Top 5 Editorial Picks
Five current fishfinders chosen for distinct buyer needs—from compact value to a premium expandable system. These are editorial selections, not Amazon or reader ratings.
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Best Compact Value
A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.
Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder
A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.
Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade
The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.
Best Side-Imaging Upgrade
A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.
Best Premium Expandable System
A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.
The Humminbird XPLORE 9 is for anglers who want a current 9-inch fishfinder/chartplotter platform with serious imaging capability, a touchscreen-plus-keypad control approach and room to build around a more connected boat-electronics setup. The configuration covered here is the XPLORE 9 CMSI+ package, item 412000-1, with the XM 14 HW CMSI
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv is for anglers who need a real step up from a sonar-only display: a 7-inch touchscreen chartplotter/fishfinder built around navigation, scanning sonar and a more capable helm or bow setup. The version covered here is the 73sv package shown with a GT54 transducer and Garmin
The Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv is a compact fishfinder for anglers who want a straightforward sonar unit with a color display, built-in GPS position tools and ClearVü structure detail without paying for a larger chartplotter system. The configuration covered here includes Garmin’s GT20-TM transducer, which provides traditional CHIRP sonar and
The Lowrance HDS PRO 10 is aimed at anglers building a serious sonar and chartplotter setup who want more display room than a 9-inch unit without immediately moving to a 12- or 16-inch screen. It is a current electronics-platform decision, not a replacement title for an older HDS-10 review, and
The Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7sv is for anglers who want a 7-inch fishfinder screen and SideVü scanning sonar without moving immediately into a larger chartplotter system. Garmin lists this configuration with the GT52HW-TM transducer, combining traditional CHIRP, ClearVü and SideVü sonar in one compact display. Who the STRIKER Vivid 7sv
While effective sonar-based fish finders have existed for more than 30 years, recent technological advancements have meant that capabilities once reserved for naval warfare applications are now available to everyday fishermen. Commercially available live-updating sonar as well as units with high-resolution side and forward views have been available for well
If you want to make sure that you have the best marine GPS and sonar system on the market, the new Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 is a great tool for getting ahead of the competition without breaking the bank. With HDI, 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 transducers available, you have your pick between
The new 2019 Humminbird lineup includes the Helix 8 CHIRP Mega third-generation fish finder. With upgraded technology, the device means that anglers have a much better likelihood of locating and catching the fish they are after. Humminbird offers the new Helix 8 with CHIRP alone or equipped with down imaging,
Anglers the world over attest to the success they experience when using electronic fish finders. Up until recently, the technology has largely been designed for use aboard water-based crafts. Now, castable fish hunters make it possible for anglers to enjoy the same benefits of the devices whether on land or
The Humminbird Helix 9 CHIRP Mega SI is the next high-end consumer-grade model of fish finder to come from the Humminbird company which specializes in fish finding and chart plotting equipment–though the company has slowly begun expanding within the past couple years into new departments of outdoor products. Regardless, Humminbird
Garmin may have initially made a name for themselves by providing one of the first and most reliable land-based GPS technologies available for the consumer at-large. Since that time, Garmin has pushed the boundaries of both GPS and sonar technology for use by normal consumers and certain professionals alike. In
While not the flagship model of the brand, the Lowrance Hook2 4X is definitely an intriguing fishfinder that offers plenty of value at an incredibly reasonable price point. That said, with increasingly stiff competition coming from Garmin, Helix, and Humminbird, Lowrance certainly has its work cut out for it to
For 2018, Garmin introduced the Echomap Plus 63cv, which is among the latest series of fishfinders offering updated technology. The 63cv replaces the echoMAP CHIRP 53cv. The upgrades include larger, higher resolution screen, ActiveCaptain compatibility, LakeVu charts and Wi-Fi. EchoMap Plus 63cv Basics The package contains the EchoMap fishfinder, one
Anglers who use the same reliable fishfinder over the course of many years might be amazed at the technology that newer models have to offer. The latest upgraded fishfinders blur the lines between the electronics found in personal devices and the marine technology that is available today. The Simrad GO9
As of December 2017, Lowrance introduced the Hook2 9 with TripleShot Transducer fishfinder. The upgraded device makes it easier for anglers to use by implementing a more basic menu. The Hook 2 also features more sonar options usually only available on fishfinders costing significantly more. In this way, amateur or
Garmin has released the Striker Plus series of fishfinders, with improved sonar technology and a new set of features that enable anglers to catch more fish, yet just as easy to use as the original Striker series. The Striker Plus 7cv introduces built-in GPS, Quickdraw Contours mapping, and wireless connectivity
Lowrance recently released its new series of fish finders, the HOOK2 models. This series is notably more refined and user-friendly in comparison to their prior HOOK units. Lowrance has put emphasis on providing an exciting range of navigation and sonar features at affordable prices. One of the most intriguing units
The Garmin Striker Plus 9sv is the latest addition to the long line of Garmin fishfinder products. It is the largest unit in the Striker Plus series. The 9sv increases your ability to catch not merely fish. The sturdily built unit was designed to function in a variety of environments.
Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 53cv has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 12 user reviews. Kayak fishing is increasingly popular. You can reach deep water but without the hassles of boat costs and maintenance. You can also fish shallow waters closer to shore than you can
We’ve run the new Garmin GHP10, Raymarine S1000, Simrad AP12H, and Coursemaster CM80i marine autopilots through their paces aboard our 25′ Contender test boat. A small boat autopilot is one piece of marine electronics we don’t know what we’d do without. It is simply a joy to have one of