Garmin 176

[simon]

I have just purchased a Garmin 176c. My options seem to be Map Source CD and down load chart via programmer to blank card, or preprogramed Blue Chart cards.
Any advice on pro's & con's welcome.

 

[Guest]

I also got a Garmin 176, I just bought a Blue Chart. That easy plug in and go.

 

[BrendanS]

Depends on your cruising area, and how often you buy charts at short notice.

The preprogrammed cards are great - just plug em in and your ready. Only con is that most dealers don't hold them in stock, so take a few days to ship to you, so if you buy at very short notice (less than a few days) this could be a drawback. They look expensive, until you discover how many charts a standard card holds. The first I bought covers the south coast, and a major chunk of France, including loads of detailed port and harbour charts

Programming your own should be relatively simple - but you need a card programmer to attach to your computer (extra cost) and a supply or cards and the CD. The way I understand it works is that you 'buy' an access code for the chart areas you want to download. Depending on how quickly they provide the code, could be a way of getting access to a huge number of charts at very short notice. I guess you can reprogramme the cards, so can use a relatively small number of cards and just keep loading charts you need.

Personally I went for the pre programmed cards for convenience and safety - carry the cards like I would paper charts - never know when you're going to need them

The 176c is a superb bit of kit by the way. Wire it in though, you need the backlight in some light conditions (not just at night) and wired in you can just turn the backlight on permanently, and not worry about the batteries dying at an inopportune moment. It's also very tough - survived a 20ft drop earlier this year, and has been thoroughly waterproof tested on more than one occassion! <g>Visibility of the chart is very good despite relatively small screen, though I have a little wrinkle - discovered that the cup holder next to the steering wheel holds the 176 bracket perfectly (the round bit at the bottom) and is totally secure in even roughest seas. So, have not had to permanently fix the bracket, and can grab it for a closer look even at speed - bit like having a permanently mounted handheld