Garmin GPSMAP 498C Sounder Review

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Garmin GPSMAP 498C Sounder

The GPSMap 178C Sounder offers everything you need for marine navigation in a single space-saving package, including GPS navigating, marine chartplotting, and powerful sonar. The device starts with a built-in worldwide marine basemap, a state-of-the-art 200 MHz processor with lightning-fast map redrawing, and a crisp 256-color LCD screen that's easy to read even in bright sunlight.

The functions are built into a waterproof console that fits easily into both large and small crafts. Users can enhance the basemap detail by plugging in data cards preprogrammed with BlueChart or Fishing Hot Spots maps, or downloading data from optional MapSource CDs to Garmin data cards. BlueChart delivers exceptional offshore marine coverage that includes shaded depth contours, navigational aids, shoreline, and more. For inland boating and fishing, users can turn to the Fishing Hot Spots CD and preprogrammed data cards, which detail U.S. recreational lakes via inland lake maps, profiles, marinas, fishing areas, and more. BlueChart, Fishing Hot Spots, and MapSource data cards and CDs are sold separately.

The GPSMap 178C Sounder is remarkably easy to use thanks to the simple keypad with full backlighting. Boaters can also tilt or remove the device quickly using the one-knob adjustable swivel mount. Additional features include convenient front-loading data cards, 10,000 active track points and 700 saved track points, a TracBack mode that makes it easy to re-trace your route, a temperature log, and a number of alerts for such situations as shallow water, deep water, low battery, anchor drag, off-course, and fish by size.

The Sounder also employs See-Thru technology, which separates fish from thermoclines and structures to create more detailed below-water images. In addition, boaters have the choice of viewing several dedicated screens, including a full-screen map, full-screen sonar, split-screen map/sonar, compass, and navigational screens--with customizable digital data fields for each page. If you spend much of your time on the water, the GPSMap 178C Sounder is a lifesaver.

What's in the Box
GPSMap 178C Sounder with built-in worldwide marine basemap, remote antenna with 30-foot cable, power/data cable, adjustable tilt and swivel mount, quick-start guide, user's manual.