Inland lake exploring or deep sea navigation is easier with the Garmin GPSMAP 172C. The rugged fixed-mount chartplotter can help you find where the fish are or avoid underwater hazards.

Garmin's GPSMAP 172C is contained in a 4.9" H x 6.3" W x 3.7" D waterproof case and can be exposed to the elements in any convenient location. The single-knob tilt and swivel bracket works equally well as a surface or overhead mount. And if the chosen location doesn't allow clear reception with an internal antenna, an optional remote antenna can be used.

The display for the GPSMAP 172C is designed to be easy to view no matter what the light conditions are. The 256-color LCD display measures 3.2" x 3.2" (4.5" diagonal) and can be read in bright sunlight or at night with its adjustable backlighting. The receiver runs off an external DC source of 10 to 35 volts or regular AC power with an optional adapter.

The Garmin GPSMAP 172C receiver has three features to assure maximum positioning accuracy. Its 12 channels allows the simultaneous reception of up to 12 GPS satellites for maximum speed and accuracy in making location calculations. It's Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) enabled for position accuracy of less than 3 meters, 95% of the time. Or since it's Differential GPS(DGPS) ready, you can get similar accuracy when used with an optional beacon DGPS receiver.

A world-wide marine basemap is built into the GPSMAP 172C to handle general boating requirements. For greater details when fresh-water boating, Garmin offers its MapSource, Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. These maps include fishing areas, marinas, boat ramps, and hazards for hundreds of lakes in the U.S. and Canada. For ocean navigation, there's the MapSource, BlueChart with depth contours, navaids, inter-tidal zones, wrecks and other points of interest. Map data is stored on memory cards for quick and easy replacement.

If you want to increase the usefulness of the Garmin GPSMAP 172C, you can add the GSD 20 Sounder Module. With this unit you can tell how hard the bottom is and distinguish between the fish and thermoclines(uneven temperature water layers). The depth and fish audible alerts can be set to give you instant notification when you're not monitoring the display. And with the 172C's underwater waypoint ability and moving view shown on its split screen, you can navigate to the choice fishing areas.