Garmin ECHOMAP 73sv GT54 vs GT56 vs Hummingbird Helix 7 Mega Si

[orangeblueprint]

I am going to purchase a fish finder for my Hobie Pro Angler and I have to decide between these three units. My main question is what the difference between the GT54 and GT56 ducer is. I know that you have better frequency options with the 56 but I was just trying to get some clarification. 

Thanks,

Wil

[Sprocket]

Welcome to the forum.

 

The 56 is just that much better than the 54.  Better clarity and picks up fish better especially at longer range on sidevu.

 

Retired grass grower

[Dens228]

I have the GT54 and have seen video's of side by side comparison with the GT56 on YouTube. The video's make me want to spend money.......ugh......

[Boomstick]

 

 

The GT56 is definitely has better clarity and contrast, especially from 40 feet out and more so at past 60 feet out. In closer proximity, the difference isn't too terribly significant but this kind of makes it tempted to upgrade my transducer as soon as the GT56s are available for sale (even though I bought my EchoMap UHD with a GT54 last year). The greatest benefit should come with Sidevu, as seen in these videos the GT54 has a strong return up to 40 feet out, and it disappears right after 60 ft where the GT56 is still going strong.

 

That said, BassPro had an EchoMap UHD with the GT54 for $600 a week ago. You can buy that and buy a GT56 transducer for the full retail price of a new one and sell the GT54 and get maybe $200 back.

 

 

[Shimano_1]

Its gonna depend on what ur after. There is no comparison on the side imaging between the garmins and the helix. The helix mega is the top dog in that world.  Everything else is comparable and basically user preference.  I have the uhd with gt54 and its decent. My cousin has helix with mega and they're definitely much better with side imaging and more detailed.  I like the mapping and 2d on the garmins better. Fixing to put 2 helix 12 mega si gen 3's on my rig and run 2 garmins strictly for Mapping.  For the money tho the garmins are hard to beat. You definitely pay for the birds. Can't offer any info on the gt56 these guys apparently have the info on that one.

[Boomstick]

14 hours ago, Shimano_1 said:

There is no comparison on the side imaging between the garmins and the helix.

I'm waiting to see a Helix vs GT56 comparison. The GT56 images I posted look fantastic! I'm not sure if it's better than the Helix still, but the GT54 closed the gap a bit and the 56 at least closes it a whole lot more.

[orangeblueprint]

Thanks for all the info! This is my first decent fish finder so I just went for the GT54 because I was able to get it brand new for $500 which was nice. I will likely upgrade the transducer later but most lake I fish are quite small as of now so I will try this and see how it works.