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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Garmin EchoMap Plus 63cv Review

Garmin EchoMap Plus 63cv

For 2018, Garmin introduced the Echomap Plus 63cv, which is among the latest series of fishfinders offering updated technology. The 63cv replaces the echoMAP CHIRP 53cv. The upgrades include larger, higher resolution screen, ActiveCaptain compatibility, LakeVu charts and Wi-Fi.

EchoMap Plus 63cv Basics

The package contains the EchoMap fishfinder, one CV20-TM transducer, the power and data cable, the tilt and swivel mount, a flush mount, a protective cover, installation hardware and the instruction manual.

The EchoMap Plus 63cv features a 6.2-inch display equipped with full-color WVGA and 800×400 pixel resolution. Adjustable backlighting ensures the images are easy to see even in direct sunlight. The unit is also rated as having IPX7 waterproofing, which prevents damage in the event of accidental water exposure. The mounts provided enable anglers to install the unit into a vessel’s dashboard or use the quick-release swivel mount, which makes the EchoMap portable or easy to keep secure when not in use. The device enables users to navigate through the menus using the same push buttons featured on the right side of the unit. Unlike larger units, the 63cv does not come with touchscreen functionality.

Thanks to the Wi-Fi capability, anglers can easily link the device with a laptop, smartphone or tablet. Additionally, the unit features a microSD card slot for inserting cards having up to 32 GB of storage.

Sonar Features

The CV20-TM transducer comes equipped with an integrated temperature sensor, a 20-foot cable and a four-pin connector. The single transducer produces the images for both the 2D and the ClearVu sonar. The dual-frequency transducer also enables anglers to use both frequency beams s