Garmin N2K, the GPS 17x under-deck mount

Today was my second in a week out on Peter Smith’s Banks Cove 22 Slancha, and I’m ever more impressed with Garmin’s NMEA 2000 sensors and its 18″ HD radar. Let’s start with the GPS 17x, which now ships with all 4– and 5000 series MFDs, as discussed in March. Peter chose to use the optional under-deck mount, as seen above. It’s way up in the bow of Slancha, and I’d guess that backing plate at left is under the forward starboard pulpit mount, meaning there’s some stainless steel pipe between this sensor and some satellites.

Neither that or the deck seem to matter, though, judging from the GPS status screen below. Five satellites pinned, four others quite usable, and WAAS differential in use with four of the active birds for a claimed accuracy under ten feet. But if you recall the WAAS weirdness of last summer, we in Maine now have only one source of corrections in sight and it’s low in the southwest sky. I noticed that the GPS 17X wasn’t quick to find it and wouldn’t be surprised to see it do better if up on Slancha’s mast. No biggie, though, and Peter loves how clean the install is. Now he wants his XM Weather/Audio antenna hidden away too! I think this under-deck option will really pay when off-boat monitoring and security systems get hip to NMEA 2000 sensors, which will happen.