Garmin came out with a new chartplotter. The 176. 176C has a color display. I've read all the literature on it and I've seen them at West Marine. I'll be in the market for a new GPS/Chartplotter this winter and I was just interested if anyone has any real experience with this unit or has heard anything about them from others who have used or purchased one.
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
Setsail728@aol.com
Garmin 176/176C
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Andy Denmark
Re: Garmin 176/176C
Warren,
I recently purchased the 176-C after researching the market. I like Garmin because their eqpt seems more intuitive than competitors. The 176-C takes some getting used to but after figuring it out, its really easy. This is my first experience with a color unit and it makes a positive difference IMHO.
With only one trip under my belt with this unit (Hilton Head to Oriental), I don't have a lot of hands-on experience, but it did everything I wanted it to do although I had to refer to the manual from time to time to figure out how to get it to the function I wanted.
My only bitch is the expensive "Blue Chart" chips, but they have so much info on them that even that investment is worthwhile. Trouble is, I need so many of them for delivery work. If your navigation is in a fairly specific area then there's no problem. These might drop in price as more people realize their advantages and Garmin notifies you of updates after registering them, taking that burden off your shoulders.
I'm planning some local crusing over Thanksgiving, maybe over to Ocracoke, and hope to have the Garmin interfaced with the Autohelm 2000 to test out that aspect. Will keep you apprised of results on that.
Andy Denmark
CD 27 #270 "Rhiannon"
Lower Broad Creek
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
I recently purchased the 176-C after researching the market. I like Garmin because their eqpt seems more intuitive than competitors. The 176-C takes some getting used to but after figuring it out, its really easy. This is my first experience with a color unit and it makes a positive difference IMHO.
With only one trip under my belt with this unit (Hilton Head to Oriental), I don't have a lot of hands-on experience, but it did everything I wanted it to do although I had to refer to the manual from time to time to figure out how to get it to the function I wanted.
My only bitch is the expensive "Blue Chart" chips, but they have so much info on them that even that investment is worthwhile. Trouble is, I need so many of them for delivery work. If your navigation is in a fairly specific area then there's no problem. These might drop in price as more people realize their advantages and Garmin notifies you of updates after registering them, taking that burden off your shoulders.
I'm planning some local crusing over Thanksgiving, maybe over to Ocracoke, and hope to have the Garmin interfaced with the Autohelm 2000 to test out that aspect. Will keep you apprised of results on that.
Andy Denmark
CD 27 #270 "Rhiannon"
Lower Broad Creek
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
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John R.
Re: Garmin 176/176C
I received an e-mail from NMEA about a month or so ago regarding the release of the long awaited NMEA 2000 protocol and I was informed it would be released in its final version this month. My advice would be to wait for new equipment to debut with the 2000 interface which is a two way protocol rather than buy obsolete gear incorporating 0183 with its one way protocol. Why waste money on obsolesence? NMEA 0183 will not be updated with any new features or capabilities and NMEA 2000 is not backward compatible with the 0183 interface. Hmmmmmmmm, what else is new, eh?Warren Kaplan wrote: Garmin came out with a new chartplotter. The 176. 176C has a color display. I've read all the literature on it and I've seen them at West Marine. I'll be in the market for a new GPS/Chartplotter this winter and I was just interested if anyone has any real experience with this unit or has heard anything about them from others who have used or purchased one.
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
If you are only looking for a basic GPS and are not contemplating the possibility of future interfacing then the 176 would probably be a fine purchase. Certainly the Garmin equipment is good gear in and of itself. If interfacing is in your future plans you best think twice about parting with the green at this time.
I would stay away from any proprietary charting like Blue Charts. It's just a matter of time before they become obsolete as well and won't function in newer equipment. C-maps seem to have the greatest longevity of compatibility with future equipment generations.
Garmin currently has two higher end units that are configured for the NMEA 2000 interface. I don't recall the model numbers but I would think the info would be on their website.
Hope this gives you food for thought. By the way NMEA 0183 will be around for awhile, there just won't be any expansion of it's capabilities. It's basically passe as far as high tech is concerned.
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Warren Kaplan
NMEA 2000 info
John and Andy,
Thanks for the info. I took a look at the NMEA 2000 website for more information about this. Its supposed to have a "release version" in the second quarter of 2001. Which should be now. Does anyone know when this will actually be released.
If you want to read the "particulars" about NMEA 2000, go to the following website:
http://www.nmea.org/2000.htm
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
Thanks for the info. I took a look at the NMEA 2000 website for more information about this. Its supposed to have a "release version" in the second quarter of 2001. Which should be now. Does anyone know when this will actually be released.
If you want to read the "particulars" about NMEA 2000, go to the following website:
http://www.nmea.org/2000.htm
Warren
Setsail728@aol.com
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Andy Denmark
Re: NMEA 2000 info
While John is technically correct, I've spent too much time in the computer world to have high hopes that any new release (of practically anything) is going to be everything it's promised to be until (sometimes) a long time past its initial release date.
Let's face it, NMEA 0183 has been around a long time and is by far the most widely used protocol worldwide. Manufacturers aren't going to render it obsolete just because there's a newer version around. I agree, it would be nice to have something that's at least "compatible" with NMEA 2000 protocol, but usually this sort of initially compatible stuff is deficient in many operational respects. It will, usually with seriously compromised results, work to some degree but not until the bugs are worked out which sometimes takes years. One has but to look at most computer software initial releases to see this phenomenon in real life. Look at the evolution of DSC protocol with the various VHF radio manufacturers -- same sort of thing.
I needed something in the near term, that's why I chose the 176-C. It fits the use I have for it, that of being small and easily transportable from boat to boat. The bottom line;I'll settle for gear that is proven in the present over that which is promised to be better at some (unspecified) time in the future. I like the detail of the Blue Chart system and can't foresee Garmin investing mucho bucks in a system that will soon be dropped by the wayside. Time will tell if I'm right on this, meanwhile I've got a really nice GPS that does everything (and then some) that I ask of it.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on this as follow up to my earlier post.
Andy Denmark
CD-27 #270 "Rhiannon"
Lower Broad Creek
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
Let's face it, NMEA 0183 has been around a long time and is by far the most widely used protocol worldwide. Manufacturers aren't going to render it obsolete just because there's a newer version around. I agree, it would be nice to have something that's at least "compatible" with NMEA 2000 protocol, but usually this sort of initially compatible stuff is deficient in many operational respects. It will, usually with seriously compromised results, work to some degree but not until the bugs are worked out which sometimes takes years. One has but to look at most computer software initial releases to see this phenomenon in real life. Look at the evolution of DSC protocol with the various VHF radio manufacturers -- same sort of thing.
I needed something in the near term, that's why I chose the 176-C. It fits the use I have for it, that of being small and easily transportable from boat to boat. The bottom line;I'll settle for gear that is proven in the present over that which is promised to be better at some (unspecified) time in the future. I like the detail of the Blue Chart system and can't foresee Garmin investing mucho bucks in a system that will soon be dropped by the wayside. Time will tell if I'm right on this, meanwhile I've got a really nice GPS that does everything (and then some) that I ask of it.
Just wanted to share my thoughts on this as follow up to my earlier post.
Andy Denmark
CD-27 #270 "Rhiannon"
Lower Broad Creek
Oriental, NC
trekker@coastalnet.com
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Mike L.
Re: NMEA 2000 info
I purchased a Garmin GPS 3+ three seasons ago and love the devise. It does all I require, guiding me by internal map or external laptop by auto, boat, bike or hiking. The interface does exactly what is needed. I have also looked at the 176c and was very impressed. (I like the larger screen and built in tide chart function) I have decided not to purchase a 176c at this time but will wait for the upgraded NEMA 2000 version to hit the market. I then hope to pick up an older (current) model on Ebay at a discounted price. If I didn't already have the GPS3+ I would not hesitate to get a 176c. My thinking is regardless what or when you buy, it will be obsolete within a year so buy quality and it should do what is needed through several model changes. If something better comes along in the future that I can't live without, the older unit will make a good backup. Then again, the season is just about over in this neck of the woods, so it may be prudent to see what is available in the spring.
Way too many thoughts,
Mike L.
One more- for an alternative use for the GPS during the off season check out: www.geocaching.com It's kind of fun.
mikit@pioneer-net.com
Way too many thoughts,
Mike L.
One more- for an alternative use for the GPS during the off season check out: www.geocaching.com It's kind of fun.
mikit@pioneer-net.com
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Bill Goldsmith
Re: Garmin 176/176C
Warren,
I fell prey to the GPS upgrade bug and bought a 176C this year. What a nifty device! It has the chartplotting (both cartridge and downloadable BlueCharts), great screen size, portability, tides function, the anchor drag alarm and numerous other functions as well. I mounted the unit on a swingarm that folds out of the way. Furthermore, I used a ball-type mount so that it can face any chosen direction. This is very important because the display is tough to see in bright sunlight. With the ball-type mount you can angle it for optimum viewing wherever you're sitting.
As far as connectivity, all I ever plan to do is have the 176C talk to my Autohelm 2000+, mostly for long bouts of motoring. Since I am "Low tech hi tech" I am not as concerned about the latest protocol, it already works great.
The biggest drawback is the price. Between the unit itself, the mount and the charts, you are approaching a grand! You can buy a cartridge with your most common cruising grounds, or you can use the new CD-based bluecharts, but then you need to buy a blank memory cartridge as well as the CD. The more charts you want loaded, the more expensive memory you have to buy.
This does not detract from how nifty the unit is. The newest stuff always costs the most. I still keep my GPS 48 around with all my pre-programmed waypoints. That unit has never failed me.
Bill
goldy@bestweb.net
I fell prey to the GPS upgrade bug and bought a 176C this year. What a nifty device! It has the chartplotting (both cartridge and downloadable BlueCharts), great screen size, portability, tides function, the anchor drag alarm and numerous other functions as well. I mounted the unit on a swingarm that folds out of the way. Furthermore, I used a ball-type mount so that it can face any chosen direction. This is very important because the display is tough to see in bright sunlight. With the ball-type mount you can angle it for optimum viewing wherever you're sitting.
As far as connectivity, all I ever plan to do is have the 176C talk to my Autohelm 2000+, mostly for long bouts of motoring. Since I am "Low tech hi tech" I am not as concerned about the latest protocol, it already works great.
The biggest drawback is the price. Between the unit itself, the mount and the charts, you are approaching a grand! You can buy a cartridge with your most common cruising grounds, or you can use the new CD-based bluecharts, but then you need to buy a blank memory cartridge as well as the CD. The more charts you want loaded, the more expensive memory you have to buy.
This does not detract from how nifty the unit is. The newest stuff always costs the most. I still keep my GPS 48 around with all my pre-programmed waypoints. That unit has never failed me.
Bill
Warren Kaplan wrote: Garmin came out with a new chartplotter. The 176. 176C has a color display. I've read all the literature on it and I've seen them at West Marine. I'll be in the market for a new GPS/Chartplotter this winter and I was just interested if anyone has any real experience with this unit or has heard anything about them from others who have used or purchased one.
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan
goldy@bestweb.net