Garmin 178c or 298c

GuyP · 13 April 2007, 14:59

I'm currently trying to decide between the garmin 178c and 298c and both seem to be pretty silimarly priced in the US.

Having searched through past threads, I know the 178c is fairly highly thought of on this forum but does anyone have any comparative thoughts about the two?

I'm slightly swayed by the 298c's bigger screen.

cheers

Guy

jwalker · 13 April 2007, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyP

..I'm slightly swayed by the 298c's bigger screen.

I changed from a 178c to a 298c as my secondary unit. The increase in screen size is not really significant. One is almost square and the other portrait. I made the change because the 298c was (is?) preloaded with the whole of the charts for UK and Ireland. I guess, if you're buying in the US, you won't have this benefit. There is a down side to the 298c, it only has one NMEA output/input port whereas the 178c has two. The 298c does though have the Garmin Canet interface for sounder interfacing.

Chris · 13 April 2007, 21:31

I just got to use my new one over the w/e it really is a great piece of equipment the screen size is fine for me even in the spilt screen mode with sounder and plotter on at the same time,

Once your on the move its not easy to read but then if you are following a route that you have plotted put it in Highway mode and its very easy to follow your course.

The dual band sounder seemed pretty effective as well although I have yet to do much fishing with it.

Chris

Tim M · 14 April 2007, 12:25

I have a 178c. It does that job but thats about it. On mine the sounder doesn't work above about 10knts but thats probably because the transducor isn't set up right. It's not the most easy screen to read as your going along but then I suppose for the size of the unit and the price it ain't bad.

matt h · 15 April 2007, 20:02

178c .love it, very simple, easy to operate, would definatly get another one in my next boat

bedajim · 16 April 2007, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

178c .love it, very simple, easy to operate, would definatly get another one in my next boat

Mine is great to

James

GuyP · 16 April 2007, 20:08

OK, so it seems that the preference is generally with the 178c.

JWalker, yes you're right the 298c would come preloaded with the US bluechart data but it should just be a case of buying UK charts.

Does anyone know whether standard bluechart charts will work in a G2 machine?