Any new reviews or comments on the Garmin GSD 22 sonar image quality? - The Hull Truth

xrayengineer · 01-28-2009, 07:10 PM

Anyone have some recent experience with the GSD 22 module? There have been quite a few older posts that basically have folks either loving it or hating it. I would like to hear from some users that are currently using the module and could compare it to other modern sonar units with respect to resolution of baitfish, fish and bottom structure.

I have used Lowrance and Furuno FF's in the past, and am going to try a new big screen garmin with the sonar module, and was wanting to know what to expect.
Thanks!

Capt and the Kids · 01-28-2009, 07:17 PM

Have the GSD 22 connected to the 4208 with the P66 ducer. Love it love it love it!!!

Paul

Topend · 01-28-2009, 07:58 PM

The GSD22 will show baitfish, fish and bottom structure. Target discrimination is not so good close to the bottom or structure. We are hoping Garmin address sounder performance in a future software update.

Cheers.

dowop · 01-29-2009, 06:58 AM

I will admit that I've been VERY critical of Garmin's Fishfinders, being an electronics dealer I've tried many of the stand-alone and black-boxes. Having said this, I think Garmin is really starting to get it together with the GSD-22 and has come A L O N G way from the GSD-20. I installed a GSD-22 the tail end of last season and I was impressed with the unit. Using the EXACT same transducer (and location) as the GSD-20 and my Furuno, I went to a wreck and played with all three units. Now Garmin.... if you're listening out there.... get this technology into your standalone FF's and you could probably start playing with the big boys!!!

ElyseM · 01-29-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

dowop - 1/29/2009 8:58 AM

I will admit that I've been VERY critical of Garmin's Fishfinders, being an electronics dealer I've tried many of the stand-alone and black-boxes. Having said this, I think Garmin is really starting to get it together with the GSD-22 and has come A L O N G way from the GSD-20. I installed a GSD-22 the tail end of last season and I was impressed with the unit. Using the EXACT same transducer (and location) as the GSD-20 and my Furuno, I went to a wreck and played with all three units. Now Garmin.... if you're listening out there.... get this technology into your standalone FF's and you could probably start playing with the big boys!!!

if you would, what ducer?

dowop · 01-29-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

ElyseM - 1/29/2009 9:46 AM

if you would, what ducer?

Airmar P79 that has a Garmin plug. I created a Garmin pig-tail from an transducer extension and can connect the same transducer to my Furuno with the Furuno pig-tail cable.

LooseConnection · 01-29-2009, 08:28 AM

This is passing under a bridge. You can see the fish well but the ones close to the bottom become part of the bottom.

You can see this small ledge that is holding fish, but its hard to see the fish b/c they have become part of the bottom.

dowop · 01-29-2009, 09:10 AM

Did you try Bottom-Lock?

LooseConnection · 01-29-2009, 10:18 AM

Bottom lock doesnt help. Just have to learn how to read the screen. Or put the fish symbols on. The fish symbols are cartoonish but atleast they break up structure from fish.

Topend · 01-29-2009, 01:18 PM

I agree bottom lock doesn't help. Personally I don't trust the fish symbols.

Birdman · 01-29-2009, 05:12 PM

Looseconnection,
What is the last item on your data bar, bottom right of your screen?? Looks like a radar icon or something? I've never seen that on my display?

I LOVE my GSD22 so far. As mentioned in the PM, I don't have alot of time (only one trip) in deep water below 200', so I can't speak much about that yet. In anything below 200' I get as good a picture as I've seen on any FF.

xrayengineer · 01-29-2009, 08:15 PM

Wow, thanks for the honest responses. I just removed my Garmin 4208 and Furuno FCV-620 and installed the Garmin 4212 network bundle with the XM Weather and sonar. I am reusing my Airmar P66 with the adapter cable. I will be trying out the new setup this weekend.

I may still take the Furuno out on the boat and give the pepsi taste test side by side with the Garmin. I wouldn't be able to do it in real time. I would have to use the Garmin, take some pictures, then plug the P66 into the Furuno and do the same. But it may yield some decent comparisions.

The Furuno was mounted in a bad spot in my console that made it a little difficult to see. Also, something i cleaned the boat with evidently destroyed the screen, and currently it is in for service at Furuno. I plan on selling it on ebay when i get it back, but i will probably do the comparision first. The only things i didn't really care for with the furuno was the 620's screen had a little bit too low of resolution for me, and it was a little cartoonish, if that makes any sense. Also the screen was not easy for me to read in the sun, with polarized glasses at the angle i had to view it with. Other than that it looked like any other decent FF I have ever used. The garmin 4208 was always perfect as far as viewing in the sun.

So i said to myself, which is always dangerous, the furuno is in for service, the garmin 4208 is fantastic, so i will get the big screen version of the garmin and be done with it!

let me know if anyone wants to see comparision screens between the 620 and the gsd 22. they obviously will be taken a few minutes apart, but i will be at anchor, so we will see....

Both of these sounders are better than my abilities to use them, but I hope Garmin has the chops!

Topend · 01-29-2009, 08:26 PM

I would be interested in seeing the difference. My guess is the Furuno will show better discrimination and smaller targets.

Cheers.

LooseConnection · 01-30-2009, 06:20 AM

Birdman,

Radar. To the right of that there is a key that will move that item to the largest screen of the split screen.

250' is as deep as I have gone. I think the detail is better out there. I just have the transom mnt dx, 600 watts.

Birdman · 01-30-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

LooseConnection - 1/30/2009 8:20 AM

Birdman,

Radar. To the right of that there is a key that will move that item to the largest screen of the split screen.

250' is as deep as I have gone. I think the detail is better out there. I just have the transom mnt dx, 600 watts.

I'm talkin bout the thingy circled? I've never seen that come up on my data bar? AND, how did you get the Split screen display offset like that, with the radar smaller than the sounder?

LooseConnection · 01-31-2009, 07:49 AM

What you cant see is to the right of that symbol circled, there is a button that when pressed brings the radar to the largest screen. In all my combo screens there is one function that is larger than the others. These keys bring that displayed fuction to the largest screen kinda like a short cut key. Largest screen is refered to by Garmin as the focus screen. I belive you can set size by using the menu key, but I might be getting my old 188c and this unit confused. This works really well when you have radar, sonar, and chart up. One key stroke to see the big picture.

LooseConnection · 02-02-2009, 06:14 AM

Black stuff is a combo of surface noise as well as areated water. Its about 3' to 6' below surface. My cheap ducer has alot to do with it.

Birdman · 02-02-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

LooseConnection - 1/31/2009 9:49 AM

What you cant see is to the right of that symbol circled, there is a button that when pressed brings the radar to the largest screen. In all my combo screens there is one function that is larger than the others. These keys bring that displayed fuction to the largest screen kinda like a short cut key. Largest screen is refered to by Garmin as the focus screen. I belive you can set size by using the menu key, but I might be getting my old 188c and this unit confused. This works really well when you have radar, sonar, and chart up. One key stroke to see the big picture.

Gotcha, thanks. Little different than what I have on my 5215.

LooseConnection · 02-02-2009, 01:31 PM

Birdman,
What ducer are you using?
LC

Birdman · 02-02-2009, 01:47 PM

B164, 20* tilted thru hull 1kw. Love it!