GARMIN GPSMAP 178

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Bob Pullen HC-33 1981

Bob Pullen HC-33 1981

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Aug 20, 2006
220
Hunter 33_77-83 Yucatan, Mexico
We just got a garmin GPSMAP 178, with the ext. antenna (30 ft cable), & transom mounted transducer (which we intend to ditch on ebay). We would like a thru-hull ducer (or in-hull, if they are comparable in power draw & detail strength characteristics), and wondering if anyone have any experience with this model? Are they satisfied? Any advice? We intend to mount it on the binnacle, and I have a laptop running Nobeltec in the nav area below, which will take the input from this unit thru the power cable. Backup #2 includes a handheld unit (also w/ data cable), followed by charts, compass, parallel rules... Has anyone had any luck using other charts on the data chip? (there is a USB programmer/card reader, that can be purchased separately for this purpose) Many thanks Bob
 
Tom Spohn

Tom Spohn

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Jun 7, 2004
383
Schock 35 Seattle
I had one

an my previous boat. I liked it a lot. We had a combination depth transducer, water speed wheel mounted on the transom of the boat. It worked very well, and made routing of the cable to the console pretty easy. If you like to pre-plan your routes at home and then load them into the unit you will need an optional data transfer cable. I don't remember it as being expensive and it worked well. Only complaint I had with Garmin was the cost of updates.
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

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Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Hi Bob, we've had a 178C on board for two...

seasons. One of the best additions to the boat. I have the 32 Mbit data card that holds 250 charts covering two regions and also the data card programmer that I purchased from EBay. The external antenna is mounted on the pushpit rail and the through hull transom transducer is mounted in the aft cabin next to the prop shaft strut where I get good readings. I still carry paper charts for our cruising areas and a Garmin 32 handheld as a backup, but the 178C is breathtaking. No need for an onboard PC because the data card has all the charts we need and then some. These I loaded onto the card at home. Wherever we go within these regions the system brings in the appropriate chart seamlessly. If we go outside these regions I will purchase a larger capacity card and the additional regions, load them before we leave so that we always have them at the ready. Terry
 
K

KayakDan

It's a good one

We have had our 178Con our boat for one season,and I think it's great! It's got the dual frequency and internal antenna,with transom mount transducer which works just fine. Of course when we're heeling 30o the depth reading goes crazy,but I wouldn't do that in thin water anyways,so no problem. I'm still learning how much the unit will do-tons of features. If you need additional cards,I found this website had a good price. I have coverage for Rockland ME to LI Sound. Like the others,I always carry paper charts,especially in ME. I like to have the "big picture" on paper,along with GPS.
 
C

C36#2000

Your depth transducer will work

If your hull is solid fiberglass and not cored, you can epoxy the transom mount transducer to the inside of the hull and it will operate quite well.
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

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Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Question...

rather than use epoxy to bond the transducer to the hull would clear sealant work just as well? Terry
 
W

William

Almost

We have a Garmin 172 with the thru hull and it works like a dream. I will tell you that the first year we installed it that it went out after about a month but Garmin did cover it with no problems. I also have mine connected to my JRC radar and to my autopilot. I wish I had waited and gotten the 172 as the screen is a little bigger. I seen one of the threads mention something about using epoxy to mount it...I wouldn't do that...use a good sealant (I used 4200 when I did mine and I was glad when I had to change it) Good luck and have fun
 
BarryL

BarryL

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May 21, 2004
1,116
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 Mt. Sinai, NY
transducers

Hello, I think that your transom mount transducer will work just fine if it mounted inside the boat. You can test it by placing it inside a plastic bag, filling the bad with water, and putting the bag on the inside of the hull. If the hull is solid glass it will work great. When you determing the proper location, use epoxy to permanently mount the transducer. Good luck, Barry
 
Bob Pullen HC-33 1981

Bob Pullen HC-33 1981

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Aug 20, 2006
220
Hunter 33_77-83 Yucatan, Mexico
thanks for the great advice and recommendations

Thanks to all for their very kind suggestions and advice. I will give the xducer a try, either in-hull or thru-hull, since I have a couple spare spots now from the old knot and dept meters. Please do keep any further advice, comments, or suggestions coming, since I do check back often. Thanks again. Bob
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Garmin Transducer

I just installed a Garming 498 on this boat, with the depth finder. I attached the transom mount transducer inside the hull, and it works just fine. Like a previous post said, put it in a plastic baggie with water, and move it around till it works best. Epoxy is recommended, I used marine tex for mine. I think a clear sealant would work, but you have to be very careful and not have ANY air bubbles in it or it will screw things up. 4200 could very well be the best answer, but I have never tried that.
 
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