Garmin GPSMAP 168 Sounder ?'s

[smashdn]

I recently purchased a new to me Garmin GPSMAP 168 Sounder. It is a black and white gps fishfinder combo. According to the Garmin site I should be able to load different maps, more fishing related maps, to the unit. There is listed the "Fishing Hot Spots" maps that can be loaded but that they are discontinued.

Now to the questions
A) What do I need to load better maps? (my unit doesn't take an sd or map card)
B)Is there a quicker way to enter waypoints than by just turning the unit on and entering them manually? Like a computer program or something? I also ran into the problem that i could not enter waypoints in my barn in the boat because i could not pick up but one satellite.

[Wannabe...]

I've got a Garmin 178 and my unit uses a proprietary chip that holds the maps. Basically it's a funny shaped SD card. I have the US lakes software and a card reader for my PC. Basically, I select the maps I want and load them to the card. Put the card in the unit and the unit reads the maps with the contour lines. As the I mark co-ordinates, the waypoints are saved in the unit. At the end of the trip, I can choose to write those tracks/waypoints to the card, then take the chip to the PC and upload them. Alternatively, I could make waypoints from the PC, write those to the chip and take them to the unit. It's fairly slick and the maps are decent enough.

My version of US lakes is basically the eastern half of the US. The newest version covers the entire US though.

Looking at Garmin's site here:
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/as...2_168_spec.pdf

It appears you have up to 2.5MB of onboard memory, but no chip option. I'm thinking you would need the PC to unit data cable to upload your own maps. My chip is 32MB and I have all MS lakes loaded on it plus guntersville loaded, including all my tracks and waypoints from day one. I'm guessing the 2.5MB should be fine for 1 or 2 lakes plus your data.

To verify this, give the Garmin support a call. Even though your and my unit is discontinued, when I called they were more than willing to help - actually surprised me, but they were very helpful explaining stuff to me.

US: (913) 397-8200 - Monday - Friday: 8 am - 7 pm CST
US Toll Free: 1-800-800-1020 - Monday - Friday: 8 am - 7 pm CST


Wannabe...

[Shellback]

I have a Garmin 498C, and have a 110v power cable and PC cable for my unit. Checking Garmin's site, your's would take the same cable. It requires a computer with a serial port, unless you have an adapter. You would need one of their mapping programs also. Once you have their map on your computer screen, you scroll around with your mouse until you are at the coordinates you want to save, then save it to the unit. I have an old Garmin map program that's not much good for any detail, but I can use it to transfer waypoints.

[Shellback]

Wannabe, Does your Garmin lake maps have depth contours? I have the Blue Chart chip for S.E. US lakes, and many lakes just show shoreline and no depth contour. Kinda disappointed in it that way. I did buy the unit to use on the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, and it does have all that on a built in map with depth contours, bouys, lights, navagation aids, marinas, fuel etc.

[smashdn]

Shellback,

My question is similar to what you are asking. I want some maps that have the depth contours of the lakes that I fish. I could care less about having the towns and roads and stuff on there.

I didn't pay much for the unit so i can justify spending what i need to to get some more detail. However if it would end up being cheaper to have just bought one of the humminbird color units with gps and sd card slot i may go that route.

[Wannabe...]

Shellback, yes, the US Lakes has the contour lines for inland lakes. The Blue charts only have offshore and I guess some in-shore like bays and back waters. Of course, not every lake is listed, but all the majors are. Garmin's website shows specifically which lakes are on the CD.

smashdn, Some roads like interstates and even some highways show up on my map, but those are just reference points. The real detail is inside the boundaries of the lakes. 'Course, I fish in MS, and the detail is not all that great, mostly because the surveys on the lakes here were done a long time ago. However, a place like guntersville - the detail is phenomenal. Nav Aides, Fishing area information, marina info, phone numbers....it's pretty much awsome. I looked at KY and Barkley lakes just last night. Again, awesome. Any my CD is either 2 or 3 years old now.

But to answer your question, it depends on your definition of "being cheaper" I guess. You'll need the CD and the data cable to get the detail you want with the Garmin, so you're looking at $140 for the map plus $64 for the cable, so you're looking at $204. Now if you go with H'bird or another newer unit, you're gonna be out a lot more, but you'll be investing your money in a more current unit with possibly a color screen. Keep in mind though, that in order to get the detail you want, you'll need to get a unit with pre-loaded maps like Hbird's NVB or Lowrance Insight maps. Otherwise, you'll need a seperate CD or chip and reader/cable just like before.

Basically, the FF companies have us over a barrel and they know it. That's why every accessory costs an arm and a leg and each one takes something different from the next.

Of course, the #'s above are Garmin retail prices. You might could get it off Ebay cheaper or get lucky and find a used one of either. The 168 was a popular model when it was in production and is still used by a lot of faithful users.

Wannabe...

[smashdn]

Wannabe,

I appreciate the quick and very informative reply. You have really answered most of my questions.

thanks a ton

[Wannabe...]

No problem. I know so little about so many things that when something comes along that I know a little about, I enjoy carrying on like an expert just so I can see what it's like. LOL.