Help selecting a "New" Garmin GPS

[ifishinRI]

HI Guys, I new to Reel Boating today. This is my first post here:

I am outfitting a 2002 Sea Pro SV1700 Bay Boat that I just picked up in December to fish Greenwich Bay next spring. I have been using and am used to a Garmin 2010c that was on my previous 28' Regal.

My choices on this smaller Center Console are as follows:

Garmin 3205 $590.00 (No S&H and No sales tax)

Garmin 3206 $770.00 (No S&H and No sales tax)

Garmin 545s $700.00 Plus 7% sales tax (last one at West Marine)

I will also be installing a Garmin 400 series FF along side the GPS. I know that the 545s is a Combo unit, but I am buying it at the 545 price and getting the "s" for free. I DO want to run separate GPS & FF. I can't see them both running on a 5" split screen.

What are you opinions and recomendations ?? I am leaning towards the 3206 and the 400 since it is VERY similar to my old Garmin 2010c and gives a larger screen for these old tired eyes. Second choice 3205 and the 400. Is there $180 difference between the 5" and 6" screens ???

Thanks in advance for your answers, Gary -- ifishinri

PS: This post is also on the iBoats electronics forum if it souns familiar.....

Edited January 6, 2010 by IfishinRI

[ifishinRI]

A couple more questions:

I still have my Garmin 2010c but before I sell it is there a way to transfer all of my way points from one Garmin to another ??

Do I have to download them to a card ??

Are the way points on the map card or in the internal memory ??

Does the 2010c Map card (not an SD card) fit into the 3206 ??

Thanks for your help............... Gary <@{{{{{{=<

[Sweet Tooth]

I just installed a 3210 package to replace a 2010. You need a card to transfer waypoints. You have to go into the COMM tab on one of the menus and change from NMEA to Garmin to Garmin or something like that. Then insert your card and follow prompts to transfer points FROM machine TO card and then vice versa when you load them into your new unit.

Make sure you change back to NMEA if you're interfacing GPS signal to a VHF or something.

FWIW I got used to the slight differences between the 3210 and 2010 in one trip and most of that was dealing with switching between screens and functions. Also, if your machine doesn't recognize the transducer you may need to short the temp sensor leads together.

Hope this helps

[1bandit]

The refurbished units have the same warranty and were gone over by a trained tech who spoke english. Some one inside garmin told me they would personly go this way because the refurbs were more reliable and cheaper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Garmin-GPSmap-540-5-Marine-GPS-Receiver_W0QQitemZ310207530112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGPS_Devices?hash=item4839cf4480

[Lana]

I'm sure they're all worthwhile. It just comes down to what your specific needs are. Garmin marine electronics have a range of products and are extremely reliable.

[wiley]

I'm sure they're all worthwhile. It just comes down to what your specific needs are. Garmin marine electronics have a range of products and are extremely reliable.

Nice site. They would do well advertising here.

[343mike]

700 + tax is pricey for a basic 545. I bought a 445 a year and a half ago under 400 from BOE Marine, no sales tax, free shipping. BOE doesn't list the 545s now, maybe it's being discontinued--only one at WM?? Check the Garmin site

[doced]

I have a Garmin 545s on my Onslow Bay 20 and really like it,as a matter of fact,I am replacing the old Lowrance in the electronics box (came with the boat) with a Garmin 461s for backup.The 545 is mounted on the console.I too would like a bigger screen but room and cost are factors.I had no troubling loading waypoints from a Profinder chip but have not moved data from one GPS to another.Good luck.Doced