When you're choosing marine electronics sonar navigation, the first decision is often about form, not just features. Do you want a GPS that rides in your hand, or a chartplotter that becomes part of the helm? The Garmin GPSMAP 79s and the Garmin 8008 Volvo Penta sit on opposite sides of that question, and their listed prices reflect it: $309.99 for the handheld, $699.95 for the helm display.
Quick verdict
If you want a rugged, portable GPS you can take anywhere on the water, the Garmin GPSMAP 79s is the straightforward pick. If you're outfitting a fixed helm and want a touchscreen chartplotter, the Garmin GPS MAP 8008 Volvo Penta is the unit to build around.
Price comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 79s Floating Waterproof Handheld Marine GPS Device | USD 309.99 | |
| GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA TOUCH SCREEN CHARTPLOTTER | USD 699.95 |
Where each product wins
- Garmin GPSMAP 79s wins when portability and peace of mind on the water matter most. It is built to float, is water-resistant to IPX7, and packs a compass, altimeter, and barometer into a handheld body.
- Garmin 8008 Volvo Penta wins when the chartplotter is the centerpiece of a wired helm. It comes with mounting holes and a multi-connection design that suits a permanent installation.
Product notes
Garmin GPSMAP 79s Floating Waterproof Handheld Marine GPS Device
This is the one that belongs in your hand when you're moving around the boat. It's rugged, water-resistant to IPX7, and designed to float, so a splash or an unexpected dunk does not have to end the trip. The built-in compass, altimeter, and barometer make it useful beyond basic waypoint navigation, and it remembers up to 10,000 waypoints. The high-resolution color display is readable in the sun and is scratch-resistant and fogproof, and the battery lasts up to 19 hours in GPS mode. The limitation is that this is a handheld, not a fixed chartplotter: if your plan is a permanent console installation, the 8008's fixed helm design is a better match.
GARMIN GPS MAP 8008 VOLVO PENTA TOUCH SCREEN CHARTPLOTTER
This chartplotter takes the opposite approach: a fixed unit built for a helm. It's a Garmin GPS MAP 8008 Volvo Penta touchscreen chartplotter, and the unit includes mounting holes plus a long set of connections, including NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, four network connections, two CVBS video inputs, and a DVI-I video connection. That makes it a more involved installation project than a handheld, but it also means the unit can sit at the center of a wired helm setup. The black front panel has a single power button and Garmin branding. The trade-off is portability: this is designed for a helm, not something you carry with you or expect to float. If you already have a helm space where a chartplotter belongs, this fills that role; if you need something in your hand, the GPSMAP 79s is the one.
Final choice by use case
Choose the Garmin GPSMAP 79s if you need a handheld GPS for trips where portability matters most, and you want a unit that is at home in the elements.
Choose the Garmin GPS MAP 8008 Volvo Penta if you're installing a chartplotter at the helm and need the wired connection options and mounting design that a permanent unit provides.
