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.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best Compact Value
A straightforward sonar and GPS unit for kayaks, jon boats, and small boats.
Best All-Around 7-Inch Fishfinder
A capable sonar-first choice for anglers who want a useful 7-inch display without moving into a full chartplotter system.
Best GPS & Chartplotter Upgrade
The mapping step-up for buyers who need confident navigation as well as high-quality scanning sonar.
Best Side-Imaging Upgrade
A current 9-inch imaging platform for anglers ready to build around serious side imaging and boat integration.
Best Premium Expandable System
A larger-boat platform for buyers who want premium sonar, mapping, networking, and a serious expansion path.
The Lowrance LMS525C DF is a chartplotter and 500-watt dual frequency fishfinder in one unit. It comes packaged with a transom-mount transducer and LGC-3000 GPS sensor. This unit does have a built-in base map; however for detailed cartography a map card is required. Other models of this machine are available
The Lowrance LHR-80 is a floating marine handheld VHF/GPS combo radio and navigator. It features a 12-channel GPS receiver, high capacity lithium battery pack, and large dot matrix display screen. This radio is marine electronics conglomerate Navico’s entry into the handheld radio combo market. I am testing the US version
The Lowrance HDS-7 multi-function display we tested was equipped with an internal broadband sounder and internal GPS sensor. The package shipped with an 83/200 kHz transom-mount transducer. It also came preloaded with Lowrance Nautic Insight U.S. Coastal cartography. Other gear included is mounting bracket, operations manual, installation manual, quick start
The Lowrance HDS-5 we tested had an internal Broadband Sounder ™, internal GPS receiver, and was preloaded with Lowrance Nautic Insight ™ U.S. Coastal cartography. The HDS-5 package ships with the display unit, mounting bracket, dual-frequency transom-mount transducer, operations manual, installation manual, quick start guide, and a combination NMEA0183 data/power
The Lowrance HDS-5 Gen2 features an internal Broadband Sounder ™, internal high-sensitivity GPS receiver, and compatibility with the latest black box add-on StuctureScan ™ HD sonar imaging system. This advanced version of the HDS-5 ships with the display unit, mounting bracket, dual-frequency transom-mount transducer, operations manual, installation manual, quick start
The Lowrance Endura Sierra is the top of the line unit of the three in the Endura™ series. The entry-level Out&Back and the versatile Safari fill out the lineup. All three were released in 2009. The Sierra will be the first unit in the series to be subjected to the
Updated August 2026: The HDS-10 reviewed here is an older Lowrance generation. If you’re shopping for a similar current 10-inch system, see our Lowrance HDS PRO 10 review. We’ve kept the original review below for owners, comparisons, and used-market research. The Lowrance HDS-10 tested here is a big screen multi-function
The Lowrance Elite-5 is a combination chartplotter fishfinder that couples a 5-inch display screen, 16-channel GPS with internal antenna, and 500-watt sounder into a single unit. The Elite-5 package ships with the display unit, quick-release mounting bracket, dual-frequency transom-mount transducer, an installation and operation manual. Alternatively, the Elite-5 can be
The Lowrance Elite-5 Gold shares the same sharp 5-inch display screen, 16-channel GPS sensor, easy-to-use software interface, and 500-watt internal sounder as the Elite-5. This Lowrance chartplotter fishfinder adds another dimension to the Elite-5 series by shipping with a Navionics chart card in addition to the Elite-5 hardware package which
The Lowrance Elite-5 DSI is a combination chartplotter fishfinder that couples a bright 5-inch display screen, 16-channel GPS with internal antenna, onboard U.S. inland and coastal cartography and DownScan Imaging™sounder into a single unit. The Elite-5 DSI package ships with the display unit, a quick-release mounting bracket, a DSI transom-mount
The JRC PLOT 500F came equipped with an external self-contained WAAS GPS sensor and an integral 600-watt sounder. It is preloaded with a world map and uses C-Map NT+ cartography to enhance map details. Overall dimensions of the display unit are 8-1/4 inches by 7-1/4 inches with a depth of
The Iridium 9555 is a compact self-contained satellite telephone and the newest addition to the companies sat phone lineup. From the factory this Iridium sat phone ships with the handset, battery, AC and DC chargers, an international plug kit, headset, auxiliary antenna, and antenna adaptor tray. The sat phone case
The Iridium 9505A is a self-contained sat phone designed to operate in rugged remote areas. Coverage exists worldwide so no matter where you and your boat might be you’ll still be connected to home. From the factory this Iridium satellite telephone ships with the handset, two batteries, AC and DC
For this how to install a chartplotter article I will be removing a older Northstar 6000i and replacing it with a new Garmin 740s chartplotter fishfinder combo unit. An Icom VHF radio will be retained. All the gear is to be flush mounted on a panel in the boats center
Our independent unbiased reports will help you choose top rated marine electronics and electrical gear for your boat. We make it easy to pick the right gear for your boat and budget. Marine Electronics Reviews gives our readers straightforward facts and opinions, that are simply not available from any other
Icom marine VHF radios have been at the top of the marine electronics industry for years, and with good reason as they have generally set the standard for marine VHF radio performance. Icom tends to keep a limited number of models in their marine VHF fleet at any one time.
The Icom M92 is a floating marine handheld VHF radio and GPS navigator combo. Its full designator is the IC-M92D. This VHF/GPS combo features a built-in high-sensitivity 48-channel GPS receiver that includes navigation capabilities with a man overboard function. Other standard features include a high capacity lithium battery pack, large
Ergonomically, the Icom M72 is tops. Its lightweight, fits into one hand well, and is comfortable to hold and use. A very powerful battery provides the muscle for a 6-watt transmitter, the highest output power rating of any handheld VHF we’ve tested. This radio is operated with a rotary on/off/volume
The Icom M604 is the most expensive and sophisticated marine VHF radio produced by well-known radio maker Icom. This top-of-the-line marine VHF features an alphanumeric keypad, a large dot matrix display screen, and very good overall performance ratings. The M604 can connect to as many as two optional remote microphones,
The Icom M422 has a larger face and elongated display compared to its older siblings. Pushbuttons are arranged in two parallel rows under the display screen rather than placed around its perimeter. The M422 display is longer but not quite as high as the older M402-series radios, but it does