Garmin GPSMAP 7412
It’s possible the Garmin GPSMAP 7412 is packed with more features than most owners will ever make use of. But as Kieran Andrews from Garmin NZ points out, modern marine electronics are more userfriendly than ever before, so it’s much easier to take advantage of their features.
The touch-screen GPSMAP 7412 aboard the Hutchwilco Boat Show Gate Prize is intuitive to use and can supply a dizzying array of data from a variety of sources. The 12-inch Garmin MFD displays dual Chirp sonar, XHD high-definition Radar with a nominal 42nm range, top of the line mapping and navigation functions, GPS data and Garmin’s Sidevu and Clearvu sonars when the appropriate transducers are fitted.
Charting includes separate navigation and fishing charts, the latter with more detailed depth contour information from a bathymetric chart. Users can also create custom bathymetric charts using Garmin’s Quick Draw Contours function. It takes real time sonar returns to create a picture of the bottom. Over time users can create their own hyper-detailed charts of favourite fishing areas
The network and Wi-fi capable MFD accepts a range of NMEA 2000 and 0183 inputs, including Yamaha engine data and fuel flow, as well as media from the Fusion stereo. Using the combinations tab, users can set up their own favourite custom screens to display any mix of data. Split screens are easy to configure with different-sized windows, depending on which set of data is most important.
All the unit’s major functions are accessed via menus and virtual buttons.
Equipped with a powerful 1kw transducer, the Garmin GPSMAP 7412 utilises Chirp sonar for improved separation of targets in the water and enhanced detail. Chirp sonar transmits and receives simultaneous bursts of sonar pulses across a range of frequencies.
This unit has selectable high and low frequency Chirp modes. High frequency Chirp is great for identifying targets down to 300m; low frequency Chirp is good for water up to 1000m deep.
See an interesting mark on the sonar screen? Simply put your finger on the mark and the unit will set a waypoint on the electronic chart you can navigate back to. Easy. Kieran offers two bits of advice for getting the best from any MFD. Play with the unit until you are completely familiar with it. The Garmin can be used out of the water so you can familiarise yourself with its many modes and functions at your leisure, just be sure to disable the sonar to avoid damaging the transducer – there’s a menu option to disable it.
It takes only a short while to learn to operate the GPSMAP 7412 because “it’s just so easy to use,” says Kieran.
His other advice is to use the manual gain when operating the sounder/fish finder. While ‘auto’ mode does a reasonable job under most conditions, manually adjusting the sonar gain will give you the best possible picture of what’s in the water column.
Adjusting the gain removes clutter, leaving only fish targets, gives a more accurate indication of bottom type, and allows you to identify thermoclines. A small adjustment to the gain can make a big difference to what you see on the display, so be prepared to make adjustments, says Kieran, whenever you identify something of interest on the sonar display.