropping a ton of money. It is was better than I expected it to be, could not be happier about the purchase. I will post pics and/or video of it if you like, just let me know if you are interested in seeing them.

 

[seadooguynj]

Hands down the garmin 740. 7 inch screen is perfect size. Any smaller and you have to stare st the screen to see anything. Nice thing also is that it has in internal gps antenna...so that means no drilling or mounting anything whatsoever. I you want to add depth finder fish finder or radar it has the outputs of that. Also, no need to hardware it to your battery and run wires. Charge it atone or use the 12v sockets to charge it. Battery lasts a long time between charges.

the 740 sure is sweet, but the msrp is $1399.99 and i can think of a lot of other things for to get for that price than that... just my two cents....

 

[ldmarteen]

@ seadooguynj - Did you try the 441s on the water yet? I've narrowed my search down and think that's the right one for me too, but there are so many mixed reviews I have read and I can't seem to find a store where I can actually play with the device before buying. Thanks!!!

 

[seadooguynj]

@ seadooguynj - Did you try the 441s on the water yet? I've narrowed my search down and think that's the right one for me too, but there are so many mixed reviews I have read and I can't seem to find a store where I can actually play with the device before buying. Thanks!!!

I have not had it on the water yet, very possible this Wednesday (5/23) I may have it out if the weather holds. I have played around with it in the boat and it seems to work good. Shows right where I am at on GPS and I compared it to a handheld unit and it gave the same lat and long so it seems accurate. The sounder works with it, I tested that by putting the transducer in a 5 gallon bucket of water (while mounted to the boat) and it told be I was in 1.2 feet of water and the "low water" alarms went off like they should if you were really in that kinda depth. The only thing I need is a cover for it as it did not come with one. I will test more features if I get out this week but so far I am happy with it. I hope that helps. If you are ever in NJ and want to see it first hand let my know you are more than welcome to stop by my place and check it out.

 

[ldmarteen]

Thanks seadooguynj! I think I will make my purchase today. I love the Blue Vision Garmin offers. Sounds like the tranducer is easy to install? I'm having issues with the depth finder that came on the 180 SP so having a back up is good!!

 

[seadooguynj]

It is not hard to install, just take your time and make sure everything is sealed. If you want I can take a photo of where I put mine and where I ran the wires into the interior of the hull. Let me know. Also, if you have any questions while doing the install feel free to ask.

Any idea what is wrong with the depth finder on the 180 SP? Also, if it is new you may be able to get it fixed under warranty (if something if broken or not working correctly).

 

[ldmarteen]

I'd love a photo! I'm not certain - took it out 3 times so far - 1st time couldn't find it (nothing in owners manual mentions it). Second time found it but it kept going back to dashes. Most of the time it read as 3' deep when there were much larger boats near me/following same path that could never have been in 3' of water. Then it would read 400+ ' and in miliseconds give many different (drastic changes) readings. After the first time being out, when washing it I discovered a perfect hole in the bow a little bigger than a pencil eraser - it was a bubble in the fiberglass that Sea-doo had to pay for the repair - it took the dealer 5 days to get it to a shop for an estimate. I think they should do depth finder work at dealership but I wonder how long they'll keep it from me this time. I've owned it for a month today.

 

[seadooguynj]

If you have only had it a month I would absolutely takeit back and MAKE them get it right. I do understand that you don't want to bewithout your boat though, so you could wait until later in the season whenthings wind down as long as you are still in your warranty period. Just becareful of that, once you are out of warranty you are on your own.

As far as the 441s is concerned, below are the photos of what I did. I'mwelcome to any comments or criticisms anyone might have.

Also, this Wednesday I am getting Hydroturf for the rear deck and step in theBlue/White Marble color. Once I get that installed I will post pics as well. Iexpect it to look pretty good. I did not get the whole boat kit as I wanted tosee how the rear deck and step looked before I dropped the money for the entireinside. The samples they sent me look like the material is pretty rugged and aslong as that is the case I will be doing the rest of the boat after I have sometime to "field" test the deck and step.

Idmarteen let me know what you think.

 

[ldmarteen]

Thanks! I should have the Garmin in two days so I'll let you know. I definitely will take the boat in for servicing on the depth finder. Hopefully it willbe a quick fix. I've seen a few post about the finder may be in a bad position on the boat....ugh!

 

[seadooguynj]

What type of transducer do you have now? One like I showed in the photos I uploaded or a thru-hull? My 09 Challenger 180 SE has a thru-hull so the placement cannot be changed. If you have the same it may be a bad unit or perhaps a wiring problem or something like that. It's too bad we aren't close to one another I'd take a look at it for you and might be able to get you some additional ideas.

 

[ldmarteen]

I have the 'factory installed' depth finder. The 2012 owners manual doesn't reference anything I can find (maybe someone ripped out pegs - lol). I will keep you posted about the outcome. And thanks so much for all the 411you are providing.

 

[seadooguynj]

My owner’s manual said very little about my factory installed unit but I got a separate manual with documentation specific to the unit. Do you know what kinda unit it is? I have included the short manual that came with mine as a PDF attachment to this post, don't know if it will help or not. Also, no problem on the info. I'm happy to help someone who shares my interests (which you obviously do) and if it helps you enjoy your time on the water more that's all the thanks I ever need. If you were able to get the thing working by resetting it or something and then it no longer annoys you when you’re out then I'm happy... Simple as that my friend :thumbsup:

 

[ldmarteen]

Thanks for the .pdf - looks like it may be a different model as mine is built into the main dash and I use the Mode button to access. I'm going to call the dealer today. So glad you have helped!!!

 

[ldmarteen]

@seadooguynj - got the Garmin today and I think I got myself into something I don't want to attempt on my own. Is pic2 where you ran it thru the hull? Where did you run it to get to the actual device? Thanks!

 

[seadooguynj]

@seadooguynj - got the Garmin today and I think I got myself into something I don't want to attempt on my own. Is pic2 where you ran it thru the hull? Where did you run it to get to the actual device? Thanks!

Pic two, also on this post, is where I ran the wire through the hull. Getting the wire up to the drivers areas was a battle but it is definitely possible. Do you know how you want to mount the 441s unit yet? I did not use the bracket that was included by purchased a ram mount that swivels and I think that worked out much better. I can photo that as well later on for you if you want. If you are worried about getting things wired in, like the power and ground, just let me know. I can probably walk you through it either here or on the phone. Its not hard but I can see how it would be a little overwhelming at first.

The wire was then run up the drivers side of the boat in between the inner area and the outside hull next to the steering and throttle cables and other wires. Had to use a wire snake to do that part, you can do it alone but it is much easier with two people

 

[ldmarteen]

I haven't decided where to install, but most likely will use the mount it came with (I may velcro mount it versus drilling into the boat). It would be great if you could post pics on the mount and any others you can show as far as the wiring. I think I am going to look into having someone with more experience provide me with a quote to install.

 

[mrfixitct]

I used velcro for now, works fine and better for removal when covering the boat..

 

[seadooguynj]

I will get some photos of what I did up for you soon. If you are not up for the install you may want to have it done at a dealer or at least someone who knows how to do marine type stuff.

 

[ldmarteen]

I found Hornet Marine in my town and they are going to install next week, pressure is off !! I did share your photos with them too - they were appreciative! Have a great weekend and hope you get out on the water!

 

[ldmarteen]

Finally got the boat out on a lake last weekend - they did a great job on the install. I'm still getting used to all the features of the Garmin. I'm a happy girl!