When it comes to stillwater fishing, having the right marine electronics makes the difference between getting blanked or having the trip of a lifetime! Whether you’re just beginning to explore the sport or are a seasoned veteran, having a reliable fish finder will be a game changer in your trout fishing.
Beyond the obvious benefit of locating your targeted species, these units will give you a new insight into the underwater world. With the ability to identify structure, depth and temperature, these units will be an incredible tool for you. These Sonar units will give you the power of underwater observation, allowing you to learn the habits and feeding patterns of those trophy trout that we all pursue.
This article provides an overview of the Best Entry-Level Stillwater FishFinders currently on the market. With the right fish finder, you’ll surely have an enjoyable and successful stillwater fishing adventure every time!
- 5″ widescreen display
- Built-in GPS
- Hummingbird Base Map and AutoChart Live
- Dual Spectrum Chirp 2D Sonar and Down imaging
The Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 is definitely one of the best entry-level stillwater fishfinders on the market and a popular choice amongst Anglers abroad. It has a 5” colour display with an 800H x 480V resolution, making it easy to read and interpret. The unit also has a number of view options, including split screen, vertical zoom, bottom hardness/structure, and more.
The Dual Spectrum Chirp Sonar with Chirp Down Imaging allows you to adjust between Wide Mode and Narrow Mode. This will provide you with the ability to search for the most minute details in structure and fish location. Or you can go with a wider search range for locating the sweet spots on your favourite body of water.
The unit will read to a maximum depth of 1200ft with a 455/800kHz frequency with the standard transducer. You can upgrade to 3000 ft. by adding the 50kHz transducer (sold separately). This is probably more than you need for your local lakes, but a nice addition when exploring larger waters.
The Helix 5 DI GPS G3 also has built-in GPS and charting capabilities. It can store up to 2,750 waypoints, 45 routes, and 50 tracks with a total of 20,000 points. It also has an optional Navionics+ card that provides high-definition maps and detailed fishing charts for up to 10,000 lakes.
This unit has all the functions and features you would expect from a quality fish finder. The Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 will up your trout fishing game and should definitely be on your list of “best entry-level stillwater fishfinders”!
- 5″ sunlight-readable display
- Built-in GPS
- Garmin Quickdraw mapping software
- Garmin Chirp Traditional Sonar and Garmin Chirp ClearVu
Another popular unit, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv fishfinder, is a superior piece of technology designed for any fishing environment. The 5-inch display is bright and can be clearly read in direct sunlight. And the intuitive user interface makes the device easy to use.
The device features Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar and Garmin CHIRP ClearVü™ scanning sonar. Together, these functions provide a nearly photographic, wide image of structures, submerged objects, and fish. In addition, the built-in GPS allows the user to mark waypoints, create routes, and view their boat’s speed.
The crown jewel of this device is the built-in Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours mapping software. Quickdraw can store up to 2 million acres of content with 1’ contours. This is a great feature for fishermen who want to create detailed fishing maps of the places they love. The mapping software allows the user to quickly view their position relative to points of interest and more.
The STRIKER Plus 5cv is designed to be rugged and durable enough to withstand any fishing environment. It is waterproof and can handle the toughest conditions. Garmin also features a variety of transducer options, allowing the user to customize the device to meet their specific needs for sonar capabilities.
Overall, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv is a great fishfinder and fits nicely into our list of “Best Fishfinders”! It offers many features, including a bright 5” display, built-in GPS, and Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours mapping software. The device has superior sonar capabilities and can be customized with various transducer options. It is designed to be rugged and durable, making it a great complement to your next fishing adventure!
- 5″ SolarMax display screen
- Built-in GPS
- Genesis Live real-time mapping
- Lowrance Chirp Sonar and Down Scan Imaging
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 fish finder is also a great choice for anglers looking for an addition to their fishing arsenal.
The 5-inch SolarMAX display offers excellent clarity and daylight visibility. This makes it easy to view your display no matter the conditions, even in direct sunlight. User options are easily navigated with the dedicated control pad.
The FishReveal function combines both CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging to make it easy to locate and identify fish. The CHIRP sonar provides target separation, while the DownScan Imaging provides high-resolution images of the structure below. This makes it easier to locate and identify fish. The SplitShot transducer is perfect for anglers who want the best view below their boat. It offers wide-angle high CHIRP sonar and high-resolution images of fish-holding structures from DownScan Imaging.
One of the stand-alone features of this unit is the Autotuning Sonar. The Autotuning Sonar feature ensures that you get the best sonar image every time. By automatically adjusting settings as the fishing conditions change, you spend more time fishing and less time reworking your settings.
The GPS Plotter makes navigating to your favourite fishing spot simple and easy. It offers route, trail and waypoint navigation for effortless navigation. The Hook Reveal “x” models do not include mapping functions or have the ability to add on mapping.
Another popular model in the ‘best entry-level stillwater fishfinders’ category! The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 fish finder is a reliable way to increase your success rate on the water!
Conclusion:
The Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3, Garmin Stryker Plus 5cv and Lowrance Hook 5 are all designed to provide high-performance and high-definition sonar. The main differences between these units are minimal, but we have tried to break them down for you.
The Helix 5 DI GPS G3 fish finder and GPS combo unit provide excellent features for a reasonable price. It has a 5″ display with a 480 x 800 resolution. The DualBeam Plus sonar with a maximum depth of 1,200 feet makes for improved imaging. The unit has a GPS receiver and built-in UniMap cartography (additional mapping is available through the manufacturer). The unit also has Humminbird’s LakeMaster Plus feature, which allows you to easily create routes and waypoints.
The Garmin Striker Plus 5cv fish finder and GPS combo unit has a 5″ display with an 800 x 600 resolution. The CHIRP ClearVu sonar has a maximum depth of 2,300 feet in freshwater and 1,100 in saltwater. It also has a built-in GPS receiver and a Quickdraw Contours mapping feature.
The Lowrance Hook 5 fish finder and GPS combo unit provide similar features for a very affordable price. It has a 5″ display with a 480 x 800 resolution. The DownScan sonar has a maximum depth of 600 feet. Mapping, waypoint function and GPS are included with this unit as well. We really like the auto-tuning function, especially for the beginner, ensuring you get accurate feedback without fine-tuning the unit yourself. The negative for this unit is the lack of mapping capabilities.
In short, these three units are three of the most popular options amongst stillwater trout enthusiasts and have similar price ranges and options. If your focus is stillwaters, then you are probably not going to be worried about depth ranges of 1000 ft. or more. The important categories are sonar imagery, mapping and GPS function. If you are in the market for a new fishfinder, we recommend that this is your “best entry-level stillwater fishfinders” shortlist!
