Serious Garmin Interface Question

[Thom]

If you have one of the following models of Garmin Chartplotter: 76, 162, 182, 232, 2006, 2006C, 2010, or 2010C have you been successful in getting the machine to interface with any other equipment, particularly has you machine been able to accept data input from your depth finder (if so what model sonar do you have) or have you been able to export data from your Garmin to other devices such as DSC radio(s), auto pilots, or for display on other machines (depth finders or radars)? It just occured to me to day that I have seen lots of guys say they couldn't get theirs to work, but I haven't seen anyone who has said that theirs was working just fine. It appears from the manuals for those models that they may only accept NMEA version 2.3, and there are precious few other devices around that are set up for that protocall (this list doesn't include the 176 and 176C because those models have manuals that say they are compatable with NMEA 1.5, 2.0, and 2.3). It is particularly disturbing in that the language of the manuals suggests that they may only be compatable with Garmin depth finders - can you immagine a boat that would use a 2010C having a Garmin 160, or any other model of Garmin Sonar for that matter, for its finder? Please respond with your experience.

Thom

[KP]

I have an Interphase Advantage sonar that has a chart plotter designed to receive NMEA data from a GPS receiver and plot a course. I've used it with a basic Magellan 310 that has no plotting display, only GPS coordinates. It works very well.

Now I'd like to try a GPS map unit that receives and plots depth contours from sonar information the Advantage can feed back to it. I've only seen the Standard Horizon GPS units say they can do that.

Any other experience would be appreciated.