I know that when I needed to upgrade my GPS fish finder for my boat, I was a bit overwhelmed. I went into a local boating store and started asking them a bunch of questions. They asked how big of a screen I wanted, did I want one with a high-end transducer, and a touchscreen – So many options!
That’s when I realized that the best GPS fish finder for my boat was specific to my needs. The same will be true for your situation. That’s why we put together a list of various options for you to easily do your own research and feel confident knowing you got the right one.
Our Top Picks
7 Best Fish Finder GPS Combos For 2023
- Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo – SIMRAD-Cruise 9 Chartplotter/Fishfinder Combo
- Great Imaging Fish Finder – Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3
- Best Sonar Capabilities – Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 6 in. Ultra High-definition Combos
- Most Popular Fish Finders – Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Fish Finder
- Best Fish Finders Under $500 – Garmin Striker Plus 5cv with Transducer
- Best Value Fish Finders – Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2
- Most Affordable Fish Finders – Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam transducer
1. SIMRAD-Cruise 9 Chartplotter/Fishfinder Combo
Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo
Key Features:
- Rotary knob for navigating menus
- Shows depth, position, battery voltage, etc
- Pre-selected split screens for essential data
- Supporting enhanced charts from C-MAP and Navionics
Simrad-Cruise 9 is the most intuitively easy-to-use GPS plotter.
To help you navigate easily, the Simrad has a sunlit panel viewable display with the US coastal charts, a mounting bracket, and a sonar transducer. Furthermore, you can view your data in chart mode or sonar mode.
Simrad Warranty Policy: Details
2. Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3
Great Imaging Fish Finder
- 7-Inch screen with 800H x 480V resolution color TFT display
- MEGA Down Imaging: Get unprecedented underwater clarity with…
- Powered by our proprietary, Low Q CHIRP transducer, Dual…
Key Features:
- 7” 800H x 480V Colored Screen
- It comes with a transducer, mountable gear
- Features MEGA Down Imaging up to 125ft
Featuring a MEGA Down and Side Imaging, the HELIX 7 Chirp G3 redefines what is possible for affordable fish finders.
Moreover, this uses 1,000:1 high-speed transducers and MEGA imaging to create high-quality images that are sharper than previous models.
Humminbird Warranty Policy: Link
Headquarters Address: 555 Main St. Racine WI 53403
3. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 6 in. Ultra High-definition Combos
Best Sonar Capabilities
Key Features:
- Supports Panoptix™ all-seeing sonar transducers
- Preloaded cartography for coastal or freshwaters
- Touchscreen display with keyed-assist controls for quick access
- Ultra-high-definition feature provides a nearly photographic view
- Has a Garmin Panoptix livescope system
This Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 6 in. Ultra High-definition Combos is a handy compact Chartplotter with an integrated touchscreen.
With this Garmin handheld device, you can now plot your charts more seamlessly, faster, and with better accuracy. Also, it has a built-in GPS, ultra-high-definition scanning sonar, and the Garmin Live Scope to visualize detail-rich cartography.
Garmin Fishfinders Warranty Policy: Link
4. Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Fish Finder
Most Popular Fish Finders
- FISHREVEAL: Fish are easier to find and easier to identify….
- GPS PLOTTER: Navigating to your favorite fishing spot is…
- SPLITSHOT TRANSDUCER: Perfect for anglers who want the best…
Key Features:
- 7” screen with a pixel matrix of 800×480
- SideScan, and DownScan Imaging
- Preloaded C-Map charts, including maps of 4,000 US inland lakes
- Internal GPS antenna for accurate boat positioning and GPS mapping
The Hook Reveal 7 features all the GPS capabilities you would expect.
Furthermore, it has a sturdy and durable design with an LCD split-screen, high-quality lens, and more. Additionally, this offers you an affordable price tag. It is dependable and easy to use.
Lowrance Warranty Policy: Link
5. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv with Transducer
Best Fish Finders Under $500
- Includes transducer for built-in Garmin CHIRP traditional…
- Built-in Garmin quickdraw contours mapping software lets you…
- Built-in GPS lets you mark waypoints, create routes and view…
Key Features:
- Garmin Quickdraw Contours
- Bright, sunlight-readable 5” display
- Comes with GPS to mark waypoints
- Transducer for built-in Garmin CHIRP recordings
STRIKER Plus 5cv is an affordable, easy-to-use, high-performance fish finder that will make fishing a breeze for both novice and experienced anglers.
The built-in transducer will help you catch more fish due to its high sensitivity. It’s also great for trolling, spin casting, and casting lures deeper into the water.
6. Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2
Best Value Fish Finders
- 5-Inch Color WVGA Display
- CHIRP Dual Beam PLUS Sonar. Power Output RMS : 500 Watts….
- Precision Internal GPS Chart plotting with built-in Anima…
Key Features/:
- 5” Colored WVGA Display
- Includes MICRO SD card slot
- CHIRP Dual Beam Plus Sonar
- Precise Integrated GPS chart plotting
The Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2 picks up target depth better than most sonar returns. This unit can also pick up the lake bottom while having a widescreen-colored display.
Moreover, it features precise internal GPS chart plotting, so you won’t have to worry about being in the wrong place.
7. Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam transducer
Most Affordable Fish Finders
- Includes dual-beam transducer with Garmin Chirp traditional…
- Built-in Garmin quickdraw contours mapping software lets you…
- Built-in GPS lets you mark waypoints, create routes and view…
Key Features:
- Dual-beam sonar transducer
- Built-in Garmin quickdraw contours
- Bright, sunlight-readable 4.3” display
- Crystal clear Garmin CHIRP
- Integrated GPS to waypoint, mark, and navigate locations
The Striker Plus 4 is a relatively portable device, but it packs a punch. This fish finder is a real workhorse and a great feature for anglers looking for simple but effective fishing gear.
As one of the best Garmin fish locators, this is affordable. And the rugged design works for every fishing environment. You can use it for small to large marine fish species.
Why Buy Fish Finder GPS Combo
GPS fish finders are a must-have marine electronics. Moreover, it provides the information you need to find your way in unfamiliar waters and helps you mark the waypoints for your fishing expeditions.
Additionally, it can also save the valuable spots you discover. It’s also a lifesaver in the event of an emergency.
Things To Consider When Buying a Fish Finder
Frequency
Not all fish finders work at the same frequencies. Some work in just one frequency, while others work in multiple frequencies.
Most fish finders operate only in just one frequency. They detect the presence of a specific type of fish and don’t have many capabilities for detecting other types of fish.
The most advanced models will have two or more frequencies, allowing them to cover a broader range. This also allows the user to look for other fish species.
The breakthrough of CHIRP technology allows you to scan a broader water area and interpret individual signal returns. This results in more detail in a produced sonar image, allowing you to scan larger bodies of water.
Different frequencies can be used to scan different depths of water. The lower frequencies, such as 50kHz and 83kHz, are good at scanning shallow waters. The higher frequencies, such as 192kHz and 200kHz, are better at scanning deep waters.
Opting for a GPS fish finder with dual-frequency capability will allow you to see more detailed information on the screen. This determines the location and size of the fish.
Display
Most fish finders vary in split-screen sizes. Larger screens will not only reduce the amount of time it takes to read information, but they will also be easier to use.
Furthermore, you want to consider how much power the display will use. A device with a larger screen size will require more power than one with a smaller screen size.
This is why you must also take into account how you will be powering the device.
It’s also essential to consider the resolution. The higher the resolution, the more information is collected. This is important when differentiating fish from other underwater elements. However, the higher the resolution, the higher the price.
Memory
A fish finder with SD card slots is an excellent choice for anyone who needs to save waypoints and record sonar features.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity allows you to sync your device with the fish finder GPS. You can access different features through an app on your smartphone.
Additionally, this will make viewing your phone notifications on the screen easier.
Waterproof Design
All electronic devices are sensitive to water. Some are more sensitive than others. Waterproofing your device is part of the protection it offers when in the water.
With IPX7, you can submerge your device for up to 30 minutes. With IPX8, it will be more resistant to water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes.
Power Output
A GPS fishfinder with high wattage will perform better than a unit that uses lower. The higher the voltage, the faster the unit will display the sonar readings.
If you plan to fish in deeper waters or in areas where the water is very turbid and muddy, then the one with more wattage will allow you to see more fish.
You’ll also have a clearer view of your surroundings on the screen of your fish finder.
Charts
The chart view is the most optimal way to view the map information, helping you plot your course and visualize your current position.
A fishing chart contains detailed data, including the depth capability, vertical resolution, and quality of the bathymetric profile. This chart is best for offshore deep-sea fishing hotspots.
A navigation chart has a plotter that shows you the part of the ocean you are in and various charts and information about it.
The information includes a display of detailed buoy markers, spot soundings, safe water passages, marine services, exposed wrecks, and light beacons, among others.
Conclusion
A fish finder GPS is one of the most essential tools you can use to help you catch fish. If you’re not careful, it could also become an expensive mistake.
These devices are expensive, but many anglers consider them a must-have when going on the water.
When looking for the best fish finder GPS combo, the right idea is to find all the features you need. Hopefully, this fish-finding guide will help you narrow your options and choose the right one.
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