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

Humminbird PiranhaMAX 153 Review

Rating
4.7/5
 
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 153 has an average rating of 4.67 out of 5 based on 3 user reviews.

humminbird_piranhamax153

Vendor Price
BassPro $79.99
FactoryOutletStore $89.99
ISave $89.99

The PiranhaMAX 153 by Humminbird is part of their latest line of fishfinders for the 2013 fishing season and features several innovative features to provide performance and value. Featuring a 4” display with a pixel matrix of 160V x 128H and dual beam sonar that produces images at up to 600 feet in a four-level grayscale display, you’ll know exactly where the fish are and where they are headed.

This product also includes a tilted mount to allow for easy placement on any boat and includes vital features like a temperature display, a completely waterproof design and a 2.5 inch display accuracy. The dual beam sonar means that you’ll have perfect accuracy regardless of the water depth. The unit broadcasts the sonar signals at either 83 or 200 khz and switches automatically depending on water depth to provide an accurate reading of fish in the area. It also features a wide display of up to 60 degrees for even greater area coverage that allows you to see more water at once. Like all Humminbird models, it provides an extensive set of features with just a three button display, making it an easy device to learn and use, even for those who have never operated one before.

Other key features include:

• Various fish display types depending on their location in relation to your boat.

• Glare-resistant display for improved visibility in direct sunlight.

• 100 watts power output that won’t drain your power supply resources.

• Compact size making portability easy.

Humminbird products have a reputation for quality and value, and the latest PirhannaMax models are no exception. They have been universally well-received by both professional and recreational fisherman who praise the performance of the unit.

Though the grayscale display provides a clear image of the fish near and below your boat, some who have used this product have expressed a desire for a color display. Another potential setback some users have reported is that there are still the occasional display issues in direct sunlight, even with the improvements of this year’s models. In certain conditions, it can be difficult to see the details of the screen with the sun shining on it directly.

Conversely, the backlight display has been universally praised by users who are thrilled with its three different intensity settings. It provides a clear view of the unit even in pitch black conditions. Fishing is no longer restricted by the amount of sunlight available on a given day.

The sonar’s accuracy has also been praised, with most users reporting it to be accurate within a few feet. This is great news for potential buyers who are looking to cut back on their time spent on the water looking for prime spots, and start spending more time doing what they enjoy.

Overall, the new features have been well-received by those who have already purchased this item, and it carries a very high recommendation rate. Users have also given high praise to the many available optional accessories. Despite potential display flaws and the lack of color output, the unit is seen as a fantastic value and yet another quality addition to the Humminbird line of fishfinder products. You can get a great deal on Humminbird PiranhaMAX 153 here.

 
 
 Garmin Echo 100Humminbird PiranhaMax 143Humminbird PiranhaMax 153
garmin_echo_100humminbirdpiranhamaxpiranhamax153
Screen Size4 in / 102 mm 4 in / 102 mm 4 in / 102 mm
Screen Resolution160 x 256 pixels 160 x 128 pixels 160 x 128 pixels
Display Type8-level grayscale FSTN 4-level grayscale4-level grayscale
Imaging2D2D 2D
Transmit Power100W RMS
800W Peak-To-Peak
100W RMS
800W Peak-To-Peak
100W RMS
800W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 200 kHz 200 kHz 83/200 kHz
Maximum Depth600 ft 600 ft600 ft
MSRP$79.99$69.99$79.99
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by RF

  • 4/5
4

I have 798SI at the stern and I installed this one on the bow. Piranhamax 153 returns that same Depth and temperature readings as the 798, no problems so far (I used to have Piranhamax 170 that was not as accurate). The quick release isn’t very user friendly but that’s about the only downside I can think of.

Posted by Paul Doubman

  • 5/5
5

I bought this sonar because of the price. I didn’t need all the features in the expensive fishfinders, I fish in a kayak in shallow water, this fishfinder does the job of showing the bottom so that can safely get back to the shore.

Posted by dougd

  • 5/5
5

A great buy for the price. When I was looking around I found the single beam unit at Walmart priced the same. I decided to go ahead and pick up this dual beam and give it a go. I have a small boat and usually fish shallow waters. So far the unit has done great at finding fish and showing me the bottom. The only down side is that when my boat gets rocked by wake, it loses the reading. But that is pretty much par for the course. This is a good deal if you don’t plan on hitting any really deep spots regularly.

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