Osprey 175 Dual GARMIN Setup

[BMAC1988]

just wanted to post up my newly installed dual GARMIN 541s setup. I always liked the dual setups on boats and really liked the idea of having the redundancy and ability to have full screen navigation AND full screen bottom coverage at the same time. I lucked out and found a second 541s in like-new condition locally on craigslist for 200 bux, tho it didn't come with cables or a mount, it did however come with almost 800 fishing numbers in it. I got a secondary mounting kit and a second transducer from Inaternational Marine for 84bux shipped.  I forgot to order a second NMEA drop cable so I can read my GFS10 fuel meter on both units, but have it on order for next week. INCLUDING gas to go and get the second unit ive got under 350 bux in this entire second setup.

im going to try and get to a local lake today with the boat to try them both out together and see what kind of interference they have, if any. im worried about the dual transducers on the transom having interfering signals. im also worried about the second unit being so close to the VHF antenna and hoping they dont cause interference with eachother.

[CLM65]

Looks good   Are the dual transducers so that each unit can function as a fish/bottom finder?  I've been researching dual units for my rebuild (dual station setup).  The units I'm going with (Simrad) will supposedly share a common transducer if the units are connected together via Ethernet.  Have you checked to see if your Garmin units have this same connectivity?

[seabob4]

Craig, I believe the Garmins that have the FF function built in to the units (4, 5, and 700 series) can't share the same transducer, unlike the larger units that use the GSD 22 or 24 sounder module which in turn is connected to the head units via ethernet.  In other words, you're looking at an analog signal when the ducer is connected straight to the head unit, versus a digital signal when connected via ethernet or N2K...

[CLM65]

You are probably right, Bob.  I didn't research the Garmins too much, but I was told that certain ones will talk to each other.  Just not sure which ones.

[RickK]

Looks good.  
So why do you have to install the 2nd transducer?  Make one display dedicated to things other than bottom and save the holes in your transom.  Does that model have the built in GPS antenna?

[BMAC1988]

yes i wanted each unit to be able to do everything the other unit can do, so if I want the navigation ont he left screen and bottom coverage on the right I can, or if I want bottom coverage on the left and fuel consumption on the right I can so that as well. just gives the option for different helm information layouts. as was mentioned these units do not have the option to share a common transducer so in order to have true "redundant" systems I had to have dual transducers as well. I did see that GARMIN does have a transducer that woks with the NMEA 2k network but after researching it more it isn't for fishfinding/bottom-coverage, its only for telling you water depth. im hoping I wont have interference between the 2 transducers and if I do then hopefully I can just get one to 50hz and the other to 200hz. each unit has its own built-in GPS antenna so I didn't have to bother with getting a separate antenna and mount it. I used GARMIN Homeport to copy all of my waypoints onto separate SD cards as well as my Bluechart g2 VISION map upgrade data, so both units have the exactly the same maps, waypoints, software updates, enhanced VISION data, etc.

since I do go offshore sometimes in this boat I always felt uneasy having one chartplotter. one problem or glitch and im relying on a compass to get back, IMO not a good idea in a 17.5' boat with only a 35gal capacity of gas.

[seabob4]

Brett, I do believe Garmin sells a ducer splitter cable, if you want to go that route.

[BMAC1988]

you have a part number for it? I looked for everything I could and even e-mailing a GARMIN rep telling him what I was trying to do (hes the one that told me the N2K ducer wasn't what I wanted)he didn't say anything about a splitter cable.

idk how that would work since the unit powers the transducer right off the power cable coming from the unit. how would the units both be able to control the transducer together at the same time?

[slvrlng]

Since you are going to use them like you said if only one is in sounder mode, only one would be trying to access the line. I don't think it will matter, if you can find a splitter cable.

[BMAC1988]

well I think pretty much anytime the unit is on its using the transducer cuz its always got the depth up on the top of the screen.

well I just got back from the lake trying them out. both units worked flawlessly, even having them both on sonar. they both read the same depth and same contour. both gps functions worked perfectly also.

[RickK]

My $.02
I'd rather have redundant chart plotters to get there or back (especially back), which show depths on the chart BTW, then worry about redundant depth.  I guess it's whatever your priority is. I do like the separate display idea though.  Most of my fishing in my 170 is in 16ft or less down here - mostly less.  But once I bought a chart plotter/depth sounder combo I was hooked on the chart part of it.

[BMAC1988]

yes, both of these units are chartplotters (they have charts showing depth). so I figured since both units have the ability to do sonar why not set them up to do both. so I have redundant plotters and redundant sonar units.