Best Fishfinder GPS Combo in 2022 – Reviews & Top Buying Guide

A fish finder is an incredible tool that can help take your sport or commercial fishing venture to the next level. However, even the best fish finders can use a little improvement – and adding a GPS is one way to do this. The best fishfinder GPS combo will help you navigate whatever body of water you are on at the same time as it allows you to find where to fish more quickly, accurately, and efficiently.

So what should you look for in the best combo of a fish finder and GPS? We’ve assembled the following tips for you to look at and things to consider, so read on to see some product reviews that we recommend.

How to Choose Best Fishfinder GPS Combo for the Money

Choosing the best GPS/fishfinder might be a bit challenging and confusing. While searching in the market, you may find yourself confused between transducers, sonar, echoes, and other stuff. These things often make us forget the basic goal of a fish finder device, which is to help us in catching more fishes.

In this Fishfinder GPS Combo Reviews & Guide, we want to highlight the most important things that you should consider while purchasing the best fishfinder GPS combo device. Here we go:

Frequency

Frequency is another vital thing you ought to consider while buying a fish finder. Several dual frequency transducers come with cones of 20° and 60° while others come with frequencies of 50, 83, 200, or 1925. These frequencies depend on the cone angle of a transducer. Transducers that come with higher frequencies like 192 or 200, work like a charm for fishing in shallow water.

On the flip side, those with lower frequencies like 50 kHz are fine for fishing in deep water. Professionals who like deep water fishing should choose devices with lower frequencies while those who do it just for fun will be satisfied enough with devices of higher frequencies. Just keep in mind that devices with higher frequencies show more details on the screen.

Power Consumption

The second most important thing to inspect is power consumption. It’s measured in watts and more watts point towards the faster display of readings. On the other hand, fewer watts point towards the slower and fuzzier display of readings. You may be satisfied with a device of lesser watts if your goal is to do fishing in shallow water, but if you’re a deep-diving professional, then you must go for a device with more watts.

Screen Resolution

This is the third thing that matters. Just like power consumption, greater resolution means a clearer and accurate display of readings.

Transducers

The key ingredient of any fish finder is its transducer. They are the main units that send and receive sonar waves, so the functionality of your device will largely depend on them. Devices with transom mount transducers are the best ones as they’re easily mountable and don’t require any complicated installation.

Cone Angles and Beams

The cone angles of fish finder devices describe how wide beams of sonar waves they will send. So wider cone angles mean a wider beam that’ll cover more area when it goes underwater. Today you can find transducer cones with angles between 9° and 60° and most units fall under 16° to 20°. A device with a cone angle of 20° will be adequate for fishing in various depths of water.

Top 9 Best Fishfinder GPS Combo Reviews in 2022

The general range is anywhere from 100 to over 1,000, with greater prices usually (but not always) indicating a greater number of more advanced features, as well as a newer model. I would recommend looking for the best fishfinder GPS combo in the 300-400 range for good quality balanced with affordability.

1. Humminbird HELIX 5 Fish Finder

The new Hummingbird Helix 5 is by far /the best fish finder with a GPS. Considering that it is sold with a complete set of auxiliary parts, it offers real value for money. When navigating through waters on your vessel, equipment that gives you a sense of direction is crucial. The device has an inbuilt navigation system with a GPS.

The Hummingbird Helix 5 is equipped with state of the art components that make your fishing experience exciting and fruit full. With a transducer and a flip-up mount, the Hummingbird fish finder comes in handy for installation on your fishing vessel. The Hummingbird fish finder employs high precision navigational and fish spotting technology to ensure that you spend your time in waters that promise a catch.

It has a rotating head that helps you navigate steadily on the waters. The Hummingbird fish finder comes from the Hummingbird family of high-class electronic equipment. The choice of the best fishfinder GPS combo that one wants to acquire majorly depends on their budget and this product appeals to a person who desires a quality product but does not want to spend over the board. The Hummingbird fish finder will become the new vision of your fishing vessel.

After getting a feel of the device, you will unlikely set sail again without it in your possession. For people who love fishing but use the traditional method of hooking a worm and dipping it in water then waiting and hoping for a catch, the device will transform your fishing experience. The device is specially designed for fishers who desire a quick fishing exertion. If you employ the device during your fishing expedition, you are guaranteed a successful outing and most likely a bountiful catch.

2. Garmin Striker 4cv GPS Fishfinder

Garmin striker 4-inch display fish finder comes with a transducer and technology that a lot of customers have reported loving. It provides a super clear picture thanks to the clear view scanning sonar system. Aside from that, this particular fish finder is very compact. As a result, you can carry it virtually anywhere.

The screen has a backlighting option which will be great for night-time fishing moreover it also has a built-in map for US territory. Furthermore, it comes with a built-in GPS system and several waypoints as well that mark the most favorable routes for fishing that have already been tested by other fishermen.

Also, it comes with quick draw contour mapping software that will allow you to draw out your own maps with a 2-inch contour for up to 3 million acres plus you can then share this map through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with other fishermen in your area so as to inform them of your preferred fishing spots. The body of this fish finder is made from resistant plastic that customers have reported is capable of withstanding scratches and scuffs without losing appearance.

Make sure that you purchase a separate storage box or carrying case so as to protect the fish finder when it will be not in use. The best carrying case will be made from thick nylon material that will protect it yet will still be easy to take care of including being suitable to be tossed in the washing machine.

Also Read: Best Fish Finder Under 300 – Top Reaview to Buy

3. Simrad GO7 XSR Combo with Basemap

If you’ve been using the same old fish finder for many years, you might be surprised by what you can get in today’s technology products. This Simrad fishfinder will blow your expectations. Its simplicity of use with all the technology is amazing, and the insight maps are terrific.

It comes with touch-sensitive controls that most users will find familiar, integrated with an easy to use menu navigation that requires no special instructions. Starting from the home screen, a simple tap allows you to create or select pinch to zoom, drag across waypoints and charts.

Customizable layouts and Modifiable split-screens let you fine-tune the environment to your specific taste. Data is refreshed five times per second and the real-time images captured are crystal clear. Simrad XSR is still undisputed for the crispness of the image it provides.

The images obtained effectively differentiate between blockades, vegetation, and game fish. An in-built sensor displays vessel speed and water temperature. When considering advancing to a more powerful and accurate fish finder, the Simrad XSR is a valuable option. This unit is customizable to outfit your vessel and your favorite offshore activities- from fishing to water sports, to powerboating.

You can customize your home screen by creating shortcuts to the features you often use and add a personal taste to it with eye-catching wallpapers. If you like spending most of your time upon the bow, you can still access the sounder screen on your phone or tablet. All you have to do is pair up your gadgets by downloading the free Simrad GoFree app online.

The Simrad is a Chartplotter and one of the best fishfinder GPS combos, offering an array of navigation and sonar functions. It’s quite a versatile unit, ideal for small to medium recreational boats, for inland and off-shore fishing, providing excellent value for a fair price. It also doesn’t hurt that it has some of the most appreciative fishfinder GPS combo reviews.

4. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv GPS Fishfinder

One more Garmin ClearVu fishfinder with a durable transducer, that can be mounted in a number of ways including on your trolling motor and inside the hull. Moreover, it comes with patented quickdraw contour mapping technology that Garmin fish finders are known for.

Using this technology and the fish finder you can map the areas that you found a lot of fish in then you can share these parts with your friends or other fishermen. Using the Wi-Fi feature on the fish finder you can also download maps that were drawn by other fishermen so as to not waste time looking for good spots to fish and instead use spots that have been already tried by other individuals.

Similar to the Wi-Fi feature you could also use Bluetooth to either download or share information such as your location coordinates weather as well as favorable fishing spots. However, keep in mind that this fish finder comes with a very small screen that will limit the information that can be displayed thus you will need to zoom in quite often to clearly see the fish that will be shown on the diagram.

Lastly, the built-in GPS will allow you to draw your own waypoints as well as create routes that you can then transfer onto your computer using the Wi-Fi feature. Also, keep in mind that the mounting gear will need to be purchased separately but the manufacturer does offer it as an add-on.

5. Lowrance HDS-7 Live Fish Finder

This Lowrance fish finder is a device that comes with all the features you need and more. This Lowrance fish finder is yet another entry onto the best fish finder Chartplotter on the market and comes with all of the expected whistles and bells attached.

It is also among the best GPS fish finders with StructureScan 3D and StructureScan HD. It comes with a 3-in-1 transducer, as well. Its distinct design consists of a complete set of fish finding and navigational features, but still leaves enough room for an upgrade.

Upgradeable features include maps, GPS, and radar. Overall, it’s an appliance that will be the eye of your vessel. I can tell that this might get a bit addictive, considering that you won’t want to spend any moment offshore without it. Anything a hardcore fisher could want their fishfinder to do; the HDS-7 Live Fish Finder can do it for them.

For the newbie fisher whose past endeavors have been hanging a worm off of the edge of a boat in a pond, this unit might seem a bit sophisticated. However, for the avid fishers wanting immediate results, you can never go wrong with this unit. The Lowrance HDS-7 Live Fish Finder is definitely among the all-inclusive, user-friendly gadgets obtainable in the field of fish location and GPS tracking, certainly a top fishfinder GPS combo worth checking out.

6. Lowrance Hook 2 5X Fish Finder

A very easy-to-use hook to the fish finder that is available in 2 different sizes: 5 inches and 7 inches screen. Additionally, it comes with auto-tuning features as well as a phone-like menu and buttons. As a result, customers have reported it to be easy to use even during the dark.

This feature is great because sadly this particular model of Lowrance fish finder does not offer the backlight feature. Therefore, keep that in mind if you normally fish during the night or right before sunrise. On the upside, it comes with a wide-angle chirp sonar scanning system.

That means that its scanning cone is very wide and will provide a much more accurate picture on the screen with regards to where exactly the fish is. Moreover, this fish finder can be mounted in a number of ways depending on whether you will be fishing in a canoe, boat, kayak, or motor yacht. Hence, you can expect to mount it inside the hull or right on the trolling motor.

Just keep in mind, that in some mounting instances you will need special mounting gear that you will need to purchase separately. Lastly, with this fish finder, you can use two different technologies. On one hand, you can use the SplitShot transducer that will provide you with a full scan right below your fishing boat. On the other hand, you could also use the CHIRP sonar technology that will provide the fish arch right on the screen.

If I had to pick a downside, I’d mention the mobile-like menu and press buttons were reported to break after some time thus needing repairs. Also, despite having a SplitShot transducer, the display cannot utilize the data since it doesn’t come with a split-screen. Despite the downside, it’s got enough perks that it’s really the best budget GPS fishfinder combo on this list.

Also Read: How to Set Up a Fishing Pole – Guideline for Beginner’s

7. Simrad GO9 XSE MFD/Sonar

The Simrad GO9 XSE is the first-rate unit, and it’s recommended to all anglers. This unit is completely customizable to outfit your boat and your best offshore activities- from power boating to fishing, to water sports.

Even better, it has a Customizable home screen with shortcuts to the features you frequently use, and you can add a personal taste to it with your pick of wallpapers. Sonar provides crystal clear images of what is on the lake, river, or ocean bottom.

You will have no trouble locating schools of fish, or larger fish. The images you get are crisp, and the data is quickly refreshed to provide you with real-time images. A cruise charting view page brings together navigation data and charts in a readable display with the ability to edit on-screen data for the data most pertinent to your cruising style and on-offshore activities.

Simrad’s Navionics cartography supports various platforms including insight Genesis, NY Digital Charts, and C-Map Max-N. If you’re the avid fisher, the best fishfinder GPS combo will very easily pay for itself more than a few times over, in terms of the free fish you catch. The best Chartplotter fishfinder combo range from $ 600 to 1000, and even the more expensive models will pay for themselves in due time.

With the integration of many other useful functions built into this powerhouse. NMEA 2000 connectivity allows for NMEA compliant devices. For instance, engine data, fuel levels, heading, and more to be displayed on your GO9xse to have all of the information you require about your vessel right at your fingertips.

8. Garmin Fishfinder ECHOMAP Plus 43cv

Garmin striker fish finder with 5-inch display plus transducer and carrying case is one of the most affordable and compact fish finder from this manufacturer. Moreover, it comes with a unique carrying case that will protect your fish finder from salty water that could potentially damage the plastic body as well as scratches and scuffs that could occur if the fish finder falls.

Plus it comes with a building quickdraw contour software that will allow you to draw your own map with a 1-inch contour for up to 2 million acres of area. Once you draw your own map you could share it with your fellow fishermen through either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Also, this fish finder comes with easy-to-use phone like buttons that work with the lightest of your touch. The carrying case is made from a rugged silicone material that customers have reported is easy to clean in mild soap solution and running water.

However, some customers have reported that it can be difficult to set up the fish finder at first because the packaging box does not come with a clear instruction booklet. Additionally, keep in mind that you will probably need to buy a separate charger because the one that is included in the box has been reported to take a very long time to charge the battery.

9. Helix 7 Chirp GPS G3N Fishfinder

This new and updated top rated fishfinder GPS combo comes equipped with the ability to connect using both Bluetooth and ethernet. As it is equipped with GPS, it offers special features such as GPS speed function, the opportunity to create waypoints, drawing your own map, etc.

Not only that. To make sure your fish finder stays put where you can conveniently use it, the package comes with all the hardware you might need for mounting this unit. The exceptionally large screen with split-screen option does not hurt either. Let’s come to the technical part.

This fish finder makes good use of the dual spectrum CHIRP sonar and is also equipped with AutoChart Live, GPS, and the enhanced Humminbird Basemap. Additionally, it is LakeMaster compatible. While this fish finder supports neither side imaging nor down imaging, it does support 360-degree imaging.

The unit comes with a transducer that is compatible with all three types of imaging. The sonar is equipped with the SwitchFire feature, so you can switch between a max mode and a clear mode at your convenience.

Also Read: Best Fish Finders Under $500 – Reviews & Buying Guide

How to Choose Display for Best Fishfinder GPS Combo

Depending on what your preference is, you can choose between a wide variety of displays for your fishfinder GPS combo. The key concept to remember is that readability matters more than anything else.

Above all, you want to look for a display screen that allows you to quickly understand the information that is being presented and know what to do next from that information. We personally prefer color displays, but it’s up to you whether you would like black and white or color.

Some Other Things to Look for

Size

The size of the device will end up being important because it will determine both the display size (see above) and the overall bulkiness of the portable fish finder that you are using. We recommend a mid-size gadget that is not so small that you are afraid of losing it but not so large that you have trouble carrying it around. Make sure that you get accessories for it, such as a carrying case, in the corresponding size!

Features

As with any piece of technology, you will want to make sure that you have the latest model with the fastest, most accurate fish tracking and GPS technology. This will often include looking for specific features that you feel you will use most, and when you’re purchasing a best fishfinder GPS combo, there are twice as many potential features to look out for.

Consider Aspects Such as

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do Fish Finders Have GPS?

A: Some fish finders have GPS functions, using which you can navigate to waters where there’s a lot of fish. You can often get these as fishfinder/Chartplotter devices. You can view both the functions on a split-screen or choose to view one at a time.

Q: What Is the Difference Between a GPS and a Chartplotter?

A: The main difference between these two is the presence of a map. A GPS unit will provide your location, but not on a map. On the other hand, a Chartplotter shows the GPS location on a map. On some devices, you can even draw your own map and share it with others.

Q: Do I Need GPS on My Fish Finder?

A: Yes, a GPS is a good feature to have on your fishfinder. While sometimes fish finders come with too many options and features and consequently, become more expensive, the GPS feature is something that should not be overlooked.

Having a GPS is important in terms of emergency situations: out there you don’t know when the weather might turn and your GPS will be very helpful if you’re lost. Additionally, you can also draw your own charts in some fish finders with GPS, and that’s a fun and creative way to make your fishing expeditions more fruitful.

Also Read: Best Kayak Fish Finders – Top Review for A Kayak Expert!

Final Verdict

If you really want the best fishfinder GPS combo that comes with all the specifications, you require seeing what’s underneath and navigating your boat, you should also consider the price. we recommend the Lowrance HDS-9 Gen2.

Conversely, if you are leaning towards the higher end and are able and willing to pay for a greater number of features and a larger screen, you could go for something with a Touch Display Sonar/GPS Combo with HDI Transducer presents many useful software and hardware enhancements.

And for those middle class, you could pick one that has an assortment of modern-day technology such as mobile apps and sonar, at an affordable price. We suggest going out on the hunt for these fish finder-GPS combos yourself before making a purchase.