Garmin 541s Mounting Limitations

[Curious]

Garmin recommends a mounting distance of 30 inches between the unit and the compass.  Problem is I don't have 30"  unless I mount the unit on the port dash and that's not happening.  Any thoughts on violating the 30" distance?  

Option 1, (My original choice until I read the directions):



Option 2, (Gets me about 10" of seperation but then the compass isn't lined up with the helm):



Option 3, (Best seperation but still only about 16"):

[slvrlng]

Mine is mounted no more than 10" away and has little or no effect that I have noticed.

[flounderpounder225]

mine is mounted right next to the compass, it swings the compass slightly when I install it, but honestly if my garmin is working, I dont really need the compass except for relative bearing when lining up with another boat/s heading for anchoring off-shore in a small fishing area or something like that...

[seabob4]

So have at it, Dan!!

[Bergertime]

Was there any variation in the heading on your compass (with the Garmin unit Off and/or On) when the position of it was moved b/t the three options with your preferred being the most important.  Like Marc said and I agree... I never really look at my compass or use it to navigate.  I have a Garmin unit like yours which shows heading and a hand held unit (Garmin GPSmap 60csx with plotter) as a backup.  Guess if you ever needed to navigate by compass it would only be if you main unit failed and thus you could remove it w/o reservation to eliminate any risk of variance.  I like position one for aesthetics if you can live with the impact, if any.  Just my two cents.

Bruce

[Capt. Bob]

Why mount it at all?

[seabob4]

My observations...

NOBODY has the distance all the manufacturers recommend, Dan! I've done installs with (2) 10" displays, a VHF and a stereo all with 12" of the compass! This is the thought process. When your displays are up and working, you don't really need the compass. However, should your electrical system crap out, and you really need the compass, well, it will be fine as there is no more electricity flowing...

At least what I think...

[Curious]

Why mount it at all?

I assume you mean the compass? Only one reason around here-  FOG!!!  Plus, I don't want to give up on old school navigation altogether.

[Curious]

Bruce,
Yeah, it goes off by about 3 degrees which isn't really the end of the world.  It's not wired yet so I don't know about on vs. off.

I agree, I'm thinking of sticking to Option 1.  Although now that I'm really analyzing it, the top of the steering wheel blocks the compass from a seated postion in Option 1 so I am considering moving it forward a little.  Even though it's lower the distance keeps it in view.  Either way, the 541 is staying put.
Thanks!

[Curious]

So have at it, Dan!!

I don't know how they expect anyone using a 541 to get 30" separation.  I'm willing to bet if your boat's got 30" of dash space your probably running something a little bigger than a 541!

[wingtime]

As already mentioned see if the Garmin makes the compass swing or not.  I'm sure that 30" figure has a bit of overkill built into it.  ANYTHING metal or electrical can have an effect on it and no two boats are alike.  

I use my compass ALL the time.  If I'm navigating to a waypoint I look at the GPS  for the bearing to the waypoint.  Then I take off on that magnetic heading for a few minutes.  Then I look at the GPS for my course overground.  Then I can make the correction to my magnetic heading to correct my course and end up on a true course to the way point.  This way I'm not making a squiggly course to the destination chasing around the course due to the slight lag of the GPS.

[seabob4]

Bruce flies airplanes, y'know...

[wingtime]

Too bad they don't make marine heading indicators for boats.... that would be COOL!

[Capt. Bob]

I use my compass ALL the time.  If I'm navigating to a waypoint I look at the GPS  for the bearing to the waypoint.  Then I take off on that magnetic heading for a few minutes.  Then I look at the GPS for my course overground.  Then I can make the correction to my magnetic heading to correct my course and end up on a true course to the way point.  This way I'm not making a squiggly course to the destination chasing around the course due to the slight lag of the GPS.

Ditto.
There was the hidden sarcasm in my post on "why".

Maybe all the years without a GPS or just that it is easier for me to see.
Not poking fun at ya Curious but it's just I can't imagine having a boat without a compass but I can very easily see one without a GPS.

The Gulf is very different to me compared to say, the Keys. I do mark my paper charts with the GPS lat/lons but still use a "quick course" to calc. my compass heading between points. I'm a creature of habit I guess with old school navigation but I'll be the first to admit, the GPS takes the "blind luck" approach out of Gulf fishing and without it, you're SOL.

Good luck.  

[seabob4]

I too can't imagine a boat without a compass.  Even on my jon boat and my little 14 v hull I had one of those gimbal mounted Airguides...and I could see land!!