Garmin chartplotter advice

[Eagle-day]

I have been looking at the new Garmin gpsmap 192c on line. It looks like something i would buy but need some answers.It comes with Bluechart built in and Basemap World wide marine.I have been told that basemap needs to be of the west coast area ,Does this basemap have a code you unlock to get the area of your choice? I know that Bluechart works that way. The price is $619 with the internal antenna, and $639 with the external antenna, don't know which one to use. (I have a 17' hewescraft with a rag top) I haven't bought anything like this on line before, are there any "hidden tricks" i need to be aware of? I have been using a Garmin 76 marine hand held that works fine but a chartplotter i've been told is the only way to go.
Thanks :whazzup:

[bajadan2000]

The internal antenna should work fine.

I believe the 192c in an older updated model.

If you go to the Garmin website and click on marine/chartplotters it will show you the entire line-up, including several new models coming.

Garmin has a new line coming out soon. The 492 will have the blue chart maritime cartography fully loaded for the entire US for only $879 internal or 899 external entenna.

I am waiting for the new 492XM which is the same unit fully loaded, external antenna and satellite weather data service built in for $1199, available 2-4 months.

Cabellas snuck this info out early in one of their catalogs.

[Catching Nemo]

You were given partially inaccurate information on the basemaps.

The basemaps, and pre loaded Bluecharts, are based on a region but in this case it is continental in size. If you purchased a 192C, in Europe, it would be loaded with their "Atlantic" basemap and all the Bluecharts for that area. Units, that are sold in the United States, come with a "North American" basemap and all the charts for the coastal United States. There is no West Coast or East Coast basemap, for the United States, only one master basemap. Also, you do not need to unlock any Bluecharts, on the 192C, as they are 100% available.

Those are good prices on the 192C's and installing them is easy. I would, however, go with an external antenna.

[Eagle-day]

Thanks guys, i also was told of the new line garmin is coming out with but it's the price that holds me back.It sounds like all i have to do is install and go.I went down to West Marine and talked to a rep, he said that Garmin is closing this 192c out and that's why it's on sale there. They still can't beat the online stores. It looks like i'm going shopping online.
Thanks again

[Catching Nemo]

Both West Marine and Boaters World will match online pricing+shipping if you bring in a print out. They won't go below their cost but they have matched some great deals for me at both stores. PS: They don't really advertise the price match policy, to their customers, for obvious reasons.

I also sent you a PM on another option that you should seriously look at.

[KillerBeee]

I'm using that unit and like it a lot. I would also recommend after your purchase, go to the Garmin website, and look under accessories. You will find a marine info management package for about 60.00. With this package, you will get a USB card reader, a 16mb memory card, and the necessary software to back your waypoints up on PC as well as being able to download software updates for your machine to the memory card from the Garmin site.
If you purchase these items separately, it's more expensive!
I have found the coverage to be outstanding on the basemap and is supposed to be identical to the Blue chart data that you would otherwise purchase for a unit with no basemap.
Beeeeeee
For what it's worth, I chose the external antenna model.

[Eagle-day]

Great info Catching Nemo, talk about not having a clue, I'll have to try the matched price thing for sure and again thanks for the PM. This info opened my eyes and i'll seriously look at all options.

[Paddler]

Is there a big difference between the internal and external antenna units? It would be nice to not have to install a separate entenna and route the cable. My boat has a forward helm, but it should still not block reception for an internal antenna model.

[Catching Nemo]

There can be a big difference but you won't know until you try it on your particular boat. The good thing about an external antenna is that you can run it from the inside or the outside. With an internal you only have 1 option and if that doesn't work..... .

In my particular case, I have a 3/4 hardtop and I lose a lot of satellites (and GPS accuracy) from inside. The difference, for me, is a 45ft CEP (inside) versus 12ft CEP (outside).

[Double G]

I bought the Garmin 172C last season with an internal antenna. I have mine mounted ahead of the steering wheel and the antenna shoots right up through the windshield. That is where I'd had my handheld mounted and it always worked fine so I figured this new one would also and it does.