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Author	Topic:   Garmin GPS 172C sonar
lemar	posted 09-11-2008 06:03 AM ET (US)         HI, I am new to this site but maybe someone can help me?? I have just bought a Garmin GPS 172C and I wish to buy the sonar for it so I could use it as a fishfinder, however I could not locate this anywhere, can someone help? Thanks. Pierre
jimh	posted 09-11-2008 09:10 AM ET (US)             The GARMIN GPS 172C has been discontinued. The SONAR accessory for it is the GARMIN GSD 20 Remote Sounder. That product has also been discontinued. You likely will have to look for a retailer with some old stock to locate a source for these. For help in locating retail outlets selling marine electronics I suggest you try http://www.google.com/products?um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf
jimh	posted 09-11-2008 09:11 AM ET (US)             Following my own suggestion, I located hundreds of retailers offering the GARMIN GSD 20 using this search: http://www.google.com/products?q=GARMIN+GSD+20+remote+sounder& btnG=Search+Products
Bella con23	posted 09-11-2008 09:12 AM ET (US)             The Garmin 172c was sold as a GPS plotter with sonar capabilities utilizing the separately sold Garmin GSD-20(black box). I made that mistake when I was shopping for my Garmin GPS/Fishfinder some years ago. I originally purchased the 172c and discovered it was not a fishfinder until you added the $400 GDS-20 and transducer. I quickly upgraded the 172c for the all inclusive 178c and have been using it as my GPS since. I have a separate fishfinder and would suggest you do the same unless you don't have the room.
lemar	posted 09-12-2008 01:03 AM ET (US)             Thanks for all the help, as suggested it would be better if I purchase a stand alone fish finder. Any suggestions please? I am situated in Malta therefore I will be fishing in salty water. Thanks again regards Pierre
jimh	posted 09-12-2008 07:18 AM ET (US)             Buy this refurbished GARMIN GSD 20 Remote Sounder for only $130: http://www.tigergps.com/refurbgsd20.html?productid=refurbgsd20& channelid=FROOG
lemar	posted 09-14-2008 04:26 AM ET (US)             Thanks again I will check for shipping cost as from US to Malta it will cost over 150 USD plus I would need to pay Tax. Ideally I will try to find the same product from somewhere in EU like UK as the shipping cost would be cheaper and I need not have to pay tax. This site is great and the people on it are very helpful. PH
SuburbanBoy	posted 09-14-2008 09:47 AM ET (US)             This helps to illustrate a problem that many have had with Garmin products. They do not try hard enough to help consumers differentiate between their products. They do not make it clear that to convert a chartplotter to a sounder you must purchase an expensive part (GSD xx analog sounder) in addition to the transducer. There is no other option. These are sophisticated products, and they are not easy to describe to potential consumers. Inspecting Garmin’s competitors at the local Cabella’s, they (the competitors) have not mastered this process either. Incidentally, Cabella’s counter help was fairly well informed, and very willing to assist. They had to call Garmin to answer my questions about multi-beam, multi-frequency transducers, and the need for a GSD box. It is still unclear to me what the best combination is for fresh water vs. salt water, what is the sonar output wattage of various transducers, or what is the reason for different cone angles for the beam emissions?

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