Garmin Gps

[shirehorse]

Does anyone have or has used or knows of someone with a Garmin gpsmap 555 plotter, i am thinking of getting one and would like any feed back on my choice what are your thoughts thanks IAN.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by shirehorse

Does anyone have or has used or knows of someone with a Garmin gpsmap 555 plotter, i am thinking of getting one and would like any feed back on my choice what are your thoughts thanks IAN.

We have sold plenty and played with them a few times, they are a nice plotter but very much at the basic level where customising the setup is concerned.

The screen is nice and fairly bright and the built in charts make it great value, even better if you go for the sounder capable version.

You might also like to look at the Standard Horizon CP range, also great value but more flexible in my view.

[shirehorse]

Hi Malthouse could you suggest a similar cp model to the 555s that is not to far off the price, also i am not the best with hi-tec equipment cheers Ian.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by shirehorse

Hi Malthouse could you suggest a similar cp model to the 555s that is not to far off the price, also i am not the best with hi-tec equipment cheers Ian.

Hi Ian,

If you want super simple, point and squirt then I would stick with the Garmin 555.

JG Tech have a really good price on the CP-300

[Red Fox]

Malthouse, how does a 550 compare against the 555? Also I have a 100blue fishfinder and it has a dual beam transducer. Can this transducer be plugged straight into the 550s? I would like to replace the 100 blue with a single gpsmap/finder combo as space is a premium. Thanks.

[matt h]

GPSMAP® 550/550s
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GPSMAP® 555/555s
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Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 5.9" x 6.4" x 2.9" (15.0 x 16.3 x 7.4 cm) 5.9" x 6.4" x 2.9" (15.0 x 16.3 x 7.4 cm)
Display size, WxH: 3.0" x 4.0", 5.0" diagonal (7.6 x 10.2 cm, 12.7 cm diagonal) 3.0" x 4.0", 5.0" diagonal (7.6 x 10.2 cm, 12.7 cm diagonal)
Display resolution, WxH: 240 x 320 pixels 480 x 640 pixels
Display type: QVGA display VGA display
Weight: less than 1.75 lb (0.8 kg) less than 1.75 lb (0.8 kg)
Battery: none none
Battery life: none none
Waterproof: yes (IPX7) yes (IPX7)
Antenna: internal internal
NMEA input/output: NMEA 0183 NMEA 0183
RoHS version available: NA NA
Basemap: yes yes
Preloaded maps: yes yes
Ability to add maps: yes yes
Built-in memory: none (cannot load maps to internal memory) none (cannot load maps to internal memory)
Accepts data cards: SD™ card slot SD™ card slot
Waypoints/favorites/locations: 1,500 1,500
Routes: 20 20
Track log: 10,000 points; 20 saved tracks 10,000 points; 20 saved tracks
Garmin radar compatible: no no
Garmin sonar compatible: yes yes
CANet® compatible: yes yes
Garmin Marine Network™ compatible: no no
Touchscreen: NA no
Supports AIS (tracks target ships' position): yes yes
Supports DSC (displays position data from DSC capable VHF radio): yes yes
Audible alarms: yes yes
Tide tables: yes yes
Hunt/fish calendar: no no
Sun and moon information: yes yes
3-D map view: yes (with optional BlueChart g2 Vision card) yes (with optional BlueChart g2 Vision card)
Auto Guidance: yes (with optional BlueChart g2 Vision card) yes (with optional BlueChart g2 Vision card)
Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads): no no
XM WX Weather & Radio for U.S. compatible: no no
Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."): no no
Remote control: no no
Headphone jack/audio line-out: no no
Audio/video input/output: no no
Portable: no no
Automotive/motorcycle-friendly: no no
Additional: NA NA

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Red Fox

Malthouse, how does a 550 compare against the 555? Also I have a 100blue fishfinder and it has a dual beam transducer. Can this transducer be plugged straight into the 550s? I would like to replace the 100 blue with a single gpsmap/finder combo as space is a premium. Thanks.

Hi,

The 555 has a higher resolution screen which is nice if you like a lot of data on display at once, but the price is more than I personally would pay for the upgrade as that is the only difference.

Your 100 Blue's transducer should work with either 5S series, but of course the only way to be sure is to offer them up. As they do not come with a transducer as standard it will not cost you anything to find out.

I hope that helps

[MikeCC]

Originally Posted by Red Fox

Malthouse, how does a 550 compare against the 555? Also I have a 100blue fishfinder and it has a dual beam transducer. Can this transducer be plugged straight into the 550s? I would like to replace the 100 blue with a single gpsmap/finder combo as space is a premium. Thanks.

The only difference between a 550 and a 555 is the screen resolution. You get 4 times as many pixels on the 555. (ie 480x640 vs 240x320). This gives sharper detail but I'm not sure the benefit is really there for the extra cost.

The existing transducer should work with the 550/555 unit.

Edit: didn't see Martin's reply before mine! Same though.

[two stroke mick]

I have a garmin 550. I like it. It has of late started dropping signals from satalites. I have left it on now for the last 2 dayes without any problems. I am not sure if this problem was with the Chart plotter or some exterl factors.

Nice and easy to use..

TSM

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by MikeCC

Edit: didn't see Martin's reply before mine! Same though.

Hehe

Here, Mr Kennet, you get some carpet put down - there is a dreadful echo in here!

[shirehorse]

Just a thought it is allright for you young pups but as an old fart i took malthouses advice and went for the 555s those extra pixcels make all the differance to my fading eyes. Do nothing for my lack of tecno though.

[Red Fox]

Are you able to download the maps onto a laptop and plot routes on the big screen then transfer them back to the 550/555?

[shirehorse]

I believe you transfer to sd card put it on the pc play with it then back on the sd thats as tecnical as i go.