Garmin GPSMAP 182C GPS Receiver

Very easy to use menus, looking forward to getting out on the ocean waves. This was a refurbished unit at a really competitive price.

I have used the Garmin 182C before and have found it to be a tough unit, easy to use and easy to read chartplotter. The 182C can be mounted on its quick release bracket with only one data plug for the internal antenna model to remove it when away from yacht; the NMEA data output wires use the same plug.

This is now an obsolete model but is sold as Newly Overhauled with a limited Garmin guarantee.

The big downside to this unit is basically the maps; it only comes with a very limited world basemap built-in. Unlike modern GPS units it only takes a maximum 128MB Garmin (special) data card and these are about £35 each, compare that with say a SD memory cards which are about £5 for 2,000 MB. I found it useful to additionally purchase the Garmin USB programmer unit, an additional expense.

For detailed map data you will need the Bluechart CD (not newer G2) and the unlock code for each area, or alternativly the pre-programmed data cards. I am a big fan of Garmin products but their maps are very, very expensive, especially if you need to cover a large sea area.

If you do not have the maps you require then it may be much cheaper in the long run to purchase the newer Garmin units with the full UK maps included or look at similar Lowrance GPS units which include full UK maps

I rate this as an excellant unit but will mark it overall as average because of the problems of the maps. The 182C instruction manual is available to download from the Garmin website.

Hope this review helps!