Do you use Chirp and ClearVu at the Same Time?

[Whalensdad]

I'm looking at Fish Finders for my Kayak. I'm thinking of going with the Garmin 4CV or the 5CV. The 4CV would work if you only use one CHIRP or ClearVu at a time (since the screen is small). If you really need to look at them both to compare images, then I'd go with the 5CV. I've never used a FF before. I'm also not set on Garmin, but I want to keep the unit under $300 (the lower the better). Looking for insight on how to best use a FF on a kayak.

[Dminor9]

While I can't actually help in regards to how best to use a FF on a Kayak, I can comment on the Garmin 5CV. I purchased one for my son-in-laws fishing boat a month ago. It was a very good buy for the money (299.99). We have only had the opportunity to use it a couple of times, but we always use Chirp and Clear Vu in a split screen. We also sometimes go with a triple split adding in the contour mapping at the same time. Chirp shows structure as well as fish. Clear Vu gives a very good HD view of the bottom and structure and can differentiate branches, weeds, rocks, etc from fish. The Contour mapping feature allows you to map where you fish and set waypoints for spots that consistently produce fish. Not sure if this helps. I feel for the budget you want, this is a very good buy and you won't be disappointed. 

[Bass Junke]

I use a Garmin 4CV on my kayak and I am almost always in split screen CHiRP, Clear Vu mode. Mine is mounted pretty far forward also, have to sit forward to reach it. No problems reading the screen with 55 year old eyes. 

[Whalensdad]

2 hours ago, Bass Junke said:

I use a Garmin 4CV on my kayak and I am almost always in split screen CHiRP, Clear Vu mode. Mine is mounted pretty far forward also, have to sit forward to reach it. No problems reading the screen with 55 year old eyes. 

How do you like the 4CV? Does it give you enough coverage on the screen and is it easy to identify fish and structure on the small screen in split view? Do you do side/by side or top/bottom split view?

[Bass Junke]

The side by side view I do not like because you do not see enough history. It is easy to see the CHIRP sonar and that is where I am usually looking. I look at the clear vu screen when I need a better representation of a piece of structure/cover that I am seeing on  the CHIRP screen. Fish arcs show up better on CHIRP, I have to get closer to the screen to see fish in clear vu. 

 

This is my first sonar unit. Pretty basic, easy to use. I like it. I look for structure /cover more than I look for fish. I use way points to mark spots. It has helped find my way back to the ramp. 

[Whalensdad]

19 hours ago, Dminor9 said:

While I can't actually help in regards to how best to use a FF on a Kayak, I can comment on the Garmin 5CV. I purchased one for my son-in-laws fishing boat a month ago. It was a very good buy for the money (299.99). We have only had the opportunity to use it a couple of times, but we always use Chirp and Clear Vu in a split screen. We also sometimes go with a triple split adding in the contour mapping at the same time. Chirp shows structure as well as fish. Clear Vu gives a very good HD view of the bottom and structure and can differentiate branches, weeds, rocks, etc from fish. The Contour mapping feature allows you to map where you fish and set waypoints for spots that consistently produce fish. Not sure if this helps. I feel for the budget you want, this is a very good buy and you won't be disappointed. 

Thanks for the input. Are you using the ClearVu just for structure or also spotting fish?

[Dminor9]

I use Clear Vu for structure mostly. In Chirp, fish arches can sometimes not be fish. Sonar can not typically distinguish between floating debris and fish. So I use Clear Vu in the split screen to make the distinction between the two. Hope this helps.

[Whalensdad]

20 hours ago, Dminor9 said:

I use Clear Vu for structure mostly. In Chirp, fish arches can sometimes not be fish. Sonar can not typically distinguish between floating debris and fish. So I use Clear Vu in the split screen to make the distinction between the two. Hope this helps.

Thanks!

[kayl.]

My dad uses the Echomap Plus 43cv and likes it a lot. He runs the clear vu and 2d sonar at the same time. 

[Whalensdad]

5 hours ago, kayl. said:

My dad uses the Echomap Plus 43cv and likes it a lot. He runs the clear vu and 2d sonar at the same time. 

Thanks. Does he have issues with the screen size?

[kayl.]

On 8/19/2020 at 5:38 PM, Whalensdad said:

Thanks. Does he have issues with the screen size?

No, he likes the small screen, low key setup. I on the other hand, run an Echomap Plus 93sv and might go to a 10" depending on what Garmin releases in the next year.

[Boomstick]

On my EchoMap UHD 93sv, I always use at least Chirp and Clearvu together, and sometimes Sidevu as well depending on depth of the fish, the lake I'm fishing and which part of the lake I'm fishing. It's easier to see fish in Chirp, but sometimes those arches can actually not be fish and I can find that out for sure by looking at Clearvu to confirm I'm seeing what I think I'm seeing.

 

I would suggest spending an extra $120 and getting the 5cv because not only do you get another inch of screen space but you also get a 480x800 pixel screen which is a nice upgrade over 272x480 of the 4cv so images should look nice and sharp.