Garmin 743XSV Chartplotter with Airmar B150M in 262

[mluters]

So I decided to finally install a chartplotter and replace the factory transducer after seeing others on this forum complete the task with a very OEM looking install. I decided on the Garmin 743XSV because of the size and features...it’s probably overkill for my needs but it has a faster processor and better resolution than the previous 742XSV. I’ve had the Volvo Penta Easy Connect (which has a NMEA 2000 connection) installed for about 2 years and although it provides great info, I found it hard to use and was looking for a more permanent way to see the data on the instrument cluster. As far as transducers go...I decided on replacing the OEM transducer with a Airmar B150M mainly because it’s the best 2 inch diameter transducer I could find which also has CHIRP sonar. Since I’m not a fisherman, I don’t need the best transducer money can buy and I didn’t want to drill a larger hole in the hull or install a transom mount transducer. I’m still learning about the functionality of this unit but so far it seems fast and user friendly. Here are a few photos of the installed unit.

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[bruceb58]

Looks good. Nice install.

[Big Block Power]

That's awesome and looks great.

[AsLan7]

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Looks like a nice product Mluters. Thanks for posting pictures. I will say the perfectionist in me has a hard time reconciling the rectangle Garmin overlapping on a trapezoidal background. Regardless, enjoy the update!

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[mluters]

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Looks like a nice product Mluters. Thanks for posting pictures. I will say the perfectionist in me has a hard time reconciling the rectangle Garmin overlapping on a trapezoidal background. Regardless, enjoy the update!

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AsLan7,
I agree...I think a lot of us are perfectionists who own Cobalts but there was no getting around the trapezoidal storage compartment shape. I tried to keep the lower trim straight and aligned with the chartplotter but there was no way to adjust the top trim. This was as close to the the OEM look as I could get.

[AsLan7]

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Looks like a nice product Mluters. Thanks for posting pictures. I will say the perfectionist in me has a hard time reconciling the rectangle Garmin overlapping on a trapezoidal background. Regardless, enjoy the update!

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AsLan7,
I agree...I think a lot of us are perfectionists who own Cobalts but there was no getting around the trapezoidal storage compartment shape. I tried to keep the lower trim straight and aligned with the chartplotter but there was no way to adjust the top trim. This was as close to the the OEM look as I could get.

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Ya...it's just me. The important thing is that you're satisfied. Keep us updated on your use throughout the summer. It's right around the corner-- thank goodness.

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[RTyeck]

Really nice job on that installation! I put mine in last summer shortly after buying a 2013 242. I was nervous the entire time I was doing it! Did you find it difficult connecting the gages to your Garman? I’ve read, reread and still a little afraid to tackle that part of the job. Suggestions? I’ve been told the OBD port is under the dash somewhere. Thinking of taking this on this summer possibly. I agree with the previous postings. The angles were really strange to work with.

[mluters]

Really nice job on that installation! I put mine in last summer shortly after buying a 2013 242. I was nervous the entire time I was doing it! Did you find it difficult connecting the gages to your Garman? I’ve read, reread and still a little afraid to tackle that part of the job. Suggestions? I’ve been told the OBD port is under the dash somewhere. Thinking of taking this on this summer possibly. I agree with the previous postings. The angles were really strange to work with.

If you have the Volvo Penta Easy Connect, [url]https://www.volvopenta.com/en-us/marine ... y-connect/ [url] then connecting the gauges is a piece of cake because all the engine data is sent through a NMEA 2000 network to your Garmin unit. My Easy Connect harness is on top of the engine near the starboard riser and there is no OBD port on my boat. The Easy Connect has two connections...one is connected to the engine harness and the other goes to your NMEA 2000 network which then connects to your chartplotter to provide engine data.

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[KTV262]

I recently had the Garmin 743 and B150M transducer installed on my 262. When they hooked it up, I lost the depth gauge display and depth reading on the digital display within the speedometer. Can they be kept active along with the Garmin and if so are any additional cables needed?

[mluters]

KTV262,
You lost the signal for the depth gauge on your speedometer because the new B150M is only connected to your Garmin chartplotter and that’s where your depth gauge reading is now located. I don’t know of any cable adapters that would allow you to split the signal and send it to your dashboard gauges because I believe your Garmin unit uses a 9 pin cable and your dashboard gauge uses something else.