Marine Electronics Sonar Navigation: Choose a Used Chartplotter for Sonar, GPS, or MFD Use

Choosing marine electronics sonar navigation gear is less about picking a name and more about deciding what matters at the helm: the lowest listed entry price, dedicated sonar and charting features, network integration, or a Garmin GPSMAP MFD with a sun cover. All four choices are used, but their stated equipment and prices point toward notably different priorities.

Quick take

• Pick the Lowrance LCX-19C Legacy Marine Sonar And GPS Chartplotter when the main goal is a straightforward used sonar and GPS chartplotter at the lowest listed price.
• Choose the Raymarine E70534 Element 9HV Boat Marine FishFinder CHIRP Sonar GPS Chartplotter for CHIRP sonar, support for Navionics and C-MAP charting options, dedicated keypad controls, and NMEA2000 networking.
• The Garmin GPSMap 4212 MFD w/ Sun Cover Boat Marine GPS Chartplotter Tested Working is the higher-priced Garmin MFD choice and includes a sun cover in its title.
• Go with the Garmin GPSMap 6208 MFD w/ Sun Cover Boat Marine GPS Chartplotter Tested Working when a Garmin MFD with sun cover is the fit, but its lower listed price than the GPSMAP 4212 is more appealing.

The listed prices run from $160.00 to $799.99, a spread of $639.99. That makes the first decision especially clear: whether a legacy Lowrance sonar/GPS unit covers the need, or whether the Raymarine and Garmin feature sets better match the boat's setup.

Listed price comparison

Decision matrix

For the lowest listed-price route: The Lowrance LCX-19C is the direct choice. Its title combines marine sonar, GPS, and chartplotter functions without moving into the higher prices of the other three options.

For sonar mapping and connected onboard electronics: The Raymarine Element 9 HV stands apart with CHIRP sonar, RealBathy personal sonar mapping, Navionics SonarCharts Live support, and NMEA2000 integration for items such as VHF, engine, tank, and heading-sensor connections.

For a Garmin GPSMAP MFD with a sun cover: Both Garmin choices fit that description and are stated as tested and working. The key split is price and the accessories called out in each description.

For dedicated controls: Raymarine is the only option here described with user-programmable keys and dedicated keypad controls, giving it a distinct appeal for shoppers who favor keyed operation.

Product notes

Raymarine Element 9 HV

The Raymarine E70534 Element 9HV Boat Marine FishFinder CHIRP Sonar GPS Chartplotter suits a boat owner looking to combine fish-finding and navigation with more connected-electronics capability. CHIRP sonar is named directly in the title, while the description adds Navionics and C-MAP charting options, NMEA2000 networking, RealBathy mapping, and SonarCharts Live support. User-programmable keys and dedicated keypad controls are another reason to favor this Raymarine over a simpler chartplotter. At USD 699.95, it sits close to the upper end of this group, and the listed condition is used. That higher listed price makes the strongest case when those sonar, charting, and networking functions are central to the decision.

Lowrance LCX-19C Legacy Marine Sonar And GPS Chartplotter

The Lowrance LCX-19C Legacy Marine Sonar And GPS Chartplotter is the cleanest match for someone prioritizing a lower-cost entry into a sonar and GPS chartplotter combination. Its USD 160.00 listed price is far below the Raymarine and Garmin choices, while its title still identifies the core marine-navigation and sonar functions. The description also characterizes the interface as user-friendly and the design as sleek. The tradeoff is that this is explicitly a legacy model, is used, and has cosmetic wear. Choose the LCX-19C when straightforward sonar/GPS chartplotting is the aim and the low listed price outweighs the appeal of the more feature-specific Raymarine or Garmin MFD options.

Garmin GPSMAP 4212 MFD with Sun Cover

The Garmin GPSMap 4212 MFD w/ Sun Cover Boat Marine GPS Chartplotter Tested Working is aimed at shoppers who specifically want a Garmin GPSMAP MFD and a sun cover. The description states that the unit was tested and working properly, with wear from normal use, age, and storage. At USD 799.99, it is the highest-listed choice in the comparison, so it is best suited to a buyer committed to this GPSMAP 4212 model rather than simply seeking the least expensive MFD. A key limitation is the stated lack of cables, cards, and mounts. Its used condition and normal-use wear also make it a choice for shoppers comfortable with a pre-owned marine electronics unit.

Garmin GPSMAP 6208 MFD with Sun Cover

The Garmin GPSMap 6208 MFD w/ Sun Cover Boat Marine GPS Chartplotter Tested Working offers the same broad Garmin GPSMAP MFD-and-sun-cover direction as the 4212, at USD 599.99. It is described as pre-owned, in good shape, and tested and working properly, making it a practical fit for a shopper who wants that named Garmin MFD format without choosing the highest-priced option here. The description notes wear from normal use, age, and storage. It also states that no cables or cards are included, which is an important limitation of the package described. Select the GPSMAP 6208 when the Garmin MFD title and included sun cover matter most, while the lower listed price than the GPSMAP 4212 remains a deciding factor.

Final recommendation by use case

For the most price-focused sonar/GPS chartplotter choice, select the Lowrance LCX-19C Legacy Marine Sonar And GPS Chartplotter. For CHIRP sonar, multiple charting options, keypad controls, and NMEA2000 networking, the Raymarine Element 9 HV is the more feature-specific direction. For a tested-working Garmin GPSMAP MFD with sun cover, choose the GPSMAP 6208 when its lower listed price is preferable, or the GPSMAP 4212 when that exact model is the priority.