Garmin GPSMAP 531s 5-Inch Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter with Sounder (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

Zero stars, This is what garmin has done, they discontinued the $99.00 g2 vison data chip for this and other units, for the (southeast Atlanta Georgia area). Without this chip you do not have auto guidance, (auto guidance keeps you in safe water, without the chip these units will run you straight into land) which makes this and other units a piece of crap!!!! without the data chip.

This is my first marine gps and I was able to hook it up pretty easy. But after starting it up and going through the pases it is very hard to understand. I am not able to hook up to my computer at home and try and figure it out from there, so I have to go sit in the boat and plug it in and try and understand the owners manual. There are terms on the screen that I have no idea what they mean and the book doesn't help. A friend has the same gps but he got his used with the boat he bought and it works fine. He couldn't figure out how to set mine up either. So this may be a good gps but it is not easy to get working right. And I would like anyone to give me some tips.

This is a great product. I use the inland lakes (southeast) card with the unit. All channels, etc. is easily displayed on the unit. In the "Go To" function, the lake on which I navigate utilizes the auto guidance - much like the GPS in your automobile.Cons:1.Marinas and ramps are included within the unit; however, they are not named. Unless you know the direction from which are currently located, it is difficult to distinguish one marina or ramp from another.2. Included with the unit is a weather radar pamphlet that indicates the unit will operate with XM weather radar. This unit does not accept weather radar.

Easy install. Easy setup. Everything required in the box. Functions as advertised. Great value for the price on a combo unit.

I bought this needing it to be able to be used with a 110v application. I thought it would be fairly easy to adapt it. Not the case at all. After contacting Garmin directly on the 3rd try they gave me another product to buy to accomplish what I wanted. I haven't really used the unit much yet but was not impressed with the lack of supporting products for other applications.