I am looking to add a GPS chart plotter to my 1986 H-34 to be used mostly for cruisuing the Chesapeake Bay area. I am considering the Garmin 276c as I like the idea of not having to run any extra cables (built in antenna, rechargeable battery, & affordable price) to mount it to my pedestal rail above my compass. Does anyone have experience with this set up or are there better options?
Favorite GPS?
- Thread starter rkssail
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Garmin 176c
I've used a Garmin 176c mounted at my pedestal to compliment the Raymarine Radar/chartplotter at the nav. station for several years. Hardwired power to it and mounted it on an Edson mount. Actually use it more than the set at the Nav station. Only two complaints is that the display at its lowest setting is too bright for night use, always have a towel to put over it and take a peek when I need to. Second is run a power cable to the pedestal to run the unit off ships 12v power, as the batteries tend to run low at the time you need it the most. Remove it when not needed, much cheaper that a Raymarine second display unit and don't have to worry about thieves.
I've used a Garmin 176c mounted at my pedestal to compliment the Raymarine Radar/chartplotter at the nav. station for several years. Hardwired power to it and mounted it on an Edson mount. Actually use it more than the set at the Nav station. Only two complaints is that the display at its lowest setting is too bright for night use, always have a towel to put over it and take a peek when I need to. Second is run a power cable to the pedestal to run the unit off ships 12v power, as the batteries tend to run low at the time you need it the most. Remove it when not needed, much cheaper that a Raymarine second display unit and don't have to worry about thieves.
I like my 172c
I installed a 172c on my '86 34 right on the pedestal using the edson pedestal arm mount. Bigger screen then the 276 but no option for batteries. I drilled a hole and fished the cable through the pedestal guard to power.
I installed a 172c on my '86 34 right on the pedestal using the edson pedestal arm mount. Bigger screen then the 276 but no option for batteries. I drilled a hole and fished the cable through the pedestal guard to power.
Garmin 176C
I have the exact same setup as Charles - works fantastic - I power mine with a 12v cable at the steering pedestal plugged in to the cigarette lighter outlet, so no worries about batteries. Charles, instead of messing with the towel at night, why not set your backlight timer for just a couple of seconds at night - then you can just push any button, and your display will illuminate long enough to look at it, and then go dark again automatically. Just a thought. I like the idea of having two different software charts - sometimes one has information on it the other does not.
I have the exact same setup as Charles - works fantastic - I power mine with a 12v cable at the steering pedestal plugged in to the cigarette lighter outlet, so no worries about batteries. Charles, instead of messing with the towel at night, why not set your backlight timer for just a couple of seconds at night - then you can just push any button, and your display will illuminate long enough to look at it, and then go dark again automatically. Just a thought. I like the idea of having two different software charts - sometimes one has information on it the other does not.
Garmin 276c
The 276c solved the display problem and I can say that is the best 1K I spent in years. Never leave the dock without it and can be easily wired to interface with the autopilot. If you buy the road map option, it can be your best friend in the car as well. You will get a CD with the map of the entire USA unlocked and a CD with one marine region unlocked. In the car mode, it will talk to you and even yell at you if you miss your turn. And unlike your wife, it will actually be right too. Go for it. Lee
The 276c solved the display problem and I can say that is the best 1K I spent in years. Never leave the dock without it and can be easily wired to interface with the autopilot. If you buy the road map option, it can be your best friend in the car as well. You will get a CD with the map of the entire USA unlocked and a CD with one marine region unlocked. In the car mode, it will talk to you and even yell at you if you miss your turn. And unlike your wife, it will actually be right too. Go for it. Lee
SH 150 Color
I have a Standard Horizon 150C with the full Bay chip mounted on the right hand side of the pedestal hoop, with temporary power and antenna wiring feeding out of the starboard locker. I didn't have time to wire it up through the pedestal before heading out on the Bay last week. I made a custom mount so I can swivel it to view from either side of the aft seating. It sits below the top of the hoop so it doesn't get inadvertently grabbed or knocked by someone looking for a quick hand-hold. Different than the Garmin, but highly effective.
I have a Standard Horizon 150C with the full Bay chip mounted on the right hand side of the pedestal hoop, with temporary power and antenna wiring feeding out of the starboard locker. I didn't have time to wire it up through the pedestal before heading out on the Bay last week. I made a custom mount so I can swivel it to view from either side of the aft seating. It sits below the top of the hoop so it doesn't get inadvertently grabbed or knocked by someone looking for a quick hand-hold. Different than the Garmin, but highly effective.
Oh boy, a new toy!
Thanks for your input guys. I went ahead and ordered the Garmin 276c from an online site called gpscity.com. They were about $200 under the West Marine price for the full package (including the automotive package, Ches. Bay blue chart & travel case). Total $957.00. No sales tax or shipping charges. I should get it later this week. Dan, what did you use to make your custom mount and where did you get it?
Thanks for your input guys. I went ahead and ordered the Garmin 276c from an online site called gpscity.com. They were about $200 under the West Marine price for the full package (including the automotive package, Ches. Bay blue chart & travel case). Total $957.00. No sales tax or shipping charges. I should get it later this week. Dan, what did you use to make your custom mount and where did you get it?
northstar 951x
I have a northstar 951X with differental and it works very well. accurate and nice clean graphics. later Mike
I have a northstar 951X with differental and it works very well. accurate and nice clean graphics. later Mike
GPS Mount
RKS-I use one of those white plastic clamps that allows you to attach something to a rail tube--WM has them in their catalog for about $20-I found mine at a marine flea market. I made a roughly triangular shaped block out of doug fir to accomodate the GPS mount, Cetoled it and screwed the clamp to one edge. The SH GPS base mounts on the top side. I drop my 3-can teak beverage holder over the hoop and then clamp the GPS mount above it. This makes it sit high enough to clear the throttle lever. The hoop limits the tilt back but it's readily visible (it can be raised to where the bend starts). I just position it accordingly--easily seen from either end of the aft seating, sitting or standing. Wiring is temporaily coming out under the starboard cockpit seat lid until I can drop the steering cover and feed power and antenna wiring up the pedestal. Don't have a photo yet.
RKS-I use one of those white plastic clamps that allows you to attach something to a rail tube--WM has them in their catalog for about $20-I found mine at a marine flea market. I made a roughly triangular shaped block out of doug fir to accomodate the GPS mount, Cetoled it and screwed the clamp to one edge. The SH GPS base mounts on the top side. I drop my 3-can teak beverage holder over the hoop and then clamp the GPS mount above it. This makes it sit high enough to clear the throttle lever. The hoop limits the tilt back but it's readily visible (it can be raised to where the bend starts). I just position it accordingly--easily seen from either end of the aft seating, sitting or standing. Wiring is temporaily coming out under the starboard cockpit seat lid until I can drop the steering cover and feed power and antenna wiring up the pedestal. Don't have a photo yet.
Another vote for the Garmin 176C
We have been using the 176C for 3 summers now and are very happy with it. We also installed a cigerette lighter plug on our pedestel to plug in the 176C and our Garmin 45 backup unit.
We have been using the 176C for 3 summers now and are very happy with it. We also installed a cigerette lighter plug on our pedestel to plug in the 176C and our Garmin 45 backup unit.
ditto on 176C.........
Small compact, easy to read. Mounted on my pedestal. I have mine with quick connect and wired into my autopilot. Works great.
Small compact, easy to read. Mounted on my pedestal. I have mine with quick connect and wired into my autopilot. Works great.
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