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Should I upgrade to a – Garmin 8610xsv?
We take a detailed look at the specs and look at a couple reviews from some who already have.
The Garmin 8610xsv is a 10” Chartplotter/Sonar Combo that is built around the new Full HD In-plane Switching (IPS) Touchscreen technology.
Its preloaded with both BlueChart® g3 U.S. coastal and LakeVü g3 maps and features Navionics® data and Auto Guidance right out of the box.
As with most Garmin MFDS, its fully network capable with NMEA 2000 and the Garmin Marine Network. Adding more modules like panoptics, radar, autopilot, instruments, cameras and multimedia is pretty simple and straight forward even though figuring out what you want to include might leave you scratching your head.
It has built-in support for ANT® technology, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networking for connecting with additional Garmin devices like a quatix™ 5 marine smartwatch, VIRB action cameras, or gWind Wireless 2 wind sensors.
Also included are SmartMode station controls a full suite of Garmin sonar options and support for OneHelm. The all-in-one design eliminates the need for black-boxes, monitors and external Wi-Fi antennas.
The ultra fast processor makes easy work of map drawing, running sonar, radar, cameras, video and digital switching, with little or no delay. The screen can be split to show up to six different features simultaneously, including HDMI video input.
Pair the GPSMAP 8610xsv with the free ActiveCaptain mobile app for access to OneChart, smart notifications, trip planning, chart upgrades and software updates.
I’ll take a detailed look at the 8610xvs features, but first here is a quick view on how the 8610xsv compares to the 7610xsv. There are some key differences, mostly in performance but also in features and connections.
The only difference between the 8410xsv and the 8610xsv are the charts.
The 8610xsv is preloaded with BlueChart g3 coastal and LakeVü g3 inland mapping with Navionics data and the 8410xsv only comes with a worldwide base map.
The only difference between the 8610 and the 8610xsv is the depth sounder capability.
The 8610xsv has built-in support for dual-channel 1kW traditional CHIRP, CHIRP ClearVü and CHIRP SideVü scanning sonars plus built-in support for Ultra High-Definition scanning sonar. It also supports the entire Panoptix all-seeing sonar.
The 8610 has all the same chartplotter features but does not have sonar. Since they can share sonar, if you have 2 units only one needs to be the xsv version to use sonar on both.
Garmin 7610xsv vs 8610xsv
Excellent Clarity and Sunlight readability
This is definitely the first thing you notice with the 8610xvs. The new In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology used for the display provides very consistent, accurate colors that can be seen from all viewing angles, even with polarized sunglasses.
IPS has been used on smartphones and desktop computer monitors for several years, but Garmin is the first to bring it to marine chartplotters in the GPSMap 8400 and 8600 Series multifunction displays.
IPS changes the orientation of the screen crystals so they are parallel to the surface (or in plane) when energized which just makes for a better user and viewing experience with a super-bright colorful screen when looking at it from virtually any angle.
Complete Garmin Sonar Support
Built-in support for a bunch of Garmin sonar capabilities: Dual channel 1kW CHIRP traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonars, Ultra-High Definition scanning sonar, the Panoptix LiveScope system and the full line of Panoptix sonars.
Support for the Panoptix™ all-seeing sonar line comes with the additional black box and transducer.
1kW TRADITIONAL CHIRP SONAR – Instead of sending just 1 single frequency at a time, Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies ranging from low to high.
Garmin – CHIRP traditional sonar
Garmin 8610xsv | Traditional Chirp Sonar
The 8610xsv has a 1kW CHIRP sonar that sweeps a continuous range of frequencies, from low to high, in a single transmission. The returns from each frequency in that transmission are then interpreted to be drawn on the screen.
Since this continuous sweep of frequencies provides CHIRP with a much wider range of information, CHIRP sonar is able to create a very clear, high-resolution image.
As you can see above, you get far greater target separation and more defined arches than you would with standard 77/200 kHz sonar.
ClearVü SONAR – ClearVü scanning sonar is mainly used to identify structure scanning sonar and gives you a nearly photographic image below the boat.
With ClearVü, you clearly see structure, submerged objects, and fish.
Garmin 8610xsv | ClearVü SONAR
Garmin 8600 | ClearVü SONAR
Instead of a cone-shaped beam like traditional CHIRP sonar, ClearVü scanning sonar sweeps a narrow beam of very high-frequency (455 or 800kHz) from side to side, producing “slices” that are combined to create very detailed images.
Fish are easily identifiable on Traditional View with CHIRP where as Structures are well defined using ClearVü. See Image Above
For fishermen and divers looking for structure like wrecks, reefs, log piles and other underwater natural and man made features, ClearVü is a great tool.
Fish are easily identifiable on Traditional View with CHIRP where as Structures are well defined using ClearVü
SideVü SONAR – SideVü is a high frequency sonar that give you a true to life view of structures and targets on the either side of the boat.
You see a crystal clear image that makes it easy to identify wrecks, structure, rocks and even fish that are stacked up next to or above them.
The distance you can scan out to the side depends on the depth but can be usable out several hundred feet which is excellent for covering and searching lots of area quickly.
Garmin 8610xsv | Sidevu Sonar Shallow
Garmin 8610xsv | Sidevu Sonar Deep
On the GPSMAP 8610xsv you can view SideVü, ClearVü and Traditional CHIRP sonar images on the same split screen.
Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv | Split Screen Sonar
Ultra-High Definition scanning sonar – is a new technology that puts more power on the targets with a higher frequency range, for a much clearer images, detail of structure and fish below and out to the sides.
The detail of fish, rocks, brush piles, structure are noticeably sharper with Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and Ultra High-Definition SideVü sonar.
ClearVü vs Ultra High-Definition Scanning Sonar
GPSMAP 8610xsv | Ultra High-Definition Scanning Sonar
Ultra-High Definition CHIRP frequencies range from 760-880kHz for ClearVü and 1,060-1,170kHz for SideVü and are excellent for depths up to about 200′.
OPTIONAL | Blackbox required
Panoptix Livescope – Panoptix all-seeing sonar is pretty amazing sonar technology. It gives us the ability to see all around the boat in real time and in 3 dimensions.
Panoptix shows highly detailed, easy-to interpret live scanning sonar images of structure, bait and fish swimming below and around your boat in real time, even when the boat is stationary.
Images are so clear, that Garmin says with a little practice, we might be able to identify species!
Both LiveScope Forward and LiveScope Down modes are included in one transducer and are available with either transom or trolling motor mounts.
Panoptix Livescope Forward is cool tool for scouting and fishing out ahead of the boat. You get live, detailed images of structure and fish out to about to 200′ – even while the boat is siting in one spot.
Panoptix LiveScope Down gives us live scanning sonar images of structure and swimming fish in awesome detail below the boat up to 200′ out from the transducer.
OneHelm™ | Control Everything – The OneHelm system coordinates full control of onboard systems – such as digital switching, lighting, stabilization and more – conveniently on the 8610xsv screen.
Garmin 8610xsv – Digital Switching
Garmin 8610xsv – Digital Switching Menu
Here is a short list of integrated third party systems. For most recent list – see Garmin OneHelm™
Charts and Mapping – The 8600 series comes preloaded with the latest BlueChart g3 coastal cartography and LakeVü g3 inland mapping featuring Navionics data for very detailed, clear and concise charts and maps.
Upgading charts to BlueChart® g3 Vision and LakeVü g3 Ultra is easy with 2 microSD cards slots located on the back of the device.
BlueChart g3 coastal cartography
BlueChart g3 Detail – Auto Guidance
Also included is Garmin’s Auto Guidance technology, which shows a suggested route to a destination, based on specs that you enter in the the device like draft, and verticle height restrictions.
BlueChart g3 – 1′ Depth Contours
Detailed Contours – 1′ contours that provide a more accurate look of bottom structure for improved fishing charts and enhanced detail in swamps, canals and port layouts.
BlueChart g3 | Depth Range Shading
Charts display high-resolution Depth Range Shading for up to 10 depth ranges, so you can see your needed depth at a glance by color.
BlueChart g3 | Shallow Water Shading
Shallow water shading allows for shading at a user-defined depth to give a clear picture of shallow waters to avoid based on your own draft.
LakeVü g3 inland maps – coverage, excellent clarity and detail with integrated Garmin and Navionics® content. The charts also let you easily calculate suggested routes with Auto Guidance. You’ll get coverage on more than 17,000 lakes with up to 1’ contours.
LakeVu g3 Detail – Inland Charts
Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours – Quickdraw Contours instantly creates personalized HD maps with 1’ contours and depth labels for any body of water as you fish.
When Quickdraw Contours records data, a colored circle surrounds the vessel icon. This circle represents the approximate area of the map that is scanned by each pass.
Garmin Quickdraw Contours
The maps are all yours – tailor them to fit your needs. Keep the data for yourself, or share maps with others in the QuickDraw Community.
Active Captain | Connected Boating App – The free all-in-one ActiveCaptain app gives your 8610xsv a powerful connection for upgrading charts, maps and access the Garmin community.
Wherever you are, you can have unlimited access to your cartography, purchase new maps and charts, and access the Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours Community.
Active Captain
Active Captain Features
Garmin SailAssist -Special preloaded sailing features such as laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, true wind data fields and tide/current/time slider.
Garmin SailAssist
For sail racing, there are prerace guidance, synchronized race timer, virtual starting line, time to burn and lay line data fields.
Resources:
Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv | Help & Support
Garmin 2019 | GPSMAP 8600 – Brochure PDF
Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv – Brochure
Rear Connections
Garmin 8610xsv – Rear Connections
| Connections | |
|---|---|
 | 2 microSD slots, 32 GB max |
| NETWORK | Garmin Marine Network |
| HDMI IN | HDMI in |
| HDMI OUT | HDMI out |
| CVBS IN | Composite video in |
| AUDIO | NMEA® 0183 and audio out |
| POWER | Power |
| USB | Touchscreen input from a computer or other third-party device |
| 12-PIN XDCR | 12-pin transducer |
| LVS XDCR | LiveScope™ single-array transducer |
| 8-PIN XDCR | 8-pin transducer |
| NMEA 2000 | NMEA 2000® network |
| J1939 | J1939 network |
Performance
Charting | Mapping
Fishfinder | Sounder
| Model | GPSMAP 8610xsv |
| Physical dimensions |
10.25" x 8.0625 "x 2.95" 25.9cm x 20.5cm x 7.5cm |
| Weight | 5.2 lbs. |
| Water rating | IPX7 |
| Display type | WUXGA | IPS Touchsreen |
| Display size |
8.6" x 5.4"; 10.1" diagonal 21.8cm x 13.7cm; 25.7cm diagonal |
| Display resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Display - Brightness | Not Available |
| Power consumption | 2.7A | 10-32V |
| GPS Antenna | Internal or external NMEA_2000 |
| GPS Receiver | 10 Hz GPS/GLONASS/Galileo |
| Mounting options | Bail, flat or flush |
| Model | 8610xsv |
| On-Board Memory | No |
| Accepts data cards | 2 Micro SD™ cards |
| Waypoints | 5,000 |
| Routes | 100 |
| Track log | 50,000 points; 50 saved tracks |
| Preloaded Maps | BlueChart® g3 and LakeVü g3 |
| Tide Tables | Yes |
| Model | 8610xsv |
| Radar compatible | Yes |
| Sonar compatible |
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 |
| Weather | SiriusXM |
| Supports DSC - GPS Data / VHF | Yes |
| Supports FUSION-Link | FUSION-Link |
| Black Box sonar support | Yes |
| Planning Software Compatible | No |
| App-Control Compatibility | Active Captain |
| Remote Input Device - compatible | GRID |
| Alarms |
Navigation Anchor Radar - when connected Sonar - when connected Weather - when connected |
| Model | 8610xsv |
| Transmit Power | 1kW Traditional | 500W SideVü/ClearVü |
| Dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) sonar capable | Yes |
| Dual-Beam Sonar (77/200 kHz) capable | Yes - 50/200 | 77/200 | 83/200 |
| CHIRP sonar technology | Single CHIRP: 40-250 | Dual CHIRP: 40-250 |
| ClearVü | Down | ClearVü: | UHD ClearVü |
| SideVü | Side | SideVü: | UHD SideVü: |
| Forward View | Yes | With Black Box |
| Model | 8610xsv |
| NMEA 2000 compatible | Yes |
| NMEA 0183 input ports | 1 differential |
| NMEA 0183 output ports | 1 differential |
| Marine Network Ports | 2 |
| Video input ports | 1 - BNC composite | 1 - HDMI |
| Video output ports | 1 HDMI |
| Wireless connectivity | Yes |
| BlueTooth connectivity | Yes |
| Other Ports | J1939 Compatible |
| Model | Garmin GPSmap 8610xsv |
| SEE PRICE »» |
|
| Additional - 1 | Sailing Features |
| Additional - 2 | Supports OneHelm |
| Additional - 3 | Supports Smartmode monitor presets |
| In The Box |
GPSMAP 8610xsv Power cable NMEA 2000® drop cable NMEA 2000 T-connector Bail mount with knobs Flush mount kit Sun cover Trim piece snap covers Documentation |
Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv – Manual
Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv – Install Manual
Additional 8610xsv manuals from Garmin:
