View Full Version : garmin fishfinder 240
t. tysver
02-08-2001, 04:36 AM
just purchased garmin 240. does anyone have any comments on the unit or tips for using. will be heading out this weekend. i have been told that playing on the water is the best way to learn the unit. any help or info. greatly appreciated....
JohnP
02-08-2001, 05:23 AM
I think you'll like the 240. It is very user friendly and dependable. One point to remember, some guys wrote in that they were losing the bottom on thiers, I had the same problem and found it to be my transducer was loosening and flipping up facing backwards. Once I tightened it up, no more problems.
I believe It also has a simulator mode so you can play with it at home while waiting for the ice to melt!
Good luck!
JohnP
Mckoz
02-08-2001, 05:42 AM
Just one word of advice - if you begin losing power to the unit for no apparent reason - check the fuse holder - if it is yellow it needs to be replaced by a better quality one.
Mike
WALLEYE DADDY
02-08-2001, 03:17 PM
I have owned one for about 2 years and have had it lose bottom. I called garmin and they sent out a new harness for the unit. The harness that connects from the head to the transducer. I used it once after that and had no other problems. As for all of you that own one, whats your feelings on the display itself. Do you have a hard time seeing the arch when a fish is located. I think its hard to decifer the fish from the rest of the structure. Any comments
GreggB
02-09-2001, 05:38 AM
I've had one for about 2 years. I cant say I love it or hate it. I works ok. Mine does loose bottom over 25mph. I have tried adjusting the transducer more than I care to admit. My biggest gripe is the speed reading on my unit (I have the speed/temp trans.) You have to calibrate to a known source, like a GPS. But then if you calibrate at a high speed your low speed reading will be way off, and likewise if you calibrate for a low speed then high speed readings are off. I use mine for trolling mostly and it is very frustrating trying to get an accurate speed on this thing. I called Garmin and they told me thats the way it is. My Lowrance was much better at showing an accurate speed.
As far as getting arches on the screen, I have no problem it does a good job showing fish and structure. For the price it is an "ok" unit. However, I think I may upgrade to a Pinpoint or Zercon LPG 2000.
I've had mine for a season and half. I like the unit. 240/240 pixel, speed and temp for $300. I get pretty nice archs when slow trolling. Target separation could be a little better. (My old x70 was just a bit better)
I also lost bottom when on plane. I added the plastic shim piece to the transducer mount and that fixed the prob. (The shim tilts the back of the transducer down)
All and All, I'm happy with my 240.
Check your software version. If it's ver 2.02 or older there is a fix for losing the bottom readings as well as other problems.
I have done this on a friends unit and it runs better now.
Ref. http://www.garmin.com/products/ff240/download.html