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Author Topic:   Garmin 172C

Robob2003 posted 04-11-2006 09:50 AM ET (US)
Append your experience with the Garmin 172C to this article. I think it's a relatively new model. I am thinking of retiring my Magellan handheld and putting one of these on my Sakonnet. Thanks in advance,
Bob on Tampa Bay
Robob2003 posted 04-11-2006 09:53 AM ET (US)
I should have done the search first, got some info but would like to see other input.
Bob on Tampa Bay
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-11-2006 10:08 AM ET (US)
It's not that new. Rev. B of the manual on Garmin's website
is dated October 2004.
I've got the predecessor (162) and I like it. Some folks
might want a physically bigger screen, but I'm fine with this
one.

Chuck
Moe posted 04-11-2006 12:17 PM ET (US)
The 172C has been out for maybe two years now, and it's the same as the 178C without the fishfinder hookup. In fact, when I was waiting to see a 178C in real life, all the West Marine had was the 172C, and if I recall correctly, its simulator software showed the fishfinder function. I'm not sure if it can take the GDS-20 blackbox fishfinder add-on.
Bottom line is that we love it, and while a bigger screen is always nicer, this one is just large and bright enough, and the unit fits in the room we had available for it.
We use the Americas' BlueChart CD with 2 unlock codes, a 128MB blank memory chip, AC power/serial port adapter, and USB chip programmer. FWIW, the Tampa to New Orleans region, and lower Lake Huron through Lake Erie to west Lake Ontario region are only about 18MB total, leaving a LOT of memory for days of track-back.
Any questions I didn't answer? Just ask.
--
Moe
Chuck Tribolet posted 04-11-2006 02:49 PM ET (US)
The 172C will take the GDS-20, but it would be cleaner, and
probably cheaper, to get the 178C than 172C+GDS20

Chuck
Robob2003 posted 04-11-2006 05:44 PM ET (US)
Thanks to all.
I already have a Humminbird fish finder/depth sounder that I like very much so will just do the 172C with a chart chip of the Gulf of Mexico. It's just that the Magellan screen is a little small and monochrome.
I'll put it up for sale soon with all of the updated CD software and cable to hook up to the computer. According to Thales any chart can be loaded from the CD without charge so it can be used anywhere in North America.
Thanks again,

Bob on Tampa Bay
17 bodega posted 04-12-2006 11:58 PM ET (US)
Tampa Rob,
What is the cheapest "internet" price you have found for the unit? I have checked flea bay and other sources and it seems you can squeak in under $400?
Steve
drd posted 04-14-2006 09:03 PM ET (US)
I bought a 172c about a year ago. Has been working great, no complants. the color display is great, and visibility in sunlight is excellent. I use it with the bluechip navigation card.
Moe posted 04-14-2006 10:25 PM ET (US)
Steve,
GPSdiscount.com has the Garmin GPSMAP 172C with Internal Antenna for $379 plus $5.00 ground shipping, plus $1.90 for insurance, or $385.90 total.
You'll also need either a preprogrammed chart chip for your area, or... the Bluechart Americas CD, blank memory card, and either the AC power/serial port adapter or USB chip programmer.
We purchased our 178C from them and have made purchases since. They gave us great support.
--
Moe

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Author	Topic: Garmin 172C
Robob2003	posted 04-11-2006 09:50 AM ET (US) Append your experience with the Garmin 172C to this article. I think it's a relatively new model. I am thinking of retiring my Magellan handheld and putting one of these on my Sakonnet. Thanks in advance, Bob on Tampa Bay
Robob2003	posted 04-11-2006 09:53 AM ET (US) I should have done the search first, got some info but would like to see other input. Bob on Tampa Bay
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-11-2006 10:08 AM ET (US) It's not that new. Rev. B of the manual on Garmin's website is dated October 2004. I've got the predecessor (162) and I like it. Some folks might want a physically bigger screen, but I'm fine with this one. Chuck
Moe	posted 04-11-2006 12:17 PM ET (US) The 172C has been out for maybe two years now, and it's the same as the 178C without the fishfinder hookup. In fact, when I was waiting to see a 178C in real life, all the West Marine had was the 172C, and if I recall correctly, its simulator software showed the fishfinder function. I'm not sure if it can take the GDS-20 blackbox fishfinder add-on. Bottom line is that we love it, and while a bigger screen is always nicer, this one is just large and bright enough, and the unit fits in the room we had available for it. We use the Americas' BlueChart CD with 2 unlock codes, a 128MB blank memory chip, AC power/serial port adapter, and USB chip programmer. FWIW, the Tampa to New Orleans region, and lower Lake Huron through Lake Erie to west Lake Ontario region are only about 18MB total, leaving a LOT of memory for days of track-back. Any questions I didn't answer? Just ask. -- Moe
Chuck Tribolet	posted 04-11-2006 02:49 PM ET (US) The 172C will take the GDS-20, but it would be cleaner, and probably cheaper, to get the 178C than 172C+GDS20 Chuck
Robob2003	posted 04-11-2006 05:44 PM ET (US) Thanks to all. I already have a Humminbird fish finder/depth sounder that I like very much so will just do the 172C with a chart chip of the Gulf of Mexico. It's just that the Magellan screen is a little small and monochrome. I'll put it up for sale soon with all of the updated CD software and cable to hook up to the computer. According to Thales any chart can be loaded from the CD without charge so it can be used anywhere in North America. Thanks again, Bob on Tampa Bay
17 bodega	posted 04-12-2006 11:58 PM ET (US) Tampa Rob, What is the cheapest "internet" price you have found for the unit? I have checked flea bay and other sources and it seems you can squeak in under $400? Steve
drd	posted 04-14-2006 09:03 PM ET (US) I bought a 172c about a year ago. Has been working great, no complants. the color display is great, and visibility in sunlight is excellent. I use it with the bluechip navigation card.
Moe	posted 04-14-2006 10:25 PM ET (US) Steve, GPSdiscount.com has the Garmin GPSMAP 172C with Internal Antenna for $379 plus $5.00 ground shipping, plus $1.90 for insurance, or $385.90 total. You'll also need either a preprogrammed chart chip for your area, or... the Bluechart Americas CD, blank memory card, and either the AC power/serial port adapter or USB chip programmer. We purchased our 178C from them and have made purchases since. They gave us great support. -- Moe