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 70s Review

Rating
4/5
 
Garmin echoMAP 70s has an average rating of 4 out of 5 based on 4 user reviews.

garminechomap70s

Vendor Price
WestMarine $999.99
BassPro $1099.99
Sears $999.99
Cabelas $1049.99
Crutchfield $1049.99
ISave $999.99

The Garmin echoMAP 70s is a combination high performance chartplotter and fishfinder. The ultrafast updates make this unit ideal for shallow and inland water on any center console or bass boat.

The echoMAP 70s has a seven inch WVGA touchscreen display. The display is crystal clear, allows great visibility in the daytime as well as nighttime, a highlighted user friendly interface that any angler can navigate, and provides crystal clear target separation. Garmin echoMap70s compares favorably to other 7 inch display fishfinders such as Humminbird 858c.

Anglers have the capability of refreshing heading and position as many as ten times each second with the integration of a 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver on the echoMAP 70s. This provides considerably better accuracy when the angler is navigating and marking waypoints and permits the echoMAP 70s fishfinder to display a fluid and constant location on the screen.

The echoMAP 70s also allows for sonar recording in conjunction with the GPS receiver. This allows the vessel to coordinate the timing of the return of the sonar relative to the position of the boat by using this feature. This permits all of the independent 5000 waypoints that are user defined to be precise and accurate. The echoMAP 70s is a great tool for the angler for pinpointing and locating the next hot fishing location.

echoMAP 70s fishfinder transmits a 77/200 kHz signal from a dual beam transducer. This device provides fishermen the opportunity to access and connect to marine specific Garmin applications via tablet PC or smartphone with the capability of wireless connectivity.

The Garmin echoMAP 70s tracks boat’s position and displays position data from a VHF radio that is DSC capable. The unit has a water sensor, water temperature log and graph, real time display of fish passing through transducer beam, and will measure depth of underwater objects. This fishfinder also maximizes targets while minimizing clutter, has a Fish Symbol Identification that will help identify fish targets, audible alarms, tide tables, and sun and moon information. The track log offers anglers 50 saved tracks and as many as 5,000 track points. The unit also provides anglers with split screen zoom and split screen sonar/GPS. The echoMAP 70s comes with documentation, bezel, protective cover, flush mount kit, knobs and ball mount, and a sonar/data/power or data/power cable. You can get a great deal on Garmin echoMAP 70s here.

 
 
 Lowrance HDS-7Humminbird 798ci SI Garmin echoMap 70s
lowrance_hds7gen2humminbird_798garminechomap70s
Screen Size6.4 in / 163 mm5 in / 127 mm7 in
Screen Resolution480 x 640 pixels 640 x 640 pixels800 x 480 pixels
Display Type16-bit color Full VGA SolarMAX PLUS TFT256 Color TFTmulti-touch touchscreen WVGA display
Imaging2D2D and Side Imaging2D
Transducer TypeTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling MotorTransom Mount/Trolling Motor
Transmit PowerMax 250W Broadband, analog equivalent 30000W and 32W Broadband, analog equivalent 3750W 500W RMS
4000W Peak-to-Peak
500W (RMS) / 4,000W (peak to peak)
Sonar Frequency 50/83/200 kHz 83/200 kHz 2D
455 kHz Side Imaging
200 / 77kHz
Maximum Depth5000 ft / 1524 m1500 ft 2D
100 ft Side Imaging
1,900 ft fresh water / 700 ft salt water
GPS Antenna TypeInternal, high-sensitivity GPS+WAASInternalInternal
Waypoint Storage500025005000
Routes2005010
Background MapExpanded U.S. BaseMap or Insight USAHumminbird ContourXDWorldwide Basemap and US BlueChart g2
MSRP$1119.99$1109.99$1049.99
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by Chris S.

  • 3/5
3

This is a very good fishfinder. It does what is advertised very well and the price is much lower than other models with this screen size and touchscreen. The screen is by far it’s best attribute, the display clarity is much better than that of comparable models such as Lowrance HDS 7 TouchInsight. My biggest problem with this unit is transducer compatibility. You can’t connect it to older Garmin transducers because it uses different frequencies. I don’t think this was a good strategy for Garmin, maybe they did that to sell new transducers. If you want to buy a unit with a new transducer this is a good model, if you want to replace the display and keep old transducer you’ll have to buy a different one.

Posted by Dan Pompei

  • 5/5
5

If you’re looking for a fast and accurate GPS this unit is great choice. I fish in the marshes so I need something that will help me navigate through a difficult environment. Touch screen is great, the unit is very easy to operate.

Posted by John Winblad

  • 5/5
5

Garmin delivered again with this model. I run saltwater fishing tours in Texas so I needed good GPS. I’m more than satisfied. The chartplotter in this unit allows you to very easily set tracks and waypoints, it even automatically adjusts it to your boat’s position.

Posted by G Manning

  • 3/5
3

I have had a 70s for 3 years now.
A functional unit, for sure, never let me down.
But the aftermarket mapping is poor.
I purchased blue chart to get a better view of Australian lakes, in fact the largest lake in Australia.
But there are NO navigational marks in the lake, no contours and I was less than impressed.
My friends Raymarine mapping makes Garmin blue chart look cheap and nasty.
While the product itself is good and hardy, Garmin need to pick up their act in mapping products.

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