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 698ci HD SI Review

Rating
4.1/5
 
Humminbird 698ci HD SI has an average rating of 4.14 out of 5 based on 7 user reviews.

Humminbird_698

Vendor Price
BassPro $699.99
Sears $785.70
Cabelas $699.99
ISave $699.99

The Humminbird 698ci HD SI features a brilliant 640V X 480H, backlit, five inch, 256 color display. It offers precision GPS chart plotting, as well as Down Imaging and Side Imaging sonar. This unit has a tilt and swivel mounting system with quick disconnects and built-in Humminbird UniMap cartography. You can also save your favorite views with three preset buttons that are programmable. The Humminbird 698ci HD SI fishfinder GPS system will enhance the fishing experience for any angler.

The Humminbird 698ci HD SI is a good choice if you want advanced features but aren’t concerned with the size of the screen. The unit offers a high definition display that is amazingly clear. The included transducer is capable of depths of 1,500 feet, and it has power output of 4,000 watts (PTP), 500 watts (RMS). Side imaging covers 240 feet on either side of the boat. The internal GPS receiver is accurate and fast and the standard one card slot allows a selection of optional maps including Navionics, AutoChart, and LakeMaster.

The 600 Series Humminbird fishfinders are intended to combine all of the professional features of larger fishfinders with an unobtrusive, sleek footprint and a medium sized screen that is easy to read. Regardless if the Humminbird 698ci HD SI fishfinder is flush mounted on the dash or gimbal mounted in the fore or aft of the fishing boat, it provides anglers with fish finding ability that is world class.

Features:

  • • Temperature and Speed are included.
  • • Sonar Coverage of 180 degrees, 60 degrees, and 20 degrees.
  • • Maximum depth of 1,500 feet (2D and 100 feet DI/SI)
  • • Built in UniMap
  • • Precision WASS+GPS
  • • SwitchFire
  • • DualBeam Plus
  • • Down Imaging
  • • Side Imaging
  • • Ultra bright five inch HD 480H X 640V color display

You can get a great deal on Humminbird 698ci HD SI here.

 
 
 Lowrance Elite-7 HDIHumminbird 598ci SI Humminbird 698ci SI
lowranceelite7hdihumminbird_598humminbird_698
Screen Size7 in5 in 5 in
Screen Resolution480 x 800 pixels640 x 640 pixels480 x 640 pixels
Display Type16-bit color, Full VGA SolarMax PllusTFT256 Color TFT256 Color TFT
Imaging2D and Down Imaging2D and Side Imaging2D and Side Imaging
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit PowerMax 250W RMS
30,000W Peak to Peak analog equivalent
500W RMS
4000W Peak-to-Peak
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 50/200 or 83/200 kHz 2D
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
83/200 kHz 2D
455 kHz Side Imaging
200/455 kHz 2D
455/800 kHz Side Imaging
Maximum Depth1000 or 2500 ft 2D
300 ft Down Imaging
1500 ft 2D
100 ft Side Imaging
1500 ft 2D
100 ft Side Imaging
GPS Antenna TypeInternal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAASInternalInternal
Waypoint Storage300025002500
Routes1005050
Plot TrailsUp to 100 trails - up to 10,000 points / trail50 w/20,000 points each 50 w/20,000 points each
Base MapExpanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USAHumminbird ContourXDHumminbird UniMap
MSRP$699$899$699
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by Skip Evans

  • 1/5
1

Humminbird models seem to get worse every year – last year they took 798, got rid of ethernet connectivity and called it 598. This year they took 598 put in a lower resolution display and called it 698. Hey, but you can get a KVD version with red buttons for 50 bucks more! I won’t be buying this or any other Humminbird fishfinder anytime soon.

Posted by Swens

  • 5/5
5

Yeah you can buy the Lowrance instead and have to pay an extra $600’s for “Structure Scan” and have a giant 2nd transducer hanging off your boat, for what this unit does standard with 1 puck style transducer. If you want Ethernet and an extra 150 pixels, you have plenty of high end options. If you want all the same features – DownScan, SI, Charting and Sonar Dual Beam, in a smaller unit that doesn’t cost $1000+, then this is great option.

The 798 was $999 and the 598 was $899 – They did the exact same thing- This is $699.

Posted by Dan H.

  • 5/5
5

Great fishfinder. Very accurate, shows the fish and structure, gives great coverage, much larger than pure down imaging fishfinders in this price range. GPS seems to be accurate too, I can fish in dense fog with no worries now.

Posted by EricsDad

  • 5/5
5

I got a couple of these on Amazon last month. These units rock, they paid for themselves in their first bass tournament (4th place).

Posted by Capt Bob

  • 5/5
5

This unit has everything you need – sonar, down image, side image and GPS. All of this in one display and one transducer. I got it on Amazon for $660 – cheap at twice the price.

Posted by Bushman John

  • 5/5
5

i am a licensed outfitter and fishing guide and these little units are major bang for the buck. i have two on my bass boat and they paid for themselves the first two trips out. had a problem with one right after i got it ( screen went out) but sent it back to HB and they had it back out to me within a couple days via priority mail. works perfectly now.great unit for the money

Posted by Mike2718

  • 3/5
3

These units seem to have major problems with GPS. GPS doesn’t start when the unit is powered on. This seems to be a widespread problem and is well documented on the internet. When this happens I run self check which seems to resolve the problem. The sonar is great though.

Posted by Gary Ricky

0

I guess I got really lucky I walked in to Gander Mountain with a going out of business sale the fishing manager just walked up with 8 of these to put out @ $329.00 a piece so grabbed one . THANK YOU LORD !

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