Garmin 7610xsv vs Garmin 8610xsv

Garmin GPSMAP - 8600 vs 7600 Comparison

What is the difference between the Garmin 8600 and the 7600?

The key difference is in performance but there are some additional features and more rear connections.

Here’s the detailed breakdown.

In short, the 8600s are faster, have a much crisper-looking screen, and come preloaded with the new BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal and LakeVü g3 maps featuring Navionics data. The 7600 series comes with BlueChart g2 U.S. coastal.

Another big addition is the Ultra High-Definition ClearVü | SideVü scanning sonar with a connection for Livescope.

UHD sonar transmits brilliant image clarity of structure and fish at greater depths than other high-frequency scanning sonars by utilizing a downward-facing element that puts more power on targets.

Clearvu vs Ultra High-Definition Scanning Sonar

The 8600 touchscreens are built around the new Full HD In-plane Switching (IPS) technology that enables us to see the screen from virtually any angle and even with polarized sunglasses. It’s very clear and very bright.

The other notable differences are the rear connections. The 8600 series have 2 HDMI connections, a USB port, an LVS Sonar connection, and an audio out plug. See side by side comparison below

Garmin GPSMAP 8612xsv - Rear Connections

Garmin 8600 | Rear Connections

Garmin 7600 | Rear Connections

Another key difference is the memory card slots. The 7600 has 2 slots in the front but the 8600 has 2 slots in the back.

The benefit is that the 8600 has a slightly smaller footprint but I record a lot of sonar for reviewing later on homeport as well as merging data from boat to boat and getting easy access to the back of the unit isn’t always easy.

The solution is to add an external card reader, but then again that’s something else to buy/install.

I’ve included a detailed comparison below along with a couple of pictures of the rear connections of both.

The general consensus is… that if you are building a new boat or need the new features, opt. for the 8600 but if you’re just wanting a second unit and already have a 7600, then stick to the 7600 because they are solid units and quite a bit less expensive.

Note: XSV = Built in Sonar

CURRENT PRICES • REVIEWS

7610xsv | 7612xsv | 7616xsv

8610xsv | 8612xsv | 8616xsv

Garmin 8600 vs 7600

Garmin | 8600 vs 7600 – Comparison InfoGraphic

Garmin 7616xsv vs 8616xsv

Product Name	Garmin 7616xsv Garmin 8616xsv
Product Image
Brand	Garmin Garmin
Category	Chartplotters \| Fishfinders Chartplotters \| Fishfinders

General

Model	7616xsv GPSMAP 8616xsv
Physical dimensions	16.8" x 10.8" x 3.4" (42.7 x 27.4 x 8.6 cm) 15.1" x 10.3" x 3" 38.5cm x 26.3cm x 7.6cm
Weight	9.5 lbs. 9.6 lbs.
Water rating	IPX7 IPX7
Display type	WXGA display WUXGA \| IPS Touchsreen
Display size	13.6" x 7.6"; 15.6" diagonal (34.5 x 19.3 cm; 39.6 cm diagonal) 13.6" x 7.7"\| 15.6" diagonal
Display resolution	1366 x 768 pixels 1920 x 1080 pixels
Display - Brightness	Not Available Not Available
Power consumption	Max power usage at 10 Vdc: 57.2 W Typical current draw at 12 Vdc: 3.8 A Max current draw at 12 Vdc: 5.2 A 4.2A \| 10-32V
GPS Antenna	Internal or external NMEA_2000 Internal or external NMEA_2000
GPS Receiver	10 Hz GPS/GLONASS 10 Hz GPS/GLONASS/Galileo
Mounting options	Bail, flat or flush Bail, flat or flush

Maps & Memory

Model	7616xsv 8616xsv
On-Board Memory	No
Accepts data cards	2 SD™ cards 2 Micro SD™ cards
Waypoints	5,000 5,000
Routes	100 100
Track log	50,000 points; 50 saved tracks 50,000 points; 50 saved tracks
Preloaded Maps	BlueChart® g2 (US & Western Canada coastal) LakeVü HD (inland) BlueChart® g3 and LakeVü g3

Outdoor Recreation Features

Tide Tables

Yes Yes

Chartplotter Features

Model	7616xsv 8616xsv
Radar compatible	Yes Yes
Sonar compatible	Traditional: 50/200, 77/200, 83/200 Single Channel CHIRP: 40-250 Dual Channel CHIRP: 40-250 SideVü/ClearVü: CHIRP 455/800 & CHIRP 260/455 (dependent on transducer) Traditional CHIRP: Single Channel CHIRP: Dual Channel CHIRP: SideVü/ClearVü: CHIRP Ultra High-Definition ClearVü: Ultra High-Definition SideVü: Panoptix - With Black Box
Supports AIS	Yes Yes
Weather	SiriusXM SiriusXM
Supports DSC - GPS Data / VHF	Yes Yes
Supports FUSION-Link	Garmin Meteor \| FUSION-Link FUSION-Link
Black Box sonar support	Yes Yes
Planning Software Compatible	Yes - BlueChart® Mobile No
App-Control Compatibility	Active Captain Active Captain
Remote Input Device - compatible	GRID GRID
Alarms	Navigation Anchor Radar - when connected Sonar - when connected Weather - when connected Navigation Anchor Radar - when connected Sonar - when connected Weather - when connected

Sonar Features & Specifications

Model	7616xsv 8612xsv
Transmit Power	1kW 1kW Traditional \| 500W SideVü/ClearVü
Dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) sonar capable	Yes Yes
Dual-Beam Sonar (77/200 kHz) capable	Yes - 77/200, 83/200 Yes - 50/200 \| 77/200 \| 83/200
CHIRP sonar technology	Single CHIRP: 40-250 \| Dual CHIRP: 40-250 Single CHIRP: 40-250 \| Dual CHIRP: 40-250
ClearVü \| Down	ClearVü: CHIRP 455/800 & CHIRP 260/455 ClearVü: \| UHD ClearVü
SideVü \| Side	SideVü: CHIRP 455/800 & CHIRP 260/455 SideVü: \| UHD SideVü:
Forward View	No Yes \| With Black Box

Connections

Model	7616xsv 8612xsv
NMEA 2000 compatible	Yes Yes
NMEA 0183 input ports	2 1 differential
NMEA 0183 output ports	2 1 differential
Marine Network Ports	2 2
Video input ports	2 Composite 1 - BNC composite \| 1 - HDMI
Video output ports	1 DVI-D 1 HDMI
Wireless connectivity	Yes Yes
BlueTooth connectivity	Yes Yes
Other Ports	J1939 Compatible

Additional

Model	Garmin GPSmap 7616xsv Garmin GPSmap 8612xsv
SEE PRICE »»
Additional - 1	Garmin Meteor™ Audio System compatible Sailing Features
Additional - 2	BlueChart® Mobile (planning) compatible Supports OneHelm
Additional - 3	Map & Sonar Sharing Supports Smartmode monitor presets

In The Box

In The Box

GPSMAP 7616xsv preloaded with U.S. BlueChart® g2 and U.S. LakeVü™ HD
Power/data cable
NMEA 2000® drop cable
T-connector
Bail mount with knobs
Flush mount kit
Protective cover
Documentation GPSMAP 8616xsv
Power cable
NMEA 2000® drop cable
NMEA 2000 T-connector
Bail mount with knobs
Flush mount kit
Sun cover
Trim piece snap covers
Documentation