Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

[Luna Sea]

I probably could have added to the recent "188c mounting" post, but I'm starting a new one. I'm about to purchase one of these units, but I was searching the net last week and added the words "bad reviews" to my search. And I found this link/site, I emailed the guy and he wrote back that he thinks the problem has not been resolved. He likes the unit otherwise. I downloaded the manual and noticed the caution note for cleaning the screen, they say use a sunglass type cleaner with a soft cloth. Has anyone else had any problems with the screen on ANY of the Garmin products? Thanks<br /><br /> Garmin 188c Screen Problems

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

Oh ya, this is the reply I got this morning...<br /><br />Hi Mike,<br /> My assessment of the Garmin 188 C Is still right on the money..<br />Keep this in mind. I am still using my units and think they offer more<br />than competitors in way of functionality. However the screen issues have<br />yet to be resolved.. <br /><br />Thank You For Writing<br />Sincerly,

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

Issues with the viewibility of Garmin’s screen is well known. From what I have read else where, in some cases, Garmin has replaced the screens. It appears there it is an anti-glare coating that gets wiped off the screen when you clean it. I don’t know what all the models are that have this problem.<br /><br />If I can’t see the data, the data has no value to me. If I can’t clearly see a Garmin screen, I have no use for a Garmin product, regardless of how fancy its software is. That goes for all the electronics manfs. I am not so enamored with Garmin’s products that I would be willing to maintain a special screen cleaning routine just to own one.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

Wow, I'm starting to think there's some truth to this vicious rumor I'm spreading. <br /><br />I work in a mechanical group for a company that builds medical products, several of which have "screens" for viewing data. Something like that screen problem, even if the units were in production, we'd either switch vendors or work with the existing vendor to get it resolved. I'm sure they only buy so many at a time. And I have to think it's the same screen that's on the 320C as the units have the identical casings.<br /><br />Maybe I'll have to keep saving till I can afford the JRC or Furuno combo........

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

It seems Furuno is also going thru problems with the viewibility of some of their screens. They are replacing parts of screens that are being returned, too. Don’t know the extent of the problem. I think part of the problem is product loyalty. Seems like people that buy marine electronics either hate it from day one or love it and think it is the best thing on the planet and develop abnormal tolerance for any faults. Forget the viewing hassles, buy a Simrad. <br /> <br /><br />Btw, medical equipment has to be fail-safe, even in non-critical, non-life threatening applications. So in a lot of the OEM modules, the manf replaces the usual lowest bidder parts with hi-rel components to meet certification requirements. That’s partly why some electronics used in medical costs more than an (apparently, but not really) identical off the shelf unit.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

Furuno screens too??? I'd have to guess it's with the new 1650 or 1850 combos as the color, fish only machines have been around for quite a while. Any bad reviews on the JRC I should know about? It's not that much more than the Garmin, looks like a small computer though.......<br /><br />Simrad huh, priced them, you will be directly to blame if I go that route! Boats and boat toys get the better of me when the wallet comes out, one of those "Trailer Boat" magazines they were sending us a while back had an article where they removed a bunch of old electronics from a t-top boat and replaced it with a ....... SIMRAD, 33 something or another model, only about $1800. Don't think I didn't just recently dig that article up and do some ogling...............

 

[proline25/kajo]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

luna the screen on my 188c had a big warning sticker on it telling you how to care for it. it really pushed not touching the screen with your fingers, oils are the killer from what they say.<br />my unit is in a water protected compartment, i cant think of 2-3 times in 2 years i had to clean the screen on my lowrance unit..<br />good luck

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

Well then, on something I plan on carrying to and from my mooring boat. I don't think a screen that can't take a few fingerprints is for me.

 

[BillP]

Re: Garmin 188C screen issues anyone?

I don't remember which Furuno model fishfinder my friend has but the screen is impossible to see if not directly in front of you. It's not a color unit and the glare beyond bad. I was shopping fishfinders the other day and noticed Furuno has models with clear screens and others the the hard to see screens.