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I've done some research in here on it, but wanted to find out what the guys who have been using for awhile think. I've narrowed it this one because of 1) price--I can pick it up on the internet for about $660 2) size--I'm upgrading from a Garmin 250. Its almost the same size hole. 3)Same transdcucer as the 250, already in place.
Any words of wisdom from the folks who already have one?
sorry, i meant 320c...
however, now that you mention it the 3005c would seem to be the better buy right now, especially with the xm weather option
i ;looked at the 172/178c befor i boaught my 182c and was not at all impressed with the screen clarity/sharpness...look at it at an angle and you'll see what i mean
the "in between" option is the 188c...it is roughly the same size as the 250, and will use the same ducer/power cable
Joe - 7/26/2005 5:17 PMI've done some research in here on it, but wanted to find out what the guys who have been using for awhile think. I've narrowed it this one because of 1) price--I can pick it up on the internet for about $660 2) size--I'm upgrading from a Garmin 250. Its almost the same size hole. 3)Same transdcucer as the 250, already in place.Any words of wisdom from the folks who already have one?Edit: I meant 178C..
Check to make sure you get the 178c without transducer as it will save you about $100.00 on the price you have already.
Cgrand is on the money about the screen though. It almost has a pastel look to it. The minute you look from either side the screen fades away from the angle you move.
You could always look into a refurbished 188c and it comes with a full warranty.
I have the 178C (int. antenna), mounted on my 19' cc. Works fine for me, been very happy with the unit. I looked at the 188c, the part that I didnt like about that unit was that to get the split screen of GPS/sounder you had to go into the menu option and select the split screen...just extra key pushing. On the 178c the split screen is a format that you can get by just pressing the "page" button...its an option there. Not a huge difference, but I really like that screen, and I am always jumping back and forth btw just sonar, and GPS/sonar when i am on the run. ...and I didnt want to have to go into the menu option each time to get it.
I couldnt really tell much of a difference btw the screens on the 178c and 188c....but I must admit, I dont have much exp with these machines...and I wont argue with someone that runs a marine electronics shop...LOL As for direct sunlight viewing..its fine...in the dark its fantastic, and I have to move to almost 85-90 deg on eitherside of the unit to see some fading....but I am used to that with my laptop so its not that big of a deal for me.
Love the 178C I have - clear bright screen, easily setup, intuitive operation. As Oniram said, easy toggling between full map page and split screen. For cruising, I now have speed and depth readings in large, easily read numbers on the map page. Have yet to really wring out the ff, but Garmin's ff expertise has been good to me before, so I expect great performance. I highly recommend it.
I've got one I'll sell. Including the original transom mount transducer and two MapSource BlueChart cards (one from Maine to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, the other for the outer banks).
Send me a PM if you are interested.
__________________ 18' Jones Brothers with Yam F115
Garmin 178C?? What do you think? 
As for direct sunlight viewing..its fine...in the dark its fantastic, and I have to move to almost 85-90 deg on eitherside of the unit to see some fading....but I am used to that with my laptop so its not that big of a deal for me. 
