Back to the main site

GPS question on new 22SSRX

WinnebagoOshkosh

WinnebagoOshkosh

Member
Messages
16
Reaction score
11
Location
Wisconsin
New registered user on the forum, although I've been reading it for a long time.  I can't even begin to tell you how helpful you've all been with tips & tricks (maintenance & care, winter storage tips, and lately on specing out my new boat)  so my thanks to everyone for letting a previously-anonymous reader listen in...

I'm in the process of specing out a new 22SSRX ... so excited I can hardly stand it.  I'm trying to figure out what I should get for a GPS navigation unit.  I live on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin (about 137,000 acres, 10 miles X 30 miles, max depth is maybe 20 feet tops) and there are a lot of shallow areas, especially if I'm slow-cruising near shore.  I need something that will help me with navigation - clearly show depth, and if I'm heading towards shallow water.  If I'm cruising along at 35 I need to know if there's shallow water coming up in the next couple of hundred yards, and I don't know what GPS units will show "near scale".  I don't need to know what's a mile or 2 ahead, I just need to know if I have to steer around something imminent.  Ideally I'd have something that adjusts the scale based on speed - if I'm going 10 MPH it would show a closer scale than if I'm going 35.

So needs include:

Depth finder

Shallow-water alarm

"Local" area relative to where I am

Ability to set waypoints so I can find my way home at night or find restaurants (OK, maybe bars too...)

Water temp would be nice

Oh, and speed ... I have to see how fast this new boat will go  :)

Not a fisherman so I don't really "need" the fishfinder, but I have a few friends who may appreciate it when we go out.

Also, would welcome any other tips on my build - you all are always good at spending other people's money, so here are the highlights:

22SSRXDF (stern radius) w/ Merc 150

Champagne exterior panels w/ smokey granite accent & canvas

Sandstone interior w/ Driftwood interior accent and Graywood trim accent

Platinum Seagrass flooring throughout

Extended aft w/ski tow bar

G-Series chair upgrade (adjustable helm seat)

SPS tubes w/ Sharkhide and in-floor storage

Privacy chaise

Stainless dock lights, dual batteries, heavy duty rub rail, water fuel separator, 2 portable cup holders

Thanks all!
 
Winnebago I have the Garmin 531S [older model that has been replaced by newer but I would think if anything the newer does even more] and it does all of the above but requires an explanation of the warning of a shallow area. 

I can set my GPS as to how large or small of an area that shows on the 5" screen, the water is colorized to show 3 different depths of the water, shallow, medium & deep.  I also bought the SD chip for better graphics and on my lake it does do a pretty good job when I am in shallow water it does actually show the small submerged islands that you cruise over in the spring but need to watch out for in the fall when the water is dropping.

Concerning the depth finder the problem is that by the time you go over something like a sudden sand bar [or large rock] it is generally too late. 
 
Welcome! I really like our Garmin echoMap DV 54. Check it out on Grarmin website.
 
Tooner said:
Welcome! I really like our Garmin echoMap DV 54. Check it out on Grarmin website.
Click to expand...
I upgraded and got a similar one (DV53).  Really impressed with it.  Imaging is excellent and the chartplotter is very detailed (which is adjustable).  It comes with like 13,000 lakes preprogrammed.  Very simple to use and storing/naming new waypoints is a snap.  And the price is reasonable for what you get.  I had very expensive Furuno stuff on my SW boat which was very complicated to use.  This was a welcome change.  So far, very happy with it.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I've looked at both the 43dv and 53dv but can't tell from the Garmin site or anywhere else (even looked on YouTube) about the navigation features - they all emphasize the fish-finding features and that's really not what I need for everyday use - I need to avoid problems and find my way to my destination.

One other thing I forgot - it needs to have good maps so I can "predict" the shallow spots before I get into trouble.
 
My 53dv (just like the 54dv) is a combo unit.  Fish finder/chartplotter.  You don't have to use the FF capabilities.  You can just use the unit as a chartplotter if you'd like.  The chartplotter is very detailed showing you depths from shore to the middle of the lake and various landmarks.  You can mark and name a waypoint anywhere you like and save routes.  As you zoom in it's extremely detailed.  My lake was already preloaded along with the other 13,000 common lakes.
 
Havasu said:
I upgraded and got a similar one (DV53). Really impressed with it. Imaging is excellent and the chartplotter is very detailed (which is adjustable). It comes with like 13,000 lakes preprogrammed. Very simple to use and storing/naming new waypoints is a snap. And the price is reasonable for what you get. I had very expensive Furuno stuff on my SW boat which was very complicated to use. This was a welcome change. So far, very happy with it.
Click to expand...
Havasu, the only difference between the 53 and 54 is the software. 53 is for inland, while the 54 is coastal. Since we are in Florida, the coastal covers the lakes and rivers we boat on since they are accessible from the Intracoastal and ocean. I can buy the "inland" on a micro SD card, and have them both loaded. The Garmin really is fantastic. The "down vue" under water imaging is almost photo quality, and I LOVE all the user data, waypoints, and configurability of the unit. Money well spent!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Your build list sounds perfect.

You think you are excited now?  Wait until you actually get the boat.  Rumor is Jarred slept on his the first two nights.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sounds like the 53dv is what I'm looking for.  Thanks for all the help.

Anyone know where/how they mount these - is it in-dash or some kind of above/pedestal mount?

As I sit here looking at the lake with 13" of ice on it, and snowmobiles, 4-wheelers and even trucks driving on it, it seems like Spring will never get here...
 
If you are ordering it from the dealer he will mount it wherever you want.  When I got my boat I upgraded from the echo100 to the 531, at different sizes the dealer cut into the console as I wanted a flush mount. 
 
Point 1 don't buy any of what Garmin sells thru Bennington. Just order nothing.

What you want is AT LEAST a Garmin 741. The smaller units don't have the screen capabilities you need.

I have a 740 and would never attemp navigation and depth finding with any shambles screen.

Make sure you order a helm that you can mount it in
 
Is there really anything out there that's going to show you what's up in FRONT of you..... like 30-50 yards?  Isn't that forward facing sonar???

If there is I want it....
 
I agree that you won't see what is coming on the fish finder part of the unit.  We all hang the transducer on the back of the boat and then fish off the front.  On my Dragonfly, it does record the bottom and updates the map, so the map becomes more accurate as I travel the lake. 
 
kaydano said:
Your build list sounds perfect.

You think you are excited now? Wait until you actually get the boat. Rumor is Jarred slept on his the first two nights.
Click to expand...
yup. And the freight carrier had me sign a waiver so I could sleep on it while they transported it to my dealer.
 
That's why I got the in-floor storage - just my size for sleeping   :lol:

As far as showing what's in front of me, I'm hoping the maps will do that - at least show me there are shallow areas coming up.  With a bigger motor (now have a 2001 2275LX w/ Honda 75HP) I'll be exploring more of the lake and will need to learn some new areas - just want to be able to see what the charts show for depth.  I'd like to believe I'm not dumb enough to cruise into unknown areas at high speed without at least looking at a map/chart first ... but beer does strange things to people sometimes....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top