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Garmin Striker Plus 7cv Review

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Garmin Striker Plus 7cv

Garmin has released the Striker Plus series of fishfinders, with improved sonar technology and a new set of features that enable anglers to catch more fish, yet just as easy to use as the original Striker series.

The Striker Plus 7cv introduces built-in GPS, Quickdraw Contours mapping, and wireless connectivity to a new generation of anglers, but those using the previous series can still upgrade to Plus technology. With a large, bright display and easy-to-follow menus, even people new to fishfinders will find the 7cv simple and fun to use.

Display

The high-def screen features bright, crisp WGVA color. The Striker Plus 7cv provides split screen zoom and an anti-glare lens for clear views even in bright sun. A simple, intuitive menu makes it easy for anyone to track boat speed in wake-controlled waters, mark waypoints, and access a range of other features. You’ll be able to track your lure and see every fish that approaches.

Features

Some of the useful features in the 7cv include AutoGain, A-scope, CHIRP, Bottom Lock, Ultrasroll, Flasher for tracking your jig while stationary fishing, and course over ground. One of the strongest features us Garmin’s Quickdraw Contours mapping that lets you create your own maps of lake bottoms. Nobody knows your favorite fishing waters better than you do, and now you can easily create high-def maps to store the information and plot your next trip.

The Quickdraw software makes it easy to create and save up to 2 million acres in maps at 1-foot contour intervals. When Quickdraw Contours is activated, you’ll immediately begin seeing contour maps generated on-screen as the boat moves from one point to the next. Labels are automatically applied. There’s no need to access the internet or buy other Garmin devices. Maps are made quickly and smoothly right in the 7cv fishfinder. You can follow them in real-time, create them in the background, and store and play them back later for review. In review, you’ll be able to spot gaps to identify areas you need for a complete overview of depth information.

Sonar

Like the original STRIKER series, the Plus version offers the traditional CHIRP sonar along with dual beam CHIRP ClearVu scanning. SideVu is not part of the 7cv package. Instead of a single frequency, the Plus CTM-20 sonar sends out a constant sweep of low-to-high frequencies to provide you the clearest images. This affords a near-photo quality image of everything below your boat. You can see very clear fish arches with excellent target separation. The transducer includes a built-in water temperature sensor.

Wi-Fi

The 7cv also includes an interface for connectivity with your wireless devices. Built in Wi-Fi also lets take advantage of Garmin’s free ActiveCaptain app that lets you connect quickly and reliably to any compatible smartphone or tablet and to a second Striker Plus device, including the echoMap Plus series. You’ll be able to share or backup your waypoints and routes. ActiveCaptain allows you to receive on-screen alerts via calls and text, and connect to the Quickdraw Contours online community. There you can download other community user data such as custom maps, and enjoy fast, easy software upgrades. You won’t get this wireless capability with the smaller 5cv Plus.

GPS

A high-sensitivity GPS system is built into the Plus series. You get position updates once per second. This allows you mark favorite fishing spots, submerged objects, structures, and other water features on the go so you avoid or return to them later. You can adjust your trolling speed for optimal precision and enhance your lure presentation to fish you encounter.

The 7cv would have benefited from a more sophisticated transducers, but you can always upgrade to a CV22HW-TM or CV23M-TM transducer. It does not come with preloaded maps, nor does it have a microSD slot to upgrade software or store additional data. It also doesn’t allow to store and review screenshots.

Apart from these limitations, which may not be necessary to you when connected to ActiveCaptain, the STRIKER Plus 7cv is another quality fishfinder from Garmin. The Plus is not a dramatic change from the prior STRIKER series, but the upgrades to software and performance are definitely there. For its affordable price, the Plus 7cv is a rugged and highly functional fishfinder. Even if you have limited experience with these devices, it won’t take long before your Plus 7cv is helping you to locate more fish than ever before. With its mapping features, it will also guide you right back to your favorite spots to catch fish over and over again.

 Lowrance Hook 7Garmin Striker Plus 7cvRaymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro
lowrancehook7Garmin Striker Plus 7cvraymarine_dragonfly7pro
Screen Size7 in7 in7 in
Screen Resolution480 x 800 pixels480 x 800 pixels800 x 640 pixels
Display Type16-bit color, Full VGA SolarMax PlusTFTWVGA colorWVGA
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 Frequency455/800 kHz Down Imaging,
Low, Med, High (CHIRP),
50 kHz/83kHz/200kHz (Narrow Band)
Traditional: 50/77/200 kHz
ClearVü: 260/455/800 kHz
200 kHz Sonar/350 kHz Down Vision
Maximum DepthDown Imaging: 300 ft
CHIRP Sonar High Range/200 kHz: 1,000 ft
CHIRP Sonar Med Range/83 kHz: 1000 ft
CHIRP Sonar Low Range/50 kHz: 3,000 ft
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
MSRP$599$399$599
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