When it comes to marine electronics sonar navigation, you'll find two very different tools: a handheld GPS that floats and a sonar fish finder that sees below the boat. The Garmin GPSMAP 79s and the Garmin Fishfinder 160C both come from the same brand, but they answer completely different questions. One tells you where you are; the other tells you what's under you. With a clear price gap between them, the right pick depends on whether you spend more time navigating or fishing.
Quick Verdict
Take the GPSMAP 79s if you want a rugged, take-anywhere GPS that floats and tracks position, elevation, and heading. Choose the Fishfinder 160C if your main goal is finding fish without stretching your budget, and you're comfortable with an open-box unit.
At a Glance
| Garmin GPSMAP 79s | Garmin Fishfinder 160C | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | $309.99 | $175.00 |
| Primary job | Handheld marine GPS with compass, altimeter, and barometer | Boat-mounted echo sounder / sonar fish finder |
| Condition | New | New other (open box) |
| Standout capability | Floats, high-res color display, up to 19-hour battery, 10,000 waypoints | Dedicated fish-finding at a more accessible price |
Where Each Product Wins
The GPSMAP 79s wins when your day includes navigating unfamiliar channels, exploring lakes, or going ashore with your device still in hand. Its floating design and built-in sensor suite make it a full-environment instrument. The Fishfinder 160C wins when the job is specific: putting you over fish. It gives you a dedicated sonar unit without the cost of a full navigation system, as long as your boat already knows where it's going.
Product Notes
Garmin GPSMAP 79s Floating Waterproof Handheld Marine GPS Device 010-02635-00
This GPS earns its place on a boat you want to wander far from. It floats, resists water with an IPX7 rating, and keeps its color display readable even in bright sun. The built-in altimeter, barometer, and compass mean you can track position, elevation, and heading in one unit. It also stores up to 10,000 waypoints and runs up to 19 hours in GPS mode, so long days on the water won't leave you stranded. The trade-off is the asking price: at $309.99 it's the more expensive choice here, and its talent is navigation rather than fish-finding. If you already have sonar on board or you simply want a take-anywhere GPS that won't sink if it goes overboard, this is the one.
Garmin Fishfinder 160C Marine Boat Echo Sounder Sonar Fish Finder
The 160C is a dedicated sonar unit for boaters who want to see what's under the hull. It's described as a reliable and accurate echo sounder, and its listed price of $175.00 makes it the more accessible of the two. That affordability comes with an open-box condition tag, so the box or packaging may show signs of handling. It also has a narrow skill set: it's built for fish-finding, not for navigating with waypoints or compass bearings. If you already have a chartplotter or use your phone for GPS, the Fishfinder 160C adds the sonar layer you're missing without demanding a big spend. If you need a full navigation tool, it's not the right fit.
Final Choice by Use Case
Pick the Garmin GPSMAP 79s if you want a rugged, floating handheld that can track your route, remember waypoints, and serve as a compass, barometer, and altimeter. Pick the Garmin Fishfinder 160C if your priority is a sonar view of the water below at a more moderate price, and you already have navigation covered.
