Garmin Striker 4 Plus -VS- Striker 4CV

[schplurg]

I'm wondering if the extra $40 for the ClearVu is worth it, especially on a 4.3 inch screen. I have used a fish finder one time, sort of, so no real experience. I've done a lot of reading and Youtubing of various models, but I just can't tell if ClearVu will help me.

 

Most of my fishing will be from a kayak in water anywhere from 3 - 50 feet. Mainly 20 or less though.

 

What I'd really like is a bigger screen. Not sure the 5 inch model is worth $300 to me though. I think I can get away with the 4.3 inch screen without reading glasses.

 

Is ClearVu better for seeing structure or fish or both? I can't see fish in any CV images I've seen, which are admittedly very few (and I'm no expert).

[813basstard]

Graphs are exactly like outboards..always, always get the bigger one..always

[schplurg]

LOL but there's always a bigger one! I believe you said almost the exact same thing in one of the older Striker 4 threads I just read, or some other graph thread! It's what got me looking at them again instead of settling on the Striker I think. I don't know if I should thank you yet but the bait monkey does!

 

Problem is I have to justify the $139 for the cheapest one as it is, to myself I mean. It IS the apocalypse after all and I'm already buying beer with my survival cash. I don't know if I can fool myself into justifying one twice as expensive (5 inch), at least not right now. I mean I can get a 6 or 7 inch for $499

 

I can twist my arm and get the ClearVu one for $179. Looks purty anyways. I wonder if the vertical display of the 4s is easier to read than the horizontal 5 inch? I mean it's $120 for an extra .7 inches. If I'm spending that much more I may as well...sigh.

 

It seems like ClearVu could help me identify structure better or easier than the normal view, which is important.

 

I tried an experiment. I found a few screenshots from the units and viewed them on my phone so they were about the size of the Garmin screen. Then I viewed it from different distances to see how blurry my eyes made it look. I could do the small screen I think. Maybe if I used an adjustable arm for a mount.

 

I guess I could put on a Tyvek suit and go to Bass Pro and look at them. They must have all of them on display.

[kdubracing]

I used my Striker 4 Plus CV for the first time yesterday on my kayak. I didn’t have any problem with the size of the screen. I had mine on horizontal split screen. I had the sonar on top and CV on bottom the whole time. Worked great. I would definitely suggest the extra $40 for the CV model. It is great to have that and sonar together. 

I was on a small unmapped lake. I also used the quickdraw contours. It worked very well also.I would highly recommend this unit, especially for the price.

[Ratherbefishing75]

I have the Garmin striker 4 portable set up with the suction cup mount it works great on my canoe  

[Lead Head]

Don't know if you pulled the trigger yet or not but basspro and cabelles has the echomap plus 63cv on sale for $299. It has the gt transducer not the cv. 6" screen, lake maps/mapping, and all the wifi goodies. From what I can tell it does everything except side view and hd. 

[schplurg]

On 4/19/2020 at 2:39 AM, Lead Head said:

Don't know if you pulled the trigger yet or not but basspro and cabelles has the echomap plus 63cv on sale for $299. It has the gt transducer not the cv. 6" screen, lake maps/mapping, and all the wifi goodies. From what I can tell it does everything except side view and hd. 

I have not bought one yet, I'll check it out. Thank you!

 

The Bait Monkey thanks you for suggesting that I may need to spend more money!

 

Edit to add:

The Bait Monkey approved and we just bought it! Supposed to arrive in a few days. THANK YOU for letting me know!!! Bigger screen was enough for me, but I like the other features too. Much more versatile than the smaller units.

 

I love getting $#!% in the mail, it's like X-mas, wooohooo!!!

[DanielG]

I have the clearvu version. I don't use that feature. I keep it on standard. I can never seem to distinguish a fish from a ghost image or bubbles or suspened debris. You just have to study the screen too much and then decide that it's undecided on what you're seeing. It does do a good bottom view though.

 

Can't speak for any larger version as I've never used one.

[schplurg]

From what I understand the one I bought sorta fakes the ClearVu. I'm happy to trade CV for the 6.2 inch screen. That extra 2 inches will hopefully eliminate the need to wear reading glasses to see it.

 

The ability to have and get maps is cool. Of course my lake isn't on there but I can hopefully download one (sounds like there are options online, user made stuff...), and I can map the waters I fish if not.

 

It's supposed to arrive on the 23rd, three days after I ordered it. Ordered just before midnight on the 20th.

 

I was on my second beer (Torpedo) so the Bait Monkey had an easy target. I think he made a good choice though.

 

Thanks everyone for the help!

[redmexican5081]

It all depends on what transducer comes with it, the new gt transducers use a down element so it has true down view. If the unit was packaged in the last year, you’ll get a gt transducer 

[schplurg]

49 minutes ago, redmexican5081 said:

It all depends on what transducer comes with it, the new gt transducers use a down element so it has true down view. If the unit was packaged in the last year, you’ll get a gt transducer 

Cool, guess I'll find out in a few days! Thanks.

[Lead Head]

It has the GT20 transducer. Mine will be here today

 

Fortunately, (or unfortunately depending on how you want to look at it) I am working 6 days a week with lots of overtime right now so who knows when I'll actually get to play with it. I was looking hard at the hook2 5 until I stumbled across this.

 

Just a heads up, you will need a 32 gig (I'm pretty sure micro) sd card to make your own maps. From what I can tell it must be 32, no bigger.

 

Your very welcome on the heads up. To be fair, the monkey made me do it! 

[Michigander]

Also get a micro SD card! You can tell the unit to record and make a new lake map for you as you are going along. It's magical.

[schplurg]

I love magic!

 

So is the GT20 the one with true down view? It seems like it isn't from reading the website, but I may not be understanding what I read 100%

 

Ya I wanted to wait until I could actually use it before buying a unit, but this sale came along so I bit. It will force me to go now! I'll hit the Delta, it's probably the closest available water.

 

Gonna stick it on my yak, maybe on a small boat in the near future. So glad I'm getting a bigger screen than I'd planned!

 

ETA:

Now after comparing with other transducers I think the GT20 does have ClearVu with true down scanning. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Either way I'm going to keep it

[schplurg]

I received it today and hooked it up to my truck battery for ten minutes and played with it. The screen is plenty big. Just used it in demo mode. I believe having this 'ducer out of water will fry it so I didn't hook it up.

 

Checked out the Delta map, pretty dang cool man! Love the GPS.

 

Any suggestions on the best way to mount this on a kayak rail? Not sure where else I'd put it. Can this be attached to a ram or ball mount? I have a WS Ride 115 and the center "console" is pretty far away near my feet.

 

This thing seems amazing for the price. The screen size upgrade alone is worth the price diff of the Striker 4s.