Choosing a chartplotter for marine electronics sonar navigation usually comes down to three questions: what features you need, which accessories come in the box, and how much wear you are willing to accept. These four Garmin chartplotters cover a wide listed-price spread, and that spread maps to different feature sets and included accessories. The lowest-priced unit, the GPSMAP 440S, is the only one that arrives with a cover, mount, and power cord. The GPSmap 545s is the only unit listed as a chartplotter/fishfinder and in new-other condition. The two MFD models, the GPSMap 4210 and GPSMap 4212, are both tested working and include a cover, but neither includes cables, cards, or mounts.
Quick Take
If you want a nearly complete chartplotter package at a lower listed price, the GPSMAP 440S is the most straightforward pick. If fishfinding matters as much as navigation, the 545s is the better match among lower-priced options. If you need a multi-function display and already have cables, cards, and a mount, the 4212 or 4210 is the stronger fit; just be ready for normal wear.
Listed Price Comparison
Here is how the listed prices line up.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 440S chartplotter with suncover and mount | USD 279.99 | |
| Garmin GPSmap 545s chartplotter and fishfinder | USD 349.99 | |
| Garmin GPSMap 4210 MFD with sun cover | USD 799.99 | |
| Garmin GPSMap 4212 MFD with sun cover | USD 799.99 |
Decision Matrix
| If you prioritize... | Pick this unit |
|---|---|
| A ready package with cover, mount, and power cord | Garmin GPSMAP 440S |
| Chartplotting and fishfinding in one new-other unit | Garmin GPSmap 545s |
| A tested MFD at the upper price point with no cables or mounts included | Garmin GPSMap 4212 MFD |
| A tested MFD with the same limitations and a Taiwan-origin designation | Garmin GPSMap 4210 MFD |
Product Notes
Garmin GPSMAP 440S
This used 440S is the only unit here that comes with a cover, a mount, and a power cord. For someone starting fresh, that package removes the need to source mounting hardware separately. The Garmin branding, United States origin, and part number GPSmap 440S are clear. On the other hand, it is listed as Used with no custom bundle, so it is not a fishfinder-equipped package. If your fishing style needs sonar output, this chartplotter alone will not cover it. The included accessories make it easy to get going, but the used condition is the trade-off you are accepting for the lower listed price.
Garmin GPSmap 545s
The 545s stands out in two ways: it combines chartplotting and fishfinding, and it is listed in new-other condition. The unit comes with cables still zip-tied to it and does not appear to have been installed. There is no box, and the cover has some scratches. For a shopper who wants a single unit to navigate and see fish, this is the only option in this group that pairs those functions. The limitation is that you are not getting a complete package: there is no mount, no cover, and no box, so you will need to supply those separately. The zip-tied cables are a useful starting point, however.
Garmin GPSMap 4212 MFD
The 4212 is a pre-owned multi-function display that has been tested working. It includes the cover, but the unit does not include any cables, cards, or mounts, so this is a display upgrade for someone who already has those pieces. Normal wear from use, age, and storage is noted. If you are replacing or upgrading an existing Garmin MFD and can reuse your current cabling and mounting, the tested-working status is the main reason to consider the 4212. The trade-off is that the package is not complete, and the pre-owned condition means you should expect some cosmetic signs of handling.
Garmin GPSMap 4210 MFD
This MFD sits at the same listed price as the 4212 and shares the same basic setup: pre-owned, tested working, cover included, but no cables, cards, or mounts. It carries a Taiwan-origin designation, while the 4212 has a GPSMAP 4212 model number. If the distinction between the two MFD model designations matters to you, that is the difference to consider. The practical advantage is the same: you get a tested working Garmin display with a cover. The practical limitation is also the same: you must bring your own cable, card, and mount hardware, and you should expect wear consistent with a used unit.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Let your accessory situation and fishfinding needs decide.
- Start with a more complete kit: Choose the Garmin GPSMAP 440S if you want a cover, mount, and power cord included at a lower listed price. It is used, so accept that condition.
- Add fishfinding: Choose the Garmin GPSmap 545s if you want chartplotter and fishfinder functions in one unit and can work around a scratched cover and missing box. It is the only new-other option here.
- Upgrade an existing MFD setup: Choose the Garmin GPSMap 4212 or 4210 if you already own Garmin cables, cards, and a mount. Both are tested working and include a sun cover at $799.99, but no mounting or connection hardware. Pick the model designation you prefer; the 4212 has a GPSMAP 4212 model number, while the 4210 carries a Taiwan-origin designation. Expect normal wear.
