Query: Is it possible to plug in a transducer and read depth off the Garmin GPSMAP76CS? <br /><br /> Background: I wanted to add a simple depth sounder to my boat - I don't fish and so don't need advanced fish-finding functions. After checking out the prices for simple depth sounders (Uniden US$ 100) it occurred to me that my Garmin unit can handle depth readings. According to the manual, my GPSMAP76CS can accept NMEA output from a depth measuring device (it can handle up to three inputs including temp. and speed).<br />1. I know the unit can not function as a fish-finder i.e. display a picture of what lies beneath but I only need it to provide a depth reading.<br />2. I know the unit can be configured to display depth as long as it gets the info as a NMEA feed.<br />3. The Garmin website does not offer any such accessories for the model but Garmin transducers are available for other models such as sounders/fish-finders.<br />4. I had hoped to buy a Garmin (or any other brand) depth transducer and plug it into the unit. However, I have reason to believe this approach will NOT work.<br />5. As I understand it (and please correct me if I'm wrong), the transducer is merely the device which creates and recieves the sonar waves. It can not function unless something tells it how much sonar to produce. This something also has to be able to interpret the sonar that bounces back into the transducer.<br />6. From what I can understand, since the GPSMAP76CS is NOT a sounder, it will not be able to activate the transducer.<br />7. It can however accept NEMA output from a sounder which in turn is working its own transducer.<br />8. Conclusion: Depth can be read off my Garmin unit but only if the data arrives from a sonar device as NEMA output. Adding a transducer to the unit will not result in depth readings since the unit does not have sonar capability.<br /><br />If the above conclusion is true, then my only option is to buy a small, independent depth sounder complete with its own transducer.<br /><br />I just wanted to bounce this off (no pun intended) the forum here in case someone has already been down this road.<br /><br />Thanks in advance!<br />evindude
