Garmin 188C GPS-Sounder

[ncanteiro]

I'm thinking of purchasing a Garmin 188C GPS-sounder for my rib.
Any feedback regarding this model would be useful.

Thanks

[DGR]

I've got one on my RIB - it's great - easy to use and very clear screen.

Hope this helps!!

D...

[roycruse]

I used to have a 178 which is basically the same with a slightly smaller screen.

The grey scale one I had was adequate for my last boat and considerably cheaper.

They are great units the info that is displayed on the screen is completely customisable you can place 1, 2 or 3 rows of data on the screen and choose what is displayed where. To be honest its almost too flexible as it took me hours to get it all set up just the way i wanted it.

The transom mounted transducer i had was dual frequency and would track the bottom to around 50 meters up to about 18 knots

In my new boat I have decided to go for the colour option as it looks so much clearer (i hope they look as clear in the flesh as they do in the pictures Ive seen)

I'm also having the transducer bonded into the hull so this should increase the maximum bottom tracking speed.

[DGR]

My 188C sensor is inside the hull - and gives reliable depth readings at up to 40 kts. The only downside to that is that the water temperature function obviously doesn't work - but I probably wouldn't use that anyway!!

The sensor is mounted about 4 ft forward of the transom - in the front of the engine box.

I also spent quite a while setting it up to do exactly what I wanted - but being able to have so much info at a glance is really good. The colour screen is very clear. You do need to get the Blue Chart software though - the basemap isn't good enough to use as a chart.

D...

[Roy Smith]

just sold my rib with a 188c and i will buy garmin again on the strength of it.
easy to use and as allready been said by DGR get the blue chart chip.
The back up service at Garmin is great.

[ncanteiro]

Many thanks for the info