Choosing between a dedicated fishfinder and a full chartplotter is one of the first forks you hit when outfitting a boat. Spend less on an echo sounder built for one job, or step up to a chartplotter that can receive network data and guide your route? These two Garmin marine electronics sit on different sides of that split, and the difference shows up in both price and capability.
Quick verdict
The Garmin Fishfinder 160C is the direct, sonar-first pick for anglers who want a dedicated fish finder. The GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA is the chartplotter for boaters who need navigation and system connections on one panel.
Side-by-side comparison
| Garmin Fishfinder 160C | GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 175.00 | USD 699.95 |
| Price bar | ||
| Core job | Fish-finding echo sounder sonar | Touchscreen chartplotter with GPS |
| Panel style | Dedicated sonar display | Touchscreen with multiple ports |
| Best fit | Sonar-only fishing | Charting and boat system integration |
Where each wins
Where the Fishfinder 160C wins: It costs less, and it is built around a single job: echo-sounder sonar for finding fish. Its dedicated display keeps fishing data separate from navigation, making it an easy addition to a boat that already has a plotter.
Where the GPSMAP 8008 Volvo Penta wins: It brings chartplotting and navigation into the same panel, and its connection list includes NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, four network ports, DVI-I video, and CVBS 1 and 2 inputs. That makes it more of a central hub than a simple sonar screen.
Product notes
Garmin Fishfinder 160C Marine Boat Echo Sounder Sonar Fish Finder
The Fishfinder 160C is a dedicated echo sounder sonar unit from Garmin and the lower-priced option in this matchup. If you already have a plotter or prefer to keep sonar in its own box, this open-box unit gives you a focused fish-finding display rather than a multifunction screen. The listed manufacturer part number, FISHFINDER 160C, makes it easy to look up before you buy. Its described role is fish-finding sonar, so you would pair it with a separate unit when charting is also on your list. For an angler who wants to mark structure and bait without paying for a chartplotter, this is the more direct use of money.
GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA TOUCH SCREEN CHARTPLOTTER 2VD000078 MARINE BOAT
The GPSMAP 8008 Volvo Penta unit takes the higher-priced position in this comparison. Touchscreen chartplotting is the headline, but the spec list goes further with NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 connections, four network ports, DVI-I video, CVBS 1 and CVBS 2 inputs, plus ENGINE, HOUSE, POWER, and mounting connections. That makes it a strong candidate when you want engine and boat data on one navigational screen. The trade-off is cost: this is the higher-priced unit, and that money buys charting, networking, and a larger interface. If you only need sonar to find fish, the extra investment would not be doing useful work.
Final choice by use case
- Choose the Garmin Fishfinder 160C for sonar-focused fishing. At $175.00, it gives you a dedicated echo sounder without taking on the cost of a chartplotter.
- Choose the GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA when you want a central navigation display and system connections. The $699.95 price buys chartplotting and multi-port networking.
- If you are building a new setup and are unsure how much nav you need, start with the sonar-focused unit and add a chartplotter later as your routes demand it.
