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Author Topic:   Garmin 498C v. 440s

BellBoyBob posted 10-07-2007 10:06 AM ET (US)
I am considering the purchase of either the Garmin 498C plotter and sounder or the Garmin 440s plotter and sounder. They both have the Blue Chart coastal and Great Lakes G2 maps installed. Are there major differences between the two? I am replacing my older Garmin 178. Any user experience or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob
blackdog54 posted 10-07-2007 12:33 PM ET (US)
BBB- I got the 498 plotter/sounder and have been very happy. I have not seen the 440 for comparison. The 498 is loaded with functionality, display is great, even in bright light without cover.
I had a problem with the inline fuse holder (cheap) and the unit would power down. Garmin knows it is a problem for several units. I replaced the inline fuse holder with a nice waterproof unit (the issue was NOT water exposure, as it was in the center console. The fuse unit was just cheap. The waterproof one just happened to be the nicest avail. replacement).
ConB posted 10-07-2007 01:54 PM ET (US)
In my limited experience, I question if the screen on the 440 is to small to see on a bouncing boat.
If my budget couldn't handle a 540 I would go for a 498 to get a bigger screen.
Con
BellBoyBob posted 10-07-2007 04:08 PM ET (US)
Yes, the 440 screen is smaller than the 498. I wonder if the screen resolution is clearer on the newer design?
Bob
RMS posted 10-08-2007 12:40 PM ET (US)
This past spring I went through the same dilemma. I ended up calling Garmin and speaking with a customer service rep. He asked me why I would buy old technology for the same price as new? A 1" smaller screen wasn't a big deal for me so I bought the 440. Bob
BellBoyBob posted 10-09-2007 08:07 AM ET (US)
The 498C is discounted as many vendors are closing out this product. It has been directly replaced by the Garmin 545. In choppy water, I normally stand at my helm so I need to glance down at the screen to see where I am going. This is where the larger screen of the 498 would come in nicely. My old unit the Garmin 178 has a 3.2"X 3.2" screen - actually bigger than the 440.On the other hand, the g2 Vision technology is only available on the 400 / 500 series units. My question: is this technology worth having? I cruise Lake Ontario commencing from Irondequoit Bay at Rochester. It is a vast area of water and I want my investment to include all of the nav aids I can afford. Its basicall older technology and a larger screen vs current techniology and a smaller screen. What do you think??
Thanks,
Bob
bluewaterpirate posted 10-09-2007 10:47 AM ET (US)
The G2 Vision Charts add some functionality (i.e. auto routing, picture guides of specific locations, 3-d navigation, and overhead satellite topo (land & limited water). Are they a necessity ... no in my humble opinion. The embedded G2 Charts are more the sufficent for you application. Here are some videos of G2 Vision functionality as seen on my 545. Just click on each link to open the video libraries.
Three 3D G2 Vision navigation videos
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/367376#imageID=16450806
Three G2 Vision standard navigation functionality videos.
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/382945#imageID=17197171
Many G2 Vision & G2 Charts XM Weather Functionlity videos
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/467278#imageID=21244592
G2 Chart Navigation Video
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/389795/548566#imageID=25287025
Three G2 Vision & G2 Chart Videos
http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/389795/536485#imageID=24678143
Hope this helps you out.
Tom
BellBoyBob posted 10-09-2007 11:45 PM ET (US)
Thanks, Tom for these nice videos. I have decided to go for the Garmin 440s. I found one for $520 with the dual frequency transducer from Cascade. The 498C could be purchased there as well for $430. I felt that, with my fully instrumented helm box, the 498 seemed too bulky for my configuration. I like the 440s with the g2 vision possibilities. The pre-loaded g2 maps do indeed include the US shoreline of Lake Ontario so, for the time being, I will be able to navigate quite well.
Best,
Bob

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Author	Topic: Garmin 498C v. 440s
BellBoyBob	posted 10-07-2007 10:06 AM ET (US) I am considering the purchase of either the Garmin 498C plotter and sounder or the Garmin 440s plotter and sounder. They both have the Blue Chart coastal and Great Lakes G2 maps installed. Are there major differences between the two? I am replacing my older Garmin 178. Any user experience or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Bob
blackdog54	posted 10-07-2007 12:33 PM ET (US) BBB- I got the 498 plotter/sounder and have been very happy. I have not seen the 440 for comparison. The 498 is loaded with functionality, display is great, even in bright light without cover. I had a problem with the inline fuse holder (cheap) and the unit would power down. Garmin knows it is a problem for several units. I replaced the inline fuse holder with a nice waterproof unit (the issue was NOT water exposure, as it was in the center console. The fuse unit was just cheap. The waterproof one just happened to be the nicest avail. replacement).
ConB	posted 10-07-2007 01:54 PM ET (US) In my limited experience, I question if the screen on the 440 is to small to see on a bouncing boat. If my budget couldn't handle a 540 I would go for a 498 to get a bigger screen. Con
BellBoyBob	posted 10-07-2007 04:08 PM ET (US) Yes, the 440 screen is smaller than the 498. I wonder if the screen resolution is clearer on the newer design? Bob
RMS	posted 10-08-2007 12:40 PM ET (US) This past spring I went through the same dilemma. I ended up calling Garmin and speaking with a customer service rep. He asked me why I would buy old technology for the same price as new? A 1" smaller screen wasn't a big deal for me so I bought the 440. Bob
BellBoyBob	posted 10-09-2007 08:07 AM ET (US) The 498C is discounted as many vendors are closing out this product. It has been directly replaced by the Garmin 545. In choppy water, I normally stand at my helm so I need to glance down at the screen to see where I am going. This is where the larger screen of the 498 would come in nicely. My old unit the Garmin 178 has a 3.2"X 3.2" screen - actually bigger than the 440.On the other hand, the g2 Vision technology is only available on the 400 / 500 series units. My question: is this technology worth having? I cruise Lake Ontario commencing from Irondequoit Bay at Rochester. It is a vast area of water and I want my investment to include all of the nav aids I can afford. Its basicall older technology and a larger screen vs current techniology and a smaller screen. What do you think?? Thanks, Bob
bluewaterpirate	posted 10-09-2007 10:47 AM ET (US) The G2 Vision Charts add some functionality (i.e. auto routing, picture guides of specific locations, 3-d navigation, and overhead satellite topo (land & limited water). Are they a necessity ... no in my humble opinion. The embedded G2 Charts are more the sufficent for you application. Here are some videos of G2 Vision functionality as seen on my 545. Just click on each link to open the video libraries. Three 3D G2 Vision navigation videos http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/367376#imageID=16450806 Three G2 Vision standard navigation functionality videos. http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/382945#imageID=17197171 Many G2 Vision & G2 Charts XM Weather Functionlity videos http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/267343/467278#imageID=21244592 G2 Chart Navigation Video http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/389795/548566#imageID=25287025 Three G2 Vision & G2 Chart Videos http://bluewaterpirate.phanfare.com/album/389795/536485#imageID=24678143 Hope this helps you out. Tom
BellBoyBob	posted 10-09-2007 11:45 PM ET (US) Thanks, Tom for these nice videos. I have decided to go for the Garmin 440s. I found one for $520 with the dual frequency transducer from Cascade. The 498C could be purchased there as well for $430. I felt that, with my fully instrumented helm box, the 498 seemed too bulky for my configuration. I like the 440s with the g2 vision possibilities. The pre-loaded g2 maps do indeed include the US shoreline of Lake Ontario so, for the time being, I will be able to navigate quite well. Best, Bob