Electronics Update...

[Jeff]

First, thanks to everyone who gave me their input on outfitting my new
Scout with electronics. As a followup to the original question, here
are the results. I have purchased the following items to install in
the boat:

VHF: ICOM M45, purchased on the net from Consumer Marine Electronics

GPS (fixed mount): Garmin 128, purchased locally from Boater's World.
I thought the display was superior to the Eagle View. I hope it is
holds up as well as the Lowrance products. I was disappointed last
night when I opened the box and found that I have to purchase a rail
mount for the Garmin antenna (uses same threads as VHF antenna). The
Eagle could be mounted either to a VHF mount, or directly to the top
of the console.

GPS (hand held): Lowrance Global Map 100, purchased for $299 at REI.
I was not planning on spending this much on a GPS used primarily for
backup, but this was one deal that I couldn't pass up. I had
contemplated purchasing the fixed mount GlobalMap 1600 mapping unit,
but I wound up getting a fixed mount GPS and a mapping handheld for
the cost of the fixed mount mapping GPS. As a side note, REI is
almost sold out of the Global Map 100 nationwide.

Depth/fish finder: Eagle Ultra Classic with the speed and temperature
transducer. I couldn't find a more feature packed fishfinder from a
more reputable manufacturer for $258. I ordered this from Bass Pro
Shops.

I am still trying to decide on my antenna for my VHF. I am leaning
strongly towards the 3' Shakespeare antenna, model 5240. My other
option is to mount an 8' antenna on the gunwale of my center console,
which is not very appealing. With the 3' antenna, I can rail mount it
to the console and still use it with the bimini top up. The
difference in height between the top of the console and the gunwale
looks to be about 3 to 4 feet, so at most I loose only two feet of
antenna height. This seems like the more attractive option. Any
comments???

Another question I have regarding the mounting of the GPS. On the
bracket, there are four holes to screw the bracket down in my
electronics box. There is a large hole in the middle with "teeth"
that look like they are part of a swivel mount, allowing the unit to
rotate side to side. Is there an additional mount available for that?

Thanks again for the input on the original question and for any input
to those posed here.

Jeff

Sorry, but email address disguised due to unscrupulous spammers. Please respond in Usenet.

[Peter Kay]

Jeff

The Garmin is a good product, I have had my GPS 120 for about two years
without any problems. In my experience, the larger the antenna the better.
Although height is important, a larger antenna works on a larger fraction of
wave length and gives better transmission and reception.

You are right in that there is a swivel mount available for the Garmin, most
good suppliers should be able to get one for you.

--

_______________
Regards,

Peter
Remove "nospam" to reply,
Unless you're name is Skipper (who is now "filtered").

Tonight there's going to be a jailbreak
Some of us won't survive

Jeff wrote in message <36cc7bbf...@news.mindspring.com>...
>

<snip>

[Jeff]

On Thu, 18 Feb 1999 21:01:14 GMT, m...@outhouse.com (Jeff) wrote:

>
>GPS (fixed mount): Garmin 128, purchased locally from Boater's World.
>I thought the display was superior to the Eagle View. I hope it is
>holds up as well as the Lowrance products. I was disappointed last
>night when I opened the box and found that I have to purchase a rail
>mount for the Garmin antenna (uses same threads as VHF antenna). The
>Eagle could be mounted either to a VHF mount, or directly to the top
>of the console.
>

I must correct myself. After posting that, I remembered that the
Eagle had an antenna that would mount either to a flat surface or on a
VHF mount. The adapter came with it. I pulled the antenna of the
Garmin out of my box, and the threaded portion is removable, so there
really is no difference in antenna mounting between the two brands.