Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Name: Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder
Price: 1319.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 8.4 (42 reviews)

Curated from 42 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: July 5, 2024

Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Brand: Garmin

Price: $1319

Snoop Score:

8.4

Sentiment

9.3

Popularity

9.3

Technical

7.8

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Snoop's Take

The Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo is a sophisticated GPS and fishfinder designed for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts navigating inland lakes and coastal waters. This unit is known for its reliable performance, intuitive navigation capabilities, and compatibility with advanced features like LiveScope, making it a favorite among users who appreciate high-quality equipment for fishing and boating. Consumer sentiment around the Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv is overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its exceptional navigation features and the Active Captain app for route planning. As one user noted, "the navigation is great!" while another highlighted the unit as the "best fishfinder on the market." Although some users expressed concerns over the expensive updates for GPS systems, many feel they received great value for their investment, stating, "I feel like I got a steal of a deal." Based on user feedback, the Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo is highly recommended for anyone seeking a reliable and effective GPS/fishfinder. Its blend of performance, ease of use, and compatibility with modern fishing technology makes it a standout in its category.

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Most of the big differences in the Garmin lineup is the model of transducer that comes with it and whether it has down imaging, side imaging, panoptix, etc.
Positive Feedback

the prices for updates on those systems are extortionate.
Negative Feedback

8.4

Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Buy on Amazon for $1319

Coastal Navigation

10 / 10

Recreational Fishing

7 / 10

Vessel Monitoring

6 / 10

Integrated Marine Systems

8 / 10

See how this compares to all Marine GPS Chartplotters

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Reliable GPS performance for inland lakes

“Most of the big differences in the Garmin lineup is the model of transducer that comes with it and whether it has down imaging, side imaging, panoptix, etc.”➕

“Most of the big differences in the Garmin lineup is the model of transducer that comes with it and w”➕

Active Captain app is intuitive for route planning

“The active captain app allows you to plan your routes and waypoints on your phone, then uploads to your gps unit when your own the boat.”➕

Garmin offers reliable and well-made units

“Garmin makes a nice one for a reasonable price.”➕

Excellent navigation capabilities

“The navigation is great! I like it for the most part, but tend to feel like it’s a lot of wasted space.”➕

Highly compatible with LiveScope

“Solid unit compatible with live scope.”➕

“It's all you need.”➕

Perceived as the best fishfinder on the market

“Best fishfinder on the market”➕

“I have this and love it. Not coupled to a motor, just used as a GPS/fishfinder.”➕

Great value for the price paid

“I feel like I got a steal of a deal. I will never exceed it's capabilities.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

High price for updates on GPS systems

“the prices for updates on those systems are extortionate.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Simrad GO9 XSE - 9-inch Chartplotter	$999	9.3	Details	Buy
Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder	$1319	8.4	Details	Buy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV Chartplotter/Fishfinder	$399	7.8	Details	Buy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv Chartplotter	$1299	7.4	Details	Buy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 53CV Chartplotter/Fishfinder	$349	6.3	Details	Buy
Simrad Cruise 5-5-inch GPS Chartplotter with Preloaded C-MAP US Coastal Maps	$313	5.9	Details	Buy
Simrad NSS 4-16" SolarMAX HD Display Chartplotter and Fishfinder	$5799	4.7	Details	Buy
Garmin GPSMAP 79s Marine GPS Handheld	$264	4.3	Details	Buy
Garmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS Navigator	$449	4.1	Details	Buy
RAYMARINE Axiom+ 9-9" MFD Chartplotter	$1461	3.7	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

User experiences with mounting solutions

“Highly recommend.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Alternative mapping solution using Raspberry Pi

“I don’t need anything fancy, just need to know what’s around me.”➕

Discussion about using multiple screens

“It's pretty sweet to use one for GPS with radar or AIS overlay and the other one with engine readouts and sonar for example.”➕

Discussion about smartphone apps for navigation

“I know there's a smartphone app that's good for charting. I'll double check what it's called and get back”➕

“Yeah, Navonics is maybe what you're thinking? I have that, but it kills my phone battery and soI don't love it for longer sails.”➕

“Check out the GPS Essentials App. It's fairly awesome.”➕

Discussion about alternatives to traditional chart plotters

“Seaiq app pay one time. GPS all the charts you can download. And they upload chart changes.”➕

“I use Open CPN and run it off a tablet or phone for this very reason: http://www.opencon.org”➕

“All around, Navionics is way better, way simpler, I can't believe it's doing all the same things as open CPN for the most part with so far fewer buttons.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Price matching information for purchasing

“If there is anything wrong with the unit, you can take it back and get another one within the 30 or 90 days.”➕

“Good to know, thank you!”➕

“Been messing around with Navionics and iNavX and they seem pretty good.”➕

Comparison of different chartplotter models

“A lot of capability for the price.”➕

Budget constraints for GPS navigation

“My BIGGEST thing I’m looking for something that will Auto Guidance or ez route routes with safe depth for my boat.”➕

Installation considerations for new units

“Make sure whichever unit you select can be installed without causing an issue w/ your other equipment.”➕

Discussion on alternative brands for small boats

“Raymarine is my personal choice, the a65/a67 are great little units, perfect for a small boat although not cheap.”➕

Budget constraints for chartplotter options

“I keep coming across Charplotter/Sonar combos that are advertised as "fishfinders".”➕

“The Garmin echomap plotter is a better option than the strykers for sailing, imo, but B&G are made/optimized for sailing rather than fish-finding so that is where I am now looking.”➕

Interest in loading NOAA charts directly

“Chart providers are essentially where the music industry as in the 1980s.”➕

Discussion on compatibility with various motors

“Sorry if I’m all over the place. I’m new to all of this.”➕

Mention of alternative fishfinders like Solix

“Makes my decision easier. Although debating on going with a Solix instead to coordinate it with a Terrova”➕

Discussion on alternative GPS options

“I was looking at boat gps options and it seems like $5k for a navi system is a little much.”➕

“It has been all I need and more so far, and total cost has been like 150$.”➕

“You can get as expensive as you want or as cheap as $100.”➕

Considerations for device visibility in sunlight

“The biggest problem is finding a device that is bright enough (nits) to see in full sun.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Concerns about functionality of cheaper fishfinders

“As far as functionality, it looks like the unit you linked to would work fine for displaying charts and depth.”➕

Concerns about subscription services for chart updates

“Ideally I'd like to buy a solution that doesn't require a bullshit subscription for literally nothing, just to unlock a base feature that it already has.”➕

“Happened to me again on another customer boat in the Chesapeake and I didn't have radar on that boat.”➕

Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Curated from 42 real Reddit conversations

Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Snoop's Take

Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder

Coastal Navigation

Recreational Fishing

Vessel Monitoring

Integrated Marine Systems

What it does well!

Where it needs some work!

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Core Power Plays

Hidden Hero Hacks

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

Cautionary Callouts

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