Opinions pls - Re: Garmin 178C

abl1111 · #1 12-05-2006, 12:13 AM

Trying to help Santa out this year. Santa somehow has been getting it wrong over the past few years; underwear, ties, socks and dress shirts are no longer being accepted by this 'good boy'.

So, what'cha think of the Garmin 178C ? I have a very limited helm area ( 23' Tsunami ) and I think I want a combo unit to minimize helm clutter. Right now I have a Lowrance Fishfinder that works great. I could install this Garmin in that spot.

My criteria: The GPS must be excellent to help me in the fog and to find my fishing spots and the depth finder/FF has to be as good or better than my Lowrance or it's not worth it. Is the screen big enough for both functions ?

Or, do you have any suggestions ?

Thx.

caper · #2 12-05-2006, 10:45 AM

I installed an external antenna 178C on my 20'SF this year and used it this season. I added the chart chip for Cape Cod and found both the GPS and the FF to work really well. I'm happy with the performance - good solution for limited space.

RS · #3 12-05-2006, 10:51 AM

FWIW, I've never met an avid fisherman or diver that was happy with a combo unit.

Blue197320 · #4 12-05-2006, 07:54 PM

i wanted the combo unit because of limited space on my console (20 SF) so i went with both and it has already showed me why. my new lowrance sonar took a dump on it while i was out. if it would have been a combo i would have been in trouble.

Miles Offshore · #5 12-05-2006, 09:02 PM

i concur- i like stand alone units myself. i have a garmin192C and i love the plotter but . i dont use the sonar- been told it is not that great anyway(not verified). for bottom machine i love and dont think you can go wrong with a furuno.

btw- the 192C comes with blue chart included in the package

abl1111 · #6 12-05-2006, 11:08 PM

Thx for the replies. I don't really want a combo, but the helm is so limited in terms of space. I might just stay w/ my Lowrance depth/FF and buy a small screened/handheld Garmin 76C. But, I would really like a larger screen...

peterb · #7 12-07-2006, 01:56 PM

I have this unit and love it. You can't beat it for the price. It does both tasks great. The detail on both fronts is state of the art.

I have just one however.

On my boat I have two other color fish finders. Therefore, 99% of the time I just use the GPS screen.
I am not a big fan of the split screen. It works but leaves you with a small view.

gss036 · #8 12-11-2006, 06:54 PM

I agree w/the idea of seperate units. I ran(still use the depth part) an Impulse Loran combo unit and then purchased a Garmin 176C w/ chip set for our area. It works great, we are kind of too far north to get good WAAS signal, so I would still use my loran to find a rock penical for bottom fishing. I did buy a new Eagle 480DF (b&w) depth sender unit, not too happy with it, but does good for bottom detail.
I have a 23WA, but I am getting really cluttered at this point also.