Kayak Fishfinder

[jsh32]

Ive been looking for a good fishfinder for my kayak. I would like to stay under $200 and have a pretty good one. I don't want anything that feels and looks real cheap. I was just looking at a Garmin Striker 4cv, does anyone have any experience with these? Or any other suggestions?

 

[Goose52]

Humminbird Helix 5 - currently four models listing for $200 (2D sonar), $250 (2D and down imaging), $300 (2D, gps), and $350 (2D, down imaging, gps).  Perhaps save an extra $50 and take a look at the $250 model here

[jsh32]

What are the features that you find most important on fishfinders? and is there a place that will explain what each feature does a little easier to understand for someone buying their first fishfinder. I dont really know what any of it means. i just know i want a gps feature or a way to set waypoints because i plan to travel a little more this summer and kayak new lakes that i dont know very well, and i would like to be able to set waypoints on my home lake for hot spots ive found

 

[Wayne P.]

Look at the posted screen shots above to see what each sonar technology looks like. There are some that have Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and 2D sonar displayed at the same time.

[trick worms]

Garmin striker 4 dv has sonar, down imaging, and ability to mark waypoints. 180$

[Goose52]

1 hour ago, trick worms said:

Garmin striker 4 dv has sonar, down imaging, and ability to mark waypoints. 180$

 

WOW - a lot of technology in that little unit for sure...but the trade-off is the small 3.5" screen.  However, if you're sitting in the yak and have the unit rigged right next to you, you'll be pretty close to that screen.

 

For me, screen size has always been a major factor since I am standing the entire time I'm fishing so I have to look down a ways to the sonar screen.

 

For the OP, if GPS is a "must-have" then you would be going quite a ways over your budget to get there with the HB Helix 5.  Regarding your questions about the technology - follow Wayne P's advice and checkout the screenshots thread pinned to the top of this forum - lots of images there of the different views. Briefly, 2D sonar gives you your depth, bottom contours, sometimes bottom composition (if you are experienced in reading the image), and will show fish as "fish arches". Down-imaging gives you an almost TV like view of what's under the boat including logs, brush, submerged trees, fish, etc. Side-imaging shows whats on each side of the boat wit a detail similar to down-imaging.  As to how much of the technology that you want or need - that's up to you to decide. BUT, since prices have come down so much for this stuff you might want to consider getting at least down-imaging and you've already decided you want GPS so that might be your starting point when looking at units.

 

ALSO, if you haven't researched it yet, start thinking about how you want to rig a sonar unit on your boat. There have been a number of threads in this forum about kayak mounting you can check out.

 

[CenCal fisher]

Lowrance elite 5 hdi, it's $270 but has $100 in rebates. It has gps, down imaging and a larger screen than the garmin 

 

http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Lowrance-Elite-5-HDI-Fishfinder/Chartplotter-With-Suncover&i=922116

[jyu87]

I have the Garmin, used it on my bass raider 10E. Thought it was a great little unit for the price point. User interface is a little different but right when you get used to it, it's a breeze. 

 

DI, Sonar, and GPS all worked really well. Didn't have any issues with it at all. 

[jsh32]

I have no experience with fishing electronics so I wont have any learning curve with the interface, just trying to learn how to actually use electronics

 

 

 

[kschultz76]

I put together a fish finder setup for my kayak last year. My recommendation is read a lot before choosing a unit and go someplace local to check out the screen sizes and layouts. Then stick to your budget and factor in costs of a mount for the unit, cost for a transducer mount, some wiring, a battery, battery charger, and storage for all of it. It can add up quick. 

 

I got got a great deal on a Garmin echoMap 53dv when Garmin was running a rebate and Cabelas had them on a big clearance just before Garmin released the Chirp units. Yeah it doesn't have the latest tech but I got a better unit with a bigger screen for the budget I had. 

 

We have Lowrance on out bass boat, an Elite 5 dsi. Personally I like the Garmin better. The new HB Helix are nice as well and was a contender as well as the Raymarine units. I just got the best deal possible at the time on the Garmin. 

 

Good luck!