*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: You touched the leader its a catch! (as I cry from the bridge)
Anyone have experience with this unit? I'm looking for a simple gps...can't swing a more expensive unit like the 182c. What mapping acc. can I get or should I get??
Any suggestions would help.
Thanks
Hi i have a Map162I. I an very happy with it, you will have to get the Cmap cd from Garming to really get all the markers and soundings, it is very easy to use. I have the internal antena and works fine for mi.I also have the 240 blue sounder
by Garmin. Hope this helps
I just picked mine up last week. Intsalled it used it once and now it's raining and blowing for a week.
Anyway, it seems to be a real good unit for mid-sized boats. It contains mapping features if you purchase the Map Source Blue Chart from Garmin. It's a CD-ROM. Unlocking the region or regions of choice seemed confusiong at first but was easy in actuality. Call or go to Garmin's web site for better instruction than what is provided with the unit and CD.
The cartography stores on your computer...you up load it on to the unit via a PC-Garmin interface cable that is included with the unit. this cable also functions as an AC adapter so you can use the unit sitting at home.
A real benefit to all this is you are able to create waypoints and routes on your computer and then up load them as well onto the garmin unit.
Also this unit carries tidal graphs (for tide stations in your area) and moon phases information. As well as fairly accurate depth soundings. A new software version is out by the way, so if you purchase the old one they will tell you a new update is available and you will get that for free.
Overall, I strongly reccomend this unit. The total package will cost you about $500 buck. That is for the unit and the mapping CD. Unless of course you get the external antena and then you will have to buy a mount for that.
I installed the unit, interfaced it with my Standard Horizon and my Sitex sounder in approximately 2 hours.
I have the 162 on my Pro-line 2950. The 162 is an old and outdated unit that does not really have enough memory to incorporate detailed charts. The only maps you can install w/ any range in the 162 do not include water depths, markers, port information, or anything else for that matter. They are just generic land/water maps. I would suggest going with the Standard Horizon 150 or spending the extra money to get the Garmin 182. Both have enough memory to incorporate charts. I do like the Garmin products and am going to upgrade to the 182 soon. I would also check out the Navman because it has the capability to add fuel flow sensors. I just do not know what the cost of the unit is.... Good luck!
Check out this link for units in your price range.. West Marine Units
[This message was edited by SandyShoes on 05-25-03 at 02:18 PM.]
I have a 162 also. It was originally an internal antenna unit that I converted to an external. You just change the backing plate and the BNC connector is already there. It worked really good with the internal antenna and it works great with the external. I have the Blue Charts loaded into it and with the fairly large screen it's a lot of bang for the bucks. I'll keep using it until I update to a 2010
I had the 162 with external antenna on my old boat, coupled with the Blue chart CD. I beg to differ with ya, I had all kinds of bottom detail available on my 162, depths galore, markers, channels, etc...perhaps you didn't download right? I used my bluechart cd with my new 2006, the only difference between the two is mainly screen size and re-draw rates.
I agree, if you use just the basemap, it's rather week...you have to have the blue chart, and you'd be surprised how much detail you can cram into 2.5 mbs...I think it's a great unit for the money.
I must also disagree. I used to have a 162 in my old boat. The Blue Charts were not available at that time, but Garmin's waterways and light CD was available. It had all of the markers and port info for my region (North East). True, there were no depths and would not accept the entire CD, but it was able to handle everything from Newburyport, Ma down to Nantucket easily and the Blue Chart would provide the same info with the depths.
All in all I think its a good unit at a reasonable price.
It is just a memory issue that I dislike about the unit. In order to download all of the information such as Port info, structures, and other fishing and cruising info, I would be limited to two rivers in the bay. I am just saying that it is worth the money to go to the 182. If you cannot I would recommend checking out the standard horizon cp150 because I was more impressed by the unit on a friends boat
What happens if I buy a 162 and load a region like the Northeast into it.
Will I be able also load another region like SW Fla. into it at the same time? Does the 162 have enough memory for this?
If the 162 won't handle both regions can I erase one region and load it again?
To explain a little further what I would like to do is use it here in RI and then in SW Fla.
Do these regions come on one CD and do I buy the CD then have to pay for the 2 unlock codes????
booby trap- the bluechart cd contains charts for all of the regions- you purchase the cd with one unlock code. you can purchase additional unlock codes for other regions for a fee. all of this can be done on garmin.com.
your region is then broken down further into map sets, which you can individually choose to download onto your unit. each time you download, however, it will erase the map(s) previously stored (but not waypoints, routes, etc) in order to save memory & prevent duplication.
so...you'll need two unlock codes. you can load as many map sets/regions on your unit as it's memory will allow, but the more you store, the slower it will redraw. it's far easier than it sounds, however, as you can save the mapsets in the mapsource program on your pc.
I have been checking out all kinds of prices on many sites and on many electronic components and haven't found a place cheaper than yatchjim's BYOWNER site. www.byownergroup.com/
I bought my G162E from www.threeriversmarine.com at a price of $333.00. Along with great service and quick shipping. As far as the unit is concerned I like it a lot.
Garmin 162 
