Customer Reviews

Garmin Fishfinder 400C with Dual-Beam Transducer

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I snooped through a lot reviews, I had specific requirements and this 400c does exactly what I wanted at a great price. I also have a Garmin 478 chart plotter that interacts with this 400c, I am impressed with the color definition. It also see's my downrigger cannon balls and flasher at the depth I have them set at. Shows the fish activity around them. Couldn't ask for more than that!

I purchased this last year, and it has been installed on a pontoon boat for a full season. This unit replaced an older finder that was already installed when I bought the boat. Installation was relatively easy with the boat on its trailer. Because we operate on a lake that has many shallow areas, the depth and contour indication is very valuable. Color display inhances the information being presented. The unit also measures water temp and displays underwater objects (fish?) accurately. I have other Garmin devices (auto and aircraft GPS), and this seems to match their functionality and reliability. I have used my Garmin 496 in marine mode in conjunction with the finder, and they provide quite a bit of situational information.

I had to return the first 400C that I installed. It stopped working after 2 days. The replacement works fine, but I wonder about the long-term reliability.

The fish-finding performance of the unit appears to be very good. No complaints here.

The documentation is very basic. It tells how to use the unit under various settings. However, it does not tell much, if anything, about how the user can interpret the sonar readings. Also, the unit is dual beam, but there is nothing in the documentation about when, where, or why you would want to switch between narrow and wide beams.

I give the unit 2 stars for reliability, 4 or 5 stars for operation, and 2 stars for documentation.

I used to own the Lowrance X102c, it lasted approximately 4 years. The unit was taken immaculate care of, never left in the rain, removed from boat for traveling, padded when traveling, etc.etc....it would only mark the down-rigger ball the first year, then never again......it marked fish nice until years 2-3, then that went to hell. By the 4th year the Lowrance unit would no longer function and would turn off mid troll or reset itself. Just a pain....I tried to deal with Lowrance through their customer service reps and call lines...just a waste of time. They have the worst customer service of any company ever, and I am a very easy to please guy......

So I looked at other brands, and went with the Garmin. The Garmin 400C had the features and power I needed for Great lakes salmon trolling on a 17 foot fishing boat, without all the BS that a guy will never use. So far it has worked great. It marks fish and rigger balls, it is much easier to operate than the Lowrance ever was. The Garmin 400C has nice control pad features and is about 2/3 the price of the Lowrance. I wish I had bought the Garmin 400C first. I could have saved myself some customer service aggravation and a bit of money.

The Garmin is a good unit. I replaced a non functioning Lowrance unit with the Garmin. It does not have the detail or sensitivity the Lowrance unit had, but I needed a quick cheap replacement. I would wait and spend the extra money for a good Lowrance Sonar.

Fishfinder works as it should, temp is very accurate and shows fish well. This fishfinder works as well as any other that I have had.My $1600.00 one on 26' boat does not work any better.

Does everything they said it would do ....Thanks
Garmin, and Thanks Amazon for the Great Savings !!Garmin Fishfinder 400C 4-Inch Waterproof Fishfinder and Dual Frequency Transducer

I was looking for mermaids and I saw a sudden flash on my Garmin 400C. I dipped my net down and caught something large. It was a beautiful Mermaid. Once on my boat she shed her tail and grew pale. I gave her mouth to mouth for several hours, then took her home and married her. It'd be a perfect marriage if I didn't have to keep throwing water on her. Thank you Garmin.