Topic: New 1198 for US market - does it work in Europe?

[BalticProject]

Few years ago I bought HB 998c SI for US market and so far  it works fine in Europe in  my country (Poland).This year I'm gonna go for HB1198c SI but recently heard stories that models for US market don't work in Europe (GPS doesn't work) Can someone confirm this?Of course I could buy international version from my local dealer but the price is almost double.
On the HB site in FAQs there's written: "Products with GPS functions do not allow for time zones to be reset outside of the US time zones. This will affect your ability to acquire satellites. " And now I'm affraid to spend 2500$ and get useless machine....

[Humminbird_Greg]

Yes I can confirm that there have been stories about our Domestic (U.S.) version unit’s GPS not working overseas.  I can also confirm that they are wrong.  GPS is GPS, we don’t program them not to work in any specific area of the world.  The 998c Si unit you have now works and has the same restrictions that the 1198c Si unit will have.

However, officially I have to state that you should buy an International model unit at your local dealer.

[sonar2000]

GPS works by the unit receiving visible satelites in the sky and therefor does not care which model. Now the program operation may have different settings for things like time offset but generally talking GPS is GPS. I would think any map should load and as long as it is for your particular area should show your position.. I dont know which map is the base map for a unit shipped without an SD card map..
Chuck

[Humminbird_Greg]

I think that he was worried that we did some sort of geo-fencing (I think that is what it is called), such that the GPS would not operate outside of the U.S.

Domestic units would only have more detailed mapping for the U.S.
They would have a base world map though but I don’t know how many (if any) lakes would be shown.

[sonar2000]

that is what I said...GPS is GPS..

Chuck

[navionic]

I think that he was worried that we did some sort of geo-fencing (I think that is what it is called), such that the GPS would not operate outside of the U.S.

Yes. This protection technology used by Lowrance. BalticProject confused

[auto culto]

I use a US version in the UK and have had no problems with the gps. What I do find strange is that hummingbird sell a unit that wont update for timezones. So if your thing was long distance sailing and you opted for a hummingbird unit it wont update if you leave the US. Is this safe ?

[navionic]

I use a US version in the UK and have had no problems with the gps. What I do find strange is that hummingbird sell a unit that wont update for timezones. So if your thing was long distance sailing and you opted for a hummingbird unit it wont update if you leave the US. Is this safe ?

Is safe to use your unit for the U.S. at any point of the Earth. Disadvantage only in the absence of your time zone on the screen. That is the exact time.

[auto culto]

only ever used it in the uk. It aquires gps fixes faster than any other unit i have used and is very accurate. Only time is diplayed incorrect and you only get feet and fathams. Uk units include meters and time is correct. Maps work perfect. The unit is great and there is no way I would spend another grand just to correct these 2 minor issues. TIP, when you go out on the boat dont forget your watch 

[coriobay]

I have the US version in Australia
Works fine, Lock on sat time is fast
Limitations are, Feet,Miles,Fahrenheit,No trip log,Time is incorrect,Return to the states for warranty

Pros
Price is good, i can afford to send the unit back 5 times to egual Australian price and i can live with the limitations, However the strong Aus $ has made the gap almost worth buying local.