Anyone with a Garmin ?
 

I have the oportunity to pick up a minty 546s for very cheap. Reason it is cheap is because it is only the head unit, no transducer or power cables included. Hooked it to a power source and it powers up perfectly fine. My question is does this unit need an external antenna or do I only need a powercable and transducer ?

i have the same unit on my work boat and the antenna is internal all you need is a power cable and the transducer if you want to use both functions.

Ive had the 545? And now a 445 on my 20 smaller. Onsole
I loce the internal antenna less hassle but
You relly need the g2 card to get the full
Potentional.

Thanks fellas, on my way now to pick it up

Ok so I picked the 546 last night and it looks great, best 200 bucks i have spent so far. I will be ordering the transducer today in hopes of getting it in before next weekend. Question, can anyone reccomend to me the best spot for the transducer on my transom ?

I would mount it according to the directions or suggestions probably found on the Garmin website. Look under product/technical support. Probably on the middle panel up from the keel and out of range of the drive unit.

Hope this helps. Good luck and congrats.

Mine had a mount here die a garmin somi used the sane mounted hardware
http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y.../photo3-45.jpg

My boat already has a transom mounted transducer but to unit that dosent exist i guess lol. But in all diagrams and pictures I see the transducers are on the starboard side of the boat. Mine are are the portside does that matter ???

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/3e62f390.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/7dfd161c.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/e2d02d21.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/4c9ad940.jpg

There are a few general rules about location for transom mounted transducers:
1) make sure it's not mounted behind a clamshell through-hull. The turbulence from the clamshell will keep the transducer from performing when on plane.
2) Keep it as far away from your engine's lower unit as practical so shock waves from prop blade rotation won't cause interference.
3) Mount it deep enough so it runs in clean water when on plane or it will only work at displacement speeds.
4) Avoid mounting it just outboard of a step or strake in the hull, or it won't run in clean water on plane.

Left side vs right side shouldn't matter.
Dave

Thanks Blue, so basically the location of the one in the first pic would be the best spot for the new one. When I remove the old ones do I just fill the old holes in with 5200 or should I do something else ?

The location of the original transducer may be a little close to the engine. As Big Lew mentioned, the Garmin installation instructions should give you some guidance on minimum distance. If Garmin says it's ok, you should be good.

On the holes for the old transducer and speed sender, 5200 will work, but if you can drill them out a little and pump some thickened epoxy resin in them that would be a more permanent solution.

Dave

Do I pump in epoxy and thats it or do I pump in epoxy and then 5200 over that ? Going to do the install today

Just fill the holes with epoxy and let them set up. Make sure there are no bubbles and level it the best you can with the surrounding surface makeing sure there are no "low" spots. After it sets up and cures-a couple of days- sand to the surrounding surface and apply finish coats-paint, gelcoat, etc.

get a counter sink bit and get some 30 minute or 60 minute epoxy from home depot and mix it to be like mayo. maybe a little thinner. drill a little counter sink in the holes first then fill the holes as best you can and put masking tape over the holes until dry. it will be sealed for good. you wont need five thousand two hundred for the old holes just the new ones.

Put in some work with my old man today...

Drilling out the old holes in prep for the sealer...
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/fdd21cfa.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/13a5a229.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/f752cbe7.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/6208c682.jpg

Sealed up some holes and installed the ducer..
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/1d955e28.jpg

Max hanging out in the shade
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/4483b6c1.jpg

Vuala, GPS
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/36985206.jpg

Also changed put my T-stats on the Merc,they were toast.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/87fb2987.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/d719cd91.jpg

Highly recommend a protective screen cover for the head unit. Windex, sunscreen, etc. will permanently stain the screen. I usually get mine from ebay :( They also minimize scratches from rings and stuff. Be sure and grease the plug pins occasionally

what do you mean stain the screen ?

See here;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Screen-Prote...item53e57243c5

Today's electronics have a protective coating on the screens. Harsh chemicals including sunscreen will damage it. These protectors also offer mechnical protection; rings, hooks, etc. I'm not pushing the vendor just the concept. I have them on all of mine including I phone.

Nice i got one on my iPhone as well, didnt know they made these for the Garmin. Will be picking one up. Thanks

So how accurate is the speed reading on one of these things ?

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...7/e95221bd.jpg

GPS speed should be right on. Paddle wheel not so....but it looked like your paddle was missing.

No paddle wheel just GPS