Editorial Review:Product Description:Go from box to boat to dash with the portable and versatile GPSMAP 478. This combination color chartplotter and land navigator comes preloaded with U.S. marine charts utilizing elements of the latest BlueChart g2 technology, in addition to detailed street-level mapping. Optional weather and sonar capabilities combined with the ability to conveniently add plug-in data cards, let you easily add more maps and features - making this one incredible GPS navigator for land and sea.PRODUCT FEATURES:Accepts the latest (optional) BlueChart g2 data cards;Add optional GSD 21 for full-feature sonar capability;Add optional GXM 30 antenna for XM WX Satellite Weather;Provides tides and built-in celestial information;NMEA 0183 input and output;Removable quad helix antenna;Single knob tilt/swivel mount.
Amazon.com Product Description:Go from box to boat to dash with the portable and versatile WAAS enabled, 12 parallel channel Garmin GPSMAP 478 GPS receiver. This combination color chartplotter and land navigator comes preloaded with United States marine charts utilizing elements of the latest BlueChart g2 technology, in addition to detailed street level mapping. With a 3.8-inch diagonal, 480 x 320, 256-color TFT screen with adjustable LED backlight, this navigation system supplies easy to read information to help chart your boating and driving trips. It also offers optional weather and sonar capabilities and gives you the ability to use plug in data cards, so you can instantly add new maps to your GPSMAP 478 without connecting to your computer. Designed for use both on land and in seawater, the GPSMAP 478 is ready to go, right out of the box--no downloads or computer required.
The GPSMAP 478's built in marine charts use the latest BlueChart g2 technology for a smoother, more fluid presentation on your screen, and feature coverage for all U.S. coastal areas, including Alaska and Hawaii. For road trips, this system comes preloaded with City Navigator NT detailed street maps for North America and offers automatic routing with voice guidance to help get you where you're going quickly and easily. The GPSMAP 478 also includes an industry leading database with more than six million points of interest including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, marinas, attractions and more. This system also tracks 10,000 points and the automatic track log saves up to 15 points. For additional flexibility, an included marine mount and automotive kit make it a snap to transfer the unit from boat to car.
With the GPSMAP 478, weather and audio options travel with your plotter, whether you're navigating on land or sea. In fact, this system can display real-time weather information on the high-resolution 256-color sunlight-readable TFT display. To help make sure you're prepared for whatever comes your way, view NEXRAD radar, storm cells, wind speeds, surface temperatures, forecasts and more than a dozen other weather attributes, so you can spend more time enjoying the water and less time worrying about the weather. And with the GXM 30 antenna, you also have the option of receiving XM Satellite Radio's 150 plus channels of commercial-free music, sports, news, talk and entertainment programming.
What's in the Box GPSMAP 478 chart plotter, preloaded with U.S. marine detail maps (g2 technology), preloaded City Navigator NT North America (full coverage), Trip and Waypoint Manager, USB/PC interface cable, power/data cable, marine mount, automotive mount, universal friction mount, 12-volt adapter cable with speaker, AC charger, protective cover, owner's manual, and quick reference guide.
Accessories:
see more
Accessories:
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Related Items:
see more
Related Items:
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
Not great
I bought and used this plotter over the summer of 2008 in Maine. While better than nothing the screen is really too small to be useful. If you zoom out to get a range of a few miles, you lose chart detail. The screen keys on the cursor, and it can then be difficult to find the arrow indicating the boat position again. I would have returned it, but Amazon has only a 30 day return policy on unused items. So you buy it and try it, you own it. Unless you have a very small craft, buy a plotter with a larger screen.
Rating: 
-
Garmin GPSMAP 478
* Fantastic. Easy to use both on and off the water. The auto-zoom is wonderful when driving. Worth every penny. ...
Rating: -
Just what the doctor ordered
I had been looking for a new GPS device. As I have a car and a boat, the Garmin 478 was the answer. I just had to search for the right price. I found it, and bought the device I wanted.
Rating: -
The swiss army knife of GPS's
* I purchased this device because I wanted a gps that does well both on the water and on the road. I have been very impressed with it so far. The preloaded water charts have nearly as much depth detail as a paper chart. The display is also very bright and easy to read. Even though I purchased it as more of a backup, I find myself looking at it more than the older built in one on the boat, since the maps and display are so nice.
On the road it works just as well as a decent Automotive model. In my car the beanbag mount sits pretty securely on the dash and has been better for me than the usual suction cup mount. It does not have a touch screen, so it does take a little longer to enter in an address, but that is really the only downside I have come across.
Overall, I would strongly recommend this device to anyone that is looking for a gps that is equally at home on the water or on the road. I was originally considering a handheld like the Colorado, but am glad I came across this device because of its versatility easier to read screen.
Amazon had the best price and shipped it to me in just a few days with the super saver free shipping. ...
Rating: 
-
Good unit but.....
Good GPS unit but..... I move it between my boats and truck. I have the XM Ant with Weather option. Big aid in avoiding Gulf thunderstorms. Power plug difficult to insert and remove. Plug broke after 3-4 times. Garmin customer service very difficult to work with, after several phone calls, emails, they finally sent me the wrong cord as a replacement. Battery failed after 11 months....forget trying to get Garmin to replace that.
