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 678c HD DI Review

Humminbird_678

Vendor Price
BassPro $399.99
Sears $448.20
Cabelas $399.99
ISave $399.99
You can get a $50 mail-in rebate if you purchase by July 31st, see the details here.

The new 600 series from Humminbird was conceived to meet the requirements of anglers who want a sleek but unobtrusive medium sized, easy to read screen and all of the features of larger, more expensive fishfinders. The 600 series offers anglers world-class fish finding without the need to compromise space for other instrumentation, regardless if the unit is gimbal mounted or flush mounted in the dash. The 678 model, priced at $399, is least the expensive option in the 600 lineup.

The Humminbird 678c HD DI is a fishfinder only model without GPS. It has a 5″ high-definition color screen with a 640 x 480 resolution. There are three new color pallets that offer more flexibility in bright daylight or overcast conditions. The 678c combines the DualBeam sonar with down imaging to create a picture of what’s underneath the boat no matter the conditions. The SwitchFire feature that controls the broadband sonar has two unique modes. In the Clear Mode the software will filter through the sonar returns and only display the structure and the fish. This mode is great for reducing undesired clutter in the water column. The Max Mode gives greater detail on the screen from the sonar returns. This mode provides complete underwater coverage.

In addition the Dual Beam Plus provides individually selectable wide and narrow beams, which can be melded into one display or viewed individually. Fish that are hidden in bottom clutter will be revealed by the precision, 20 degree beam. For greater coverage there is the wider, 60 degree beam. These beams can be viewed together to obtain a complete picture, side by side, or separately. Maximum depths for the 678c are 350′ for down imaging and 600′ for broadband sonar. No matter the type of fishing trip, the Humminbird 678c HD DI fishfinder is ready, willing and able to help land the big one and make any day on the water one to remember. You can get a great deal on Humminbird 678c HD DI here.

 
 
 Humminbird 678c HD DIGarmin echo 551dv
humminbird_678garmin_echo_551dv
Screen Size5 in5 in
Screen Resolution480 x 640 pixels480 x 640 pixels
Display Type256 Color TFTColor VGA
Imaging2D and Down Imaging2D and Down Imaging
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit Power500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 200/455 kHz 2D
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
50/77/200 kHz, DownVu
Maximum Depth350' (DI) and 600' (2D) 2,300 ft @ 77 kHz freshwater
MSRP$399$419
ReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by AllenW

  • 4/5
4

This unit is a pleasure to use, it has lot of different features. I’ve been playing with it for a month now and I’m still tweaking the settings. It is however very sensitive to interference from the trolling motor. I had to change my transducer installation a few times before I finally got it right.

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