Garmin GPSMap 478 GPS Navigator and Chartplotter

Manufacturer: Garmin
Customer Rating:

, based on 14 reviews

Lowest Price: $650.00
By Supplier: dipper44

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description/Reviews | Feedback | View All Offers (48) | Accessories

Editorial Review:

Built-in saltwater marine charts utilize the latest BlueChart g2 technology for a smoother, more fluid presentation on your screen, and feature coverage for all U.S. coastal areas, including Alaska and Hawaii
Offers optional weather and sonar capabilities; gives you the ability to conveniently add plug in data cards, so you can easily add more maps and features
3.8-inch diagonal, 480 x 320, 256-color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight; includes an industry leading database with more than six million points of interest
Dimensions: 5.7 x 3.2 x 1.9 inches (W x H x D); weighs 3.2 pounds
Combination color chartplotter and land navigator easily transitions from boat to dashboard

Go from box to boat to dash with the portable and versatile GPSMAP 478. This combination color chartplotter and land navigator comes preloaded with U.S. marine charts utilizing elements of the latest BlueChart g2 technology, in addition to detailed street-level mapping. Optional weather and sonar capabilities combined with the ability to conveniently add plug-in data cards, let you easily add more maps and features - making this one incredible GPS navigator for land and sea.PRODUCT FEATURES:Accepts the latest (optional) BlueChart g2 data cards;Add optional GSD 21 for full-feature sonar capability;Add optional GXM 30 antenna for XM WX Satellite Weather;Provides tides and built-in celestial information;NMEA 0183 input and output;Removable quad helix antenna;Single knob tilt/swivel mount.

Customer Reviews:

Not great

I bought and used this plotter over the summer of 2008 in Maine. While better than nothing the screen is really too small to be useful. If you zoom out to get a range of a few miles, you lose chart detail. The screen keys on the cursor, and it can then be difficult to find the arrow indicating the boat position again. I would have returned it, but Amazon has only a 30 day return policy on unused items. So you buy it and try it, you own it. Unless you have a very small craft, buy a plotter with a larger screen.

2008-08-20

Garmin GPSMAP 478

Fantastic. Easy to use both on and off the water. The auto-zoom is wonderful when driving. Worth every penny.

2008-08-10

Just what the doctor ordered

I had been looking for a new GPS device. As I have a car and a boat, the Garmin 478 was the answer. I just had to search for the right price. I found it, and bought the device I wanted.

2008-08-01

The swiss army knife of GPS's

I purchased this device because I wanted a gps that does well both on the water and on the road. I have been very impressed with it so far. The preloaded water charts have nearly as much depth detail as a paper chart. The display is also very bright and easy to read. Even though I purchased it as more of a backup, I find myself looking at it more than the older built in one on the boat, since the maps and display are so nice.

On the road it works just as well as a decent Automotive model. In my car the beanbag mount sits pretty securely on the dash and has been better for me than the usual suction cup mount. It does not have a touch screen, so it does take a little longer to enter in an address, but that is really the only downside I have come across.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this device to anyone that is looking for a gps that is equally at home on the water or on the road. I was originally considering a handheld like the Colorado, but am glad I came across this device because of its versatility easier to read screen.

Amazon had the best price and shipped it to me in just a few days with the super saver free shipping.

2008-07-30

Good unit but.....

Good GPS unit but..... I move it between my boats and truck. I have the XM Ant with Weather option. Big aid in avoiding Gulf thunderstorms. Power plug difficult to insert and remove. Plug broke after 3-4 times. Garmin customer service very difficult to work with, after several phone calls, emails, they finally sent me the wrong cord as a replacement. Battery failed after 11 months....forget trying to get Garmin to replace that.

2008-06-17

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