Garmin 178c, No Satellite Reception

[ehh]

There is an old Garmin 178c on the boat I just bought. It doesn't seem to able to pick up satellites. I have tried several times. Waited 20 minutes and so on. Is it possible that there is some easy fix or should I just forget it? Is the "antennae" actually a GPS receiver or is the GPS in the chartplotter? If the antennae is actually a receiver I could replace it. This unit does have a depth/fish finder and that works great, and that is probably more import to me anyway. So I will be keeping it in any case.

[Lancerbye]

The 178c has a choice of external or internal antenna. These are just antennas, unlike some Chartplotters, which require a remote mounted reciever. I can't remember if that was menu selectable on that model. You may want to check that. The antenna could be dead or the cable to it ruined. If it is menu selected try selecting the internal antenna.

[ehh]

I'll answer my own question. This unit does require an antenna. I bought a new Garmin antenna ( much smaller than the original ) for 10 bucks on Ebay, can't beat that. I didn't know if it would solve the problem, but it did. I will say that my Mac laptop running PolarView is much better, but it is nice to have something that I can use and see on deck.

[Lancerbye]

Originally Posted by ehh

I'll answer my own question. This unit does require an antenna. I bought a new Garmin antenna ( much smaller than the original ) for 10 bucks on Ebay, can't beat that. I didn't know if it would solve the problem, but it did. I will say that my Mac laptop running PolarView is much better, but it is nice to have something that I can use and see on deck.

You gotta love it when a plan comes together. lol