Garmin 3D fishfinding, something new
Garmin wouldn’t let me photograph this in Miami—something about a patent application—but fishermen must be discovering it around the country right now. This screen shows the 3D underwater view, available only when you have a g2 Vision chart card in the slot. Plus, if you turn it on, every few seconds the active sonar image is overlaid on the 3D, as shown above. I did this in simulation mode but will try it on the water next week. Right now I’m in New York City to see my sweet daughter graduate Columbia Journalism School this afternoon. Proud papa! Oh yeah, Vision cards also let you see a more ‘traditional’ 2D bathy fishing chart, another thing Garmin hasn’t had time to advertise much:
I wonder if this will actually prove an advantage or a distraction. Using a powerful sounder is easy enough as it is. The potential is obvious, but I would like to see it in action with a rod in my hand first…
I have just received one of the new 420s units from Garmin and the limited 3D controls mean that in this mode you are always looking at the aft of the boat and yet the sonar is showing what is behind the boat i.e. 90degs to what it should be – I cannot see how this will be useful to me, have I misunderstood something ?