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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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  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
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How to Install a Transducer

By following the how to install a transducer instructions provided here you should be able to turn what many consider a difficult task into an easy straightforward transom mount transducer installation.

The two big issues that pop as problematic on most transducer installation jobs is properly locating the transducer so it reads well at speed and routing the cable to the sonar display unit. Let’s start with the mounting the transducer.

Locate and Mount the Transducer Properly

First off, you will want to position the transducer on the transom in a spot that will have contact with the water at all times but not interfere with cooling water flow to an outboard engine. On a boat with twin engines, like our 25-foot Grady White, this ends up being somewhere right near the hull centerline. In this case, I mounted the transducer slightly left of center due to a drain hole mounted right on the hull centerline.

airmar p66 transom mount transducer

Here is the Airmar P66 mounted to the transom on the Grady White 25-footer.

The bottom of the transducer needs to sit about one-sixteenth of an inch below the extended waterline of the hull. This will assure the transducer will remain in clean bubble free water even when the boat is on plane yet not be so deep that the transducer throws a rooster tail of water behind the boat when at speed.

The actual mounting method depends on the transducer itself but many will mount in a similar fashion to the Airmar P66 I mounted for this application. On the P66 the mounting bracket is slotted to allow for easy vertical adjustment. Three screws are used to hold the unit to the transom of the boat. The bracket and transducer snap together on two pins that allow the transducer to swing up should it contact an object at speed.

 How to Install a Transducer—Drilling the Transom

On most fiberglass boats the transom to bottom joint where you will be mounting is heavily constructed and can easily handle the holes you will need to drill for the transducer without breaking the water tight seal. Even if you drill all the way through the transom don’t sweat it, just make sure