Garmin 545s, just a taste

Garmin_545s_backside_cPanbo lr

Geez, I’m so behind on testing (Cobra radios and Lowrance iWay are the ones half done, and there’s some I haven’t even started, sorry all!), I hesitate to get started on this Garmin 545s. On the other hand, the interest is great, myself included! Above is a backside shot showing the new two-way swivel bracket, and also the ports. Right is a BNC connector for an optional external antenna, middle is a connector for the still somewhat mysterious GXM 31 antenna, and left goes a cable that contains power leads, 2 sets of NMEA 0183 i/o leads, a set of CANet leads, and a power/data plug for the the dual frequency transducer. The unit is not quite as blue as the picture somehow came out, and the tooling is beautiful. The 545s manual is now online for more info, and I will try to show you what it can do as the week goes on (I’ve got a g2 Vision card too), though I probably won’t get it out on the water for a couple of weeks (and, by gorry, I’m going to finish those other units). Meanwhile I include the picture below as a reminder to everyone installing and reinstalling electronics this spring. Be very careful with your screens unless you’re positive that they’re not coated. 

Garmin 545s face crop



Ben Ellison

Ben Ellison

Panbo editor, publisher & chief bottlewasher from 4/2005 until 8/2018, and now pleased to have Ben Stein as a very able publisher, webmaster, and editing colleague. Please don't regard him as an "expert"; he's getting quite old and thinks that "fadiddling fumble-putz" is a more accurate description.

3 Responses

  1. guntis says:

    Garmin makes wonderful user friendly products.
    But you can not mount it on or near a wall because the plugs stick out too far in back.
    Looks like every manufacturer has at least one stupid designer employed.

  2. Sam says:

    Have you tried the G2 chip with the 545S yet?My 545S shuts down only moments after the chip shows the new wonders. Works fine for about a minute or two. Pull it out…reboot and the box works fine without it. I’m using the Maine Coastal area.
    Sam

  3. Ben Ellison Ben Ellison says:

    Sam, I used the 545s with a G2 chart card a lot during the summer of 2007. It worked fine. First thing you should do is make sure your unit has the latest software update; if that doesn’t work you’ll have to call Garmin.

Join the conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *