Dash Electronics upgrade

[mjpalmiscno]

Recently purchased a 2011 Freedom 225. Looking to upgrade the electronics. The original garmin is inset in the dash. Any tips/ideas how to redo the dash so I can take out the old graph and put in a new one? Do I need to re Fiberglas? Is there other options? Pictures of what you’ve done would be greatly appreciated

 

[Hookup1]

I don't know your boat but most GW's have a panel that can be re-used or replaced. Some are going with the carbon fiber look others like me have done Starboard in Seafoam color. Fiberglassing the old hole and re-cutting is the cleanest look but its' an expensive way to go.

 

[Capt Bill]

mj,
If you post a photo or 2 of the helm electronics layout as it is now, and what you are thinking of installing, I think you might get some more specific suggestions.

 

[mjpalmiscno]

mj,
If you post a photo or 2 of the helm electronics layout as it is now, and what you are thinking of installing, I think you might get some more specific suggestions.

 

[Kizuna]

I agree with Capt Bill, pics of your set up would help. I used black acrylic to match the other box covers and cabin hatch.

 

[TommyGirl225]

I’m interested to see if what you end up doing. I have a 2015 Freedom 225 and the garmin won’t update (won’t register any SD cards. It’s also a weird year where it has WiFi connectivity but can’t update maps that way (confirmed with garmin). Eventually I will need to replace the panel and hopefully it’s a plug and play with just a bit of adjusting the cut out.

 

[Capt Bill]

mj,
It seems as though you replied, and I don't know if you tried posting any photos, but none are displaying here.
Also want to ask what electronics have you decided to use?

 

[Capt Bill]

I’m interested to see if what you end up doing. I have a 2015 Freedom 225 and the garmin won’t update (won’t register any SD cards. It’s also a weird year where it has WiFi connectivity but can’t update maps that way (confirmed with garmin). Eventually I will need to replace the panel and hopefully it’s a plug and play with just a bit of adjusting the cut out.

Sean,
Did you download the suite of updates to a blank SD card, and try to do updates that way? It took me 2 tries, but with a new blank card, it worked. When I installed the card, a pop up window appeared, and offered to do the update. Clicked yes, or OK, or whatever it was, and in just about a minute, it was successful.

Before I did that, it wouldn't recognize a GSD24 in had just installed, but after the update, it did, and everything worked as it should.
Garmin software updates

 

[TommyGirl225]

I tried it all and even called customer support. They agreed my slots are just fried.