We have previously presented a number of options for the best entry-level fish finders in our previous blog. While they are all great options there is always room for improvement. As we come into the spring session we expect that many of you are considering making an upgrade. Those of you who are dedicated stillwater or saltwater anglers, know the importance of good electronics. The right unit can have a significant effect that they can have on the success of any given day. Taking your electronics to the next level can give you an undisputable advantage. Thus ensuring your success no matter your familiarity with the location. With additional features such as side & down imaging, GPS mapping, Bluetooth and more, you can be sure that your next outing will be a successful one! Let’s take a look at some amazing models that we know you are going to drool over!
- 7″ sunlight-readable display
- Built-in GPS
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Chirp Clear-Vu and Chirp Side-Vu Scanning for near-photographic imaging
The Garmin Striker 7sv with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder is an excellent choice for those looking for a powerful and feature-packed fishfinder.
This unit features a bright 7” display and intuitive user interface, along with built-in GPS so you can mark waypoints and create routes. The Quickdraw Contours map drawing software allows you to store up to 2 million acres of content with 1’ contours, while the CHIRP traditional sonar and Side-Vu provide crystal-clear images with remarkable target separation.
For an additional cost, you can purchase the Lake Vu G3 program which will give you detailed mapping for over 18,000 lakes in the U.S. or Canada or global saltwater charts. It also has built-in Wi-Fi for access to the ActiveCaptain app for smart notifications and access to Quickdraw Contours Community data.
The included transducer, adapter cable, transom and trolling motor mounts, and power/data cable make for a complete package. All in all, the Garmin Striker 7sv with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder is a great choice for anyone looking for an intuitive and powerful fishfinder. We especially like this unit for our Stillwater crew. It will give you that next-level performance that you are looking for in a package that will accommodate most watercraft for small or big water.
- 9” sunlight-readable touchscreen display with improved detail
- Built-in Canada Garmin Navionics+ inland and coastal maps
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Traditional, Clear-Vu and Side-Vu Scanning Sonar
Now this is a piece of equipment that is sure to up your game on the water! One of the best fish finders you will find for small to medium-sized waters is the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 95sv. This is an easy-to-use 9” Chartplotter with all the features and functions you need to navigate any water with confidence.
Its bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen display shows improved detail, clarity, and viewing angles. With the included GT56-TM transducer, you can use Garmin traditional sonar, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars. This will give you a better picture of what lies beneath your boat.
Preloaded Garmin Navionics+ inland and coastal maps with integrated Navionics data provide coverage of more than 42,000 lakes and coastal content with up to 1’ contours. With built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can wirelessly share sonar, waypoints, and routes with another ECHOMAP UHD2 Chartplotter. This Chartplotter also supports a variety of Garmin transducers (sold separately), including the Panoptix LiveScope™ scanning sonar system. With the built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can also connect this Chartplotter to different kinds of engines, including select Mercury and Yamaha® models, to see RPMs, fuel flow, temperature, trim and other important information.
The Garmin ECHOMAP features all the functions you could ever need to elevate your marine experience. Not to mention, find all of the fish!
- Solarmax 7″ display
- Included C-Map Contour Plus includes contours on 15,000+ U.S. Lakes and 9,400+ lakes in Canada
- Does not include Wi-Fi but does have a micro SD Card for the transfer of data
- CHIRP Sonar combined with down scan imaging
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Splitshot is a great choice for anglers who want a powerful fish finder with endless features to help them find and identify fish.
The FishReveal feature combines the target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of structure from DownScan Imaging to make it easier to find and identify fish. The Autotuning Sonar feature automatically adjusts settings as fishing conditions change, ensuring the best sonar image every time.
The SolarMAX 7-inch display provides excellent clarity and daylight visibility, even in direct sunlight. The TripleShot, 50/200 HDI, or 83/200 HDI transducer options provide double the sonar coverage of other fish finders.
The Genesis Live Real-Time Mapping feature allows anglers to create custom ½-foot contour maps in real time. The C-MAP Contour+ Chart includes 1-foot contours on over 15,000 US lakes and 9,400 lakes in Canada, plus coastal coverage for the US and Canada.
The easy-to-use menu operation and dedicated keypad make navigating through menus and selecting options simple, even for those that are not tech-savvy. Overall, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 is an excellent choice. It is easy to use, has excellent clarity and daylight visibility, and offers double the sonar coverage of other fishfinders. This unit definitely fits in the “best fish finder” category and is an ideal choice for anglers who want to improve their success rate and make the most of their adventures!
- Solarmax 9″ display
- Included C-Map Contour Plus includes contours on 15,000+ U.S. Lakes and 9,400+ lakes in Canada
- Does not include Wi-Fi but doe shave a micro SD Card for the transfer of data
- CHIRP Sonar combined with down scan imaging for better imaging of all targets
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 9″ Tripleshot fish finder is an excellent choice for Anglers of all levels, no matter your water of choice.
With FishReveal technology that combines Lowrance CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, the fish have nowhere to hide. Anglers can customize their display to show their preferred views, including mapping, CHIRP sonar SideScan, and DownScan Imaging.
The 83/200 HDI and 50/200 HDI transducer options make the Hook Reveal 9″ Tripleshot fish finder a great choice for deep water up to 300 meters. The included C-MAP Contour+ US/CAN inland and coastal charts give you high-resolution 1-foot contours on 15,000+ U.S. Lakes and 9,400+ lakes in Canada. The TripleShot transducer offers wide-angle high CHIRP sonar and high-resolution images of fish-holding structures from SideScan and DownScan Imaging. With autotuning sonar, you don’t have to worry about reworking your sonar settings. The 9-inch SolarMax display provides crisp and clear views, even in direct sunlight.
With its excellent performance and features, the Lowrance Hook Reveal 9″ Tripleshot fish finder is a great choice for any angler looking for a quality fish finder. Honestly, this unit does not differ much from the 7″ model above. The two advantages are the increased screen size for better visibility and improved depth readings up to 300 meters. All of the other great technology that Lowrance offers is built into this great unit! Guaranteed, this is a great unit that will surely give you the edge when looking for that next trophy!
- Upgraded High Definition 7″ display
- Included GPS and Hummingbird Base Map, including 10,000 Lakes and Coastal U.S. charts
- Single SD Card Port
- Dual spectrum Chirp Sonar with Mega Down Imaging
The Hummingbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G4 Fish Finder is a top-of-the-line fish finder that is designed with the serious angler in mind.
Featuring a 7″ HD Screen, simple-to-use keypad control, and softkey controls, the HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G4 is designed to provide reliable operation in all conditions. Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar offers two ways to search; Wide Mode for maximum coverage and Narrow Mode for focusing on the slightest detail. With the added MEGA Down Imaging allows users to get unprecedented underwater clarity with coverage down to 125 feet below the boat.
The enhanced base map provides a clear view of underwater terrain and surrounding points of interest, and the device is compatible with Humminbird’s AutoChart Live for creating detailed maps of favourite fishing spots in real-time. The HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G4 is also equipped with an internal GPS and Humminbird Basemap for navigation and is compatible with premium chart options.
Lightweight and portable, the HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G4 is an ideal choice for the angler on the go and is sure to maximize your time on the water.
- Upgraded High Definition 9″ display
- Included GPS and Hummingbird Base Map, including 10,000 Lakes and Coastal U.S. charts
- Single SD Card Port and Bluetooth connectivity
- Dual Spectrum Sonar with Mega Down Imaging + Mega Side Imaging
This one is sure to give you the features that you are looking for! The Hummingbird HELIX 9 CHIRP Mega MSI+ GPS G4N Fish Finder is an impressive device that utilizes the latest in fishing technology to provide anglers with an unparalleled view of the underwater world.
The 9″ display and MEGA Side Imaging+ and Down Imaging+ provide anglers with crystal-clear images of their surroundings out to 200 feet. The Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar helps anglers locate fish and structures in the water with greater accuracy and detail, while the internal GPS with Humminbird Basemap allows them to navigate easily.
The soft key controls make it easy to operate the device even in tough conditions. While Bluetooth connectivity allows for compatibility with the One-Boat Network family of products from Humminbird, Minn Kota, and Cannon. The built-in NMEA 2000 networking adds even more value, allowing anglers to get even more information about boat performance, weather and water conditions.
All in all, the Hummingbird HELIX 9 CHIRP Mega MSI+ GPS G4N Fish Finder is an impressive device offering anglers a wealth of features to help them get the most out of their fishing experience.
Conclusion
Here at PNWA, our goal is to source the best options at the best possible prices for all of your fishing needs. If you are looking to upgrade your electronics, this list is sure to get you there with all of the features you could dream of. Specific applications come down to user preference. Having said that, if you are operating on small to medium-sized water bodies, we are confident that this list of the best fish finders will give you the features and performance that you need to make the most of your next fishing adventure!
