Im am interested in bying a garmin 180 chart plotter/sounder has anybody had experance with this unit. Does it withstand some vibration as it will be fitted to a Pacific 22 diesel rib
I haven't used this particular model, but if the other Garmins are anything to go by it will be fine.
I currently use a Garmin 75 (about five years old), a 120 which has survived a trans-Atlantic crossing (not with me though!), and a 12XL handheld which is brilliant.
I have been using a Garmin 235 for about 18 months and find it to be a good piece of kit. I have mounted mine using Garmins own bracket and have found that the thumb screws which actually mount it do undo in choppy seas!
The transducer is a bit on the chuncky side bits does work well from .5 meters up to 120 meters.
I have used Garmin GPS units on ribs fort many years, and find them to be reliable.
From memory the 180 is similar in design to the 230 and 235.
I have used a 230 since early 1999 and find it very good.
You really do need to flush mount it though. Don't rely on the bracket - it is simply not strong enough.
