When you're choosing marine electronics sonar navigation gear, two Garmin chartplotters show how far $100 can change the deal. The Garmin GPSMAP 541s is listed at $249.99 as a used 5-inch chartplotter/fishfinder bundle, while the Garmin GPSMAP 740s is listed at $150.00 as a for-parts unit with a sun-damaged screen.
Quick Verdict
The Garmin GPSMAP 541s is the pick if you need a working, waterproof screen for navigation. The Garmin GPSMAP 740s is the money-saving alternative at a $99.99 price gap, but its screen damage makes it a parts-unit buy rather than a display you can rely on.
At a Glance
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Condition | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 541s 5in Marine GPS Chartplotter Fishfinder Gray BUNDLE | USD 249.99 | Used | 5-inch waterproof chartplotter/fishfinder; no charger included | |
| Garmin GPSMAP 740s Chartplotter Marine GPS TESTED W/ Sun Cover Power Cable Cut | USD 150.00 | For parts or not working | Turns on; screen has sun damage; includes sun cover and cut power cable |
Where Each Product Wins
Garmin GPSMAP 541s wins for boaters who want a chartplotter they can actually navigate with. It's a 5-inch waterproof unit that also works as a fishfinder, and it's sold as a bundle in used condition rather than a parts state. You'll pay the higher listed price of the pair, but you're getting a functional screen.
Garmin GPSMAP 740s wins for shoppers focused on the lower price. The bundle includes a sun cover and a cut power cable, and the unit does turn on. The catch is the screen: sun damage puts it in the for-parts category, so it's better suited to component harvesting than to navigation.
Product Notes
#### Garmin GPSMAP 541s 5in Marine GPS Chartplotter Fishfinder Gray BUNDLE
The higher-listed-priced unit of the two, the 541s is the one you'd choose when you need a waterproof, 5-inch chartplotter/fishfinder for on-water use. It's sold as a used bundle, which means you're getting a package rather than a bare head unit, and the water-resistant design is a key feature for a boat console. The limitation is the missing charger: you'll need to supply your own power cable or charger before you can power it up. That caveat aside, this is the navigational-ready pick.
#### Garmin GPSMAP 740s Chartplotter Marine GPS TESTED W/ Sun Cover Power Cable Cut
This is the lower-priced entry, but the condition is "for parts or not working." The unit is reported to turn on, and it comes with a sun cover and a cut power cable, which adds some value for a repair project or parts donor. The clear downside is the sun-damaged screen, which makes reading a chart or fishfinder hard. If your plan is to salvage components or practice repairs, the 740s is the cheaper option; if you need a display, it's not the one.
Final Choice by Use Case
- Working waterproof navigation screen: Garmin GPSMAP 541s
- Spare parts, repair project, or component harvesting: Garmin GPSMAP 740s
- You're on a tight budget but still need a functional display: The Garmin GPSMAP 541s, because the 740s screen damage keeps it from filling that role.
