Find The Best Fish Finders: 10 Reviews of the Top Depth Finders in 2020
Blind casting all day without a single bite is one of the most frustrating and exhausting experiences an angler can have. If you want to consistently catch fish, a quality fish finder is an absolute necessity.
The problem is that wading through all the brands, models, confusing specifications, and marketing jargon can be just as frustrating as not catching any fish! To make the task of choosing a fish finder a little easier, we’ve reviewed the top fish finders on the market to help you find the right one to get more fish in the boat.
The fish finders on this list cover a range of prices and functionality but are generally best suited for small- to medium-sized boats. Whether you fish lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bays or inshore saltwater, the following fish finders will help you achieve more fishing success the next time you head out on the water. If you don’t like a lengthy read, we’ve listed two of our favorites below – otherwise, we’ve covered our favorite in much more detail and we hope you enjoy the read.
Our Top 2 Picks:
- For the tech savvy fisherman: Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar Fish Finder
- A great stand alone unit: Garmin Striker
Table of Contents:
Contents
The Best Fish Finder Reviews for the Money:
We’ve broken our 10 favorite fish finders below into more detail. We’ve taken our favorites and analyzed user feedback to come up with the proper fish finders that will help you on your next outdoor fishing trip.
Keep in mind that some of the models are newer and have more technological features, making them more expensive. Higher priced or not, they should all make landing your next catch a lot easier.
1. Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar Fish Finder:
- Take it Anywhere: Portable,…
- Highest Specs: Casts out to…
- User-Friendly App: Displays…
- Create Your Own Bathymetric…
- Save Time: Locate fish,…
Type: Portable sonar fish finder for smartphone or tablet
GPS: Uses GPS from smartphone
Imaging: Down view
Sonar coverage: 47°, 16°, 7°
Sonar frequency:290 kHz medium; 100 kHz wide; 675kHz narrow
Power output: Charges to 100% in 75 minute
Depth capability: 330 feet
Transducer: Portable floating wireless transducer
Display size: Smartphone/tablet display
Color or black and white: N/A
Screen resolution (pixels): N/A
Unit size: Transducer weighs 3.5 oz
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The Deeper Chirp Sonar Fishfinder is a new breed of a fish finder that’s only been available for the last few years. Unlike traditional depth and fish finders that use a transducer mounted on a boat, Deeper uses a castable, wireless transducer paired with the smartphone or tablet you already have to create a highly portable fish finding system. Before, fish finders could only be used on boats, but now with the Deeper, bank anglers get to enjoy the same benefits that boat anglers have been reaping for years.
Deeper can be used by anyone fishing from banks, shorelines, piers, docks, jetties, and can also be used when fishing from a kayak, canoe, float tube, or pontoon boat. Deeper is highly portable, with the transducer being small enough to fit in most tackle boxes, and even comes with a neoprene belt pouch. Since you do have to use your smartphone or tablet with Deeper, you may find it beneficial to invest in a waterproof case or bag to keep your device safe and dry.
2. iBobber Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder:
- Patented sonar fish identifier…
- LED beacon
- Rechargeable battery and…
- 10+ hrs battery life.Syncs…
- Accurate sonar readings down…
Type: Portable fish finder for smartphone or tablet
GPS: Uses GPS from smartphone
Imaging: Down view
Sonar coverage: 42°
Sonar frequency: Not specified by manufacturer
Power output: N/A
Depth capability: 135 feet
Transducer: Portable floating wireless transducer
Display size: Smartphone/tablet display
Color or black and white: N/A
Screen resolution: N/A
Unit size: 3″ x 3″ x 3″; 1.6 oz
Other features:
Transducer communicates sonar data to smartphone via Bluetooth and pairs with the free iBobber app for iOS and Android; app displays raw sonar and fish tagging views, bottom structure, water temperatures, and weather conditions; app includes GPS spot tagging with interactive map, trip logging, and social media sharing functions; device is compatible with Google Watch and Apple Watch
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The iBobber is another ingenious wireless portable fish finder that pairs with a smartphone or tablet. Like the Deeper Smart Fish Finder, iBobber uses Bluetooth technology to sync with your smartphone, and the free iBobber App gives all the sonar images you need right in your hand. Tie the iBobber onto your fishing line, cast it out, and get a live view of bottom structure and fish below.
The iBobber and Deeper are very comparable which can make choosing between them a difficult task. The iBobber does have some drawbacks compared to Deeper such as shorter casting range and only a single sonar frequency with a 42° coverage compared to Deeper’s dual frequencies with 15° and 55° coverage.
But, differences aside, the iBobber is a very handy fishing tool for those who fish from banks or piers and want to know what’s going on below the surface. Anglers in kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft can also make good use of the iBobber, and won’t have to worry about installing a fish finder that will take up valuable space.
The iBobber App gives you sonar imaging of bottom structure and fish directly on the screen of your smartphone as well as additional information about water temperature, weather forecasts, and moon cycles. Using the GPS of your smartphone, you can mark spots on a map within the app, just like you can on a traditional GPS-enabled fish finder.
Social media sharing is built into the iBobber app making it easy to share your trip logs and other data with your friends. Unlike the Deeper Smart Fish Finder, the iBobber is compatible with both Apple Watch and Google Watch, making your on-the-water fish finding even more accessible.
3. Garmin Echomap Chirp 74Cv
- Clearer scanning sonar shows…
- Chirp sonar Chirp sends a…
- Preloaded Blue Chart g2 charts…
- Clear scanning sonar the CV…
- Best in class Internal 5 Hertz…
Type: Combination
GPS: Yes, with waypoint map
Imaging: Down imaging
Sonar coverage: Not specified by manufacturer
Sonar frequency: 50/77/200 kHz and CHIRP (mid and high)
Power output: 200 watts RMS
Depth capability: 1,600 ft freshwater; 750 ft saltwater
Transducer: Dual beam transducer
Display size: 3.5″ diagonal
Color or black and white: HVGA Color
Screen resolution: 480 x 320 pixels
Unit size: 3.6″ W x 5.9″ H x 1.6″ D
Other features:
Uses CHIRP sonar technology; built-in GPS with waypoint map; displays boat speed on screen; built-in flasher mode shows real-time view of fish passing through transducer beam
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The Striker 4 packs tons of power and functionality into a well-designed, compact unit. With a 3.5-inch full-color display, the Striker 4 is perfect for smaller motor boats and is a popular choice among kayak anglers where space is at a premium.
It’s a combination unit featuring both powerful sonar imaging as well as a robust GPS system that includes a waypoint map allowing you to mark your favorite fishing spots for easy navigation in the future.
The defining factor of the Striker 4 is CHIRP sonar technology. While standard fish finders send a single signal at a time, CHIRP sonar sends a continuous string of signals across a broad range of frequencies. Through these CHIRP signals, more sonar information is relayed, resulting in clearer and more detailed images on the screen.
4. Venterior VT Portable Depth Finder:
- Detects and displays water…
- Applies to lake, river, sea…
- Comes with round transducer…
- Various features settings: 5…
- Warranty: This Venterior…
Type: Standalone
GPS: No
Imaging: Broadband Sounder
Sonar coverage: 20° (@ 200 kHz), 60° (@ 83 kHz)
Sonar frequency: Dual-frequency operation, 83 kHz or 200 kHz
Power output: Unknown
Depth capability: 328 ft
Transducer: Skimmer transducer with water temperature sensor
Display size: 4″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Grayscale
Screen resolution: Unknown
Unit size: 9.6″ W x 2.2″ H x 5.9″ D
Other features:
Product will show you where fish are, sensitivity controls picking up smaller fish sizes
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
Another powerful compact unit, the Venterior VT gives you dual-frequency sonar readings on a space-efficient 4 inch Grayscale display.
With dual-frequency functionality, you can switch between 83 kHz sonar which gives a 60° coverage range, and 200 kHz sonar which gives a 20° coverage range, allowing you to adapt to different water depths and conditions for maximum fish-finding potential.
The Venterior VTFF001 is not equipped with a GPS, making it ideal for anglers that already have a GPS device or those who just need a simple-yet-powerful fish finder. A compact design makes it a perfect chocie ideal for smaller motor boats and an excellent unit for fishing kayaks.
5. Lowrance Elite 5X CHIRP:
- 5″ color LCD
- Broadband CHIRP Fish finder
- Structure Scan Fish finder
- Transom mount transducer…
Type: Combination
GPS: Yes
Imaging: Hybrid dual imaging with DownScan imaging and Broadband Sounder
Sonar coverage: Not specified by manufacturer
Sonar frequency: 83/200/455/800 kHz
Power output: 500 watts RMS; 4000 PTP
Depth capability: 1000 ft @ 83/200 kHz; 2500 ft @ 50/200 kHz
Transducer: Transom mounted Lowrance transducer
Display size: 5″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Color, 256 colors
Screen resolution: 480 x 480 pixels
Unit size: 6.9″ W x 5.4″ H x 2.5″ D
Other features:
Built-in GPS with base map, waypoints, and chart plotter, stores 3,000 waypoints, 100 routes with 100 waypoints per route, 100 retraceable plot trails with 10,000 points per trail; waterproof microSD card slot compatible with Navionics Gold chart cards, Fishing Hot Spots, and Lake Master micro SD cards
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
Another powerful combination unit, the Lowrance 5X CHIRP gives anglers a clear view of bottom structure and fish using both DownScan imaging and traditional broadband sounding sonar. The built-in GPS with integrated base map displays your real-time location on the water, and with chart plotting functionality, you can mark productive fish-catching spots and routes for future reference.
The unit has a waterproof SD memory card slot that’s compatible with additional navigation software such as Navionics Gold, Fish Hot Spots, and Lake Master in micro SD card format.
The Lowerance 5X CHIRP works well in both fresh and saltwater in depths of up to 1000 feet when using down view imagery, and depths of up to 2500 feet when using the broadband sounder. Unfortunately, the Lowrance 5X CHIRP is an excellent unit, although higher in both price point and quality.
6. Humminbird 409640-1 HELIX 5 SI Fish Finder:
- Uses the most innovative and…
- Get the most out of your day…
- The leader in fish finders,…
Type: Combination
GPS: Yes
Imaging: Side imaging, Down Imaging, DualBeam PLUS
Sonar coverage: 20°, 60°, (2) 85° (180° total)
Sonar frequency: 200/83/455 kHz
Power output: 500 watts RMS; 4000 watts PTP
Depth capability: 100 ft SI; 1500 ft 2D
Transducer: Transom, XNT 9 SI 180T
Display size: 5″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Color, 256 colors
Screen resolution: 800 X 480 Pixels
Unit size: W/ gimbal mount – 7.55″ W x 4.64″ H x 3.3 D
Other features:
GPS tracking and chart plotting included with 2,500 waypoints, 45 routes, 20,000 points; built-in UniMap cartography; microSD card slot; side imaging sonar gives an 180-degree side view below the boat
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
If you’re looking for a fish finder that does it all, the Humminbird Helix 5 SI is for you. It’s a combination unit, meaning it has both sonar imaging (depth and fish finding) as well as integrated GPS. This is by far the most powerful and versatile fish finder on our list, featuring DualBeam Plus sonar as well as down imaging and side imaging sonar.
While many fish finders feature dual imaging and down imaging, it’s the side imaging capabilities of the Helix 5 SI that set this unit apart, giving anglers an 180° side-to-side view of the water below. Side imaging sonar is ideal for lake and inshore saltwater fishing in water depths of 100 feet or less when you want to see a broader swath of water and bottom structure. Down imaging and DualBeam sonar can be used in depths of up to 1500 feet and gives you a narrower scope, displaying what’s directly below the boat.
The integrated GPS of the Helix 5 SI is very powerful and features built-in UniMap cartography with GPS chart plotting, giving you the power to mark 2,500 waypoints, create 45 different routes, and map 50 tracks, each with 20,000 points. It’s safe to say that most anglers won’t use all the mapping and chart plotting points the Helix 5 SI has to offer, but it sure is nice to have the option.
Both the sonar imaging and the GPS chart plotting are shown in vivid color on the 5-inch high-resolution screen. The control buttons are easy to use and you can switch between several different screen views to see exactly what you need to at any given time.
7. Humminbird 409600-1 HELIX DI Fish Finder:
- 5-inch color display
- Down Imaging Sonar
- Dual Beam PLUS Sonar
- Temperature
- International languages
Type: Standalone
GPS: No
Imaging: Down Imaging, DualBeam PLUS
Sonar coverage: 16°, 28°, 45°, 75°
Sonar frequency: 455/800/200/455 kHz
Power output: 500 watts RMS; 4000 watts PTP
Depth capability: 350 ft DI; 600 ft 2D
Transducer: Transom, XNT 9 DI T
Display size: 5″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Color, 256 colors
Screen resolution: 800H X 480V
Unit size: W/ gimbal mount – 7.55″ W x 4.64″ H x 3.3 D
Other features: Includes transducer with transom mount; water temperature sensor built into transducer
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The Humminbird Helix DI is like a stripped-down version of the Helix 5 SI, but still powerful in its own right. Compared to the Helix 5 SI, it’s cheaper, it doesn’t have GPS, and it lacks side imaging.
With those differences in mind, the Helix DI is a great option for anglers that simply want a solid and reliable fish finder without all the bells and whistles, or for those who already own a standalone GPS device.
With the Helix DI, you get a high-resolution full color 5-inch display and easy-to-use control buttons. Down imaging can be used in depths of up to 350 feet, and DualBeam sonar can be used in depths of 600 feet. The unit is easy to install with the included gimbal mount or directly into the dash of your boat.
8. Signstek FF-003 Portable Fish Finder:
- Sonar technology
- Portable
- Water detective
- Fishing
- Water resistant
Type: Portable, standalone fish finder
GPS: No
Imaging: Down imaging
Sonar coverage: Not specified by manufacturer
Sonar frequency: 83/200 kHz
Power output: Not specified by manufacturer
Depth capability: 240 ft
Transducer: Portable with a float and 20-foot cable
Display size: 2.8″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Color, 512 colors
Screen resolution: 240 x 160 pixels
Unit size: 4.7″ x 3.2″ x 1.2″
Other features:
Bottom contour and water temperature indicator; multi levels depth range; ideal for kayaks, canoes, and other small watercraft; no mounting options, comes with a neck strap
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
One of the best entry-level fish finders on the market is the Signstek FF-003 Portable Fish Finder. The display unit is lightweight and compact and comes with a detachable neck strap to keep the fish finder close by all times. The transducer is designed to be portable, giving anglers the option to either mount the transducer on a boat or kayak, to drift it alongside using the built-in float, or to cast it out up to 20 feet when fishing from shore.
The 2.8 inch, 512 color screen shows bottom features and fish images in great detail, along with water temperature readings. The FF-003 also has a fish identification feature that distinguishes between small and large fish as well as a fish depth indicator so you know how far down to get your lure or bait.
The Signstek FF-003 may not be powerful enough for anglers that need to cover a lot of water, or fish depths greater than 240 feet, but for those who fish small lakes and rivers, it’s a great entry-level fish finder that will no doubt help you catch more fish.
9. Garmin Striker 7SV:
- Clearer scanning sonar – shows…
- The power of simple – offers a…
- Way point map – use the way…
- Chirp sonar – Chirp sends a…
- Built-in flasher – view your…
Type: Standalone
GPS: Yes
Imaging: Down view
Sonar coverage: Not specified by manufacturer
Sonar frequency: 77/200 kHz
Power output: 500 watts RMS
Depth capability: 2,300 feet
Transducer: ClearVu and SideVu
Display size: 7″ diagonal
Color or black and white: Color
Screen resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Unit size: 9.25″ x 5.5″ x 2.25″
Other features:
Smooth Scaling feature creates smooth transitions across depth changes; Fish I.D. feature helps identify fish targets; water temperature sensor included; water speed sensor included
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The Garmin Striker 7sv is a standalone fish finder in the same class as the Humminbird HELIX DI and the Lowrance Elite-5 HDI. Featuring ClearVu and SideVu sonar scanning — Garmin’s version of down view imaging — along with HD-ID 77/200 kHz scanning, the Striker 7sv delivers crisp, clear sonar images of bottom structure in depths of up to 2,300 feet on a vivid high-resolution 7-inch color display.
The Garmin Striker 7sv features “smooth scaling” which creates smooth transitions between different depths and bottom structure giving you a screen view that’s easier to follow and read. Fish I.D. functionality displays fish as fish icons instead of standard arches to help you identify fish more easily and with more certainty.
Included with the unit is the standard transom mount as well as a trolling motor mount, giving you options for mounting depending on your specific boat setup.
10. LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder:
- Fishes and bottom contour…
- The kayak fish finder suits…
- Depth readout: The fish finder …
- Small portable fish finder with…
- Warranty Policy: We offer 12 …
Type: Portable with 25 ft cable
GPS: No
Sonar coverage: 45 degrees beam angle
Sonar frequency: 200Khz
Batteries: 4 x AAA batteries (not provided)
Depth capability: 3ft to 328ft
Transducer: 1.81inch diameter transducer sensor
Display size: 1.57inch x 1.57inch
Color or black and white: Color
Operating temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10°C-50°C)
Unit size: 5.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches
Other features:
This small fish finder is an amazing deal for the money. It is specifically marketed for kayak fishing (at no more than 5 miles per hour), but it can be safely used for ice fishing and other types of fishing expeditions as well.
Product Summary & Fish Finder Reviews:
The LUCKY portable fish finder FFC1108-1 offers anglers a clear view of the bottom of the lake/river along with the fish that dwell there. One major downside is that, unlike premium models (we’re talking about units priced at $400 and up), it cannot accurately tell the size of the detected fish.
At most, it can put the fish into one of the three standard categories: small, medium, and large. We were impressed with the big money features that come with this fish finder for beginners. It has 5 modes, including a backlight mode for night fishing and a battery saving mode. It also has a “fish school alarm”. The manufacturer guarantees a 4 to 5 hour continuous use when not in battery saving mode. But you’ll need 4 AAA batteries to get it running (which unfortunately are not supplied.
For a beginner angler on a tight budget, the LUCKY portable fish finder FFC1108-1 is an absolute must-have.
How Fish Finders Work:
A fish finder or depth finder works by using sonar underwater to detect pulses of sound energy. It locates the fish by emitting a sonar wave that will register solid mass and can detect schools of fish or the bottom of a body of water if there are no obstructions.
Fish finders are used today by sport fisherman, commercial fisherman and recreational fisherman alike. They can be used for pike, bass, black or white crappie or just about any other type of fish.
Fish finders are usually mounted to the boat and are run while the vessel is moving at a slower or stopped speed to properly recognize the area and the depth. Fish finders can be mounted to just about any boat, including fishing kayaks and larger boats or watercraft. You can even use fish finders when you are ice fishing, provided the hole you dug with your auger is big enough.
Fish finders can be beneficial for many reasons. They can be used to locate larger and smaller schools of fish and to assist in finding the appropriate depth that schools typically like to dwell at during the different times of year.
Fish finders are becoming widely used by many fisherman across the industry and they are looked at as a “must have” for recreational fishermen looking for an extra edge when out scouting for their next fishing location.
Many modern fish finders are coming equipped today with a GPS. This is highly beneficial in case you get lost (don’t laugh, it’s happened) and also to help track your locations of your favorite fishing spots.
Wrapping Up:
A fish finder might seem like just another expense on top of everything else you need on the water, but when it comes to actually catching fish, nothing on your boat or in your tackle box will be as beneficial as a quality fish finder.
Whether you’re a new boat owner or a fish finder veteran looking to upgrade, we hope our review of the top fish finders on the market helped you find the one that’s right for you.
My articles appear in Marketing Edge Magazine, on Gizmogrind, and with various Medium publications. But one thing hasn’t changed in all of my life: no matter where I was or what I was doing. I’ve always loved to be outdoors.
A man needs nothing more than a good flannel shirt, a well-worn pair of jeans, and comfortable hiking boots. I don’t go for all the fancy luxury stuff. Suits are uncomfortable and shaving sucks.
