Garmin 540/440

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Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

.
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
Has anyone bought, installed, and used a Garmin 540 or a Garmin 440. The only difference between the two is that the 540 is a 5" screen and the 440 is a 4" screen.

I am wondering which unit is better and if the extra 1" screen is worth the extra $100. I am also wondering how good these units are and how well they work.

I am considering purchasing one of the two in the near future and I am trying to decide on what is best. Anyone who has some input on this please let me know what you think. Any responses are GREATLY appreciated!
 
Pops

Pops

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Apr 11, 2004
154
- - Albemarle Sound
I have the 440 and I love it. Easy to use and fun to play with. I am older. so maybe I should have gotten the bigger screen. It really hasn't been much of a problem so far though. It is easier to read than charts. The controls are easy to work and friendly once you figure out all the features. Mine is mounted right behind the compass on the pedestal guard under the arch.
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
IIRC, there is another difference. The 540 can use the external optional XM weather radio receiver to display weather on the screen, which the 440 can not. They're both good solid units, but IMHO, if you can afford the 540, get it instead.
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

.
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
The thing that I read on the 440 is that it will take the XM plug in. I wouldn't mind buying the chip for it too so I get the other features but that is an extra $300. Not going to do that at the same time.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,217
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
I have a 545 and not 540.. I am, uuuhhhh, older and wanted the bigger screen (than the 440) and the higher resolution. I got one of the early ones over a year ago and have upgraded the software a couple of times .. very easy to work with. The working interface is excellent. It has taken me a little while to learn the quirks of the vector charts. Hard to find things like bridge clearances sometimes.. Features like basic nav and building routes work very intuitively.. I do not have it hooked to the autopilot, so I can’t report on that function..I have not tried the G2Vision cards for some of the other bells/whistles. It is mounted at the helm on an arm, so it reads through the bimini without a problem. I’d buy another in a second!
 
Bad Obsession

Bad Obsession

.
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
I think that there might be a big difference between the 545 and the 540. The 540 and the 440 seem similar but smaller screen on the 440. The 440 can interface with XM but I am not sure if I am going to do that or not. The antenna is another $300 for that.

I am still really torn but this may be a purchase where I go to west marine to look at them and then order it from Defender :p
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

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Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Might want to check with Garmin on that... the 440 can NOT use the XM module according to their website.

Bad Obsession said:
I think that there might be a big difference between the 545 and the 540. The 540 and the 440 seem similar but smaller screen on the 440. The 440 can interface with XM but I am not sure if I am going to do that or not. The antenna is another $300 for that.

I am still really torn but this may be a purchase where I go to west marine to look at them and then order it from Defender :p
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