Garmin GPSMAP 78, 79 & 86 series handheld GPS units are reliable and portable GPS devices that are suitable for hiking, hunting, ATV-ing or any outdoor adventure.
Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78 & 86 series include:
- Internal batteries: the GPSMAP 86 series has an internal rechargeable battery whereas the GPSMAP 78 requires two AA batteries.
- Pre-loaded maps: The “sc” units (GPSMAP 86sc & 86sci) have preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts, the other units have no preloaded maps. All units have the ability to add maps.
- Internal memory: The GPSMAP 78 series has a much smaller internal memory (1.7GB) than the GPSMAP 86 series (16GB). This impacts how many routes, waypoints and tracklogs you can store.
- Photo navigation: The GPSMAP 78 series allows you to navigate to places where you’ve taken photos, the GPSMAP 86 series does not.
Some of the key differences between the units in the GPSMAP 78 & 79 series include:
- Update Display: New scratch-resistant, bonded display provides improved contrast and eliminates fogging; 26% larger screen with 2.5 times the resolution of the past generation in a sunlight-visible color displa
- GNSS: Reliable single-band GNSS supports multiple constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS and SBAS) to allow for access to data around the world
- Cartography: Built-in BlueChart® g3 charts (sc model only)
- Memory: Ability to track 10,000 waypoints (versus 2,000 in GPSMAP 78) and 250 routes (versus 200 in GPSMAP 78), 300 saved fitness activities, 8GB of internal memory (versus 1.7GB in GPSMAP 78s/sc)
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Garmin GPSMAP 79s & 79sc$369.95 – $429.95 -
Garmin GPSMAP 86s$529.99
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Garmin GPSMAP 86i$699.95
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Garmin GPSMAP 86sci$749.99
| Product | GPSMAP 86s | GPSMAP 86sc | GPSMAP 86i | GPSMAP 86sci | GPSMAP 78/s/sc | GPSMAP 79s/sc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Dimensions | 2.65″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (6.75 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm) | 2.65″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (6.75 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm) | 2.75″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (7 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm) | 2.75″ x 7″ x 1.7″ (7 x 17.8 x 4.4 cm) | 2.6″ x 6.0″ x 1.2″ (6.6 x 15.2 x 3.0 cm) | 2.67” x 6.85” x 1.67” (6.77 x 17.40 x 4.23 cm) |
| Display Size | 1.5″W x 2.5″H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm) | 1.5″W x 2.5″H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm) | 1.5″W x 2.5″H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm) | 1.5″W x 2.5″H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm) | 1.43″ x 2.15″ (3.6 x 5.5 cm); 2.6″ diag (6.6 cm) | 1.5″W x 2.5″H (3.8 x 6.3 cm); 3″ diag (7.6 cm) |
| Display Resolution | 240 x 400 pixels | 240 x 400 pixels | 240 x 400 pixels | 240 x 400 pixels | 160 x 240 pixels | 240 x 400 pixels |
| Display Type | transflective, 65K color TFT | transflective, 65K color TFT | transflective, 65K color TFT | transflective, 65K color TFT | transflective, 65K color TFT | transflective, 65K color TFT |
| Weight | 9.59 oz (272 g) | 9.59 oz (272 g) | 9.59 oz (272 g) | 9.59 oz (272 g) | 7.7 oz (218.3 g) with batteries | 9.95 oz (282g) with batteries |
| Battery | rechargeable internal lithium ion | rechargeable internal lithium ion | rechargeable internal lithium ion | rechargeable internal lithium ion | 2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended | 2 AA batteries (not included); NiMH or Lithium recommended |
| Battery Life | up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode) | up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode) | up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode) | up to 35 hours at 10-minute tracking; up to 200 hours at 30-minute tracking (power save mode) | 20 hours | up to 19 hours |
| Waterproof | ✅ (IPX7) | ✅ (IPX7) | ✅ (IPX7) | ✅ (IPX7) | ✅ (IPX7) | ✅ (IPX7) |
| Floats | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| High-Sensitivity Receiver | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/SBAS | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/ | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/ | GPS/Galileo | GPS/Galileo | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/ | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS/SBAS |
| Interface | USB and NMEA 0183 compatible | USB and NMEA 0183 compatible | USB and NMEA 0183 compatible | USB and NMEA 0183 compatible | high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible | high-speed USB and NMEA 0183 compatible |
| Basemap | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Preloaded Maps | ❌ | ✅ (preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts) | ❌ | ✅ (preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts) | ✅(preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts on 78sc) | ✅ (preloaded BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts on 79sc) |
| Ability to Add Maps | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Satellite Imagery | ✅ (BirdsEye Direct to device) | ✅ (BirdsEye Direct to device) | ✅ (BirdsEye Direct to device) | ✅ (BirdsEye Direct to device) | ❌ | ❌ |
| Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads) for outdoor activities | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) |
| Includes detailed hydrographic features (coastlines, lake/river shorelines, wetlands and perennial and seasonal streams) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) |
| Includes searchable points of interests (parks, campgrounds, scenic lookouts and picnic sites) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ❌ | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) |
| Displays national, state and local parks, forests, and wilderness areas | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) | ❌ | ✅ (downloadable from Garmin Express™) |
| Built-in Memory | 16GB (user space varies based on included mapping) | 16GB (user space varies based on included mapping) | 16GB (user space varies based on included mapping) | 16GB (user space varies based on included mapping) | 1.7 GB | 8 GB (user space varies based on included mapping on sc version) |
| Accepts Data Cards | ✅(32 GB max microSD™ card, not included) | ✅(32 GB max microSD™ card, not included) | ✅(32 GB max microSD™ card, not included) | ✅(32 GB max microSD™ card, not included) | ✅ microSD™ card (not included) | ✅(32 GB max microSD™ card, not included) |
| Waypoints | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 2000 | 10,000 |
| Routes | 250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing | 250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing | 250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing | 250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing | 200 | 250, 250 points per route; 50 points auto routing |
| Tracklog | 20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities | 20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities | 20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities | 20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities | 10,000 points, 200 saved tracks | 20,000 points, 250 saved gpx tracks, 300 saved fit activities |
| Automatic Routing | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) | ✅ (with optional mapping for detailed roads) |
| Electronic Compass | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis) | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis) | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis) | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis) | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis in 78s and 78sc) | ✅ (tilt-compensated, 3-axis) |
| Barometric Altimeter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (in 78s and 78sc) | ✅ |
| LED beacon flashlight | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Photo navigation | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Picture Viewer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Maps Compatible | ✅(500 custom map tiles) | ✅(500 custom map tiles) | ✅(500 custom map tiles) | ✅(500 custom map tiles) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Geocahing- Friendly | ✅ (Geocache Live) | ✅ (Geocache Live) | ✅ (Geocache Live) | ✅ (Geocache Live) | ✅ (Paperless) | ✅ (Paperless) |
| Hunt/Fish Calendar | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sun and Moon Information | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| XERO™ Locations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Tide Tables | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Area Calculations | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom POIs | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unit-to-unit Transfer | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Garmin Connect Compatible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Smart Notification | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| LiveTrack | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Active Weather | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Interactive SOS | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Send and Receive Text Messages to SMS and Email | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Send and Receive Text Messages to other inReach Device | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Exchange Locations with Other inReach Devices | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Mapshare Compatible with Tracking | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Virtual Keyboard for Custom Messaging | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| inReach Remote Compatible | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Boat Data Streaming | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Functions as a Remote Control for Garmin Autopilot and Select FUSION Marine Products | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adjustable GPS Filter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |