Garmin 188C

Fish'nDude · 03-23-2005, 05:33 PM

Anyone got one of these combo units? I've been considering one and before I spring for it, thought I'd ask here. Pro's and Con's???
Thanks all.

DAB · 03-23-2005, 05:37 PM

Fish Tales has a garmin 182C, Both seem to work fine.
DAB

Bait O' Eggs · 03-23-2005, 06:04 PM

I have one, best thing is it is a Garmin so you dont even need to read the instruction manual to figure out how to use it, unlike a Lowrance which I have owned two of them and never did figure out how to use them.

I would get another one.

Catching Nemo · 03-23-2005, 06:07 PM

I have the 188 w/external antenna. I have not found any negatives. The unit is easy to use and understand. The Blue Chart maps are very detailed - even when zoomed in close. The only negative comment I have ever heard was about the internal antenna version (locking onto the GPS Sat's was not as good).

Give me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Palmer1 · 03-23-2005, 06:07 PM

I have owned two on two different boats. They are great and very easy to use as stated above. Couldn't recommend them more.

Fish'nDude · 03-23-2005, 06:32 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. I've heard some of the combo units don't do either very well. Glad its not the case with the 188C.
I'll be getting one with an internal antena since my boat is a smaller open sled hoping that without a top the reception issues won't be a problem.
I�ve got two choices of dual transducers with speed and temp. A $37 and a $97 one. Is the $60 spent worth it in increased performance or will the cheaper one get me by just fine? The only thing I can tell from the pics is the size. This is my first boat and I'm new at all these things.

Catching Nemo · 03-23-2005, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Is the $60 spent worth it in increased performance

Yes!

No different than putting a cheap antenna on a real expensive radio or TV. Garbage in Garbage out.

salmonquest · 03-23-2005, 09:27 PM

I have the 188 (not color). I love it. The maps are great. Mine has the external antenna, I have had absoultly no problems. Easy to use and very nice. Go get one.

Get the speed and temp. Its well worth it to get your trolling speed.

Geemo · 03-23-2005, 09:31 PM

CN

If there are two options, which is which?

I know the difference of $60.... But what is the difference in the operation of the different transducers?

If you save the $60 would you be disappointed with the unit?

Geemo

salmonquest · 03-23-2005, 09:36 PM

I might be able to answer that.

When I first bought mine it had gps speed and temp built into the xducer. It did not have the little speed wheel for trolling speed. I added a separate speed wheel later. It just pluged into the xducer cable. The nice part is if I break it I don't have to change out the xducer, just the speed wheel.

I had the speed wheel on all my other boats and really wanted it. It makes a big difference in trolling.

Geemo · 03-23-2005, 10:00 PM

Salmoquest,

We are trying to get the boat all set up with these important items. We had a TR-1 installed in January. The Garmin 188C and Marine Radio go in this weekend. The plan is to tie everything together... TR-1, 188C and Marine Radio....

I didn't realize there was an option to upgrade the transducer. That's why I was asking the question of "What's the difference?"

I know about the separate - speed water wheel. We have one on the boat with the current Lowrance fish/depth finer.

When I spend this much money I would hope to have things be perfect........... CHa CHing $$$$ It took a little while to convince and save the bucks for everything.

Thanks
Geemo Deb

Two Fister · 03-23-2005, 11:19 PM

Geemo,
I think the difference between the transducers is if the unit has a split frequency. I think the typical split is 50/200 kHz. According to GPSdiscount.com you generally want a 200 kHz transducer for if you only do shallow fresh water fishing, and the 50/200 kHz for both salt/deep water and shallow water fishing. The 200 kHz transducers are typcially supposed to be accurate to about 300 feet. I'm going through the same stuff right now and even though I'll mostly fish lakes and estuarys, I'm going to get the 50/200 kHz transducer just in case.
Cheers,
Dan

trap50 · 03-23-2005, 11:48 PM

Is this a good price? item# item description unit price u/m qty cost adjust quantity here
010-00268-01 GPSMAP 188 Color $854.00 ea. 1 $854.00 change qty
then click

Continue to Shop
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Order Subtotal: $854.00 When ordering accessories, please indicate what product they are to work with in the "special instructions" area on the final check out page. i.e., I am ordering accessories for a GPS III PLUS.
Click here to change shipping options.
Oklahoma deliveries subject to $62.56 sales tax.
Delivery outside Continental USA Please read.
Shipping weight: 8.00
Orders will be confirmed via email.

Ground: $0.00
Insurance: $4.27
Grand Total: $858.27

skein · 03-24-2005, 01:19 AM

I have the 188C and really like it. I struggled a little with the cost of the color option, but I'm glad I went that way. And since I have limited dash space, having the sounder as part of the unit has worked well too.

I did make a mistake (I think) when I bought my chart software, and went for the chip instead of the CD. With the CD I could have studied the harbors and channels on my computer instead of having to do all that at the boat. The chip was in stock and the CD was an "order and wait" deal, and well, I just couldn't wait. :grin:

I'm a BIG fan of the external antenna though, and with my cabin boat it was the only way to go. I think you can add that option if you don't get the quick satellite lock-on with your internal.

Would I buy another one? In a heartbeat.

Skein

trap50 · 03-24-2005, 03:54 AM

Skein
Using the chip do you have to have the antena to just bring up the charts from
the chip to the unit? I was thinking of getting a 110 to 12 volt converter and use it in the house. I got a 12 volt plug with mine. Is that price I posted above a good price?

skein · 03-24-2005, 07:41 AM

Trap,

I haven't tried what you're suggesting, but it sounds like a good idea. 'Course sometimes I just go sit in the boat because I want to. :grin:

Your price seems very good - the best I've seen, so I would make sure it has all the goodies I expect. I also heard a rumor (for what they're worth) that sometimes Garmin would not provide the factory warranty to some of the cut-rate units being sold, based on serial numbers. I have heard nothing to substantiate that however.

I bought mine locally so I could go talk to the dealer if I had a question or a problem. I have had a couple questions, but no problems. Sure is a nice unit to use.

Skein

trap50 · 03-24-2005, 07:52 AM

Skein actually I bought the 172C for $480. Got everything with it. I got the site off the Garmin home page. It's gpsdiscount.com.
I'm having a tower put on my boat so I don't have it mounted yet. Really looking forward to learning how to use it.

Catching Nemo · 03-24-2005, 07:55 AM

Geemo,

I was told to stay with the Airmar brand. I currently have the Airmar unit that is dual freq and has the water wheel on it for speed. The other unit I was looking at had similar functions but was not built by Airmar (don't remember the name). Supposedly the cheaper transducer would allow more noise and degrade the returning signal.

I would also suggest getting one of these for updates: USB Chartplotter Update Kit.

Angus · 03-24-2005, 08:15 AM

Phishndude,

Do you have a link or pictures of these transducers, I'm a little (actually alot) suspicious of a $37 Garmin dual frequency X-ducer, I've sold Garmin products for a few years and the least expensive X-ducer for a 188 is around $75 and doesn't come with speed and temp.
If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Bait O' Eggs · 03-24-2005, 09:47 AM

I did not order the transducer with speed, I didnt see the reason as the wheels are prone to break on transducers (at least I broke the one on my Lowrance) and you can get probably a more accurate speed off the GPS anyway.

I plan to buy the chip for the unit, I didnt know I had the choice between the software on a chip or disc. Guess I gotta figure out which I want. :whazzup:

If I buy the software can I plug it into both my 188c and my 76map?

Angus · 03-24-2005, 10:29 AM

You can go either route, chip or cd-rom, only thing is, if you go with the cd-rom, you'll have to buy a chip burner and blank chips, you cannot download directly off cd-rom into the 188, this will cost about $60 for the burner and anywhere from $60 upto $250 depending on how many meg. blank chip you want.

Geemo · 03-24-2005, 01:18 PM

There is very good information here. Lots to think about when you're making a purchase like this. There are so many makes and various models. Grayscale or color screens, internal or extrenal antenna.....

Thank you everyone for the info.

Nemo, I'll check out the "chartplotter update kit" At this point what's another $108.32 plus shipping???

geemo

Fish'nDude · 03-24-2005, 02:12 PM

OK, I had my wires crossed on my pricing/features of the 188C. Got it all figured out now. This is what I found:

Garmin 188C w/external antenna (188C is NOT avail.w/internal antenna)
part #010-00268-00 full 1 yr warranty $805.59

Transducers, transom mounted:
Garmin 010-10192-01 dual 50/200 with speed & temp. $103.31
Garmin 010-10272-00 dual 50/200 with depth & temp. $49.87
(All Gramin transducers are manufactured by Airmar)
Blue chart MUSO22R WA to North CA $122
Seattlediscount.com

The transducers differ in price for the speed feature.
Now that I find out the 188C unit comes only with an external antenna I'm not sure its going to work on my boat.
Can the antenna be mounted in such a way on a 17.5 ft NR Scout, tiller motors, that its not in the way?

I'd hate to start the hunt all over again since I've found a good deal, and the unit has gotten such positive response from this board.

Thanks all.

Catching Nemo · 03-24-2005, 02:20 PM

Shouldn't be a problem.

You can flush mount the dome anywhere on your gunwhale or on the bow area if it is covered. I have mine on a post but I have seen many who have just flush mounted the dome.

nwsteelheader1 · 03-24-2005, 05:53 PM

I own the 172C and love it I purchased the GPS Sounder right after they were released wich was march of last year I chose the 172C because of the faster processor. I would not launch my boat with out the 172C I also use Blue charts and cant say enough good things about the sounder The Tide charts are invaluble also. I hope I dont sound to biased.
oh did I mention I work for Garmin