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 175 Review

Rating
2.2/5
 
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 has an average rating of 2.2 out of 5 based on 10 user reviews.

humminbird_piranhamax1751

Vendor Price
WestMarine $99.99
BassPro $99.99
Sears $106.80
Cabelas $99.99
ISave $99.99

The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 is an incredibly useful tool for any angler, whether they fish for sport, pleasure or commercially. Mounted on the hull of a canoes, fishing trollies and even speed boats, this device allows fishermen to locate more fish, making their fishing trips more successful.

How does it work?

The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 uses SONAR. This technology, developed during WWII, is the utilization of sound waves to locate underwater objects. The PiranhaMAX 175 produces a sound wave commonly referred to as a “beam.” Much like when shining a flashlight, a sound wave starts at the source as quite narrow, but widens as it gets further and further away until it resembles a cone. When the sound wave encounters something within the beam, it bounces back to the fishfinder. The PiranhaMAX 175 then measures the time between the release of the beam and the bounce-back, calculates the distance between it and the object and then draws it on the screen. The PiranhaMAX 175 can tell the difference between the bottom of a body of water and a large rock based on the strength of the reflected signal. Mud generally absorbs the signal while rocks and fish send back signals of varying intensity. Not only that, but due to sophisticated Humminbird multi-beam technology, the PiranhaMAX 175 can accurately identify fish, as well as the fish’s location. Optionally, users may choose to utilize the Arch display. Relying on the characteristics of sonar, this display option provides the user with information about the fish, its size and location as well.

Key Features

The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 is designed to give users greater access to information about what is happening in the water, under their boat. It provides a number of useful features, including:

· Fish ID+
· Fish alarms
· Depth alarms
· Zoom
· Contrast Enhanced clear edge grayscale display
· Easy to read screen, even in direct sunlight.

This device has a four inch diagonal display with a resolution of 140Vx160H. With Dual Beam standard SONAR, the coverage is excellent: 28* & 16*- 10db. The Sonar frequency is 200/455kHz with target separation at only 2 ½ inches. The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 features a max power output of 200W (RMS) and 1600W (PTP). Capable of handling depths up to 600 feet deep, this fishfinder will locate fish in all water terrains. Transducer and temperature gauges are included, as well as the tilt and swivel mount.

Reviews for the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 is consistently positive. Frequently rated 4 and 5 stars by experienced anglers, the PiranhaMax 175 has received the outstanding recommendations. Reviewers from around the country reported using it in the rain, in the snow, ice fishing and on lakes, rivers and even bays and praised its compact size and affordable price. You can get a great deal on Humminbird PiranhaMAX 175 here.

 
 
 Humminbird PiranhaMax 165Garmin Echo 150Humminbird PiranhaMax 175
hb165garmin_echo_150humminbird175
Screen Size4 in / 102 mm 4 in / 102 mm 4 in / 102 mm
Screen Resolution240 x 160 pixels 160 x 256 pixels 240 x 160 pixels
Display Type8-level grayscale8-level grayscale FSTN 16-level grayscale
Imaging2D2D 2D
Transmit Power100W RMS
800W Peak-To-Peak
200W RMS
1600W Peak-To-Peak
200W RMS
1600W Peak-To-Peak
Sonar Frequency 200 kHz 77/200 kHz 200/455 kHz
Maximum Depth600 ft 1300 ft600 ft
MSRP$89.99$99.99$99.99
ReviewsReviewsReviews

User Reviews

Posted by TJjr

  • 2/5
2

It’s a basic fishfinder, not many features, can’t expect much at this price. When the boat is sitting still, the depth changes a lot, sometimes 200 feet. It also does that at higher speeds.

Posted by C. Landis

  • 1/5
1

This fishfinder worked okay for me for 3 months and then quit working. Depth always displays 0 and there is no sonar output. The only thing that still works is water temperature.

Posted by biggerfish

  • 5/5
5

This is a good buy if you’re looking to get your first fishfinder. It takes about 45 minutes to install and it is easy to use. You can use it in auto-mode which requires no manual settings. Piranhamax 175 doesn’t have the same features as the more expensive models but it’s a good value for the money.

Posted by Anthony L.

  • 5/5
5

I got this fishfinder on Amazon at a very good price. Installed it on my kayak, works great. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a simple sonar for a small boat or kayak. I don’t think you can buy anything better for $80.

Posted by Not happy

  • 1/5
1

Reads 0 and shows constant dept changes when there are not.

Posted by Marc Scharf

  • 1/5
1

There is a reason Humminbird offers a short warranty. You are likely to need it shortly after it runs out. The one and only place to get a unit repaired is at their main service center which is located in Alabama. If like me you need this done after the warranty period it will cost you about 80% of the original purchase price plus shipping. Of course you could just buy the new model but then you would be stuck with another sub-par product. I don’t do may reviews so trust me when I tell you to avoid this company at all costs. Even registering a product for the warranty online is a tremendous headache due to their awful website. There really is no reason to do business with this company ever.

Posted by Capt. Big Al.

  • 4/5
4

One of the better Hummingbird Piranha Max ….fishfinder…..l have caught some of my biggest Bass under this finder….for the people who gave this a bad review, don’t give up keep working with it ……theres a learning curve.
Good fishing
Big Al.

Posted by jerome shampine

  • 1/5
1

This is without a doubt the worst locator I have ever purchased. It has not worked properly since the day I got it. The depth reading is constantly changing, it only marks fish about a third of the time, I can look down and see fish in the water and the screen will be blank. Temp reading seems to work but I can’t be sure. Don’t waste your money.

Posted by norcal kayaker

  • 1/5
1

Definitely with jerome on this one. I did have the first one replaced under warranty and now the second one has problems with the power supply being loose. It is hard to figure out the settings for sure but the big issue is that it really does not seem to work for very long. I’m in a kayak in salt water but do a lot of cleaning and maintenance especially on the connectors after fishing. The problem is inside and it looks like it’s time for another company.

Posted by Daniel olivares

  • 1/5
1

after 8 uses.. false temperature flash continually and false depth!!

Posted by Mike B

0

I’ve had my pmax 175 for about 4 years. Always works great! I remove it and the transponder from my boat every time,and store it in a ammo box. I just wish it told me when fish were hungry?

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