Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased the Garmin 540S for my 30' sailboat after several years of procrasting about doing it due to the high cost. Since the cost has come down for this unit, I jumped for it and I'm glad I did. I was concerned that the small screen would be hard to read. It is not. Even with polarizing glasses and my poor vision, I can read the screen easier than a chart. The screen is not ideal for small-scale (large area) work, but that's what your old charts are for. The controls are very easy to use and most commands seem to know what you want to do next. The unit provides a very high level of confidence when navigating around hidden rocks and in close quarters. In fog it is terrific and allows you to pay more attention to other issues such as listening for other boats. (I don't have radar.) This was one of the best purchases I have made for my boat.
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Product Description:
The Garmin GPSMAP 540s Chartplotter with Dual Frequency Transducer provides a versatile chartplotter for those with a keen eye for value. With plenty of built-in functionality and compatibility for upgrades or expansions, the 540s is the perfect companion for any boater looking to get out on the water and start exploring, or to simply plot a safe course from point A to point B.
The Garmin 540s chartplotter uses a crisp, ultra-bright, full-color 5-inch QVGA display with 640 x 480 pixels of resolution and over 800 nits of brightness that lets you easily distinguish bottom detail and fish from background structure. The 540s lets you view your position with pinpoint accuracy to within less than three meters via its extremely accurate, WAAS/EGNOS-enabled GPS antenna, and comes with a built-in, satellite-enhanced worldwide basemap, as well as detailed offshore maps with BlueChart coverage of the USA and Bahamas. What's more, with an SD card slot providing compatibility with the optional BlueChart g2 Vision card, you can further enhance this unit's mapping capabilities with features such as high-resolution aerial reference photos for help navigating tricky harbors and channels, or locating spots like area marinas or fuel stops. The g2 Vision card also lets the 540s provide graphical depictions in a true 3D mariner's-eye topside view, or fish-eye underwater perspective.
The Garmin 540s features intuitive navigation with fewer buttons to push and operational steps to traverse, and a simplified menu format that makes it easier for you to see and select the data you want to access on-screen, as well as a tilt and swivel mount bracket that lets you set it for optimum positioning. The 540s also features a backlit keypad for easier operation at night, and a new night mode function that provides optimum readability in low-light conditions. The 540s can also provide auto guidance via the optional g2 Vision card, which searches all your chart features in order to suggest the best known charted route for navigation, so you always have a knowledgeable guide to local hazards and waterways on deck with you.
The 540s is designed to be easily adaptable to various conditions with a choice of dual-beam or dual-frequency sonar to clearly portray depth contours, fish targets, structure and more. This unit comes with dual-frequency, 50 kHz to 200 kHz transom-mount transducer with a narrow beam that pierces the depths for maximum saltwater performance. Made to be upgradeable and expandable, the Garmin 540s includes built-in CANet connectivity that enables its sonar data to be shared with other chartplotter displays on your boat. This unit weighs two pounds, and measures just 6.4 x 5.9 x 2.9 inches (W x H x D) allowing it to be placed virtually anywhere.
What's in the Box
Garmin 540s chartplotter, dual-frequency transducer, tilt/swivel mount bracket, power and data cables, protective cover and owner's manual.
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