We live in an increasingly advanced world; and when it comes to harnessing technology, one of man’s oldest pastimes is no exception to drawing on it to improve the experience.
Nowadays, anyone from the professional baiter to the amateur angler can benefit from using a vital piece of kit: the fish finder.
This collection of fish finder reviews will analyze the top rated fish finders available at the moment; ascertaining not only the best overall devices that you can buy, but also which one is best suited for your own particular needs.
These particular needs can be anything from wanting to find the best fish finder for the money or perhaps one that you can easily fit in your pocket.
With such a wide market it is possible to find a top rated fish finder that meets almost every description, and I aim to make that process easier for you. You can compare fish finders here by glancing at the fish finder comparison chart which cuts out some of the lesser products, ensuring you have a head-start in finding that perfect fishing aid.
Best Fish Finders Comparison Table
Image
Model
Imaging
Connectivity
Price
Rating
Humminbird 409640-1 HELIX 5 SI Fish Finder
Dual Beam
GPS
$$
Deeper Wireless Sonar Smart Fish Finder
Dual Beam
Bluetooth
$
Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4
Dual Beam
GPS
$
Garmin Echo 301c Worldwide with Transducer
Dual Beam
GPS
$
Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS Fishfinder
Dual Beam
GPS
$$$
Humminbird Helix 7 DI GPS Fishfinder
Down Imaging
GPS
$$
Humminbird HELIX 5 DI Fish Finder with Down-Imaging and GPS
Down Imaging
GPS
$$
Lowrance Elite-5X CHIRP with Transducer
Dual Beam
Broadband
$$
Venterior Portable Wired Fish Finder
Down Imaging
None
$
Humminbird PiranhaMax 197C Color Fish Finder
Down Imaging
None
$
Different Types of Fish Finder
As I mentioned earlier, it is important for you to find the best fishfinder for what you want to accomplish; not every product you find will be what you want it to be. I have broken the top rated fish finders down into several easy categories so you can easily differentiate and thus make the right choice.
Portable Fish Finders
The portable fish finders are often (as their name would suggest) smaller than their stationary cousins. They are perfect for the angler who likes to travel light but still wants access to the top equipment, thus boosting your chances of landing a catch.
With the rising popularity of fish finders among non-professional fishermen, many companies are now offering smaller devices that cater for those that don’t want the hassle of big equipment, but still achieve results.
The wonders of having a portable fish finder include not only great mobility, but simplicity as well, with many being designed as a ‘pick-up-and-go’ style of product that doesn’t require a lengthy set-up process or a degree to decipher the data presented to you. If nothing else, they are the layman’s choice.
Kayak Fish Finders
Many will take it as good news that you don’t need to be on the bank or in a larger boat in order to use a fish finder, as many manufacturers also cater to those that like a more adventurous spice to their fishing trips.
Kayak fish finders are often similar in size to portable fish finders, and in some cases they overlap. However, kayak fish finders will always be sturdy items that can be fixed securely onto your craft; they are almost always waterproofed meaning you can go as wild as you like as you chase down that monster it highlights to you.
It’s important that when buying a fish finder for use on a kayak that you carefully compare fish finders; especially screen size, as having a huge device with a 9 inch display may appear slightly odd to those observing from the bank.
Bluetooth Fish Finders
“But,” I hear you shout, “I don’t have the space in my pockets to carry around another piece of kit”; I sympathize with your plea. There are an ever increasing number of fish finders that harness the power of Bluetooth in order to save you hassle, and they do this through making good use of your smartphone.
Devices such as these usually come with easy-to-install apps that allow you to access the data that your fish finder is relaying to you without the need of all the other paraphernalia that comes with other devices.
In most cases, Bluetooth fish finders are only small ball like devices that can be easily cast from the river/lakeside or from the deck of a fishing boat; this is the only thing you need to do (no lengthy adjustments, etc.) before checking your phone for results.
Fishfinder and GPS Combos
If you’re the kind of angler that doesn’t like to stay in one place for too long; perhaps you’re always on the hunt for a better spot, looking for that one place that never fails to land you what you’re looking for.
Unless you’re the avid Boy Scout type, you’ll want something to easily and accurately store your own personal fishing landmarks. Combining the regular sonar, fish finding abilities of most devices with the map plotting and other cartographic skills of a GPS system, you have a great combination that never fails.
Most of the top fish finders of this kind will be able to save thousands of locations, meaning you will never forget that perfect spot and if you’re feeling generous you can share them with your friends.
Often these devices are slightly more expensive, but in reality you're paying for something that will boost both the efficiency and enjoyment of your fishing endeavors.
Top Fish Finder Brands
There are a whole range of brands out there that aim to offer you the best. All of these manufacturers vary greatly in size, experience and quality. A number of the recommended devices I mention in my fishfinder reviews are from Deeper and Humminbird, two leading brands in the market.
Deeper Fish Finder
Based in Vilnius, Lithuania, Deeper are a company with a passion for what they do, which has led them to create great things.
Notably, they were the first company to make a fish finder that was compatible with iOS and Android smartphones with their renowned device: the Deeper Fishfinder. Although other companies have since released products in a similar vein, Deeper remains the number one fish finder app and with good reason.
Deeper are also a company that likes to involve itself with the community it serves; they pride themselves of being members of varying fishing associations around the world, especially in Europe and America.
It is because of these things that Deeper is now considered one of the best options to turn to by many in angling circles and it is likely to go from strength to strength as time goes on.
Humminbird Fish Finder
With the strong claim that they have provided America with its favorite fish finders for over forty years, Humminbird are one of the heavyweight distributors. They provide something for everyone, regardless of how seriously (or not) you take your fishing.
They were the first company to release a depth sounder in 1975, and since then they almost always perform well in depth finder reviews. However, not only are they the first company to make a splash into the market, they are also one of its biggest innovators, constantly releasing new products that keep both their own engineers and their competitors on their toes.
Despite their distinctly American roots (they are based in Alabama), Humminbird’s products are available in over one hundred countries, meaning that they are option for everybody, anywhere and should be seriously considered as the vendors of your ideal fish finder.
Top 5 Best Fish Finders
1. Humminbird 409640-1 HELIX 5 SI Fish Finder with Side-Imaging and GPS
When it comes to fish finding this unit from Humminbird is simply outstanding. The brand is well known, we know that, but what makes the HELIX 5 SI worth shouting about?
Probably a good place to start is the built-in GPS chartplotting. Forget any other piece of equipment you might think you need - the GPS shares the 5" backlit screen with fish readings side by side for an all-in-one reference. There is an SD card slot if you want to save waypoints.
Side Imaging and Down Imaging are integrated with dual beam and sonar as you'd probably expect. Add to the fact the power output is 4000 watts and you know it's hunting deep under water to find whatever is lurking.
With its rich color display, good screen size, integrated GPS and powerful output, the Humminbird 409640-1 HELIX SI claims the top spot.
CHECK PRICE NOW ON AMAZON
2. Deeper DP0H10S10-P Wireless Sonar Smart Fish Finder
From Deeper, this is one of the most easily operated fish finders out there; it is high on this list for many reasons and this is reflected by the fact that it is very popular among the best rated fish finders on Amazon.
One of the many benefits of the Deeper Wireless is that it’s incredibly portable; in fact, with a diameter of 65mm, if you happen to be a recreational angler you can fit this in your kit without sacrificing anything else, meaning you can go on a trip without the hassle of lengthy packing.
It was the first of its kind when it was first released and when combined with the easy-to-use Bluetooth functionality it really shines out as a practical and useful piece of kit. With a range of 130ft, the Deeper can provide you with a detailed view of bottom terrain and accurate temperature readings and it works with the same ease in both salt and fresh water bodies.
CHECK PRICE NOW ON AMAZON
3. Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4
The Garmin Striker 4 series is another that fits into the ‘portable’ category, but what it offers you is a reasonably priced solution to a lot of problems.
Granted, it won’t clear debt or provide counselling but what it does do far exceeds many expectations of this somewhat unassuming device.
It has everything you could possibly need from a fish finder, with a mix of highly sensitive GPS and powerful CHIRP sonar this plucky little machine is something of a multi-tool, in the literal sense of the word.
It’s also great for the slightly more adventurous angler, it has a rugged, durable design and build ensuring that it won’t break at an inopportune time. Therefore, this particular Garmin is a safe, conservative choice that gives you an edge regardless of how you fish.
CHECK PRICE NOW ON AMAZON
4. Garmin Echo 301c Worldwide with Transducer
Essentially the predecessor to the Striker 4, the Garmin Echo still merits inclusion on this list. Many of its features are similar to the Striker and it has established itself as a solid, dependable fish finder gaining a lot of good feedback.
This is in no small part down to its ease of use. You really can pick this up and get started right away. There's no complicated set-up, it feels sturdy and is easy to manipulate by attaching or releasing from the mount without fuss.
With 2400 watts power it provides good images and the dual beam transducer has you covered for any expedition. The 3.5" screen might be on the small side if fishing conditions are not optimal and you're trying to read it while the boat is moving.
CHECK PRICE NOW ON AMAZON
5. Humminbird 409850-1 Helix 7 SI GPS/Fishfinder with Side Imaging Sonar
With its recognizable Humminbird design, the Helix 7 SI is similar to the Humminbird 409830-1 Helix 7 DI.
Its 480 x 800 resolution display ensures you get the best results in startling quality and clarity no matter how vibrant or dull the sunlight (and with no glare from the screen).
It is incredibly effective at being precise in its GPS readings and boasts a Contour XD map. Furthermore, with a SD card slot you can transfer maps, etc. from other programs onto this device, meaning that it can easily compliment your existing data.
This device is perfect for a more professional angler as it may be slightly harder for an amateur to interpret the incredibly detailed and accurate readings.
CHECK PRICE NOW ON AMAZON
Other Quality Fish Finder Models
Whilst they may not be on the pedestal, the other five products listed are all worthy purchases.
They vary greatly in what they offer you, for example, the Venterior Portable is a wonderfully simple device that is one of the cheapest in this fish finder comparison and is by far the simplest, making it a good choice if you’re not quite sure what to expect from a fish finder.
The three Humminbirds prove that the brand gets better with time as the other models listed are all typically older models that have withstood the test of time and are still worthwhile buys today.
If you're looking for something within a specific budget then you'll have a lot of choices under the $300 mark. Even under $200 you have good options so don't feel limited if your budget doesn't stretch too far.?
Features to Help You Choose the Right Fish Finder
When analyzing fish finders reviews to help you decide on the best model for your particular requirements it is important to note certain features as these will form the basis for your final decision. The most important features you should give consideration to are as follows:
Connectivity and Integration. Do you want a unit that has an in-built GPS? This is useful in allowing you to navigate and show fish from the same screen. Maybe you want Bluetooth connectivity to connect to your smartphone. This is useful if the areas you fish in have weak cellular signals.
Screen Size and Resolution. Might seem obvious but this is something that you probably don't want to compromize on too much. Unless your expeditions are solely on calm seas then you'll want to ensure you've got a decent size screen that will provide good resolution on dull days as well as sunny skies.
Imaging. Will you be fishing in shallow ponds or deep seas? Go for side imaging if its the former while good down imaging works better for deep sea fishing. Of course, you can get one with dual beam for the best of both worlds.
Power and Frequency. The last thing you want is a unit that isn't going to bring back the results you need. Simply put, a higher watt model will give you more precision. As for frequency, if you're fishing in shallow waters then higher frequency models are good. Lower frequency models work better in deeper water. You can of course choose a dual frequency model for the best of both worlds.
Conclusion
That concludes my collection of fish finder reviews and musings on the world of fish finders, and I hope it has been a useful read if you are on the hunt for that perfect device.
Don't let all of the options overwhelm you. If you know you're not going to use all the features of an advanced model then keep it simple. Just ensure you have the features you know you'll use and go with it.
You can't really go wrong with the Humminbird models or the Deeper DP0H10S10-P so if you're struggling to choose those would be my recommendations. I hope this has given you a better understanding of the merits of fish finders and what to look out for. Good luck on your next expedition!
Product Images Sourced From Amazon.com.
The post What is the Best Fish Finder for the Keen Sportsman? appeared first on Blogtrepreneur - For Busy Entrepreneurs.