Garmin 010-00601-00 GPSMap 545 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

by Garmin

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 9.9 x 4.6 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000KLLLT8
• Item model number: 010-00601-00
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Product Description

This offshore chartplotter boasts the brightest, sharpest, most colorful graphics you've ever seen on a 5-inch screen. The GPSMAP 545 has a 5 VGA display; preloaded BlueChart g2 maps of the U.S. coast; and simple, straightforward buttons and menus. You can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card for even more enhanced features.The 545 has preloaded detailed maps cover all U.S. coastal areas and the Bahamas. For other areas, the 540 has a worldwide basemap with satellite images in place of more traditional maps. The SD card slot makes it easy to add additional maps without connecting to a computer. And with a simple, intuitive interface and high-speed processor, the 545 makes navigating easy.Where applicable, the sounder version, GPSMAP 545s, comes with a powerful digital sounder (up to 1 kW) and dual frequency transducer that clearly paints depth contours, fish targets and structure. It's also CANet compatible, so you can share sounder data with another chartplotter on your boat. For continuously-updated weather information, you can add the optional GXM 31 antenna to receive XM satellite weather, including NEXRAD radar, and hundreds of XM radio stations right on your chartplotter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars new in area, needed depth infor before I got to it, March 30, 2008

By 

James T. Boyd (Savannah, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin 010-00601-00 GPSMap 545 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

I've owned Loran, and 3 Marine GPS's I considered this unit to be the most useful when it comes to boating in a new area. Here in GA many of the rivers leading to the ocean doesn't have a buoy system and many of the rivers are very shallow, so this unit was very useful for me and would recommend buying it. Jim Boyd

4.0 out of 5 stars A formidable tool for a flats fisherman, December 22, 2008

By 

R. Berlin "Falcatus fan" (New England/Keys) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garmin 010-00601-00 GPSMap 545 5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator (Electronics)

Last year I finally broke down and bought a used flats skiff to be kept in The Lower Florida Keys. With little navigation experience, I opted to buy The Garmin 545 S (the ione with Dual frequency transducer) and I also purchased The Florida Keys G2Vision card. Here are my thoughts:
Positive: The unit is small in size--perfect for a 16 foot flats boat. The GPS, chartplotter, Sonar and tracking functions all make navigating much, much easier. Another plus--with the addition of a Garmin XM antenna , one can subscribe to instant weather forecasts, including alarms when lighting approaches. Very cool.....
Negatives:
First: I purchased an early version of The Garmin. As such, I was always downloading software updates, each of which would fix a glitch or malfunction. While the unit and wiring purport to be totally waterproof, my experience has required lots of anti corrosives to regularly clean mounting contacts. Finally, the dual frequency transducer has not been totally reliable. As I understand it, Then newest 545's include a far more rugged--and reliable transducer.

All in all, I think the rough days with my Garmin are over! Updated software and transducer makes this an investment without which I will never leave the dock. The G2 Vision card stores great satellite overviews of coastal areas and further facilitates navigation.

Bottom line: it's small, easy to use and the XM weather function alone keeps me and my graphite fly rods away from dangerous Lower Keys lightening. I would buy another.