Do you want to catch more fish? This is where you want to look for the best sonar fish finders, Chartplotters, GPS fish finder combos and portable fish finders that will put you on top for a big catch. Come in and take a look at the variety of fish finders that eliminate the hassle of finding a place to wet your line. The difference between fishing and catching fish is a good, quality fish finder which is a great way to take the guesswork out of fishing for a successful and exciting trip.
If you are fishing on shore, there are portable fish finders that attach to the handle of your rod that tells you where to cast your line. Fishing from a dock there are portable fish finders with an ergonomic clamp that mounts virtually anywhere. When you buy one of the sonar fish finders or one of the portable fish finders from us you know you are getting the quality you expect from the best brands and the confidence in your ability to catch what you are looking for!
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When you are out on the water the potential for a big catch is there. With your sonar fish finder or portable fish finder you can reach that goal and this could be your next trip! From the leading manufacturers, you can choose from the best and most popular sonar fish finders on the market and also discover portable fish finders for those who are on land. You can discover how sonar fish finders and portable fish finders work so you will have the knowledge to choose the best sonar fish finder or portable fish finder that fits into your budget.
We offer some of the best fish finders and portable fish finders on the market today!!
Contents
- 1 Major Brands of Fishfinders:
- 2 Best Fish Finders Buying Guide
- 3 Best Rated 10 Fish Finders
- 3.1 Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS Fish Finder
- 3.2 Lowrance Elite-7 HDI Fish Finder
- 3.3 Lowrance Elite-5 HDI Fish Finder
- 3.4 Raymarine Dragonfly-5 Pro Fish Finder
- 3.5 Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS Fish Finder
- 3.6 Lowrance Elite-5 DSI Fish Finder
- 3.7 Garmin GPSMAP 431S GPS Fish Finder
- 3.8 Raymarine Dragonfly-4 Pro Fish Finder
- 3.9 Humminbird 385Ci GPS FishFinder
- 3.10 Garmin Echo 550c Fish Finder
- 4 Best 4 Portable Fish Finder
Major Brands of Fishfinders:
Humminbird Fish Finders
Humminbird fish finders are the biggest name in the business. They’ve been around for over 30 years providing top of the line fish finders, depth sounders, radios, and GPS systems. Produced and manufactured in the USA, they continue to recieve top marks and reviews by fishermen everywhere. They stay on the leading edge of technology and have excellent craftsmanship.
Garmin Fish Finders
They are most recognized by there products in the GPS market, but also provide top quality fish finders. Garmin International Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets navigation and communications equipment for the aviation and consumer markets.
Lowrance Fish Finders
Lowrance is a world leader when it comes to design and manufacture of sport fishing SONAR and GPS (global positioning systems). Lowrance, a designer and manufacturer of Sonar, GPS and Aviation instruments, got its start in Joplin, Missouri in 1957. Lowrance has established a global distribution network, encompassing more than 1,500 domestic dealers, distributors, mass merchants and original equipment manufacturers in the U.S., as well as sales distribution outlets in 53 countries worldwide.
Norcross Hawkeye Fish Finders
They specialize in the portable fishfinder. Their F33P model has been getting good reviews. Don’t forget to check them out if your looking for a portable fishfinder.
Raymarine Fish Fİnders
Raymarine is the worlds leading manufacturer of Recreational Marine Electronics including Marine Radar, Multifunction Displays, Fishfinders, Autopilots and more. Formerly existing as the Recreational Marine Division of Raytheon (NYSE: RTN), Raymarine was formed as a company in 2001 after a management buyout, which included the rebranding of all products. Look at their product for upper end fishfinders.
Eagle Fish Finders
Eagle has been designing and building top quality fish finders since 1982. Eagle Fish Finders are made by Lowrance with the same quality and most of the features but a low price tag. Eagle Fish finders are the best price performance fish finders on the market.
Furuno Fish Finders
Furuno has designed, manufactured marine electronics for the past 50 years. Recreational & Commercial Monochrome and color fish finders for any size boat ranging in power output from 300 Watts to 3,000 Watts. They sell a high grade fish finder, provide a nice range of boating accessory technology/price solutions for the fish finder shopper. Don’t forget to compare the reviews of Furuno with the other major brands.
Best Fish Finders Buying Guide
| FishFinder Buying Guide |
|---|
| Basics |
| LCD Display |
| The Transducer And Cone Angles |
| Installation Types |
| Sonar Update Speed |
| Thermoclines |
Fishing on the water demands a quality fishfinder, that’s a known fact amongst any anglers today, but to make a good decision on what type of machine you need is another matter altogether. The market includes Chartplotters, portables, combo units etc., so let’s start from the bottom and learn about the technology before you go out and purchase.
Basics
The old technology is called sonar is what every fishfinder operates by. A sonar produces a sound wave-shaped as a cone and goes straight down to the bottom. It is also called a beam, and when this beam hits a structure or fish it reflects back and is registered and displayed on your screen. The unit measures the time the sound wave was sent and received, calculates the difference and “paints” the object on the screen.
Today’s machines have several features to consider and you should have at least a working knowledge of them so you purchase a machine that suits your specific needs. Think about the type of fishing you do, you do not need a high-end Chartplotter when you are actually fishing in small lakes.
LCD Display
LCD displays are measured in pixels and as in photos, the more pixels the clearer and better display. The type of display you choose is most important to pay close attention to different models and their specific features. There is two main types of displays, color display and grey scale LCD`s. Be aware of that some greyscale displays make it even easier to read your display and determine what structures and what are actual fish. The costs can be held down considerably by picking the right display.
The Transducer And Cone Angles
A transducer is a unit that turns the electrical signal from your transmitter to sound waves and beams it out in the shape of a cone. It is attached to the fishfinder with a thin cable and it operates with a certain cone angle which simply is the wideness of coverage in the water. The higher the cone angle, the greater the coverage. The cone angles vary from model to model so have this in mind when you look at all the features of the models you are considering.
Some models have higher frequencies that give you a superior resolution, different beam angles etc. Be sure to purchase a transducer that has a frequency that is the same as your sonar measured in kHz.
The transducers are usually mounted at the stern of the boat, right in front of the engine and with no obstructions, which is very important. It is vital to select a transducer that suits your unique situation when it comes to installation on your boat.
Installation Types
Pay close attention to the way your unit is installed in your boat and transom mount transducers are usually associated with stern-drive and boats with outboard motors. Other types are mounted through the hull and as a rule, have to be a high-frequency model while others are mounted on your electric trolling motor.
Sonar Update Speed
In basic, the faster your sonar updates, the clearer and better your image and you will see a more detailed report on your screen. Also, notice that the deeper the penetration the slower the update speed and the shallower the speed will be faster. Certain models update the machine at 40 times per second in about 50 feet of water.
Thermoclines
Some models have this great feature and thermoclines is simply the line where colder and warmer water meets. Some fishfinders show this and it is useful as some fish prefer colder water as some warmer. Identifying thermoclines are an important feature is you are hunting a specific species of fish and how they react during the day.
Finally
A fish finder is an essential tool and can be a costly investment in your fishing equipment so do your research properly and pick the best fish finder for your needs…
Best Rated 10 Fish Finders
| Fish Finder | Display | Gps |
|---|---|---|
| Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS Fish Finder | 7" | Yes |
| Lowrance Elite-7 HDI Fish Finder | 7" | Yes |
| Lowrance Elite-5 HDI Fish Finder | 5" | Yes |
| Raymarine Dragonfly-5 Pro Fish Finder | 5" | Yes |
| Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS Fish Finder | 5" | Yes |
| Lowrance Elite-5 DSI Fish Finder | 5" | Yes |
| Garmin GPSMAP 431S GPS Fish Finder | 4" | Yes |
| Raymarine Dragonfly-4 Pro Fish Finder | 4.3" | Yes |
| Humminbird 385Ci GPS Fish Finder | 3.5" | Yes |
| Garmin Echo 550c Fish Finder | 5” | No |
Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS Fish Finder
Check Price Helix 7 SI on Amazon
When it comes to finding the best fish finder which would be fulfilling all your needs and requirements, it can actually become quite a tedious task. To solve that problem, you can think about buying the Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS Fish Finder.
Even though it can seem to be quite difficult to choose the most appropriate fish finder, you will not be facing any problems with this fish finder. With all of the admirable features and characteristics being rolled up in one fancy package in helix 7 fish finder, you will have very little scope to find out any flaws in this product. With the help of this fish finder, you will be able to lay all of your weapons at your disposal. With clear sonar imaging and high picture quality, this will be your eyes and ears when you decide to venture underwater.
As a result of a widescreen and glass-bonded display, you will be able to put all your other high-tech weapons at your disposal. This is because the Humminbird Helix 7 SI FishFinder will become your eyes and ears when you decide to go underwater. With this fish finder by your side, you will not need anything more. Not only that but with the glass-bonded display, you will not have to worry about how you will be looking at the screen in bright sunlight. This is because of the anti-glare glass, no pressure will be put into your eyes.
Lowrance Elite-7 HDI Fish Finder
Check Price Elite-7 HDI on Amazon
The Lowrance’s new product has two main tools one is for finding fishes and other for navigation, these Chartplotters / fish finders have been included in by the company. With an 800×480 pixel 7-inch display you get an extra clear view from the 3D SONARS or GPS mapping packages and Broadband. The display is really a thing which is worth the price. With this being said, on comparing it with the screen of an iPad Mini it is just a little bit smaller.
HDI technology means that the power of two imaging systems joined together is in your hand which distinguishes clearly between fish structure and arches and shows the bottom clearly.
Both high-resolution Down Scan SONAR and Broadband SONAR can easily be viewed on this Lowrance Elite-7 HDI FishFinder, this transducer, which is nearly equal to any other transducer in size, can be installed quite easily; so that you may get to see echoes from the broadband SONAR with echoes of high-resolution 3D SONAR.
Lowrance Elite-5 HDI Fish Finder
There are two advanced imaging technologies built into this fish finder. You can use them individually, together on a split screen or be overlapping one another for the in-depth view of all available data on one screen. This technology isn’t something you will find on cheap fish finders, and it allows for much greater precision when tracking the ground or movement of fish. No fish finder review is complete without mentioning one more advanced feature found on the Lowrance Elite 5 HDI: a built-in GPS antenna with 16 channels. This allows you to navigate the waters like an expert, and you have the option of adding an external antenna if you wish.
I recommend the Elite 5 HDI for serious anglers interested in advanced technology at a reasonable price. Those looking for a more basic model may find the dual-imaging processing features a bit too much to handle…
Raymarine Dragonfly-5 Pro Fish Finder
Check Price Dragonfly 5 Pro on Amazon
If you are looking for a tool that would help you to improve your fishing experience, then you should consider getting Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro FishFinder. It includes optically-bonded, a high-definition LED-backlit display which is reliable and easy to view in all weather and not only that but also the LED display looks sharp from every angle. It includes all sorts of bells and whistles such as CHIRP sonar which is a wide spectrum sonar technology.
The dual channel, wide spectrum CHIRP sonar with DownVision technology, it allows us to get photo-like images of fish and underwater structure. The down imaging on this unit is accurate at reaching a depth of 160ft. It also comes with a transom mount CHIRP with a temperature sensor. It contains MicroSD card slot which allows for extra map storage, and the MicroSD memory card lets the user save your sonar screenshots. Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro FishFinder has built-in Wi-Fi and the Wi-Fish mobile app allows you to stream live sonar data to your compatible smartphone.
Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS Fish Finder
This device has a brilliant and larger 5-inch screen with 480 x 800 resolution display having 256-colors with a backlighting feature which allows the user to see detailed and clear image no matter what type of lighting there is or whether it is day or night.
The new screen display is really the only thing that has been changed and the software and the transducers have been taken from its earlier models of 800 and 600 series. The same large digits which give the reading about depth, vessel speed, and water temperature took up very much of display.
There are many different versions included in the Helix 5 series with some having only the sonar, while some having side-imager with GPS.
The Humminbird Helix 5 SI GPS Fish Finder is an ideal angling tool for an amateur as well as for seasoned fisherman because its cost doesn’t include a lot of money and fits perfectly for both.
The 2D sonar penetrates as far as 1,500 feet down by sending out a 200 kHz sonar wave in a 20-degree cone shape. Using this narrow beam, the width of the image will be just one-third the depth being reached.
Lowrance Elite-5 DSI Fish Finder
Check Price Lowrance Elite-5 on Amazon
The incredible new Lowrance Elite-5 DSI chartplotter fish finder provides you anything the modern angler could want. It features a split screen allows you to see where you are and at the same time see what’s below your boat. It’s a great choice for our list, what the best part is the Elite-5 can be purchased as a stand-alone Chartplotter or standalone fish finder alternatively. As it features most functions that Elite-4 has, this review will only cover features are unique to Elite-5.
Get a superbly clear view of thermoclines, fish (predators and bait alike), bottoms, and structure. Lowrance boasts its Elite dual-frequency fishfinders provides superior clarity, crystal-clear photo-like views of the underwater worlds with their Exclusive Lowrance DownScan Imaging. You should really check the image right side, quite clear huh? At the same time on the display, we’ll have thermoclines exposed, fish truly revealed, bottoms uncovered and structure disclosed.
Lowrance Elite-5 DSI FishFinder is easy to use, once powered up, sonar imaging picture will be automatically fine-tuned. If you are geek want to DIY, you can use the Advanced User Mode which allows for full manual control of settings.
Garmin GPSMAP 431S GPS Fish Finder
Check Price Garmin GpsMap on Amazon
The Garmin GPSMAP 431S GPS Dual Beam Combo FishFinder is a compact chart plotter that features an ultra-bright 4″ QVGA color display along with an improved high-speed digital design for increased map drawing and panning speeds. It’s ready to go with a built-in, satellite-enhanced base map preloaded with U.S. Inland Lakes and an easy-to-use interface designed to help you navigate the open waters with ease. For areas outside the U.S., the Garmin GPSMAP 431S GPS Dual Beam Combo FishFinder has a worldwide base map with satellite images in place of more traditional maps.
The GPSMAP 431s also accepts BlueChart® g2 Vision® cards for added features and functionality such as high-resolution satellite imagery, 3-D views, and Auto Guidance technology.
The GPSMAP 431s also comes standard with a high-sensitivity GPS receiver for superior satellite tracking and quicker acquisition times. And with an SDTM card slot, it’s easy to add additional maps
Raymarine Dragonfly-4 Pro Fish Finder
Check Price Dragonfly-4 on Amazon
When it comes to defining a successful fishing trip, you will find that just having a fishing rod which is top of the class would not do the work. A high-tech fish finder is required, for which you can consider the Raymarine Dragonfly 4 Pro FishFinder.
When it comes to looking for a fish finder, one of the first things that you should be looking for is one which would be comfortable to use. This is because since you will be on your fishing trips for at least a couple of hours, you want something which will be easy on the eyes. Therefore, you will see that the Dragonfly 4 pro would seem like an ideal option. This is because the fish finder comes with a widescreen which will allow wide viewing angles. In addition, it also prevents internal fogging. So, regardless of what kind of weather condition you find yourself to be in, your fish finder will not be giving you any extra trouble.
Humminbird 385Ci GPS FishFinder
The Humminbird 385Ci GPS FishFinder is designed for those who demand top-of-the-line technology but don’t have space for a bigger fishfinder. With tons of new features, the Humminbird 385Ci GPS FishFinder performs way beyond its size and is right at home in the most difficult fishing conditions.
Humminbird’s DualBeam sonar combines the advantages of narrow- and wide-beam transducers into one system with wide coverage and better bottom definition. Its precision 20° at -10db 200kHz down-looking center beam looks for fish and structure directly below the boat, while the broad 60° at -10db 83kHz wide beam looks for fish outside the narrow beam around the boat.
The Fish Identification feature on the Humminbird 385Ci GPS FishFindergives much better information on location than a traditional single beam…
Fish in the narrow beam are displayed as solid fish symbols; fish in the wide beam are shown as hollow fish symbols. Trackplotting which we will explain in the Display feature below
Garmin Echo 550c Fish Finder
Check Price Garmin Echo on Amazon
This is one heck of a Product from Garmin. I wasn’t going to do any more reviews on Garmin’s Products as they were to difficult to get any decent Information to give a good Review. This Garmin echo 550c FishFinder seems to have so many features that researching it was a pleasure.
This was, I believe, the first Garmin made for freshwater fishing, but can be used in salt water also. Take a good look at this one that bounds with great features to help you catch the big one!
The Garmin echo 550c turns fish into sitting ducks. That’s because of its powerful sonar with 500 watts (RMS) power with Garmin’s exclusive HD-ID target tracking technology. A video-quality 640×480-pixel VGA screen provides you an amazing level of detail on fish returns, structure and bottom contours.
Best 4 Portable Fish Finder
| Fish Finder | Display | Gps |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP 78Sc Portable Fish Finder | 2.6" | Yes |
| Deeper Smart Portable Fish Finder | - | Yes |
| NorCross HawkEye F33P Fish Finder | 2.3" | No |
| Humminbird PiranhaMax 230 Portable Fish Finder | 4" | No |
Garmin GPSMAP 78Sc Portable Fish Finder
Check Price GpsMap 78Sc on Amazon
The GPS receiver is highly sensitive and is combined with HotFix technology that allows for fast location detection. The GPSMAP 78sc will continue to track your route even if you drift near tall buildings, thick canopies of trees and other intrusions that block signals to many other devices. This feature alone puts it in the running for title of the best fish finder, especially if you fish in areas where trees, buildings, and other tall objects are prominent. The Garmin GPSMAP 78Sc also allows you to determine the altitude, collect weather data and locate your direction using a 3-axis compass.
This is a high-quality compass that compensates for tilt and ensures you stay on the right path when on land or out on the water. There’s one more thing worth mentioning in this Garmin 78sc review: the handheld unit floats when dropped in water. Never worry about losing your device if it goes overboard.
NorCross HawkEye F33P Portable Fish Finder
Check Price HawkEye F33P on Amazon
HawkEye F33P Portable FishFinder Using an ultra wide, 45-degree sonar beam angle, this system delivers accurate depth, fish and bottom structure readings from 1.5 to 99.9 feet. Operational down to zero degrees Fahrenheit, this unit includes a trollable, mountable, and floatable sonar sensor with 35 feet of cable and cable tie-strap. Amazing!
The HawkEye is very, very, easy to use; simply turn the power on, throw the sonar sensor from the shoreline, bridge, or boat, and in no time flat, you’ll receive instant depth, fish, weed, and contour readings.
With its “SideScan” adapter, the F33P can also attach to a broomstick handle to scan under weeds, lily pads, ice, or docks. For added convenience, this system comes with mounting tabs for hull mounting of your portable fish finder to canoes, kayaks, and on boats.
Humminbird PiranhaMax 230 Portable Fish Finder
Check Price Humminbird on Amazon
It can even be used without a boat which is a big selling point for me as sometimes I like to just get out on the shoreline for some relaxing fishing.
How clear are the images produced by the Humminbird PiranhaMax 230 PT Portable FishFinder? The device has a 4-inch FSTN LCD display which has a very good picture quality fish finder.
It has 160 x 132 lines of resolution. This is one of the highest resolutions among the different products available on the market at present. I was very impressed.
I couldn’t wait to give my review of the Humminbird PiranhaMax 230 PT Portable FishFinder as I feel it has just about everything you could want in a great product, plus it’s portable!
Deeper Smart Portable Fish Finder
Check Price Deep Smart on Amazon
Smart fish hide under bridges, along embankments and close to shore. Smart fish finders go where other finders can’t in order to discover those hiding places. The Deeper Smart portable fish finder retails for less than $250 and is designed to sync with your Android or iOS smartphone.
Consumer fish finder reviews often give it five stars and rank it as the best portable fishfinder due to its versatility in a variety of fishing scenarios, including ice fishing. This device weighs less than half a pound and has a diameter of just 2.6 inches. The super-compact design is perfect for finding fish while in your kayak or with the use of float tubes and bait boats. Simply attach the round fish finder to your fishing pole and establish a Bluetooth connection with your wireless device before casting into the water.