Are you looking for the best Humminbird fish finder reviews? You’re making a good choice as Humminbird fish finders are known to be technologically advanced, easy-to-use, intuitive, and precise. With the many models under the brand, we realize how difficult it is for you to choose the best Humminbird fish finder. This article will help you find the best hummingbird fishfinder. We picked the seven fish finders in this list taking into consideration factors such as.
- Features
- Display resolution/size
- Price
- Ease of Use
Advantages of Humminbird Fishfinders
Humminbird fishfinders are acknowledged to be the best in the market because of the following advantages:
Superior Technology
Humminbird beats other brands when it comes to technology. In fact, it is the first company to come out with functions like side imaging and 360 degrees SONAR. In 1975, it launched the first waterproof depth sounder named the Super Sixty. It is one of the biggest selling fishfinders in history. In the ‘80s, its LCR series paved the way for liquid crystal displays.
In 2008, it introduced the first flasher with dial mounted LCD, digital depth, and auto-scale. It can be said that many of the features found in fishfinders today were products of Humminbird’s innovative team.
Superior Customer Support
In case you need to return a product, or you want to have it repaired, you can count on Humminbird’s superior customer service. Many satisfied customers routinely mention that they encounter very short call wait times when they call Humminbird’s hotline. It also offers online technical support.
If you need to know how to use Humminbird fishfinder or find Humminbird fishfinder manuals, you can simply go to their corporate website. The same goes if you need to find information on Humminbird fish finder transducer and Hummingbird fish finder transducer installation.
Long History of Innovation
The company has been in existence for more than 40 years. With its checkered history, a track record of innovation, and superior customer support, it is not hard to understand why it is America’s favorite brand of fishfinders.
Top 7 Best Humminbird Fish Finder Reviews in 2022
1. Humminbird Piranha Max 4 Fish Finder
Sleek and modern fishfinder with a diagonal display that is available in four different sizes depending on how large you want the screen to be.
Moreover, this fish finder uses a dual-beam sonar system that covers a much larger area than similar fish finders at the same price plus the solar system is capable of showing you not only fish but other landscape such as rocks and reefs beneath your boat.
The manufacturer has reported that this sonar system is capable of reading data up to 300 feet below the water surface. Furthermore, the manufacturer has included a nylon carrying case for you to store the fish finder in when not in use.
However, customers have reported that if you are not planning on using the fish finder for a long time it will be best to either make sure it discharges or remove the battery so that it does not rust.
- Great fishfinder with sonar system technology
- Capable of reading data up to 300 feet below the water surface
- Comes with a nylon carrying case
- Available in 4 different sizes
- Diagonal display
- No warranty
- Can be mounted only on the transom
- Assembled in Vietnam
2. Humminbird 410940-1 Helix 7 CHIRP MDI
Another model of hummingbird fish finder that comes with a 7-inch screen and 800 by 480 resolution virtual ensures that you get the most precise picture on the screen with accurate data.
This fish finder is great if you intend on fishing in extremely deep waters as it uses a mega down imagining system that can read data up to 500 feet below your boat.
Moreover, this fish finder offers its users two methods of searching for fish; the wide mode or the narrow mode depending on where you are going to mount it. The mounting gear will need to be purchased separately however this fish finder can be mounted onto the transom and the hull. The fish finder shows additional information such as the water temperature, turbulence as well as any changes in water density
- A great fishfinder with the latest mega down imaging technology
- Shows any changes in water temperature and turbulence
- Can be mounted in a number of ways
- Two methods of searching: the narrow and the wide
- No warranty
- Available in 1 color only
- Mounting gear is sold separately
3. Humminbird ICE-55 Six Color Flasher
This is the model that we can recommend for ice anglers. It is reputed to be one of the best tools for ice fishing as it can easily find spots with high fish concentrations, and eliminate the ‘dead water’ under the ice.
It has a simple, 6 color fiber optic display and backlighting which could be very useful when you fish in the dark. We love its extreme temperature LCD technology. With it, you can instantly know how deep your boat is and more importantly if there’s any fish down there. The carry case that comes with this fish finder is also worth mentioning.
According to Amazon.com reviewers, the case has Velcro in all the right places thus they don’t have to struggle in looking at the fishfinder screen. Others also love that the handle is ergonomically designed, so they can pick it up and go easily. We also like its battery life. We fished once using this fishfinder for 10 straight hours, and it still had more than half of its battery life.
- Ease of operation
- Long battery life
- Backlighting useful in dark conditions
- Sub-par cord storage and management
- Can be inconsistent in its readouts
Also Read: Best Lowrance Fish Finder Reviews to Buy
4. Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP DI
The Helix 5 is a pocket-friendly fishfinder with a 5-inch display. It has GPS and side/down imaging capabilities. This portable fish finder is highly recommended to anglers who aren’t ready to use more complicated and larger sonar units. This unit is packed in features despite being affordably priced. It features side imaging, down imaging, and GPS.
Its a high-resolution display with an 800 x 480-pixel resolution. It is in landscape mode, allowing it to make the most of its GPS and side/down imaging functionalities. This unit is installed in a boat using a plastic gimbal mount. It replaces the old mounting system found in older Humminbird units.
According to reviewers on Amazon.com, this model is fairly easy to operate. They also liked that it has an affordable price. However, a key drawback of this unit is that it is non-networkable. This is probably to keep the overall cost of the unit down. Browsing the best Humminbird fish finder reviews on Amazon.com, some reviewers complain that they received a package missing items like cable clamps.
- It is easy to operate
- It makes use of a new mounting system
- It’s compact
- It is packed in features despite being affordable
- It’s non-networkable
- It lacks Humminbird fishfinder accessories
5. Hummingbird Helix 10 G3N Fish Finder
A fairly expensive fishfinder but one that is completely worth its price as lots of customers have reported that it provides unprecedented clarity and shows data up to 500 feet below. Moreover, it is available in several different sizes ranging from 9 inches to 13-inch display with the newest spectrum LED technology.
The display user’s full-color TFT and 1024*600 resolution plus the right side of the fish finder has several bottles that you can use to either widen or narrow the scanning cone depending on where you be passing. For example, if your boat will be passing over rocks you will need to widen the scanning cone to see where the fish is hiding.
On the contrary to the scenario if you will be passing a fish school you will need to narrow to see where the majority of fish is concentrated. Furthermore, this fish finder comes in a packaging box with a transducer and all the mounting gear such as the power cable, the mounting brackets, and all necessary screws.
- A complete package of a fish finder and all the needed items for mounting
- High-resolution screen
- Comes with a carrying case
- Comes with a rechargeable battery
- Available in several different sizes
- Available in 1 color only
- Does not come with preloaded maps
Also Read: Best Garmin Fish Finder Reviews – Step By Step Buying Guide
6. Humminbird 409820-1 Helix 7 Fishfinder
This is an affordable but powerful fishfinder with a GPS function. It has a 6:9 widescreen, glass-bonded display, and capable of showing images in 480 x 800-pixel resolution. With the superior resolution of this fish finder, you can see the images well even during a bright, sunny day.
We also like that mounting can be done in a snap. This best Humminbird fish finder GPS is oriented in landscape mode. You can set the side imaging to use most of the screen in finding fishes. The smaller window, meanwhile, is for the GPS map.
According to most reviewers on Amazon.com, this is one of the best fish finders when it comes to value for money. In fact, one reviewer says, in jest, that it does everything except pull the fish out of the waters. The only real knock on this fish finder is lack of networking. This means it cannot share GPS waypoints with other units. But this is not surprising because the unit is really designed to be an affordable, stand-alone fishfinder.
- Very bright screen
- You can see the images even under the sun
- It is relatively affordable
- The menu system is confusing
- The door covering the SD card can easily get lost
7. Humminbird Helix 12 Chirp SI
This is arguably the best unit from Humminbird to date. It has advanced features like AutoChart Live, side imaging, down imaging, GPS, and CHIRP sonar technology. But because it’s a very feature-packed unit, you should expect to spend some time learning every function of this fishfinder.
Moreover, its depth capability isn’t that eye-popping at just 45 meters. We like the huge, 12.1-inch display of this fishfinder. With a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, this fishfinder makes it easier for you to see what’s going on in the waters.
Moreover, the display is glare-free. You can also see clearly the images even when you are under the bright sunlight. Predictably, Amazon.com reviews have very good feedback on this best Humminbird fishfinder GPS combo. One reviewer commented that the Helix 12 has multiple technologies that make fishing a lot easier.
He also said that the wide display of the fishfinder allows him to see all of the functions offered in this product. He says he is now more confident when he fishes thanks to this fishfinder. Of course, this isn’t an affordable fishfinder. But you do get what you pay for when you get this best Humminbird fishfinder portable unit.
- Widescreen
- High-resolution display
- Packed in features
- Very expensive
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I Capture Still Shots of Images That I See on the Screen?
A: Check your product manual to see if your fish finder has this option. If so, then you’ll have to go to the Accessories menu of your unit. Once there, you can get the “Screen Snapshot” option. You’ll have to change the default option to “On”. To use this, you’ll also have to insert an SD card on your unit.
Q: How Can I Maintain My Humminbird Unit?
A: In case your unit is sprayed with saltwater, dampen a cloth with fresh water and wipe the surface. You shouldn’t use a commercial cleaner on it, especially on the lens. To clean the lens, at best you could use mild, warm soapy water or a solution of water and vinegar on a soft cloth.
In the case of a transducer, wipe off the face with liquid detergent to clean it. Do not leave your unit where it can get overheated, like the trunk of a vehicle.
Q: Will Side Imaging Work on Shallow Water?
A: Yes, it will. Even if you’re on the water as shallow as two feet, the units will show objects up to 50-75 ft. away from the boat in detail.
Q: Should I Get Down Imaging or Side Imaging?
A: If you’re fishing in deep water, you’ll need to take note of the fish that’s directly under you and for that, down imaging works best. On the other hand, down imaging doesn’t work as well in shallow water. To catch fish in water that lacks depth, you should be using side imaging. It also comes in handy when you’re after fish that don’t dive too deep.
Q: Is Humminbird Side Imaging Worth It?
A: Yes, it is. Granted, if you’re more used to fishfinders with down imaging, you might face some trouble trying to decipher what side imaging is showing you. However, if you take some time to learn how to read a fishfinder, you’ll be catching more fish in no time.
Q: What Is Switchfire on Humminbird?
A: SwithFire is a special feature on Humminbird fish finders that lets you choose the way you view that data input from sonar. It lets you view that data in either Clear Mode or Max Mode.
SwitchFire Max is the manual mode. If you’re unable to view what you’re specifically pursuing on the Clear mode, you can switch to the Max mode and adjust the sensitivity. If you’re trying to find the biggest fish in a school, you can try out the Max mode.
Also Read: How to Use a Fish Stringer – Follow the Easy Steps
Conclusion
Whenever you’re looking for a new fishfinder, you’ll find that there’s no one fishfinder that can be called the best out of the bunch. Similarly, even within the brand, you can’t really pick out one as the best Humminbird Fish Finder. Perhaps you need an ice flasher, perhaps you need a portable unit for kayak fishing that can pick up depth at low speeds.
You might even want a Fishfinder GPS combo so you don’t have to lug around an extra unit. Whatever it is that you’re planning to buy from the Humminbird brand, our job was to point you in the right direction, and I hope this guide blog did exactly that. So get down to shopping and don’t forget to comment which Humminbird unit you decided to buy!
Humminbird Piranha Max 4 is perfect as portable fish finder. Humminbird Helix 7 gen3 is updated. So I think it is better then Piranha.