North Carolina Fishing Reports

MidnightWind · Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:33 am Post subject: Garmin Network Systems

Getting ready to buy a Garmin 4210 with GPS/Sonar, & Sat. weather/radar.
Anybody had experiences with this setup?
Thanks for your input.
Midnight

wahoowhacker · Deck Hand Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 6

While its not the exact system, we have a 3210 networked system with radar (gmr 21) and sat weather/radio. I can't say enough good things about the chart plotter. Hands down better that the furuno we used to have, very easy to use and see with sunglasses on. It’s user configurable nine ways to Sunday.

We primarily fish the stream out of WB and always leave before first light, so we bought the radar strictly for collision avoidance while running in the dark. It does an OK job, but you have to take it out of auto and adjust the gain (and sea clutter when necessary) to get it to function in any sort of meaningful way. That being said, the radar is nowhere close to an open array furuno. Ours is connected to a heading sensor via an autopilot so the MARPA function works, which is actually worth it in terms of safety as you can plot the course and closest point of approach of another target. It will flash a warning if it projects the target will come within a user defined distance of your vessel. The radar will overlay onto the chart, which is how we generally use it when running in the open ocean. I use a split screen with the radar and map side by side until I get out of the inlet.

The satellite weather will help you avoid the worst part of storms as you can effectively steer around the worst cells, or simply leave before the storm gets bad. That being said, don’t expect to go out and find any super secret temperature breaks with the sea temperature functions. It might get you in the area, but the technology for that is just not quite there yet.

I have no experience with their sounder as we just cannot give up on our 582l.

Garmin support has been very good. Our radar stopped working a few weeks ago. We had the radar off the boat, to Garmin, repaired (a bad bearing) and back on the boat in 5 business days. They publish periodic software updates that add new functions or improve on existing ones. These are easy to download and install.

Overall I would give it a thumbs up.

MidnightWind · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:42 am Post subject:

Thank you very much Wahoowhacker!!!!
I've had Garmin for years and agree with you on the support.
My main use of radar will be watching storms. Sounds like you have really dialed in on yours.
One more question: Did you do any or all of the instalation?
Thanks again,
Midnight

fishinbumnc · Ol'Salt Joined: Oct 03, 2005 Posts: 351

Midnight, we picked up the new ride this weekend and we had the 4212 network installed, along with my old furuno and my furuno fcv 620. Worked great, easy simple, planning on adding the new hd radar. Only problem was off the break we lost sounder, (on both) probably the ducer the installed or my stupidity. Once we came back to @500 ft or less they picked back up. Good luck.
_________________
Donnie (Reel Affliction II)

wahoowhacker · Deck Hand Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 6

We did all of the install ourselves. It was straightforward enough. We did a wiring diagram before we did any work so we had things pretty well planed out. The hardest part was connecting the older furuno equipment to it. In my opinion, the sat. weather does a better job at watching storms than does the radar. You can be in the stream and see what is forming on the hill and plan accordingly, and it will animate the radar picture so you can see which way things are moving. One last bit of advice; if you are runing multiple screens at one time and have the real estate, you may want to consider the 12" screen. The 10" can get a little small for multiple applications.

FREEBIRD · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

Midnight Give me a call I had that system.
_________________
Capt. Shane
Second To None Charters
252-422-0066
www.secondtononecharter.com
Sportfishing At Its Finest!
Morehead City Waterfront

MidnightWind · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:48 am Post subject:

Thanks all for the help/information!!!!
Shane, Thanks, I'll give you a shout sometime today.
Appreciate it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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