Customer Reviews

Garmin Waterproof Fishfinder 300C with 3.5-Inch Display and Dual-Beam Transducer

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

So far I have been very happy with this product.

I use this fish finder exclusively for kayak fishing in Gulf of Mexico, usually a couple hundred meters off the shore. As of writing this review, I have completely flipped the kayak and submerged this fish finder twice. In addition, I have completely drenched it on several occasions when moving through the surf while heading out. So far there are no issues. The rubber buttons seem adequately waterproofed, and the connector that hooks the power cable up is o-ring protected and has blocked water out very well.

This fish finder has a really bright display and shows up great even in direct sunlight. Although I was initially surprised by how small the screen was when I opened the package, I'm very happy with the quality now that I've used it on a couple of fishing trips. It clearly shows battery voltage, water temperature, and depth. The fish depth is clearly marked on the fish icons.

To use this fish finder on a kayak (Prowler Trident 15 Angler), I use a Replacement 12V-7AH. This fish finder will run easily all day on one charge with this battery. For charging I used the Schumacher SSC-1000A Automatic Speed Battery Charger set to normal/small battery settings. I used marine epoxy to mount the transducer to the bottom of a scupper hole. The fish finder by itself isn't tall enough to hold up the Trident's Sonar Shield, so I had to purchase a Anchor Lock W/ 241 Side Deck Mount and cut and file (sawzall and sander) it down so that it basically functions like a small extender for the fish finder mount. See user pictures for details.

The 300C has a small screen compared to many others but it is bright and has high resolution and thousands of colors. The menus are quick and to the point and it has most of the features you will find in higher priced fishfinders. You do need to set it up properly for best results.. i.e. turn up gain, turn on whiteline, and turn OFF fish ID etc. Comes with a fixed mount bracket. I would have preferred the swivel bracket that comes with the FF140, but oh well. Seems to work well and no problems viewing screen even in bright sunlight. Its smaller size makes it an ideal color sounder for small boats with not a lot of room for electronics.

After much time researching fishfinders priced below 300 dollars, I decided this one was for me. Amazon had the best price going and this qualified for free shipping making this an easy choice.
The installation and set up was easy and this unit has performed as expected. I fish mostly fresh water lakes in PA and the Garmin 300C has been a great addition to my boat. I highly recommend this fish finder for those looking for a color unit with temp and great color. Amazon is the place to purchase as the delivery was prompt and product was as advertised.
Enjoy your time on the water.

Okay so I was initially disappointed when I open the box and discovered just how small the viewing screen really is. Don't let that fool you in the least, You can read this thing from across the lake in bright sun. Sure there's bigger and badder fish finders out there, but they come with a big (ridiculous) price tag as well. Every function on this thing works as claimed. Mine works great and I'm very pleased with it. It seems to be pretty accurate at finding the fish and time and again it's put me right on top of them. I can even pick up the small suspended bait fish with this thing. fish Installation is a no brainer. Definitely a "best buy" for price and value.

The one and only thing that TOTALLY PISSED ME OFF about this unit is that you have to go and spend another $13.00 plus shipping for the plastic face cover, which you are absolutely going to want to have to protect it when not in use. It's like having a camera with no lens cap. A real DUH! Shame to Garmin for INSULTING their customers on what could have otherwise been a perfect purchase.

You have to spend another $50 to get the speed wheel transducer also. That's pretty much the same for all fishfinders unless they have GPS functionality.

Good in every way
easy to install,
color is great,
details are very helpful
even the kids can use it.

i just purchased some land in Alaska and a fishing boat so my budget was very limited in regards to electronics for my boat. i opted for this 300c and honestly, i could not be happier with it. i installed myself in about an hour and it works flawlessly and i'm a skeptic. No more hard to see screen when the sun is shining on it or trying to make out the all important depth under bright conditions. i love the ability to be able to monitor the charging system (volts). i accidentally left it on all night a few times and it didn't make any difference in the large 8d boat batteries. i love that it's easy to use, seems to be very accurate and dependable and is only a fraction of the cost of larger screened units but still gives you the same basic information the "big boys" do. usually i'm disappointed in having to compromise in my fishing gear but this unit is an exception. i'm going to buy another for my other fishing boat this spring...perhaps the 400c because it's very affordable too and just a big larger than the 300c. small transducers i believe. Kudos to Garmin for a great little unit at a very handsome price....5 stars!!!!

Has all the needed features and is easy to navigate. Really happy I got this model. It's a good quality for not so much money :)

I bought this fish finder as a depth guage for my ski boat which I use in the Puget sound. Having broken a prop earlier in the year I wanted some visual and audible warning of the water depth. I have the depth alarm set to 10 ft and the bright colorful display shows the bottom profile. The bright colorful high contrast full screen display is magnificent even in direct sunlight.

The unit was easy to install. I wanted to install without drilling into the transom (a) because I did not want to drill into the transom and (b) I did not want to have to haul the boat out of the water. After some research I learned that the transducer will work THROUGH a fiberglass hull and followed instructions to install into the bilge area of the ski boat, setting the unit in marine epoxy. The first stage was to fill the bilge area with water. The second stage was to install the unit and transducer. I was able to use the transom mount to secure the transucer in the bilge area facing forward and level, totally immersed in water and touching the bottom. Amazinly in this position it all worked great Next step was to drain the bilge and secure in expoxy. I found a marine epoxy at Home Depot which sait it would set even in water - just in case the bilge area got wet again. I drained the bilge area and then removed water/grease from the area I was going to secure the transducer. Then I roughed up the fiberglass with some sandpaper and applied the epoxy.
The final step was to place the transducer into position. As I did this I was initially concerned as I was getting a 0 ft reading, but I pushed harder on the transducer to set into the epoxy and sure enough the depth reading came back. The unit has been working great ever since.

I am so pleased with this unit, and it becomes a great source of conversation on our boat. It makes us feel much more confident in unknown waters. One of the best pieces of electronics I have bought.

Great product,I use this on my. Kayak, and this little unit is so much more accurate than 350$ Lawrence. Easy to use and the color scheme is great to detect ground, weed and timber lines!

The lake we fish depth can change very quickly. The depth finder put an end to lost fishing equipment that was always getting hung up on bottom. Size of fish and water temp. very helpful as well. Great graphics