Which Garmin?

[Holokai]

It doesnt for me but if you dont have the external antenna the screen bounces all over the place

What do you mean by bouncing around? I only use the internal antenna and set my display on heads/heading up so it does rotate a fair amount as I’m navigating through chop/swell.

If not that could it be due to the model of chart plotter? I believe the EchoMap series have a 5 Hz gps whereas the GPSMap series have 10 Hz gps resolution and probably update position with less bouncing/step changes?

 

[Lsquared]

if my boat is not in motion, the screen gyrates around. i called lowrance and they said i needed to install the heading sensor because the unit will do that while trying to triangulate if i am in motion it stops the "dance"

 

[wspitler]

The bouncing is due to the fact that a GPS alone can only tell which direction it is moving, but not heading (which way the boat is pointing). At slow speeds or adrift it can make the screen appear to destabilize when head up is selected. The GPS is quickly recomputing its direction. Garmin makes a heading sensor called SteadyCast that provides a directional heading source to the display that prevents the "bouncing" and stabilizes the display. I have that in my Scout, works great. If you have an autopilot then that heading source (flux gate compass) will also stabilize the display if on the network. A simple external antenna won't provide heading either, but some have built-in heading sources,

 

[Holokai]

The bouncing is due to the fact that a GPS alone can only tell which direction it is moving, but not heading (which way the boat is pointing). At slow speeds or adrift it can make the screen appear to destabilize when head up is selected. The GPS is quickly recomputing its direction. Garmin makes a heading sensor called SteadyCast that provides a directional heading source to the display that prevents the "bouncing" and stabilizes the display. I have that in my Scout, works great. If you have an autopilot then that heading source (flux gate compass) will also stabilize the display if on the network. A simple external antenna won't provide heading either, but some have built-in heading sources,

Thank you for the explanation and sharing that info on the SteadyCast, wasn’t aware they made something like that. For $150 (msrp) or less it looks like a pretty good investment!

Garmin SteadyCast™ Heading Sensor

The SteadyCast™ Heading Sensor is a simple, easy-to-install solution that provides fast calibration and premium heading accuracy.

buy.garmin.com

 

[wspitler]

Thank you for the explanation and sharing that info on the SteadyCast, wasn’t aware they made something like that. For $150 (msrp) or less it looks like a pretty good investment!

Garmin SteadyCast™ Heading Sensor

The SteadyCast™ Heading Sensor is a simple, easy-to-install solution that provides fast calibration and premium heading accuracy.

buy.garmin.com

129.95 at the GPSStore

 

[Lsquared]

129.95 at the GPSStore

for that price well worth it. Lowrance is 300 for same. it is annoying to say the least. a way around that is to tap the screen thinking you are asking to create a waypoint. that stabilizes it as well. sad thing about it is i purchased it at the time of initial install. the installer said i didnt need it and sent it back.

 

[wspitler]

I'm not certain, but my guess is if you have a NMEA 2000 network, the Steady Cast will work with Lowrance as it is simply a heading source and NMEA 2000 sentences are standard.

 

[Lite Tackle]

The Lowrance point-1 for another $15 or $20 adds GPS receiver, lightning fast updates and will work with MARPA and autopilot on a small craft although not recommended by manufacturer. Does work with Garmin.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I went with the 942 XS Plus. I spoke with Garmin about my options. The series above it has been discontinued. The latest is the 8 series. While that 10 inch unit is sweet, it's more than a grand more. The 942XSPlus is a new model just released and with an adapter my current 1kw transducer will work with it at 50/200 khz frequency.

The 942xsp will work great with my radar and I might just install that heading sensor then the radar can do that target tracking stuff.

Last year we had the smell of fuel when fueling the boat. I discovered it at the end of the boating season. I have my boat torn up. Replacing the fuel fill hose, vent hose and scupper hoses and scupper drains too. I also am replacing the tilt helm .

I just hope my summer Keys trip can still happen this year.