Are you looking for the best Garmin fish finder reviews? We will help you in finding the right fish finder Garmin unit for your budget and needs. Garmin fishfinder units are known to be easy to use with technologically advanced functions. We will guide you in choosing from the many Garmin fishfinder models available in the market today. The products in this article were picked based on the following factors.
- Functions
- Ease of use
- Price
- Design
- Display
Advantages of Best Garmin Fish Finders
Garmin is considered one of the top makers of fish finders today. The following are the top reasons why:
- Garmin Fish Finders Are Very Reasonably Priced – The Striker series, in particular, has been priced to compete with the Helix series of Humminbird and the Hook series of Lowrance.
- Good Features – Despite being affordable, Garmin fish finders can compete with other brands in terms of functions. For instance, the Striker series has models with down and side sonar imaging functionalities.
- Good Build Quality – Garmin fish finders are designed to withstand the punishing conditions outdoors. Most of its fish finders are waterproof. Some can even be immersed in water for an extended period, and still continue working.
- Superior Interface – When you get a Garmin fishfinder, it’s unlikely you would get lost in navigating its menu. Garmin’s user interface is peerless. It has clear, easy to read icons. Its map graphics are also very colorful.
- Good Customer Support – Whether you need help with how to read the Garmin fish finder or you need to replace a Garmin side scan fish finder, you can count on the company’s customer service team to give you a helping hand.
Top 6 Best Garmin Fish Finder Reviews in 2022
1. Garmin Striker 4 GPS Fishfinder
This is the base model of Garmin’s Striker series. Striker fishfinders have everything anglers need, from the transducer to trolling motor mounting brackets. Because it is the base model, the Striker 4 is not surprisingly affordable. It’s also one of the smallest units with CHIRP sonar.
With the supplied transducer, users will be able to scan the bottom of the water at a depth of around 800 feet. Amazon.com reviewers say that’s not a bad deal at all for an entry-level fish finder. The CHIRP sonar included in this unit gives some power and clarity to the images. You’ll be able to see clear images and targets with less clutter.
For instance, you will be able to see several small targets if a group of fish sticks closes together. With a conventional sonar unit, you will likely see those fish as one single target. Amazon.com reviewers say that they’re pretty much content with the 3.5-inch display of the unit. The screen is backlit and its data can be read even in direct sunlight.
- It is affordable
- It’s still packed in features despite being affordable
- It is easy to use
- The screen is a bit small
2. Garmin Fishfinder ECHOMAP Plus 43cv
While browsing through the ECHOMAP series, you might be puzzled to see the similarities between the 43cv and the 44cv. The difference is mostly in the maps that come with these two fishfinders.
This 43cv model will supply you with U.S. inland lakes and rivers, as well as a few locations close to the shore. On the other hand, the 44cv model will have U.S. offshore maps. Depending on which type of map you need, take your pick between these two ECHOMAP models.
While it performs adequately in showing you where the fish is, this Garmin portable fish finder is actually more popular among the users for its chart plotting function. Some people don’t even use the transducer and just keep it on their boat as a Chartplotter.
With the help of this fish finder, you can even go ahead and plan your trip ahead. Despite its dainty size, it can tackle quite a bit of fish finding and mapping work you can throw at it.
- Compact unit
- Great Chartplotter
- Comes with a lot of useful maps
- Shows water temperature and depth accurately
- Not waterproof
Also Read: What is a Tandem Kayak – Is it Ideal for Fishing?
3. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64Cv Fish Finder
What is the best Garmin fish finder that money can buy? Also, what is the best Garmin fish finder that will give you an all-around performance? The answer to both questions is this ECHOMAP UHD 64cv unit. You really can’t go wrong with it.
This fishfinder Chartplotter combo offers you interactive nautical charts in the form of blue chart G3 charts. Garmin’s blue charts are capable of providing 1-foot contours, which is really an impressive level of bottom accuracy.
Good thing is, these charts are already preloaded into the device. However, if you live in a region where these maps do not provide support, you’ll have to purchase an extra SD card with the maps from that region.
Let’s look at the fishfinder features: it includes a GT24 transducer which provides you with the extra-clear data that you can expect from the high wide CHIRP traditional sonar. You’ll have no trouble reading the data because the 6-inch display is even readable in bright sunlight.
- Comes with preloaded blue charts
- Includes a GT24 transducer
- Equipped with quick-release bail mount
- The display is sunlight readable
- Exceptional target separation
- You must buy an SD card for maps of your region separately
4. Garmin STRIKER PLUS 4cv Bundle
If you can’t shell out the money for a good waterproof Garmin fishfinder, what’s the next best thing to do? Well, in my opinion, you should get a fishfinder with a protective cover that’s built like a tank, and this Garmin Striker Plus 4cv sure does come with that.
The cover of this unit resists water pretty efficiently, and if you have any issues with the fitting, there are video tutorials available to fix it. It really is going to be an asset.
With this fish finder unit, you might be a little dismayed about the lack of maps and the inability to upload or download maps. However, with the Garmin quickdraw contours mapping software you can make up your own chart as you go about fishing.
From the best Garmin fish finder reviews, it’s easy to see that this is one of the best Kayak fishfinders that Garmin has built. Its chart plotting, compact size, bright display all are really useful to be used in non-powered boats like that.
- The protective cover is especially sturdy
- Quickdraw feature is very efficient
- Built-in GPS has very useful features
- Sunlight readable display
- User-friendly interface
- Compact design
- Maps cannot be loaded
5. Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 53cv
Just like the ECHOMAP 43cv and the 44cv, you might also be confused about what’s the difference between the 53cv and 54cv models. The difference, in this case, is 53cv is for freshwater fishing and the 54cv is for saltwater fishing.
One great thing about this unit is that it can be used as a kayak fish finder in summer and as an ice fish finder in winter. Despite looking a little bulky and somewhat different from usual kayak fish finders (that tend to be portable) it’s actually quite useful.
Whether you’re looking for fish, navigating to unknown parts of the water, trying to stay out of the shallow, this fish finder will assist you in all these ways. The built-in CHIRP traditional sonar and CHIRP ClearVü makes you feel like you’re looking into a camera, it’s that clear.
- Comes with transducer, mount, cover, power cable, and NMEA 2000 adapter
- Great fish finder for freshwater fishing
- Comes with U.S. inland maps
- Can store up to 5,000 waypoints
- Also usable as an ice fishing fish finder
- You need to pay extra for more maps
Also Read: Best Baitcasting Reel Under 100 – Buying Guide & Reviews
6. Garmin Striker 7SV Fish Finder
The Garmin Striker 7SV may strike to a novice angler as a high-end model given that it is packed in features. But you would be surprised at how competitively priced this fish finder is. This best Garmin fish finder has a roomy 7-inch screen, allowing users to view lots of data.
It is also ruggedly designed and should be able to withstand the harsh conditions outdoors. We like that this unit has a very straightforward installation. It comes with a convenient trolling motor mount adapter, practically eliminating the need for any drilling. And it comes with a portable conversion case that lets you use it from a kayak.
According to reviews on the internet, this is one of the best fish finders in terms of value for money. For a relatively affordable price, it packs features like side imaging, GPS, and a built-in flasher. It’s just a bit disappointing though, that this unit doesn’t come with maps. Also, there is no manual included in the package. You would have to download it from Garmin’s website.
- Very easy to operate
- Packed with features
- Reasonably priced
- Doesn’t come with maps
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How Do I Properly Maintain My Transducer for Optimal Performance?
A: In order to keep a transducer clean, you could use mild household detergent on a soft cloth. To prevent slimy growth, you can paint it with water-based paint that can be re-applied every six months. Refrain from painting the paddle wheel.
Q: How to Tell if Your Transducer Is Bad?
A: If your transducer is clean, positioned correctly, and is also properly connected with the main unit, then it should work just fine. If all these boxes are checked and there are still issues, then your transducer might be bad. If your transducer is older than 10 years, it’s also possible that it’s time for you to get a new one.
Q: Is Chirp Better Than Sonar?
A: Yes, it is. CHIRP (an acronym for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) fishfinders make use of a longer pulse than the traditional sonar fishfinders do. This enables the device to acquire a large amount of data that helps the fisherman fish more accurately.
Also Read: What is Spearfishing – The Technique of Shooting Fish
Conclusion
The 10 models are all excellent choices if you are looking for a Garmin side imaging fish finder or a Garmin side scan fish finder. But which model is the best on this list? We had a hard time picking the best model in this article, but we will have to go with the Garmin Striker 7SV. This GPS and Wi-Fi capable fish finder is packed in features and has a very reasonable price.
Many reviewers on Amazon.com will vouch for the ease of using this unit. We also like how sharp and clear the images look on its screen. Moreover, there are various sizes you can choose from— 4 inches, 5 inches, 7 inches, and 9 inches. Plus it also has built-in maps. This unit, without a doubt, has all the things you would need if you want to have a successful fishing trip. This is arguably the best Garmin fishfinder today.
