Garmin setup issues

[bobby b.]

My new boat is almost ready to go but there is a small problem with the Garmin setup that Garmin may just be discovering.  Those considering Garmin may find this interesting. 

My setup is as follows:

Console – Echomap Ultra 106sv connected to a GT54UDH transducer on the transom.  This is their best high definition transducer.

Bow – Echomap Ultra 126sv connected to the GT54UDH transducer built into the Garmin Force trolling motor.

Panoptix Livescope connected to the Bow graph.

Because Ranger did not offer the Echomap Ultra series graphs, the local dealer is installing these but Ranger installed the other Garmin stuff including a GT8HW-IH 2D transducer glued in the hull for high speed bottom readings.  The normal deal is to y-cable the hull and transom transducer into the Console unit.

It turns out that the GT8 transducers (or any other transducer) is not compatible with the UHD transducers and y- cabling.  This was discovered by the boat dealer because he could not get it to work and subsequently was told by Garmin there was no solution other than to use a GT30 transducer on the transom (not high definition). 

When I called Garmin, it seemed to me that although I was talking to one of their better techs that he was surprised at this and had me on hold for quite some time as he worked on it with his team.  Again the options was to use the GT30 on the transom or forget the hull transducer.

So it’s not that big of a deal given GPS mapping should keep me from running aground but I thought you guys considering Garmin could benefit from the hours my dealer and I spent on this.

I do have a potential work around which is to buy and install a very inexpensive Garmin Striker graph for $120 which may be compatible with the hull transducer using a 4 to 8 pin conversion cable.  This would give the bottom reading.  I say Striker only because it is small and I found a place on the dash where it would fit.

One more interesting thing.  Ranger installed the Livescope blackbox upfront under the bow graph mounting plate which is already pretty crowded but ran a very small gauge wire from the batteries in back, so the dealer had to run 8 gauge to it.

Hope this wasn’t too boring or too long but I thought some might find this interesting. 

Bobby

 

[rps]

Good explanation Bobby. When it is all up and running, give us your impression to go with the one Babler has supplied.

[Bill Babler]

Bobby, my boat rep is running two  126sv Echomap Ultra's on his dash.  He is using a GT54UHD for his side and down scan and a B258 thru hull for 2 D sonar.  He can run run either on each machine no problem, with Hi def down and side scan.  That thru hull unit shoots a perfect bottom picture running over 50 mph no problem.  It is an oil bath unit I believe.  I'll get a little more info.

[bobby b.]

Bill,

It will be interesting to hear more about your reps setup.  My guess is that the GT54UHD is connected to one of the Echo Ultras and the AIrmax B258 is wired to the second Echo Ultra.  He can switch views from one graph to the other.  That B258 cost about $700 before installation cost.  

Since my boat dealer had the boat totally opened, wiring exposed at every access panel, I decided to connect something to the hull transducer so I ran to BassPro and bought a Garmin Striker unit and a Garmin 4 pin to 8 pin adapter cable (part number 010-12719-00) from Ulrich and we wired it up - total parts cost was less than $150.  It worked at least with the boat sitting on the trailer and there was a good place on the dash to mount it.  Kinda funny tough - $130 entry level graph sitting besides a top of the line $2500 graph.

The dealer should be done early next week.  More to follow.

As an aside, there was a boat in the shop there getting its third Force trolling motor installed in as many months.  One of the replacements was because he broke the composite shaft. His most recent problem was that when you touch the foot pedal the unit goes spinning in circles - I saw this happen.  The dealer tech told me that the Garmin rep told him that there are three (?) design issues that Garmin is working on and will have fixes out soon.  I don't know specifics and a quick google did not help.

Bobby

[Bill Babler]

They are way behind the times.  I got a bulletin for a recall 2 weeks ago for the 3 issues.  And automatic start when the motor was on spot lock.  A lock washer in the head on the power source and an additional stabilizer for the motor when its in the bracket to prevent deploy in very rough water.

I've seen both a Minn Kota and a Motorguide come out of the bracket on lake O. My best client had his Ultrex come off snap the wiring and sink to the bottom on lake O and while in a derby one day I saw a Bass Cat hit a wave up there and his Tour deployed anb busted the entire front cap off his rig and it all fell in the water.

[bobby b.]

Thanks for that info.  I'll call to get those fixes going.

Branson West Marine is not an authorized Garmin repair center.  They told me that when they applied, they were denied because Ulrich was authorized and nearby.

[rps]

On 6/27/2020 at 11:29 AM, Bill Babler said:

They are way behind the times.  I got a bulletin for a recall 2 weeks ago for the 3 issues.  And automatic start when the motor was on spot lock.  A lock washer in the head on the power source and an additional stabilizer for the motor when its in the bracket to prevent deploy in very rough water.

I've seen both a Minn Kota and a Motorguide come out of the bracket on lake O. My best client had his Ultrex come off snap the wiring and sink to the bottom on lake O and while in a derby one day I saw a Bass Cat hit a wave up there and his Tour deployed anb busted the entire front cap off his rig and it all fell in the water.

I had an MK self deploy in rough water two boats ago. The motor tore off the mount and torqued the boat sideways. Because of that, IMHO, scissor hinge motors need to be secured with a Ram brace or other form of lock down for travel across the lake.

[Bill Babler]

Your right, even with the new lock down bracket Garmin is saying the motor must be strapped down when the outboard is in operation.  Not a brand made that has not flown out of the cradle and caused serious damage to the motor and the boat.

Common sense, especially since the invention of the wake boat.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, rps said:

I had an MK self deploy in rough water two boats ago. The motor tore off the mount and torqued the boat sideways. Because of that, IMHO, scissor hinge motors need to be secured with a Ram brace or other form of lock down for travel across the lake.

Somewhere along the line bassboat owners developed this mindset that they need to be able to hammer across extremely rough water as if their life depended on it.  Some really good hull designs have come from people having that mindset..... but everything ABOVE the hull isn't always built for it.  

It's a shame to see otherwise great fishing boats tore all to hell because the previous owner thought he had to never avoid severe conditions.  

[rps]

3 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Somewhere along the line bassboat owners developed this mindset that they need to be able to hammer across extremely rough water as if their life depended on it.  Some really good hull designs have come from people having that mindset..... but everything ABOVE the hull isn't always built for it.  

It's a shame to see otherwise great fishing boats tore all to hell because the previous owner thought he had to never avoid severe conditions.  

You are correct. The boat in question was an Express modified jon center console. Sturdy as can be, but when the wind came up, it would beat you to death. The day in question I had been trolling walleye on the Devils Backbone near Big M. The wind came up and I had to make the long run home.  I was not anywhere near top end, but I was on plane. Scared the bejesus out of me.