Best Fish Finders Under $1,000

5 Best Fish Finders Under $1,000

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What can you get for a grand these days, especially in marine electronics? Your fish finder options have never been better for $1,000 or less. You can pick from several different 7 and 9-inch models that are just as feature packed as units costing twice as much.

The rest of this article will discuss the pros and cons of these carefully selected fish finders. The goal is to make it easier to choose the right unit for your type of fishing. There is much to unpack in this price range, so let’s dive right into our Top 5 recommendations.

5 Best Fish Finders Under $1,000

Here is a comparison table of our recommended fish finders. These models are “all-in-one” type units, with 2D, Down, and Side imaging out of the box.

Do you need side imaging? Heck yeah, you do. It’s worth every penny to have on your boat.

But there are quite a few differences when you break down the specs, especially in the sonar capabilities.

If you want the best imaging, look no further than the Helix 7 MSI G4N. The Elite FS 9 or Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot are the top choices if you want the largest screen for the money.

Fish Finder:
Editor's Choice
Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+...
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S....
Humminbird, Helix 7, CHIRP MSI GPS G3N
Raymarine E7053405 Element 9 HV Combo
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder w/Transducer and C-MAP US Inland Mapping...
Display:
9" (800 x 480)
7" (1024 x 600)
7" (1024 x 600)
9" (800 x 480)
9" (800 x 480)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
Active Imaging 3-in-1
GT56UHD-TM
XNT 9 HW MSI T
HV-100
Reveal TripleShot
Sonar Freq:
455, 800 kHz
260, 455, 800, 1000, 1200 kHz
455, 800, 1200 kHz
200, 350, 1200 kHz
455, 800 kHz
Check Price at:
-
Check Price at:
Editor's Choice
Fish Finder:
Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+...
Display:
9" (800 x 480)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
Active Imaging 3-in-1
Sonar Freq:
455, 800 kHz
Check Price at:
Check Price at:
Fish Finder:
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S....
Display:
7" (1024 x 600)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
GT56UHD-TM
Sonar Freq:
260, 455, 800, 1000, 1200 kHz
Check Price at:
-
Check Price at:
Fish Finder:
Humminbird, Helix 7, CHIRP MSI GPS G3N
Display:
7" (1024 x 600)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
XNT 9 HW MSI T
Sonar Freq:
455, 800, 1200 kHz
Check Price at:
Check Price at:
Fish Finder:
Raymarine E7053405 Element 9 HV Combo
Display:
9" (800 x 480)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
HV-100
Sonar Freq:
200, 350, 1200 kHz
Check Price at:
Check Price at:
Fish Finder:
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder w/Transducer and C-MAP US Inland Mapping...
Display:
9" (800 x 480)
Touch:
Live Compatible:
Transducer:
Reveal TripleShot
Sonar Freq:
455, 800 kHz
Check Price at:
Check Price at:

*Last updated 2024-03-28 at 17:35 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


What Can You Get for $1,000?

Generally speaking, 7″ to 9″ are the maximum sizes in this price range, several of which are touchscreen models. You’ll also be able to get into a unit with 2D, down, and side imaging – the trifecta of sonar.

Sure, there are plenty of Down Imaging only units under $1,000, but why limit yourself when there are awesome “All in One” units that can do it all?

With those aspects in mind, here are the Top 5 Fish Finders Under $1,000.

1. Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging

The Elite FS series (Fishing System) are aimed at anglers who want a little more technology in their fish finder without paying the hefty price tag for an HDS Live unit. The Elite FS delivers plenty of fish locating features without putting you into debt.

Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging
  • ACTIVE IMAGING 3-IN-1: See structure and cover with a new level of refined detail with the included…
  • ACTIVETARGET READY: See high-resolution images of fish swimming around structure and responding to…
  • FULL NETWORKING: Build the complete Elite Fishing System with integrated wireless, NMEA 2000 and…
  • All-in-One fish finder for those who want a touchscreen and excellent DownScan imaging.
  • Active Target live sonar compatible (sold separately)
  • Screen: 9″ (800 x 480) Touchscreen
  • Sonar: CHIRP 2D, 455/800 kHz SideScan and DownScan imaging.
  • Maps: Navionics, C-MAP

If your style of fishing depends on DownScan and CHIRP 2D sonar, Lowrance has long had some of the best units available. The Elite FS is no exception, utilizing the 455 and 800 kHz DownScan and SideScan in the Active Imaging All-in-One Transducer.

One drawback is the massive jump in price (nearly 3x!!) from an Elite FS 9 to an HDS 10. There are currently no Lowrance units in the middle ground. Other brands have much better options if you decide a 9 inch screen is too small.

If your boat is already set up with Lowrance, then the Elite FS 9 would be a great choice, especially if you want to add Active Target live sonar.

2. Garmin Echomap UHD2 73sv

The Garmin Echomap UHD series has really found a following among serious fishermen. With loads of fish finding features and a bright 9-inch touch screen – the UHD2 has upgraded to a 1024×600 resolution.

The 73sv is in the sweet spot of screen sizes that quickly displays sonar and map information side by side without struggling to see it all.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73sv
  • Easy-to-use 7” chartplotter with a bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen display
  • Included GT54-TM transducer for Garmin traditional, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars
  • Built-in Garmin Navionics+ inland maps with integrated Navionics data cover more than 18,000 lakes…
  • Bright 7″ touch screen with loads of mapping and connectivity options.
  • Livescope compatible (sold separately).
  • Screen: 7″ (1024 x 600)
  • Sonar: CHIRP 2D, SideVü, ClearVü
  • Maps: Navionics+ pre-loaded

The 73sv has several mapping options. You can use the thousands of maps that come standard with the preloaded Navionics+ charts, use your Navionics MicroSD card, or make your maps with QuickDraw live mapping. Most other models will require the purchase of a map card.

The 73sv is extremely popular for anglers adding Garmin’s Livescope sonar technology to their boats. Anything smaller and it’s too hard to view. So if you are interested in the Livescope technology, the Echomap UHD units are the most affordable way to upgrade.

3. Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N

MEGA Imaging has exploded onto the fish finder scene, providing the clearest, most detailed imaging yet. The G4N gets an upgraded 1024 x 600 resolution display.

Until recently, MEGA was only available on the larger HELIX and SOLIX fish finders. Humminbird found a way to put MEGA into the lower-cost HELIX 7, giving more anglers the opportunity of MEGA side imaging.

Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI G4N
  • Keypad control: Master HELIX at the touch of a button. Access the pre-loaded views from the…
  • MEGA Side Imaging: See the world below like never before with crystal-clear viewing out to 125 feet…
  • MEGA Down Imaging: Get unprecedented underwater clarity with coverage down to 125 feet below your…
  • Lowest cost MEGA capable fish finder.
  • MEGA Live compatible (sold separately).
  • Improves side imaging clarity over 455 and 800 kHz fish finders,
  • Screen: 7″ (1024 x 600)
  • Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D, MEGA Side & Down Imaging
  • Maps: Lakemaster and Navionics compatible, AutoChart Live built in.

This little fish finder is packed with features yet stays under a $1,000 MSRP. The Helix 7 MEGA SI is easy to use, running on Humminbird’s standard OS that has proven user-friendly and intuitive.

For mapping, you’ll get 8 hours of AutoChart Live recording, after which you’ll want to use a ZeroLines card to download your maps. Otherwise, the HELIX 7 is compatible with the excellent new Lakmaster VX charts.

One drawback is the lack of dedicated down imaging crystals in the XNT 9 HW MSI T transducer.

Now that you can buy a networking version, what’s stopping you from linking two Helix 7 units side by side? Use one with full-screen MEGA SI and a simple sonar/GPS split screen on the other for a working man’s dual-screen setup!


4. Raymarine Element 9 HV

The Raymarine Element series is all new for this year. These units are directly comparable to Helix MEGA and ECHOMAP UHD units. Both have non-touch screens, CHIRP, and Megahertz capable all-in-one transducers. If the imaging is anything like the popular Dragonfly series, the Element will be an excellent unit for the money.

Raymarine Element 9 HV
Raymarine Element 9 HV Combo w/HV-100 Transducer [E70534-05]
  • Only other Mhz capable imaging unit in this price range (HyperVision).
  • Raymarine is well known for excellent sonar and increasing in popularity with freshwater anglers.
  • Screen: 9″ (800 x 480)
  • Sonar: CHIRP 2D, HyperVision SideVision & DownVision Imaging
  • Maps: LightHouse NC2, Fishing Hot Spots, Navionics, C-MAP

The Element 9 HV has some benefits over the Helix 7: the ultra-bright 1500 nit glass bonded display and dedicated down looking imaging crystals in the HV-100 transducer.

It also has better connectivity options, with optional SeaTalk networking (buy accessory cables), Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi (which the Helix 7 lacks).

If Humminbird isn’t your thing, but you still want the best imaging possible, check out the Raymarine Element combos.

5. Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot

The Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot is another 9-inch all-in-one fish finder and a more budget friendly one at that. It can do many of the same things as an ECHOMAP UHD but lacks the touchscreen. If that doesn’t matter much to you, why not save a few bucks?

Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TS
  • FISHREVEAL: Fish are easier to find and easier to identify. FishReveal combines the target…
  • HIGH-DETAIL INLAND MAPS: Get high-detail maps of almost 4,000 US inland lakes. Create custom contour…
  • TRIPLESHOT TRANSDUCER: Perfect for anglers who want all their sonar from a single transducer,…
  • 9″ SolarMax screen plus good imaging quality make it an excellent value.
  • Excellent DownScan imaging quality, and decent SideScan quality.
  • Screen: 9″ (800 x 480)
  • Sonar: CHIRP 2D, SideScan, DownScan
  • Maps: Navionics and C-MAP compatible

The Hook Reveal series has proven to be a popular fish finder for Lowrance. They are very affordable compared to higher end units of the same size. This fish finder gives you all the sonar options you’ll need out of the box.

If you don’t care about some of the more fancy functions like live mapping, or being able to add on accessories, the Hook Reveal 9 TS is a great choice.

Which Fish Finder Should You Buy?

Best Fish Finder Under $1,000 Overall – The clear winner is the Lowrance FS 9 Active Imaging, and it’s not a close race.

A 9-inch screen with SideScan, DownScan, CHIRP sonar, and can be upgraded with C-MAP pro maps, and the very cool Fish Reveal function is hard to beat.

Lowrance is aggressively pushing Active Target by lowering the price of their FS 9 and FS 7 units under the $1,000 mark.

Low Cost “Live Sonar” Unit – If you want to get into the Forward Facing Sonar game, you now have five great options.

With any of those options, you get a decent size screen, all the main sonar options, HD displays, and the ability to add a live sonar to the unit. That is a great deal!

Best Imaging – The best options for anglers who want Megahertz imaging are the HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI GPS G4N or the Raymarine Element 9 HV. There are no touchscreens or options to upgrade sonar, but they are the way to go for mega-sharp imaging.

*Last updated 2024-03-28 at 17:35 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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