Garmin GPSMAP 540/540s

29 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Usability (31)
Value for money (8)
Build quality (7)
Screen (1)

Negative
Memory (1)
Design (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 29 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the screen and build quality. The value for money and usability are also mentioned favorably, but there are some critical views about the memory and design.

usability, value for money, build quality, screen

design, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other GPS the Garmin GPSMAP 540/540s is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 76/100 = Good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 29 reviews)

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(76% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (17% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (3% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (no reviews)

Features

Usability
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More features

Showing 30 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 30 Show Reviews: in English

Consumer review by: (amazon.com)

Amazon review summary for the Garmin GPSMAP 540/540s

alaTest has collected and analyzed 5 user reviews of the Garmin GPSMAP 540/540s from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other products on Amazon.com.

usability

100% of reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

May, 2013

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Consumer review by: (ciao.com)

SD card slot makes it easy to add additional maps

Manufacturer's product description of Garmin GPSMAP 540 is ;

The SD card slot makes it easy to add additional maps without connecting to a computer

sometime it may be off

Jun, 2009

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Consumer review by: xieht2009 (ciao.com)

Garmin GPSMAP 540s

Superior performance

Smaller memory

Mar, 2009

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Consumer review by: odsite (ciao.com)

Move With - Garmin GPSMAP 540s

Navigate the High Seas The 540 has preloaded detailed maps covering all U.S. coastal areas and the Bahamas. For other areas, the 540 has a worldwide basemap with satellite images in place of more traditional maps. The SD card slot makes it easy to add...

Very Reliable

To Simple Design

Mar, 2009

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Consumer review by: Czar (amazon.com)

Does it all

Opened the box connected the cables to a battery and I was using the Garmin in 5 mins. It is very easy to use and it has alot more information then I expected. Great unit, I would tell me friends to buy one today. You can go wrong with a Garmin.

Feb, 2009

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Consumer review by: Mr. Mom (amazon.com)

Garmin 540S

I purchased the Garmin 540S for my 30' sailboat after several years of procrasting about doing it due to the high cost. Since the cost has come down for this unit, I jumped for it and I'm glad I did. I was concerned that the small screen would be hard...

Oct, 2008

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Consumer review by: Robert Gottlieb (amazon.com)

Garmin gpsmap 540

Amazingly easy to use... compared to my old simrad.. the screen is quite clear and easy to read in sunlite.. the screen resolution for depth, and bouy locations is hard to find the right scale sometimes, but for the price I'll make due.. probably...

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review by: (buyzillion.com)

Garmin gpsmap 540

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review by: tailfeathers (cameraworld.com)

Not Satified

Can not keep on track when running. Sometimes will show you turning or be off to the side of you running on land when you know you are right in the channel. Added external antenia and this did not help. Upgrade software..nothing. Does not have trip log...

"Compact","Easy To Set Up"

"Unreliable","Inaccurate"

Sep, 2008

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Consumer review by: Bluenose.2008 (cameraworld.com)

What a Machine this Garmin 540/545S is.

The Garmin 540/545S is a very reliable piece of equipment.It surely makes my Raymarine C-80 with radar look inadequate and unreliable. I think the Garmin has better more reliable software.It's G2 maps are very accurate. The equipment was purchased May...

"Simple Controls","Best of it's Class","Versatile","Easy To Read","Compact","Strong Construction","Reliable Performance","Easy To Set Up"

"No Cons on the Product","It does notGet any Better"

Sep, 2008

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Product Specifications

This offshore mariner's chartplotter flush-mounts easily in your boat and sports preloaded BlueChart g2 maps for the coast of the U.S. and Bahamas. The GPSMAP 540s also features a 5" QVGA display and simple, straightforward buttons and menus. You can add the optional BlueChart g2 Vision SD card for even more enhanced features.The 540s has preloaded detailed maps cover all U.S. coastal areas and the Bahamas. For other areas, the 540s has a worldwide basemap with satellite images in place of more traditional maps. The SD card slot makes it easy to add additional maps without connecting to a computer. And with just a few buttons and a simple, intuitive interface, the 540s makes navigating your way through the water easy.The GPSMAP 540s comes with a powerful dual frequency transducer that clearly paints depth contours, fish targets and structure whether you're fishing in fresh water or off the coast. It's also CANet compatible, so you can share sounder data with another chartplotter on your boat.