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

Lowrance Mark 4 CHIRP Review

Lowrance_Mark4CHIRP

Vendor Price
Cabelas $199.99
ISave $199.99

Lowrance Mark-4 CHIRP is a great choice for everyday anglers who are looking to gain an upper hand on gamefish without spending a lot of money. The new Mark 4 is an inexpensive addition to any angler’s toolbox. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with some excellent fish finding features. In fact, it has all the typical bells and whistles associated with Lowrance’s well-established product line.

Key Features

• High-resolution 4.3 inch/109.22mm grey-toned or colored Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna and sonar.
• Highly-accurate, Lowrance-exclusive DownScan Imaging option.
• DownScan Overlay solution overlaps DownScan Imaging with the unit’s sonar images, simplifying how anglers identify gamefish from surrounding structures, vegetation and contours.
• Customized mapping service via the Insight Genesis website allows users to share a vast database of fishing destinations.
• Access to contour mapping of over 3000 lakes and coastal waterways throughout the United States.
• Support for Navionics package includes cartography and high-definition mapping of the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water in Canada, Alaska and the Bahamas.
• TrackBack function allows anglers to review sonar history, while also designating fishing hotspots and waypoints.
• Multi-window display with multiple options and capabilities.
• Optional page layouts with access to multiple panel images.
• Lowrance-exclusive Advance Signal Processing (ASP) feature eliminates manual adjustments and time-consuming changes in settings.
• Options include an 83/200 kHz Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) transducer operating up to 1000 feet, or a 50/200 kHz HDI transducer operating up to 3000 feet.

The new Mark-4 CHIRP doesn’t disappoint. This latest solution comes with a vivid greyscale 4.3 inch/109.2mm LED display. The 11-level LED-backlit display, coupled with its sonar and DownScan Imaging™ solution, means the Mark-4 CHIRP allows anglers to clearly distinguish between bait and game fish, rock structures and vegetation, while also providing sports fishermen with a brilliant, unencumbered view of the water below.

The exclusive Advance Signal Processing (ASP) feature eliminates the often time-consuming task of manually adjusting settings. Instead of wasting time fixing configuration, anglers are able to immediately distinguish between fish-holding structures, rock formations and ridges. If the goal is to get out onto the water and fish immediately, then the Mark-4 CHIRP is a cost-effective solution for maximizing fishing time without breaking the bank.

Anglers can identify, track and review previously visited fishing hotspots. All they need to do is use the TrackBack function and a complete sonar history is displayed. They can then pinpoint those all-important locations and/or create a waypoint in order to track routes from their main fishing hole.

The preloaded cartography includes maps and contours of over 3000 lakes and rivers. Complimenting this feature is Insight Genesis software that allows fishermen to create customized high-resolution bottom contour maps based on sonar recordings. These maps can be stored for future reference or shared among a community of online users.

The Mark-4 CHIRP’s multifunctional display allows users to combine both the down imaging with the unit’s Broadband Sounder. The resulting overlay provides a clear display that allows users to easily distinguish their prey from surrounding rock structures, ridges and vegetation. You can get a great deal on Lowrance Mark 4 CHIRP here.

 
 
 Lowrance Mark-4 CHIRPGarmin echo 151dv
lowrance_mark-4chirpgarmin_echo_151dv
Screen Size4.3 in4 in
Screen Resolution480 x 272 pixels160 x 256 pixels
Display TypeMonochrome TFT with 11-Level LED backlight8-level grayscale FSTN
Imaging2D, Down Imaging, Downscan Overlay2D and Down Imaging
Transmit PowerMax 250W RMS, 30,000W Peak to Peak (analog equivalent)200 W (RMS)
1,600 W (peak to peak)
Sonar Frequency 455/800 kHz downimage
Low, Med, High (CHIRP), 50 kHz/83kHz/200kHz
77/200 kHz dual beam

50/200 kHz optional dual frequency transducer
Maximum Depth300 ft Down Imaging
1000 ft 2D @ 77 kHz
3000 ft 2D @ 50 kHz
1600 ft at 77 kHz freshwater
GPSYesNo
MSRP$229$119
ReviewReview

User Reviews

Posted by Tom G.

  • 5/5
5

Until recently I have been a Humminbird man. I decided to buy a Hobie Pro kayak for fishing and noticed that Lowrance mounts were built into the hull. So I looked into them and decided to give the Mark 4 CHIRP a go. Thanks to the built in mounts, setting it up was a breeze. I power it with a gel cell battery, and after five outings it seems to drain around 1/10th of a volt in two hours. This means you should never have to worry about running out of power no matter how long you stay out. The customizable display is great. I keep the GPS map up top with the bottom pane split between sonar and fish finder. It also lets me display things like speed, depth, water temperature and battery voltage, so all the info I need is right there. The sonar and fish finder have worked well every time out so far. The screen is bright and easy to read in bright conditions. The GPS and chart plotting are great for storing waypoints and routes, so I never have to spend more time than necessary getting where I am going. This is a definite buy for anyone into kayak fishing. I may try out one of their larger units when it comes time to replace one on my boat.

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