The best side imaging fish finders are getting more and more popular with anglers, but they can be a bit confusing to use.
Side-imaging sonar is an exciting technology that lets you see what’s on the bottom of the lake or ocean floor in high definition. It shows objects in 3D and color, so it’s easy to distinguish baitfish from predators like bass or pike.
We’ve got all the information you need about the top rated fish finders including which models we recommend for specific fishing conditions.
Check out our reviews of some of the most popular brands available today and choose the best side imaging fish finder for you!
8 Best Side Imaging Fish Finders
- Best for Mapping – Elite-9 Ti2-9-inch Fishfinder
- Best for Indoor and Outdoor Fishing – Humminbird 409820-1 Helix 7 Fishfinder
- Best GPS Fish Finder – HOOK2 Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer and GPS Plotter
- Best Fishfinder for Bass Fishing – Lowrance HOOK 2 5 – 5-inch Fish Finder
- Best for Unprecedented Underwater Clarity – Humminbird 410950-1 GPS G3 Fishfinder
- Best Fishfinder for Any Water Forms – Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Fish Finder
- Best Fish Finder for Day Fishing – Garmin Striker Plus 9SV with CV52HW-TM transducer
- Best Fish Finder for Beginners – Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder
1. Elite-9 Ti2-9-inch Fish Finder
Best for Mapping
Key features:
- Enhanced display screen
- Has an Active imaging
- Pre-loaded high-detail mapping
- Wireless networking capability
The Elite-9 Ti2-9-inch has unique side imaging features such as four-color temperature settings (daylight, cloudy, evening, and night mode). It also includes line-of-sight calculations for fishing in murky water conditions.
On top of that, it has an internal compass that shows the direction of the fish’s path and an electronic compass to help you find your way back to shore.
2. Humminbird 409820-1 Helix 7 Fish Finder
Best for Indoor and Outdoor Fishing
Key features:
- Dual Beam Plus sonar imaging technology
- Internal precision GPS and target separation
- Has a 50% Brighter Display
- 800H x 480V Resolution
Humminbird 409820-1 Helix 7 Fishfinder is one of the most popular fish finders for its underwater camera that records videos and pictures in real time.
It also comes with an LCD screen, which lets you view the images for easy navigation. More importantly, It’s lightweight, compact, and easy to use, perfect for any location when fishing!
3. HOOK2 with TripleShot Transducer and GPS Plotter Fish Finder
Best GPS
Key features:
- Has fully automated side imaging sonar settings
- Easy-to-use menus
- One-touch access to important features
The Hook2 with TripleShot Transducer and GPS Plotter helps you find, locate, and record fish.
The device also features a built-in GPS tracker that can track your location up to 50 meters. Additionally, it records the depth of each fish’s trip using an LCD screen display.
4. Lowrance HOOK 2 5 – 5-inch Fish Finder
Best Fishfinder for Bass Fishing
Key features:
- Has preloaded high-detail mapping
- Has down imaging and side scan imaging
- Has a GPS plotter
- Wider angle chirp sonar technology
Lowrance HOOK 5 is a digitally controlled fish finder that is easy to use and comes with all the necessary accessories.
You can use this device in many fishing situations, such as bass fishing. However, you can also use it for other types of fishing, such as walleye fishing, kayak fishing, and even ice fishing.
5. Humminbird 410950-1 GPS G3 Fishfinder
Best for Unprecedented Underwater Clarity
Key features:
- 800H x 480V resolution color TFT display
- Has mega down imaging
- Has Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar beam for maximum coverage
- 7-Inch screen display
The Humminbird 410950-1 GPS Fishfinder comes with all the hardware accessories needed to get angling right away. It also has an easy-to-use design that contains all of its essential features.
Additionally, this has four high-sensitivity sensors, down imaging, and a powerful power supply that uses modern autotuning sonar technology, unlike traditional sonar that “listens” for echoes.
6. Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Fish Finder
Best Fishfinder for Any Water Forms
Key features:
- Comes with a fish reveal feature
- Has a Triple Shot transducer
- 7-inch display with led backlight
- Has high-detail inland maps
The Hook Reveal 7 is a great fishing tool for freshwater, saltwater, and marine anglers. It comes with an electronic transducer that locates fish in the water column.
On top of that, its compact size allows it to be used anywhere, from boats to kayaks.
7. Garmin Striker Plus 9SV with CV52HW-TM Transducer
Best for Day Fishing
Key features:
- Has a Built-in WiFi
- Has a Built-in GPS
- Has a Bright, sunlight-readable 9-inch display
The Garmin Striker Plus 9SV with CV52HW-TM transducer is a powerful fishfinder that uses a high-resolution display. It is equipped with a GPS to locate fish quickly.
It also can upload photos, create maps, and share them on Garmin Connect™. On top of that, it is a waterproof unit that provides detailed data that you can use to identify the fish you are looking for.
8. Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder
Best for Beginners
Key features:
- Has active Imaging 3-in-1 chirp sonar scanner
- Has a 9-inch multi-touch screen with split-screen
- High-resolution images of fish
- Wireless and ethernet connectivity
The new features on the Elite series include an OLED display, improved Bluetooth connectivity, a stronger antenna design, and automatic calibration to get fishing results that are perfect every time.
All of these features make the FS 9 ideal for both beginners and professionals alike. It’s the best kayak fish finder today.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Fish Finders
You can choose the best ones by knowing their features and all the benefits they can offer you. However, there are tons of side-imaging fishfinder options available on the market. So remember to choose the best one that would cater to your needs.
Here are some key factors to consider.
Power
One of the key factors you should consider before buying one is how much battery life your side imaging fishfinder has. When power is low, it won’t work well, and it will be more difficult to locate your prey.
You can buy a cheap one that has low power and only lasts a few hours. Alternatively, you can buy an expensive one that has high power and lasts up to 2 hours.
Frequencies
Several side imaging fish finders are available, including single-channel depth, multiple-channel multibeam sonar, and multi-beam directional sonar. The image produced by each type varies based on its design and computerized algorithms.
Transducer
Install your side imaging transducer in a location that is unobstructed from all sides. In addition, your transducer should be connected to your boat’s electrical system so it functions optimally. Poor transducer placement can cause the image to look distorted.
Screen Resolution
Fishfinder screen resolution, also known as fishfinder view, is the number of pixels the camera lens can capture. The higher this number, the more useful it is for fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Working with the top-side imaging fish finder can be challenging, especially for beginner anglers. For this reason, we have put together some of the most frequently asked questions about this device.
Yes, it uses side imaging to detect more fish in the water column. It works by using an optical sensor on the front of the unit to convert the light bouncing off the water into electrical signals.
It then looks at one of the hundreds of camera designs, determining what is best suited for detection.
When it comes to your fishing needs, the choice of sonar type will come down to what application you need a fishfinder for. Side imaging is best for shallow water, while down imaging is for deep waters.
Final Thoughts
Most fish finders come with the latest sonar technologies and are easy to use. They are also convenient because they are lightweight and compact. Thus, having one can help an angler locate fishes that are hard to find. So having the top-side imaging fish finders is a must!
Nevertheless, we hope that this article helped you in finding what you need.
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