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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  1. 1
    Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Fishfinder with Transducer - 4-inch LCD Display - Easy-to-Use Scanning Sonar - Color Palettes, 11.2 Ounces (010-02550-00) | Transducer, 4-inch LCD Display, Easy-to-Use Scanning Sonar, Color Palettes, 11.2 Ounces 4 Inch STRIKER Vivid 4cv Transducer

    Best Compact Value

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv

    A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.

    • CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar in a compact package
    • A sensible pick when you do not need a chartplotter or SideVü
    • Best fit for budget-conscious small-boat anglers
  2. 2
    Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00) | Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder, Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes 010-02553-00 7 Inch STRIKER Vivid 7sv Transducer

    Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder

    Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7sv

    A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.

    • CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar for fish and structure
    • Simple setup with a practical 7-inch screen
    • Strong value for most general boat anglers
  3. 3
    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland 7' Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland with GT54 Transducer

    Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade

    Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv

    The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.

    • Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland mapping and touchscreen control
    • Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar
    • A better fit than STRIKER when charts matter
  4. 4
    Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen Display Transducer Included) 9-Inch Display

    Best Side-Imaging Upgrade

    Humminbird XPLORE 9

    A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.

    • MEGA Side Imaging+ and MEGA Down Imaging+
    • 9-inch display with touchscreen and keypad control
    • Recommended configuration: 9-inch, transducer included
  5. 5
    Lowrance HDS PRO Fishfinder/Chartplotter with Smartphone Integration and Preloaded C-MAP U.S. & Canada Charts 10 Inch ActiveImaging HD 3-in-1

    Best Premium Expandable System

    Lowrance HDS PRO 10

    A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.

    • Active Imaging HD and C-MAP charting
    • Wide networking support for integrated electronics
    • Ready to expand with ActiveTarget 2 and the Lowrance ecosystem

Humminbird 571 HD DI Review

Rating
2.4/5
 
Humminbird 571 HD DI has an average rating of 2.44 out of 5 based on 9 user reviews.

humminbird_571hd_di

Vendor Price
Cabelas $259.99
Sears $264.54
ISave $239.99

The Humminbird Fishfinder 571 HD DI is a versatile monochrome sonar-only marine navigation system perfect for many types of boats. It has pristine picture quality and features usually found in higher-end models. The fish finder’s powerful Down Imaging sonar will help you clearly see his prey and its surrounding area.

The standard Down Imaging – Dual Beam Plus dual sonar is the main feature of the 571 HD DI. This powerful 500-watt sonar produces picture-like images that look great at any depth with viewing angles of up to 75 degrees with a maximum depth range of 600 feet. Its high frequency sound waves can penetrate even in the murkiest of waters and can spot any object or creature larger than two and a half inches. The sonar can switch between wide-sweep and narrow-bean signals to produce even better levels of detail. It even has a noise-reduction feature for capturing images of fast moving prey. However, the sonar can produce smeared images in rough seas.

The sonar’s fine images are displayed in real-time on a five-inch grayscale LCD screen. This dual-panel screen has a resolution of 640×320 and features split-screen zooming, sonar echo enhancements, and fish identifications. There is even a temperature gauge read from an onboard thermocouple.

One of the coolest features of the 571 HD Di is the Switchfire Sonar. This optional alternative sonar technology comes pre-loaded and gives every angler complete control of their sonar signals. The Switchfire sonar has two viewing modes: Clear and Max. Clear mode filters out all noise from agitated and shallow water to produce clean and crisp looking images of all fish and structures below the boat. In clear mode, you see only what you want to see. In Max mode, the 571 HD DI shows everything including underwater structures, fish, thermoclines and even water currents. Putting the unit in Max mode lets you keep an eye on your bait and line for any and all types of motion.

These powerful sonar and display technologies are bundled in a user-friendly package that easy to use, setup, and customize. The 571 HD DI has several signal view and readout options to choose from, and you can change both the display and background colors. The dashboard mount also detaches quickly and easy lets you move the sonar wherever you need it the most. The device is also equipped with Humminbird’s own X-Press menu system. The X-Press Menu provides quick access to your most frequently used features. All you have to do to enter the menu is to press the menu button once and you are in. Pressing the button again leads to the main menu.

Finally, there is an optional Triplog feature available if you have a Speed Accessory, GPS or Paddlewheel attached to your HD DI that provides average speed, distance traveled, elapsed time, and other trip-related information. The Humminbird Fishfinder 571 HD DI is an excellent choice for any fisherman that needs a simple but powerful fishing sonar.

You can get a great deal on Humminbird 571 HD DI here.

 
 
 Humminbird 561 DILowrance Mark-5x DSIHumminbird 571 DI
humminbird_561_dilowrance_mark-5xdsi1humminbird_571di
Screen Size5 in / 127 mm5 in / 127 mm5 in / 127 mm
Screen Resolution320 x 320 pixels 480 x 480 pixels640 x 320 pixels
Display Type12-level grayscale 16-level grayscale LCD16-level grayscale
Imaging2D and Down ImagingDown Imaging 2D and Down Imaging
Transmit PowerR00W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 200/455 kHz 2D Sonar
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
455/800 kHz200/455 kHz 2D Sonar
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
Maximum Depth350 ft (DI), 600 ft (2D) 250 ft350 ft (DI), 600 ft (2D)
MSRP$199.99$269.99$249.99
ReviewReviewReview

User Reviews

Posted by MATT S.

  • 1/5
1

I’VE USED THIS FISHFINDER FOR 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT STOPPED WORKING. NOW IT ALWAYS DISPLAYS DEPTH AS 1 FT EVEN THOUGH DOWN IMAGING SHOWS GREATER DEPTH. THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS PROBLEM, IT DOESN’T DO SELFTEST FOR THE TRANSDUCER. DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT.

Posted by G. Ella

  • 4/5
4

HB 571 offers split screen feature that you won’t find on Lowrance Mark series. That was the reason I went with Humminbird. Down imaging is nice but doesn’t show fish, it only picks up structure. If you’re looking for something cheaper that will show depth, temperature and structure, this is a good pick.

Posted by Dan Bainter

  • 3/5
3

It’s a solid sonar but you have to be close to the display to be able to read it. It’s a problem with all greyscale fishfinders, I should’ve bought a color one.

Posted by EDC

  • 5/5
5

You have to read the manual before using this unit, it’s got so many different options and configurations. I like this unit, it finds fish in traditional sonar mode and shows structure in DI mode. It’s a greyscale screen but I can read it even in direct sun. I got it on sale at Amazon, can’t beat their prices.

Posted by ANK2

  • 4/5
4

Not a bad unit. It is no real improvement over Humminbird’s previous models, but it does identify small fish and structures well. I have been fishing professionally for over 40 years and always found this company to be reliable. The actual display is nothing like the picture advertised. It is much lower resolution but that is my only real complaint.

Posted by Larry

  • 2/5
2

I bought the 571 hd di to upgrade from an old Hummingbird portable I have had for many years and still going strong. I am very disappointed in the image is is difficult to see in any light washed out even after adjusting the contrast. Not at all like the pictures

Posted by Tom

  • 1/5
1

Why does the 571 hd have fish ID on the menu if it doesn’t mark fish? Very disappointed with Humminbird on this unit.

Posted by Al M

  • 1/5
1

Do not buy this unit. The screen does not show images like in the pictures. Have had it for a year and it has already been in for repair. Now moisture gets behind the screen and you cant see a thing. Save yourself the hassle and buy a lowrance!

Emailed humminbird on moisture behind the screen. They said it should go away within an hour of use as the sun warms the unit up. What a poor answer. Not impressed with this product or their service. Replaced a lowrance unit with this one. Big mistake.

Dont buy the humminbird 570 hddi or anything humminbird makes. Very poor quality and has been in for repairs since day one. Now it gets moisture behind the screen and they say it is normal. They will look at it for a discounted service price of $86. It is also very hard to release from the mounting bracket. Picture quality is anything but HD. I am going to throw this unit away and go back to a lowrance unit. They are a quality unit that is easy to use and have good picture quality. Humminbird all around is not good and their customer service is crap.

Posted by jacques

  • 1/5
1

Feb 18 2016….

to summarize … disappointed

Alarm buzzer on max is next to inaudible… since out of the box

fish display.. somewhat poor

DI next to useless for me anyway

Complex options menus…. no booklet to carry with me on the boat (must be downloaded)

Overall…. I may very well dump it for a helix (no GPS no DI no SI)

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