Help selecting a GPS

[ifishinri]

I am outfitting a 2002 Sea Pro SV1700 Bay Boat that I just picked up in December to fish Greenwich Bay next spring. I have been using and am used to a Garmin 2010c that was on my previous 28' Regal.

My choices on this smaller Center Console are as follows:

Garmin 3205 $590.00 (No S&H and No sales tax)
Garmin 3206 $770.00 (No S&H and No sales tax)
Garmin 545s $700.00 Plus 7% sales tax

I will also be installing a Garmin 400 series FF along side the GPS. I know that the 545s is a Combo unit, but I am buying it at the 545 price and getting the "s" for free. I DO want to run separate GPS & FF. I can't see them both running on a 5" split screen.

What are you opinions and recomendations ?? I am leaning towards the 3206 and the 400 since it is VERY similar to my old Garmin 2010c and give a larger screen for these old tired eyes. Second choice 3205 and the 400. Is there $180 difference between the 5" and 6" screens ???

Thanks in advance for your answers, Gary -- ifishinri

 

[dingbat]

Re: Help selecting a GPS

Personally, I'd go with the 545. The 320X series has been discontinued and is no longer supported

 

[ifishinri]

Re: Help selecting a GPS

dingbat, What do you mean by "not supported" ??? Correct me if I am wrong but the 545 & 545s have been discontinued also and replaced by the 546 & 546s. So they both have been replaced by newer models with more features, but they should be good units ???

Do you see any problems ???

Thanks for your quick reply by the way. I need to make a decision and move on. I have been pondering this toooo long !!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Help selecting a GPS

dingbat, What do you mean by "not supported" ??? Correct me if I am wrong but the 545 & 545s have been discontinued also and replaced by the 546 & 546s. So they both have been replaced by newer models with more features, but they should be good units ???

Do you see any problems ???

Thanks for your quick reply by the way. I need to make a decision and move on. I have been pondering this toooo long !!

The 546 and the 545 are essentially the same unit. The only difference is that the 546 supports NMEA 2000 whereas the 545 does not.

The 545 is still in production and is still being supported i.e. repairs, software upgrades, etc. The 3XXX series is no longer in production and listed as a discontinued item by Garmin. Repairs are limited and software upgrades, etc. are no longer available for the product.

I'm running a GPSMAP 4210 on my boat. GPS only, running a Furuno Fish finder. When I bought the 4210 the 32XX series was still on the market. I could have bought a 4210 or about $400 less than I paid for the 4210 but I didn't want to speed money on a dated product

Fast forward 3 years.
Garmin to this day continues to add functionailty to the 4120 via software updates. The speed and functionaliy of the 4210 blows the 3210 out of the water. I'm adding HD radar over the winter which would not have been possible had I gone with the 3210.