Choosing between a full chartplotter and a dedicated fishfinder is one of the first decisions in marine electronics sonar navigation. Do you need a touchscreen chartplotter to navigate with charts, or a dedicated echo sounder to find fish without a big investment? Garmin offers two very different answers: the GPSMAP 1242xsv Touch Chartplotter Marine GPS Display is listed at USD 1,897.00, while the Fishfinder 160C Marine Boat Echo Sounder Sonar Fish Finder is listed at USD 175.00.
Quick verdict: If your time on the water is mostly about navigating unfamiliar areas and you want a bright, touchscreen chartplotter at the helm, the GPSMAP 1242xsv is the serious choice. If the main job is sonar fish finding and you want to keep the setup simple, the Fishfinder 160C is the practical pick.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Condition | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv Touch Chartplotter | USD 1,897.00 | Used, fully functional | Navigation with a touchscreen | |
| Garmin Fishfinder 160C | USD 175.00 | New open box | Sonar fish finding |
Where the GPSMAP 1242xsv wins
The GPSMAP 1242xsv is a touchscreen chartplotter, which means it is built around navigation: charts, routes, and waypoints all live in one helm display. The unit listed here comes with a cover and power cable, and the screen is clear and bright. If you want a display that covers your navigation needs, this is the product that fits that role.
Where the Fishfinder 160C wins
The Fishfinder 160C is a dedicated marine boat echo sounder sonar fish finder. It keeps its focus on finding fish rather than trying to do everything. If your priority is sonar feedback and you do not need chartplotting, this product gives you that function without the extra complexity of a full navigation display.
Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv Touch Chartplotter
The GPSMAP 1242xsv is a touchscreen chartplotter designed for navigation, and the unit listed is a used display that has been removed from service and tested. It is still in good working condition, with a clear and bright screen, and it comes with a cover and power cable. If you want a single, capable display to guide you through charts and routes, this product is built for that job. One clear limitation is condition: this unit has already seen use, even though it remains fully functional and the screen is bright. If navigation is the main reason you are shopping, this display is ready to take that role.
Garmin Fishfinder 160C
The Fishfinder 160C is a straightforward marine boat echo sounder sonar fish finder. It comes as a new open-box unit, which means the product itself is in new condition but the packaging has been opened. Its purpose is to give you sonar performance while you are fishing, without the complexity of a full chartplotter. The practical limitation is that it is not a navigation display: it lacks the touchscreen chartplotting capability of the GPSMAP 1242xsv, so if you need route planning and chart display at the helm, this is not the product for that job. For boaters who already have a navigation source or simply want a dedicated fish finder, the Fishfinder 160C keeps the setup focused.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Garmin GPSMAP 1242xsv if your priority is navigation with a touchscreen chartplotter. Choose the Garmin Fishfinder 160C if your priority is sonar fish finding and you prefer a more focused setup. The right pick comes down to whether your next trip revolves around the route or the fish.
