Garmin/simrad/lowrance vs OEM depth gauge?

[baktasht]

Anyone else ditch their factory depth/temp gauges and install an aftermarket fish finder chartplotter? Thoughts on flush mounting one in the dash?

[akorcovelos]

What year model do you have? Mine would only fit a 5" screen and I'd need to relocate the rheostat for the dash lights to make it work. Plenty of room behind the panel though. Not a very good spot in terms of looking at it while under way either.

[baktasht]

I'm in a 1999 232. Thinking about the Garmin striker4. Nothing too fancy. I just need depth really since we just go to the local lakes, and it would be nice to have a fish finder for when the kids want to fish. So it's a small unit. I was thinking about putting it to the right of the steering wheel, but I would have to move or reposition the switch panel that is there now. Both my factory temp sensor and depth gauge are not working correctly. And this seems to be another option instead of putting new temp/depth gauges in. Here's the current dash:

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[akorcovelos]

Yeah same place I looked at, though you have more to relocate than I would. Still, try sitting in the helm and looking at where that would be when you’re driving, it’s not very useful that low.

[baktasht]

Good point. Going to play with it this weekend hopefully and see what works.

[baktasht]

Starting surgery's.

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[Big Block Power]

So fill us in on What your doing here?

[baktasht]

So fill us in on What your doing here?

I took both the left and right switch panels out, the ones that are to the left and right of the steering wheel. I'm attempting to move all three gauges and also the four switches/indicatorlights/breakers from the left panel to the right panel. Then the only thing that will remain on the left panel is the ignition key/barrel and breaker. Then I'll flush mount the Garmin on the left panel. If I can pull it off, all the switches and gauges will end up on the right panel, and only the Garmin & ignition will be on the left panel. I'm keeping the stock metal panels underneath and cutting the holes I need, and using Lexan as the top layer as the finishing touch. I'm trying to figure out how to finish the Lexan, maybe back-painted, maybe top painted, maybe clear? not sure. And also trying to figure out how to print new labels for each of the switches since the stock ones were just printed onto the factory metal panels.

[Big Block Power]

So fill us in on What your doing here?

I took both the left and right switch panels out, the ones that are to the left and right of the steering wheel. I'm attempting to move all three gauges and also the four switches/indicatorlights/breakers from the left panel to the right panel. Then the only thing that will remain on the left panel is the ignition key/barrel and breaker. Then I'll flush mount the Garmin on the left panel. If I can pull it off, all the switches and gauges will end up on the right panel, and only the Garmin & ignition will be on the left panel. I'm keeping the stock metal panels underneath and cutting the holes I need, and using Lexan as the top layer as the finishing touch. I'm trying to figure out how to finish the Lexan, maybe back-painted, maybe top painted, maybe clear? not sure. And also trying to figure out how to print new labels for each of the switches since the stock ones were just printed onto the factory metal panels.

Cool. Keep it going. Can't wait to see how this goes.

[akorcovelos]

subscribed!

[baktasht]

I need y'all's opinion. Which look for the panel?

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[Big Block Power]

Be careful the more shiny it is the harder it will be to see in the sun. My 2 cents. I'm going broke today.

[baktasht]

Also, which color and style print for the labels?

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[Big Block Power]

Black in a cobalt font.

[baktasht]

Here's a photo next to the stock panels for don't comparison

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