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.
We’ve run the new Garmin GHP10, Raymarine S1000, Simrad AP12H, and Coursemaster CM80i marine autopilots through their paces aboard our 25′ Contender test boat. A small boat autopilot is one piece of marine electronics we don’t know what we’d do without. It is simply a joy to have one of
You don’t need to spend a bundle of cash to get a first-class handheld VHF radio. A handheld VHF radio is a useful tool for a variety of tasks aboard any boat, be it big or small. On a kayak or skiff, these types of VHF radios serve well as
Garmin introduced the Striker Plus series as an upgrade to the older Striker series. It has new tech and features but is even more user-friendly to make catching fish even easier. The Striker Plus has features designed to take full advantage of the built-in GPS, including Quickdraw Contours and Wi-Fi
Our binocular review takes a hard look at a number of waterproof binoculars specifically suited to the rigors of the marine environment. A marine binocular is an expensive but essential piece of marine safety gear. Boatmen on all vessels should keep a pair close at hand whenever they are on
Choosing a handheld GPS for your boat, whether as a primary or back up navigation device, amounts to determining how you intend to use this tool and how much you are able and willing to spend to acquire hardware and software. Today’s handheld GPS units range from roughly $100 to
A marine GPS, whether a standalone navigator, chartplotter, or plotter fishfinder combo is going to be your favorite piece of marine electronics when you’re running the tight confines of a wily inlet at o’dark thirty or looking for your favorite fishing hole. Joining a chartplotter and a fishfinder into a
Fishing is a rewarding pastime, but ice fishing is a bit of an adventure. Not everyone is willing to brave the cold, but there’s something special about looking out over a frozen lake. The only thing that makes it better is coming back with a good catch of fish. That’s
A critical aspect of your boating experience is your onboard batteries. They need to hold a strong charge in order to run motors or electronics. If you don’t have a strong charge, you may not even be able to start your engine. Having a battery charger onboard is essential for both operability and your safety.