We had the chance to test the first prototype of this engine on the pond of Cazaux while only 6 specimens are produced in the world waiting for a marketing soon. This engine was installed on an aluminium Marcraft connected to an Echomap Ultra sounder.
Gamin has developed this motor to offer its customers a complete electric motorization solution fully connected with its devices. It was a gap in the range for fishermen to switch to a Garmin solution, yet very efficient in terms of depth finder.
Let's find out what's wrong with this engine..
Wireless accessories
First surprise, apart from an electrical connection, the motor is not connected to anything. Both the pedal and the remote control talk to the motor via a wireless connection. Thus, the pedal is not even attached to the boat and it is possible to move it on board if one prefers to leave the steering to the fisherman who is forward or backward. The same goes for the remote control, which can easily remain around the neck.
Hats off to the remote control
If the pedal that controls the electric motor is quite standard, the remote control is built around a splendid color screen (actually it's the screen of the Quatix watch...). This remote control is really intuitive with very easy to understand functions (anchorage, heading to a point...), but also the possibility to point a direction with the remote control so that the engine takes this heading.
Adjustable speed
Special feature of the Garmin Force motor: its screen on the support arm. This screen equipped with LEDs gives at any time the selected speed as well as the chosen mode (navigation, anchoring, heading...). Three other LEDs indicate the battery charge, the GPS connection and the connection to the network. The speed can be adjusted with the foot by turning a large knob (to the right of the pedal).
Quiet, we're sailing!
Garmin has chosen a brushless motor that requires less maintenance (no brushes to change), but above all is very quiet. It's true that this motor doesn't make a sound and that, in the end, you can hear the motorization of the head to give it a direction, rather than the electric motor itself.
This motorization swivels 360°, requiring an electric cable that can be wrapped around the head. The intelligence of the motor avoids making too many turns, the motor turns on itself in the other direction if it is too tangled.
24 or 36 V
This motor can be powered by 24 or 36 volts. At 24 volts, the engine provides 80 pounds of thrust, while at 36 volts, it provides 110 pounds of thrust. This classifies the Garmin Force as a large electric fishing engine.
A strong thrust propeller
As standard, this engine is equipped with a high-performance propeller that provides maximum thrust. This two-bladed propeller has a special notch on the trailing edge. A special propeller for cutting algae will be available as an option. With our Marcraft equipped with a Suzuki 50 hp outboard, we have achieved a top speed of 6.7 km/h driven by the electric motor at full power (in the 24 volt configuration). But this is not the most representative use. In fact, it's more interesting to note how fast the motor stops the boat to keep it in an anchoring position. The Garmin engine responds almost instantaneously to this game.
A very rigid assembly
The quality of construction of the Garmin engine can be felt as soon as you try to put it in the water. This one is very rigid with an aluminum frame. The shaft length is easily adjustable, although this motor is available in 2 lengths depending on the bow configuration.
Equipped for fishing
The Garmin Force comes with a GT54 UHD probe (the same one used in the EchoMap Ultra fishfinders), a CHIRP probe installed under the base. To properly interpret the sonar image, always keep in mind the position of the drive head when using the side view (sideVü), but the mounting on the base is clean.
A successful solution
Available at 3799 euros and 3999 euros depending on the length of the shaft, this Garmin Force is in the high range of electric motors. It is also a very careful construction and a rigid assembly with wireless connections that will be easy and clean to install.
Garmin Force Features
- Tree lengths: 50" (127 cm) or 57" (145 cm)
- Use: Fresh water only
- Engine type: Front electric motor
- Deployment: Manual
- Maximum thrust: 100 lbs in accordance with ISO 13342 standard with the high performance propeller in 36 Vdc. 80lbs in accordance with ISO 13342 standard with the high performance propeller at 24 Vdc
- Power supply: 24 V DC or 36 V DC
- Electric steering: yes
- Launching assistance: compressed air jacks
- Built-in heading sensor: yes
- Built-in GPS: yes, high-sensitivity GPS
- Warranty: 3 years, Composite propeller shaft lifetime warranty
- Waterproofing standard: IPX7
- Remote control included: yes
- Pedal included: yes
- Battery charge: yes
- Multi-speed: yes
Autopilot
- Management control: yes
- Virtual Anchor: yes
- Maintaining course: yes
- Course or heading tracking: yes
- Gestural control: yes, manual+, heading hold+, jog+
Pedal characteristics
- Dimensions: 30 x 22 x 10 cm
- Wireless communication: yes
- Power supply: 12 DV or 2 AA batteries
- AA battery life: approx. 6 months
- Waterproofing standard: IPX7
- Adjustable resistor: yes
Remote control features
- Screen diameter: 3 cm
- Display resolution: 240 x 240 pixels
- Display Type :
- Compatible combined GPS / plotter: yes
- Control Autopilot: yes
- Waterproofing standard: IPX7
- Unsinkable: yes
- Battery life: 43 weeks - without backlighting
Probe GT54UHD-TM
- Frequencies : CHIRP Traditional : High-wide CHIRP 150-240 kHz - ClearVü: Ultra-high definition 800 kHz - SideVü: Ultra-high definition 1,200 kHz and 455 kHz
- Secondary frequencies : CHIRP Traditional: High-wide CHIRP 150-240 kHz - ClearVü 800 kHz - SideVü 455 kHz
- Power: 350 W
- Maximum Depth / Range: CHIRP Traditional: 244 meters - ClearVü: 61 meters -
- SideVü (1,200 kHz): 38 meters on each side; 76 meters total at 10 meters depth - SideVü (455 kHz): 305 meters total (152m/152m)
- Functions : Depth and temperature
- Number of pins: 12-pin (orange connector)
