Trying to decide on a new fish finder can be a daunting task. Even experienced boaters and anglers can become overwhelmed by the options and features available.
The Reality? There is no one “best fish finder,” and never will be.
There are over one hundred models to choose from each year. Each brand and model have its strengths and place for best use.
The purpose of this guide is to help you cut through the confusion and the marketing hype to help you choose the best fish finder for the money that fits your style of fishing.
We’ll walk you through the different types of sonar and features in today’s top fishing electronics, and they can be used to help you enjoy your time on the water and catch more fish.
How to Use this Guide
- Use the Table of Contents to jump to the most applicable sections.
- Read our other articles about models that interest you.
- Still not sure which unit is right for you? Ask us a Question!
2023 Best Fish Finder – Quick Overview
Our top fish finder recommendations for the year are mostly the same as last year. Nothing drastically new has been released. We’ve included several Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Live Sonar units, and Kayaking and Portable units.
There are great units to choose from at any budget and skill level. This list is a quick rundown of our top recommendations. Keep reading for more info on each type of fish finder.
- HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N – Editor’s Choice for best Side Imaging fish finder. MEGA+ Imaging, big screen, great value. Compatible with MEGA Live and MEGA 360. If you can’t afford the 12, the 10 and 9 are also fantastic.
- Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv– Great touchscreen unit with GT56UHD-TM transducer for improved SideVu, and compatible with LiveScope.
- Lowrance Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1– Affordable touch screen 3-1 Imaging fish finder, compatible with new Active Target live sonar.
- HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ G4N– Large screen for a dedicated down imaging fish finder.
- Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73cv– Great budget touchscreen model with DownVu and CHIRP sonar.
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot– Best Budget Down Scan fish finder.
- Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv– Editor’s Choice for best kayak fish finder – the perfect size and capabilities for small crafts.
- HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4– Another great kayak fish finder – the only 7-incher with MEGA SI and Dual Spectrum CHIRP.
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 TripleShot– Affordable and capable unit with built-in maps.
- Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Bundle– Best Portable fish finder.
1. Top Fish Finders by Price Range
Do you have a specific budget to stick with for your new marine electronics purchase? We’ve got you covered with guides for choosing the best fish finder in many price ranges.
- Top Fish Finders Under $3,000
- Top Fish Finders Under $2,000
- Top Fish Finders Under $1,000
- Top Fish Finders Under $500
- Top Fish Finders Under $200
- Top Fish Finders Under $100
2. Latest Fish Finder Reviews
We look to be headed for another great few years in marine electronics. There are a ton of products to cover, and we’ll list and link to them here, broken out by brand.
Garmin
- ECHOMAP Ultra– The 10 and 12-inch touch units with Ultra High Def MHz SideVu and ClearVu sonar. Great units for utilizing LiveScope.
- ECHOMAP UHD2 – The smaller siblings to the Ultra units, with “Ultra High Def” side and down imaging sonars, plus some new touchscreens. Replaces the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus series.
- STRIKER Vivid– This popular series has added a 9-inch SideVu model. These units replace the Garmin STRIKER Plus series.
- Livescope – The first and still best forward facing sonar system.
Lowrance
- Elite FS – New 7 and 9-inch “Fishing System” units are the lowest-cost units compatible with the new Active Target live forward-facing sonar and sport 3-in-1 Active Imaging, Fish Reveal, and Genesis Live mapping.
- HDS PRO– The high-end HDS PRO series replaces the HDS Live units and now has a massive 16-inch unit and a new all-in-one Active Imaging transducer.
- HOOK Reveal– This is the latest refresh of the Hook series, with fresh new SolarMax displays, SplitShot, TripleShot configurations, and some very attractive prices. Replacing the discontinued Lowrance Hook2
- Active Target – The Livescope clone for Lowrance owners.
Humminbird
- HELIX G4N– The sharpest, most detailed images come from MEGA+ imaging units. This year brings a new 15-inch model, which could be great for split-screen MEGA 360 and MEGA Live.
- SOLIX G3– The new G3 SOLIX series boasts new processors, which will be helpful when you add on a MEGA 360 and MEGA Live transducer. SOLIX has become well known for crystal clear imaging. The G3 builds further on that reputation.
- MEGA 360 – The only sonar system for imaging all around the boat. 360 is still an underrated tool many anglers would never want to be without.
- MEGA Live – Humminbird’s first live sonar product. It’s had a rocky start, but if you are already in the Bird ecosystem, adding Live is an affordable way to get into forward looking sonar.
Raymarine
- Axiom+– Raymarine is making a new push into consumer fish finders with Axiom. They look fantastic, especially with the 3D imaging technology. Worth a look if you can find one.
- Element– The Element series is a step below the Axiom, with many of the same excellent fish finder features of leading brands. This includes HyperVision DownVision and SideVision imaging (Megahertz frequencies) and RealVision 3D introduced in the Axiom series.
3. Top Fish Finders by Type of Sonar
Modern fish finders have a wide range of features and capabilities. We often don’t need a unit that does every last thing – but we need it to do a few particular things.
Some examples:
At the Console – You need good side and down imaging, CHIRP sonar, and excellent maps for navigating and locating productive fishing spots. This is where you want to put your best unit on the boat.
At the Bow – You don’t need side imaging – regular sonar, MEGA 360, and forward facing sonar are far more helpful. These are fishing tools used while fishing, and you can often buy a cheaper fish finder to utilize the advanced sonar accessories.
These are the essential types of sonar, followed by the best recommendations for each category.
- “Live” Sonar– Forward-facing sonar is the newest sensation among anglers. The technology has been around for decades, but Garmin was the first to bring it to the recreational market with the incredibly popular LiveScope. Lowrance and Humminbird have joined the party with Active Target and MEGA Live.
- 360 Imaging– Think of 360 as “rotational side imaging” because it is a rotating side imaging transducer that creates a full-circle image of what’s in front of and around your boat. This technology has flown under the radar for a long time, and only recently have more people discovered how valuable a tool it is for fishing.
- Imaging Sonar– Imaging sonar pings a very narrow beam either to the sides (Side Imaging) or straight down (Down Imaging). When your boat moves, the sonar returns stack on each other, creating a realistic image of the lake bottom and showing fish and structure up to 200 feet to either side of the boat.
- Traditional Sonar– This is your basic “2D” sonar that pings straight down in a cone, and whatever comes into view of the cone is displayed on the screen. The screen then scrolls to the left; anything on the right is newer data/returns.
- CHIRP– Traditional sonar uses a set frequency, such as 200 kHz, but CHIRP transmits over a range of frequencies, such as 70-110 kHz. CHIRP transducers put more sound energy into the water, providing better returns and more detail.
Best Live Sonar Fish Finders
Live sonar is an accessory transducer, and you’ll need a compatible fish finder to use one. The transducers all cost around the same, but there is a wide price range in compatible fish finders.
If you don’t already have a forward facing fish finder, the investment in the transducer and electronics can be costly!
For each live sonar brand below, we recommend one budget fish finder to get you started at the lowest cost possible and one high-end fish finder for top performance.
Garmin Livescope
- Budget Unit – ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv
- High-End Unit – GPSMAP 1042xsv
Lowrance Active Target
- Budget Unit – Elite FS 9 Active Imaging 3-in-1
- High-End Unit – HDS PRO 10
Humminbird MEGA Live
- Budget Unit – HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N
- High-End Unit – SOLIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3
Tip: If you can find a control head only (CHO) unit, you can save a few hundred bucks if you don’t need the transducer that is typically in the box.
Don’t know which Forward Facing Sonar to buy? We’ve used them all and have articles to help you learn how they work and comparisons between brands.
Best Side Imaging Sonar
Side imaging uses a left and right facing beam, stitching the returns together on the screen to create realistic images of the lake bottom on both sides of your boat. Side imaging can reveal contour changes, bottom hardness transitions, fish, and structure simultaneously.
Each brand has its marketing name for this type of sonar, but they all function similarly. The imaging looks very similar on all the brands, so it’s up to you to look closely at screenshots and specifications and decide what will work best for you.
- Humminbird – MEGA Side Imaging
- Lowrance – Side Scan
- Garmin – SideVü
- Raymarine – DownVision
Side imaging is an extremely useful tool for searching out fish-holding areas on the lake. It can significantly reduce the time it takes to find fish, making you more efficient and allowing you to spend more time trying to catch them. Here is a tutorial with actionable tips and tricks.
Side Imaging Fish Finder Reviews
- HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N
- Garmin Echomap UHD2 93sv
- SOLIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3
- Lowrance Elite-9 Ti TotalScan
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 9sv
- All Side Imaging Reviews
Best Side Imaging Fish Finders
What is MEGA Side Imaging? If you are looking for the best possible images in a fish finder, nothing is currently better than the Humminbird MEGA+ units. They utilize 1200 KHz frequency (1.2 MHz) to get ultra-clear images on both side and down imaging sonar. MEGA is only available in the HELIX 8, 9, 10, 12, and 15 and the SOLIX and APEX models.
Garmin has megahertz imaging capability in the ECHOMAP UHD, Ultra, and some GPSMAP units. You need the new GT56UHD-TM transducers to get the 1.2 MHz SideVu frequency. The DownVu still only supports 455 and 800 kHz.
Best Down Imaging Sonar
Down imaging uses a transducer that emits a single thin slice of high-frequency sound waves to create a lifelike 3D appearance of what’s below your boat. When stacked up and painted on your fish finder, these thin slices of sonar returns make it much clearer about what is below the boat. What might look like a blob of “something” in standard sonar is instantly revealed to be brush, rocks, fish, or other kinds of structure.
Each manufacturer has their version of down imaging sonar. With imaging being more or less equal, look for the best and largest screen and the mapping capabilities that will meet your fishing style.
- Humminbird – Down Imaging
- Lowrance – DownScan
- Garmin – DownVü
- Raymarine – DownVision
Down Imaging Fish Finder Reviews
- Garmin Echomap UHD2 73sv
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- HELIX 7 CHIRP DI Sonar/GPS G3N
- Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA DI
- All Down Imaging Reviews
Best Down Imaging Fish Finders
MEGA 360 Imaging
As great as they are, both down and side imaging have a few drawbacks.
First, you need to be moving forward to get a clear picture. Idling speed is best, but you can slow the scrolling speed down to show a good picture while fishing from the trolling motor.
Second, you can only see what you have already passed over with your boat. Seeing the structure is great, but what good is it when you’ve already passed it?
Humminbird developed an innovative product called 360 Imaging. First with AS 360, and now the vastly improved MEGA 360.
360 uses a rotating transducer to ping in a full circle, showing you on screen every rock, tree, grass, and casting target that is in front of you, behind you, and to all sides without ever moving at all.
If you want to add MEGA 360, a MEGA+ DI fish finder is the lowest cost path. We’d recommend these units for MEGA 360.
MEGA 360 is compatible with Humminbird HELIX, SOLIX, and APEX models with MEGA+ imaging. If you already have a compatible unit, add the MEGA 360 transducer.
Other 360 Options?
Lowrance has done a clever thing with their Ghost trolling motor to give users a 360 view. Ghost 360 uses a software update to rotate the Active Imaging transducer back and forth 180 degrees, giving you a 360 image around the boat.
The significant drawback is that you can’t be spot locked and use this feature. Still, it’s a cool idea to implement and give to your customers.
Kayak Fish Finders
Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity in the last five years. If you want to get into kayak fishing, now is a great time. There have never been so many fantastic fishing kayak options and quality fish finders to put on them.
There are several excellent 5 and 7-inch models that have awesome screens with full sonar and mapping capabilities. See all our Kayak Fish Finder Reviews, or the top recommended Kayak Fish Finders below.
Portable Fish Finders
If you make infrequent trips to the lake, rent boats, or have a smaller fishing boat not conducive to a permanently mounted fish finder – a portable fish finder is for you.
Portable units are easily transported and attached to and from a boat. These units typically come with a removable transducer and a separate battery that you stow in the shuttle carry case.
Guide: Top Portable Fish Finders
There are also castable fish finders – floating transducer pods communicating with an app on your smartphone as the fish finder. These depth finders are a cheap and fun way to fish from shore or small watercraft.
Fish Finders for Ice Fishing
Ice fishing electronics have changed dramatically over the years. Flashers used to be the only option, and many anglers still trust them today, but there are more capable units now.
- Flashers – Old school mechanical dial readouts that shows your jig and fish below the hole.
- Digital Flashers + Sonar – Regular fish finders with traditional scrolling sonar or a digital flasher mode.
- 360 Imaging – An effective scouting tool that can show you weed lines, rocks, hard bottoms, and even schools of fish. Find the best spots for drilling productive holes.
- Live Imaging – The ultimate ice fishing tool. It’s like a flasher on steroids. With a live view below the ice, watch how fish move and react to your bait.
The only limitation here is your budget. On one end, a standard fish finder will perform well for most anglers, while a larger, more powerful unit with live sonar is the dream setup for ice fishing. Here are the best fish finders for ice fishing in each category.
Best Fish Finder GPS Combos
It used to be that fish finders and GPS were separate units. In fact, my first boat had a 4-inch Hummindbird depth finder and a Lowrance GlobalMap GPS unit for mapping.
The first fish finders with built-in GPS were called “Combos”. These days every fish finder has GPS as a standard, with a wide range of sonar and mapping capabilities.
If you are looking for a “Fish Finder GPS Combo”, we will assume you are looking for a basic unit with traditional down beam sonar and GPS for marking waypoints. If that’s what you’re after, these are reviews of the best units from each brand.
These are affordable units that get the job done but be aware of their limitations. For example, some STRIKER and HOOK models do not have mapping support, only GPS. If you want to use Navionics or C-MAP chart cards, make sure they support the SD cards!
CHIRP Fish Finders
CHIRP sonar is one of the newest technologies to come to fish finders that the average Joe can afford. Lowrance and Garmin helped push this type of sonar into the mainstream. Humminbird followed suit with Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D sonar.
You are probably wondering what exactly CHIRP is, how does it work, and what are the benefits? You aren’t the only one, so here is a short primer.
Where regular sonar uses a fixed frequency, such as 83 kHz or 200 kHz, CHIRP transducers transmit longer sweeps across a range of frequencies.
CHIRP transducers are essentially putting many times more sound energy into the water column than a traditional transducer, making it much easier to detect objects in the water column.
This also means objects in the water can be viewed with better clarity, target separation, and greater maximum depths.
CHIRP has been normally focused on saltwater fishing, where greater depth capabilities are required. Still, the fish finder manufacturers are finding ways to utilize CHIRP signals in a way that benefits freshwater fishermen in shallower water.
*Last updated 2023-09-29 at 18:37 / Product Links & Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Hi there,
thank you for such a comprehensive and well presented article.
I’d just like to point out a tiny technical error in respect to MEGA imaging with the Garmin units / transducers having just bought the 105sv/GT56UHD-TM combo.
The Garmin UHD / UHD2 / Ultra models (not sure about GPSMAP) support both side and down MEGA imaging in the 1000kHz and the more common 1200 kHz. This is of course transducer dependent and that’s where the problem arises.
The older GT54UHD-TM supports ONLY side MEGA imaging with down imaging max. at 800kHz.
The newer GT56UHD-TM supports BOTH side and down MEGA imaging albeit ONLY at 1000kHz (not the 1200kHz).
Kind regards,
Martin
i Have Lowrance HDS Gen 2 Touch screen. I fish in shore and off shore Ocean 25 – 500 foot depths Lose sonar info over 100 feet
Ready to update. What would be best for all Ocean fishing, no lake fishing. Dept is important but prefer best images from Transducer………….what type transducer? Is there a mfg that is much better for Ocean……..Simrad? Garmin? Lowrance? Who makes the best thanks very much
For those depths, you’ll want an Airmar transducer. All the major brands can use them, but go to Airmar first and they get you the right transducer.
Looking to purchase for my father in law, 70yr old man who loves to fish freshwater lakes in Northern Ontario on a pontoon. Mostly Bass, pickerel, pike. He’s not a technology lover, but has been talking about a fish finder for years. Can you comment on ease of use for the non-techy? No screenshots needed, images of rocks below the boat are useful, not wanting to break the bank on features that will never be used because they’re too confusing to access and would just get the thing thrown in the lake!
We’d recommend a Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4. It has a simple user interface with good sonar.
I’m in the middle of doing some upgrades to my boat including my electronics. I don’t have the money for any of the LiveView technology yet, so I’m sticking with SideScan for now but will purchase a Unit that is compatible so I can add it later. I’m looking at the Helix 9 Mega SI + GPS G4N (with XM 9 HW MSI T – Helix MEGA SI+,DI+ Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/Temp Transducer), Elite FS 9 C-MAP Contour (with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer), and the ECHOMAP UHD 93sv (with GT56UHD-TM Transducer. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. This boat will be used on an electric motor only 135 acre lake for bass fishing 99% of the time, middle of the lake is between 20-30 ft, majority of fishing will be in 15 ft or less, but would be nice to see stuff deeper if they are schooled up on the bottom in the middle of the lake.
All 3 of those models are very similar in capabilities. Pick the brand whose Live sonar you like best. Livescope is #1 right now, and the other two are comparable.
I fish a creek in VA that is very shallow(1-10ft) and has alot of Hydrilla grass. I have been looking at the livescope and other options. Will these work in shallow creeks with alot of grass or is there a better option for the money
You’d be better off with a MEGA 360 in that type of water. You can see the grass lines, holes, depressions, and cuts, all very easily with 360. Live sonar will be very limited, in my opinion.
I currently fish inland lakes and the river for trout walleye and bass. I own an old fishfinder so I’m looking to upgrade. The following are all priced at $599. Which would be a bigger bang for the buck.
Lowrance Elite Ti2 Fish Finder/Chartplotter
Humminbird® HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N GPS Fish Finder/Chartplotter
Lowrance® Hook2 7 TripleShot™ U.S. Inland Sonar/GPS Combo
Garmin® echoMAP™ Plus 93sv with GT52 Transducer Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo
Bigger is bigger, and the 93sv has side and down scanning sonar. Hard to go wrong there.
What is the best 12 inch available right now for fresh/shallow water? Is there anything new coming out soon that you know of? Thank you
These 4 are going to be the best. They are all fantastic machines…it really depends on what else you might want to add to the system later.
SOLIX 12 MEGA SI+ G3 if you plan on adding a MEGA 360 or MEGA Live
Echomap Ultra 126sv if you plan on adding Livescope
Lowrance HDS 12 Live if you plan on adding Live Target
HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N if you don’t need a touchscreen and want the lowest cost. Also capable of running MEGA 360 and MEGA Live.
Looking for the best option here. I fish freshwater, inshore, and around 40 miles offshore in a 26 foot bay boat. While money is not as important as buying the best thing for my money can you please advise me here.
I am thinking a Garmin Ultra on the console, utilizing the acquisition of Navoionics, because I fish in Tn, Fl, and La, for GPS side vu and plotting and mapping etc. Then placing the 9 inch model with livescope on the trolling motor mount and slaving it back to the Garmin.
However, it seems Hummingbird is really killing it, with their latest and I think their side view is more detailed and better.
So would it makes sense if I placed a large hummingbird with 360, and then utilized the 9in Garmin on the trolling motor slaved with a 7in on the console?
Is this overkill? Or is there that much difference in the Hummingbird to go this route, would it be worth the additional money to set it up like that?
Thanks,
Zeus
I think it depends on how you typically fish. If you mostly fish crappies, Livescope is very useful. If you fish bass or do alot of casting, 360 imaging is much more useful in my opinion. As for imaging clarity, no doubt Humminbird still leads, the Ultra units look good, but not on par with MEGA+
I was curious if the helix 7 g3n units can be used with an ice tranducer and if so what tranducer is compatible? I see everything for g2n. I am rhinking of a si unit but NEED it to also be used on ice as i live fish 100x more than boat fish. Could i also mount it to my 20ft canoe and realize the si?
Helix 7 G3N units all have “ICE Mode”, all you need then is XI 9 1521 transducer.
Yes, with a good transducer install, you can definitely get a good SI image on a canoe or kayak.
Looking for a new unit for my 14ft aluminum boat. Most likely going with a 5-inch display to stay around my $350 price point. Torn between the Lowrance Elite TI-5 (without the total scan transducer) and the Humminbird Helix 5 chirp DI GPS G2. I like the idea of being able to upgrade my Elite TI-5 in the future by purchasing the totalscan transducer, so at the moment that has a slight edge.
Are there any other distinguishing features of these two units that would separate one from the other? Are there other units in this price range that are better than these two? Definitely looking for down imaging and gps capabilities. I’m basically looking for the best bang for my buck here.
The Elite Ti 5 is a more powerful unit in general and has a touchscreen. Thos two are probably your best bets in that price range. You’ll get into the $500-700 pretty quickly with anything more.
Hello,
I am nearly new to boating and would like to know what will be the best for me. I m from canada and goes in small lakes around. More for exploring, cruising and sometimes fishing. The most important is to read the depth but i also want a gps with maps. I was looking at the garmin stricker 4 plus. Can i load maps into it? Or what would be the best for a budget under/around 300$… Like i said, i dont fish a lot only once in a while.. I like exploring, finding some nice spot (camping,falls,cliffs to jump off,etc)and save them..
Thank you
No maps on the Striker. I would get a small Echomap Plus, Helix 7 CHIRP GPS unit, or possibly a Hook2 7.
I am debating on two things:
1. Helix 7 G3, or Helix 9 G2. Should be very similar minus the screen size. Is it worth extra 300 for 2 inches? I have a smaller boat as well. And I have an older 500 model that the 7 would look better next to
2. Is it worth the extra 100 for networking. i don’t plan to network anything, so it would mostly be for the Bluetooth abilities (wireless update, notifications, etc)
The 9 also has two card slots, 7 only has one.
Is there any new technology that G3 has that G2 doesn’t minus the mega+? (Dual Spectrum CHIRP a lot better?)
You can’t update a Humminbird with Bluetooth yet, unfortunately. So networking really isn’t needed for you.
As for screen size, yes it is worth it.
Two card slots are nice – if you like to save screenshots. If not, one is enough.
Yes, Dual Spectrum CHIRP will be a VERY nice improvement to your 2D sonar.
Have you considered the HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3? Might hit the sweet spot in price and capability for you.
I just learned you can update a Humminbird via Bluetooth using the FishSmart app. Haven’t tried it yet, but it looks cool!
https://www.humminbird.com/learn/fishsmart-app
I have a Triton 21ft bass-boat. Time to upgrade the really old Lowrance electronics. Considering side-scan or even 360. Are side-scan units best for the gauge console where you drive or used up-front with transducer on trolling motor? 360 scan best for trolling motor only?
Yes, Side Imaging at the console is most effective. Some people like SI at the trolling motor, and it can work, but I prefer 360 at the trolling motor by far.
I am looking for down and side imaging with GPS. I bass or crappie fish freshwater reservoirs in GA and I never fish deeper than 30 feet. I can’t decide between Garmin 93sv, Lowrance Elite 9Ti2, Lowrance HDS7 LIVE, or a similar Hummingbird. I am looking in the $1,000 or lower range. I have read and researched for months and can’t make a decision due to all the pros/cons and hype on the internet forums.
Great info and I appreciate your honesty re deep water and ocean stuff. I am looking for a unit for lakes 100 ft and less with most time 40 feet and less. Looking for the widest 2d cone with chirp, SI, DI and the easiest to use self mapping capability. I have no cell phone to uplink to.
I currently am using a Hook 7 which does everything except to SI and self mapping. I would prefer to stay with a 7 inch screen and have no problem upgrading to whatever transducer is best for the job.
I have always been a Lowrance user and am leaning that way but could be convinced to go in another direction. Thank you
I am looking to upgrade my current unit HDS 5 (first generation) on my boat. I am trying to keep price around $1,000. I am kind of looking at the Helix 9 Mega Chirp SI and the new HDS 7 Live. (to keep the pricing the same I would need to go to the 7 inch on the Lowrance. I fish Norfork Lake in Arkansas, a deep clear water lake. I fish for all species in the lake. I do a lot of open water fishing for striped bass. Which unit do you feel has the better GPS mapping provided? Pls let me know your thoughts on which unit would be the best overall. Thank you
You’ll need a map card no matter what unit you decide on. Lakemaster for the HELIX, Navionics for the Lowrance. MEGA will have the better side image no matter what people try to tell you. 1.2 Mhz > 800 Khz
What would you recommend for a bow mounted unit that the transducer will be mounted on the trolling motor? I am purchasing a minn kota foretex with the US2 universal sonar. I would like the ability to side scan for structure near the shoreline. I will be fishing lakes in Oklahoma. Thanks
Helix 9 or 10 SI or MSI would work well for that. If you want another brand the ECHOMAP Plus 93sv is a good unit, as are the HOOK2 Tripleshot.
Have you ever considered the 360 imaging for the bow? You could get a regular 2D unit plugged into the US2, and add the 360. It would work awesome for what you describe, that’s how I use it. Read my review here.
What would you recommend for offshore fishing in 30′ to 600 ft of water in a 27 foot boat.
A 10″ unit (minimum) with CHIRP, Side, and Down Imaging. Brand is not as important, they are all pretty good. Garmin for quality touchscreen, Humminbird for best imaging quality, Lowrance/Simrad for good 2D.
Ready to update and torn between Helix 5 DI GPS G2 for $309 or US Inland Hook2 Tripleshot for $399. I want the GPS w/ ability to use plotting (depth contours) and was 95% set on Helix DI GPS G2 but then desire for SI started to creep back in. Seems like I’m getting more for my money by choosing this Helix model but don’t want to regret not having SI.
I also looked at Dragonfly models (online only) and although they have some great features, seems like Helix is leading in many areas.
Plan is for this to be kayak unit and occasional fly-in/drive-in use in a lodge boat, will also purchase ice transducer and PTC U2 kit for double duty as ice sonar/flasher/gps.
The question, am I going to miss having SI on 5″ screen? I’ve never used SI, still running HB 565 & 718 with GPS on my boat.
Would buy G2N for future networking if they offered in 5″, cannot afford 7″ currently.
I would keep saving your money until you can get a 7″ with SI.
Thanks for the advice, I may do just that.
I have a 2065 Aluminum Jon Boat. It has a center console for mounting any monitor I need to. I fish the river and occasional lake strictly for catfish. I have never owned side imaging or gps units. I’m looking for something around 1000$ that will help me find fish, and possibly chart my travel on a river for channel driving at night. I am completely new to side imaging and down scan. I don’t think I need all the bells and whistles, what would be a good choice to begin with?
I do a lot of kayak fishing for lake trout in 50-150′ of water. I use two 10Ah batteries at the moment for my current non-mapping unit and have room for 2 more batteries if needed. I mount the unit on top of my pedal drive so size isn’t much of an issue. With 40 Ah of juice available and moderately deep freshwater, what are some good units to help me map reservoirs? I like C-Map and Social Maps so far, so if there are similar products out there to complement the unit… Thanks in advance for the recommendations.
Most Garmin and Humminbird come with built in mapping capability. Garmin has QuickDraw and QuickDraw Community, Humminbird has AutoChart Live and now LiveShare. What unit is up to you, however much you are willing to spend to get the imaging features and screen size.
I want to fish the tenn river in my 17/54 grizzly. I’m learning to fish but the river is so big I need a fish finder to find the drop offs and all the stuff you need to know . I have never used a fish finder what would you buy?
Mike, the best fish finders for the money will be in the 7-9″ size. They are big enough to see sonar detail and have many of the important features like CHIRP, and imaging.
For fishing ledges, side and down imaging will help you find structure and fish, and you better have good maps. Garmin has built-in maps on the Echomap Plus, but Humminbird (Lakemaster maps) is also excellent.
Hello, I’m looking for my first fish finder. My boys and I fish Lake Winnipesaukee in NH on a 16 ft fishing boat. We mostly fish for bass although want to try trolling for salmon. The mega side scanning seems to be the best but do we need it is the question as it really jumps the price. I’ve just started my research. A big box store was steering me towards Garmin Echoplus 63cv, then doing some online research pointed me towards the Helix 5 CHIRP gps g2 but now I see articles about side imaging and the mega units.
I don’t mind investing in something good that will be useful and will last but don’t want to overspend on something that has features we will never use or that are not really necessary. HELP PLEASE?!?!
Any unit with side imaging sonar is going to be a great asset, yes Mega is the clearest right now but any brand will show you what you need to see (weeds, rocks, sunken brush, etc).
The key to not wasting your money is to actually learn to use and read the features of the unit. Too many people buy an imaging sonar unit and have no clue how use it.
I have a Helix 7 di gps g2 on my console and just got a terrova I pilot tm. I want to mount a new fish finder on the bow. Since the helix 7s dont pair with anything else I’m open to something different if need be. What would you suggest and what are your thoughts on transducer location?
The Helix 7 G2N units will network with other Humminbirds, just make sure they say “N” in the model name.
How long is the transducer for the lowrance hook2 7 tripleshot? I have a vibe sea ghost 130 fishing kayak and it has a resessed hole in the bottom for a transducer but I believe it’s only about 6.5 inches long and I really want side imaging but heard the lowrance transducer is longer than others will it work or is there any other recommendations?
You can still use the recessed pocket. With the larger side-scanning transducers, you’ll usually need a custom mount so the transducer has a clear view to each side.
Hi there. I have a 12.5’ porta a boat and was looking for a unit to fish Texas lakes for bass and crappie with my boys. I also want to take it trolling in the lakes of Colorado and Wyoming. It has a 6hp Suzuki motor on it. Was looking at the lowrance Elite 7ti totalscan. I was going to pair it w a 10amp nocqua portable power source and a portable transducer mount. Thoughts, other suggestions of better setup? I’m new to this, so any suggestions would be much appreciated.
That sounds like a good setup for a porta boat. A 7-inch unit is a good size for that. I’m not familiar with that power source, my concern would be having enough juice for a full day plus charging any accessories.
Tossing up between raymarine dragon fly 7 pro, lowrance hook2 x7 and lowrance elite 7ti?
Do you use side view often ? Whats the best picture?
Its on a 5.3m boat
I use side imaging all the time, just not on those exact units. If you can afford one that has it, I would get that one. Also, that Hook2 7X only has GPS plotting, no cartography – just FYI, but an important distinction.
Its a toss up for me between the helix 7 si g2n or lowrance elite ti for me. I dont like the touch screens on fish finders for various reasons. and I do like the auto chart live from humminbird and the smartstrike map as well they also have a remote with bluetooth so you never have to touch your fishfinder. but the TI has 800kz while the humminbird only has 455kz for side&down imaging. I also find lowrance 2d sonar is clearer then hummingbirds but humminbird are more user friendly. what are your thoughts?
I don’t disagree with anything you said. Humminbird generally has better customer support should you ever need it. If you have a chance to use them in person, that would be the best way to break the tie.
I’m late to this discussion, but I found out that if you buy the Humminbird with the 455khz transducer, you can trade it in for the HD(800khz) for around $80 provided you haven’t opened the packaging on the 455khz transducer. I didn’t find out about this until it was too late and now I’d have to spend about $180 to buy the HD transducer.
I’m torn and I’m have a tough time making a decision. My primary time spent fishing is trolling, with the occasional river trip. With a budget of 1500.00 would pick the new Garmin echo map 93sv, lowarance HDS 9 gen 3 or Helix 9.
That’s a good budget amount. I think I would stick to the Echomap or Helix. The HELIX 9 MEGA will definitely have the best side imaging, but the Echomap PLUS 93sv has touchscreen (which I can confirm works very nicely). You could also add on the new Garmin Ultra HD Imaging at a later date. It’s supposed to be the answer to Humminbird MEGA, but it’s too new to know any details.
I appreciate the input, I will be upgrading from a Humminbird 788ci, so anything should be a step in a positive direction. I have heard that the Garmin units are not known for their image quality. Any thoughts?
Maybe, obviously it’s really hard to compare unless viewing side by side!
I am primarily a river fisherman who has never owned a fish finder. I will be anchored up more than trolling. What would you suggest?
If you can afford to get something with side imaging, you will be amazed at what you see on that river. You’ll find more spots, bait, and fish. Next best thing would be a down imaging only unit. I’d recommend the ECHOMAP Plus and HELIX units, 7 inch and up if possible.
Looking to purchase a new fishfinder for fishing walleye in local lakes and using on the Columbia river in Washington state. Looking at the Garmin Echomap 73sv or 73cv. Also been thinking of the Helix 7 since it talks to may minn kota…any suggestions….would like to stick around 700$
Yeah, tough choice. I think the Echomap Plus 73sv/73cv are really attractive. Touch screen, QuickDraw mapping, and CHIRP sonar would be great for your fishing. I am a fan of the Helix units, but in that price range seems Garmin has the edge.
Is there any advice for sonars for commercial fishing vessels?
Go here: https://www.thehulltruth.com/
I’m looking at getting a new set up for my boat I currently have a hummingbird and was looking at the helix 7 with side scan, down imaging but I have also been looking at the lowrance hds7 gen3. Any input would be a big help
Chris, the HDS 7 Gen3 would be the more powerful unit, with a better transducer. And if you want a touch screen, it would be the way to go.
Hi, I’m looking at a fish finder gps combo, in a 4.5m boat mostly fishing bays and estuaries around the $1200 but will pay more for a better product, the structure and views of the bottom is probably the biggest point for me thanks!
If you can jump up to the Helix 9 MEGA or Helix 10 MEGA…there is no comparison to the side imaging of those units right now.
I’m looking up Helix 10 Mega and finding Prices from $1,200 to $1,600. Are there different models or something?
(Sorry, I’m kind of a newb to this hi- tech stuff)
It’s no problem! There are only two HELIX 10 MEGA units. Prices may vary depending on where you buy them.
HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N
HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G2N
So it depends on what you need. The MEGA SI also dedicated MEGA DI built in, if you can swing it that’s the best way to go.
Cant decide on what sonar to get for a center console. I fish mostly lakes in Texas so would like something to help find structure and have GPS. Price range from 1000 and down. Thanks
I would recommend something with side imaging sonar to find structure. Echomap CHIRP 93sv falls under $1000. The Helix 9 MEGA is a little more, but provides the best imaging clarity. For Lowrance, maybe an Elite 7 Ti with TotalScan.
I’m looking for a depth/GPS for lake hopping with a pontoon. Yeah, Its kind of a pain but enjoy checking out different lakes. So I don’t need a fish finder just depth. Will have a fit if I go thru another prop! I now have a Hawkeye that doesn’t work more than it does, that’s why three props. I am looking at Garmin echomap 73 sv. Any thoughts? Thanks!
The Echomap 73sv is more unit than what you need for just depth and GPS/mapping. The Echomap 73dv would be cheaper and still have what you want. Or look at a Helix 7 DI or Helix 7 Sonar GPS. All of those units also have built in live mapping, so you can make you own map as you go.
Looking for good overall fishfinder gps for lake erie mostly trolling for walleye and occasionally drifting. Would like to stay in $750-500 range Looking at Simrad Go7 xse and others which would you recomend
I’m looking at getting a new plotter/fish finder for my boat. I. normaly fish depths up to 170 ft over sand banks etc is there a unit that can scan the sea bed and remember the data so it eventually builds up a better picture of contours etc. I do a lot of drift fishing for turbot and it would be handy to have a better picture of the lay of the banks to target them better. Kind regards Marcus
Marcus, look for the units with AutoChart Live (Humminbird) or Quickdraw Contours (Garmin). They do live mapping just like you are describing. To save more than 8hrs of map data, you’ll need a Zero Lines card for the Humminbird and a dedicated SD card for Quickdraw.
H I would like a new sounder/plotter to show fish in 500m depth in the ocean along with good detail in the 0-50m range, appreciate this may incorporate a couple of different transducers.
maybe 1KW for depth and whatever you recommend for shallow. All will be in the ocean. in New Zealand.
Budget is $5000.. your thoughts? Appreciate your thoughts, cheers
Liam, I am afraid that is out of my range of knowledge. I’ve got lots of experience with freshwater, but unfortunately not deep water ocean. Check out thehulltruth.com and ask there.
Is there a unit for when you are fishing from shore and not in a boat?
Yes, there are units like Deeper and FishHunter (and others) that use your phone and a castable transducer. Check out this article https://www.sonarwars.com/portable-fish-finders/
Thanks! I’m tight for space & realize 7 won’t fit (15′ Whaler). Should I get the hook 5 or spring for the elite 5?
If you mean Elite Ti-5, then I would say yes. The Hook is a very basic unit.
I’m looking at Lowrance 7-series, but but confused on difference between 7&7-X
Theres a 12666 and 12660 in Lowrance catalog & one listed under 7 hook column, 12664, but says it’s a hook-9, yet saw factory bar code on a 7 with that number
If you are looking at the HOOK models, “X” means no GPS. The 12666 (HOOK 7) has Mid/High CHIRP + DownScan, The 12660 (HOOK 7x) is the same but without the GPS chartplotter.
Raymarine Dragonfly series is in its own class and outperforms any finder at it’s price point. I use it on a boat/canoe, dock, ice fishing….can use mobile devices for more screens. Glad I bought a dragonfly over any of the other brands…. Awesome finder…..oh it’s waterproof too so you can flip your kayak and not damage your finder… let’s see if others can keep up with Raymarine’s Dragonfly!
I agree 100%… cant Beat My DragonFly… Plus the Wifi hooks up to my phone or Tablet.. So I can be anywhere on the boat and watch for fish…
Tossed between the Humminbird Helix 7 Sonar/GPS and the new Lowrance Elite 7 Ti, most specifically at this time for use ice fishing. Obviously the Helix 7 comes in an ice pack already, and after checking with Lowrance, the Elite 7 Ti will work with the ice pack and a 9 to 7 pin adapter. Any thoughts?
The Elite 7 Ti is a great choice if you’ll use it on a boat too. But if used mainly for ice fishing it would seem a bit overkill. I know plenty of folks who use Helix 5 & 7 for ice fishing and are very happy with it.
Speaking of overkill, would you think the elite 7ti would be overkill for a kayak in the ocean? Or the 5ti good enough?
Thank you
If your kayak is decent sized, I don’t think a 7″ is too big at all. Just need to take some thought into the mounting, so it’s not getting in your way too much.
I would like to put a fish / depth finder on my float tube . I do some long trip in the high country (7-10 days). This makes a rechargeable battery a problem . What units would be best for this use?
Jeff, the only unit I’m aware of that would fit a float tube is the Humminbird Fishin’ Buddy (with Float Tube kit). I believe it runs on AA batteries, so you could carry extra sets fairly easily.