In today’s competitive world of ever evolving marine electronics, it’s no surprise Garmin have released a new range of awesome fishfinder/sonar and handheld GPS units. What is a surprise however, is how Garmin have managed to squeeze so many usable features into the package at such an affordable price point. Not convinced? Check this out.

The FF120 Fishfinder- one of the latest additions to the Garmin range, builds on the highly successful FF80 and houses many more features. For starters it has one of the highest resolution screen displays in its class (240x128 pixel, four level greyscale FSTN display) giving awesome separation and contrast for the user. Three level adjustable backlighting for both display and keypad comes as standard, as does graphic ‘whiteline’ for the clearest image of bottom density and structure. Alarms for shallow water, deep water, battery voltage and fish identification along with adjustable range, gain, zoom and scroll speed complete what is an extremely capable sonar package.

Garmin FF120

One of the later additions to the Garmin range

The FF120 also senses water temperature (a handy tool for those fishing inland billabongs) and allows the angler to view, change and customise settings without leaving the sonar screen. In short, you won’t miss anything. It also features an internal battery backup system to store your personal settings.

Rounding out the package is a 360 degree swivel mount with quick release mechanism to make packing away an easy chore, and 200khz transducer that transmits 800 watts (100 watts RMS) to a maximum depth of 600 feet. The FF120 is, of course, waterproof.

What more could you possibly ask for from a sonar package with a recommended retail price of just $315-00?

The Trump Card!

Garmin FF250 Fishfinder Series.

Available in either sunlight readable16-colour or 10 level greyscale monochrome screens these units ooze value for money! Consisting of a 112mm diagonal screen and 320 x 320 pixel count the display is extremely easy to read,the colour model (FF250C) even so in direct sunlight. Both colour and monochrome versions are available with dual frequency 50/200khz transducer (4000watts/500 watts RMS) for both deep and shallow water applications. All models feature Garmin’s SEE-THRU technology which separates fish returns from thermoclines and structure, and depth control gain to enable optimum accuracy at specific depths and speeds. Anglers who happen to possess a Garmin GPS receiver can connect it to the sonar unit to show navigational data and mark waypoints directly from the Fishfinder keypad.

Garmin FF250

Available in either sunlight readable 16-colour or 10 level greyscale

Internal memory backup to store personal settings, a graphic temperature data log, adjustable range, gain, zoom and bottom lock provide endless options to the user, as do the numerous alarms which include shallow water, deep water, fish by size, drift, timer, water temperature and low battery voltage.

With these units varying in price from between $565-00 and $1150-00 (recommended retail) depending on the model, the FF250 series of fishfinders represent excellent value for money in a package that is extremely user friendly. As with the range of handheld GPS, Garmin have managed to keep a simplistic approach with its range of fishfinders enabling the user to easily navigate the menu options to achieve an optimum result.

The next generation- Garmin GPS72

Superseeding the ever popular GPS12 produced by Garmin during recent years, comes the GPS72 handheld. Those familiar with the GPS12 will be glad to know that Garmin have kept all the best features and added even more capability to the GPS72. This handheld track plotter bridges the gap between the GPS12 and GPS76 units. Featuring a larger display, better accuracy and further advanced features this latest offering has already gathered a cult following in the handheld market thus far. Housed in a sealed, high impact plastic alloy waterproof casing and sporting visual alerts for anchor drag, arrival, course deviation, proximity waypoints, clock functions and area calculation for up to 10 saved tracks, the GPS72 is destined for the recreational angler more than ever before.

Garmin GPS72

Better accuracy and further advanced features!

The GPS72, equipped with a four level greyscale display (120 x 160 pixels) that’s sharper and larger than most similar sized handhelds, is extremely easy to operate. A glance at the keypad options proves it to be quite self explanatory. 500 waypoint capability with name and graphic symbol, 50 reversible routes with up to 50 points each, backlit display and keypad, large number viewing option, a dedicated GOTO and man overboard function, built in celestial tables including best hunting and fishing times, a trip computer with odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time and maximum speed to name but a few complete a package perfectly suited to both land and sea use.

Battery life is expected up to 16 hours (2 x AA batteries-not supplied).

Standard accessories include Owners Manual, a Quick Reference Guide and wrist strap.

Of course optional accessories are available to suit the GPS72 and these include Automotive Mount, Marine mount, Carry Case, 12volt Adaptor, PC Interface cable and Power/Data Cable.

Another rugged, user friendly package from Garmin, the GPS72 is suited as both an entry and advanced level GPS and is set to be the market leader yet again in ‘The Next Generation’!

Time to take a breath and prepare myself for the GPSMAP60C…this list of features is likely to give me RSI!!

So, you want the best handheld GPS with all the latest features, small in size but huge in memory download-mapping capability and it must possess the best colour screen in it’s class?? Best you read on…

GPSMAP60C Series

This folks is the ultimate……..lightweight but rugged, waterproof, a large 256 colour highly reflective display with transreflective technology for easier viewing even in bright sunlight, 30 hour battery life, built in auto route basemap, 56 Mb of memory for optional Mapsource City Navigator and Marine Bluecharts providing ‘turn by turn’ instructional route calculation, this fully equipped handheld is the ‘Rolls Royce” of the handheld GPS range. Featuring 1000 user waypoint memory with selectable name and graphic symbol, 10 nearest (automatic), 10 proximity, 20 reversible routes with up to 250 points each, man overboard and tracback modes, 10000 point automatic track log (20 saved tracks 500 points each allow you to retrace your path in both directions), trip computer with current speed, average speed, resettable maximum speed, trip timer and trip distance, alarms for anchor drag, approach and arrival, off course, proximity waypoint, shallow water and deep water, built in celestial tables (best times to fish and hunt, sun and moon rise, set and location), external antenna connection, 12 parallel receiver with quad helix antenna, belt clip and USB and Serial port PC interface, this unit has the lot.

Garmin GPSMAP60CSX

A fully equipped handheld GPS!

With enhanced street map detail from optional Mapsource City Navigator or Metroguide, you can look up destinations and view automatic point to point routes.

Available in a ‘CS” version (suitable mostly for hikers and climbers) this extra capability is by way of an electronic fluxgate compass and Barometric Altimeter giving elevation profile accuracy to within 10 feet. The elevation computer provides current elevation, ascent/decent rate, minimum and maximum elevation and more. Local pressure (mBar/inches HG) can also be recorded over a 12 hour period

For a hands-on demonstration, drop into Got One Darwin and take advantage of our Super Specials on Garmin GPS and Fishfinders during the month of September!!

Regards, and may the fish be with you.

Craig Grosvenor

GOT ONE DARWIN

Truck city, Berrimah

(08) 89472224