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

Garmin echoMap 70dv Review

Rating
4.7/5
 
Garmin echoMap 70dv has an average rating of 4.67 out of 5 based on 3 user reviews.

echomap70dv_cf_lg

Vendor Price
WestMarine $1149.99
BassPro $1149.99
Cabelas $1149.99

Garmin echoMap 70dv combines excellent sonar used on the echo series with the Garmin’s brand new DownVu technology, 10Hz GPS receiver, and a brilliant, touchscreen display. The echoMap 70dv has it all and is one of the finest fishfinders we have come across in a long time.

The echoMap 70dv comes with the dual-beam 77/200 kHZ transducer that provides down imaging capability as well as traditional sonar output. Down imaging can be used for identifying structure while 2D sonar is used to locate fish. The output is seamlessly relayed back to a bright 7″, touchscreen display, which makes it a joy to use. The echoMap 70dv can also provide side imaging with the use of an optional GCV blackbox. The 500W transducer can reach the depth of 1100ft in ideal conditions. The sonar output can be displayed in split-screen mode in multiple different configurations. The unit provides water temperature as well as speed and supports the bottom lock feature.

The echoMap 70dv is not only a fish finder, but also a chartplotter. The GPS receives updates 10 times a second which gives it great accuracy fluid display. Garmin offers the echoMap 70dv is three configurations: no preloaded maps, inland lake maps called LakeVu or BlueChart G2 coastal maps. LakeVu is a relatively new cartography product that provides maps of 17 thousand US lakes. The GPS memory can store upto 5000 waypoints and 100 tracks. The unit has 2 micro SD card readers – one can be used for additional cartography and the second one for saving waypoints. There are 2 NMEA 0183 input ports and 2 output ports, NMEA 2000 is not supported. Garmin echoMap 70dv comes with all the necessary accessories. Included are: the transducer along with the transom and trolling motor mounts, bail and flush display unit mount kits, power cable and the protective cover. You can get a great deal on Garmin echoMap 70dv here.

 
 
 Lowrance Elite-7 HDIGarmin echoMap 70dvRaymarine Dragonfly7
lowranceelite7hdigarmin_echomap70sraymarine_dragonfly7
Screen Size7 in7 in 7 in
Screen Resolution480 x 800 pixels480 x 800 pixels800 x 640 pixels
Display Type16-bit color, Full VGA SolarMax PlusTFTMulti-touch touchscreen WVGA display WVGA
TouchscreenNoYesNo
Imaging2D and Down Imaging2D and Down Imaging2D and Down Imaging
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit PowerMax 250W RMS
30,000W Peak to Peak analog equivalent
500 W (RMS)
4,000 W (peak to peak)
500W RMS
4000W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 50/200 or 83/200 kHz 2D
455/800 kHz Down Imaging
77/200 kHz

50/200 kHz with an optional dual frequency tranducer
200 kHz Sonar/350 kHz Down Vision
Maximum Depth1000 or 2500 ft 2D
300 ft Down Imaging
2,300 ft at 77 kHz freshwater
1,100 ft at 77 kHz, saltwater
600 ft in both DownVision and Sonar modes
GPS Antenna TypeInternal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAASInternalInternal
Waypoint Storage300050003000
Routes100100150
MSRP$699$1149$849
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by Jason

  • 5/5
5

I have the Garmin echomap 70dv in my boat and am amazed with the imaging compared to any other brand.
I had a Lowrance elite 7HDI and comparing the 2 is chalk and cheese.
For the extra money Garmin wins hands down.

Posted by Brad B.

  • 4/5
4

I’ve used many Humminbird and Lowrance units and I finally decided to switch to Garmin after reading the reviews, it was a great choice. The first thing that stands out immediately is the screen clarity. 70dv’s screen is even better than Humminibird 999 which it replaced. It also has better GPS which is not surprising since that’s Garmin’s core technology. Comparable touchscreen Lowrance units cost hundreds more and their displays are not as good.

Posted by Jeff Lira

  • 5/5
5

EchoMap 70dv Garmin
This is a great unit. From a to z way better than I thought. But the book is hard to understand & online video not good. Still playing with it, but it is awesome.

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