Looking at getting one of these Fish Finders on Black Friday

[kayaking_kev]

Which one would you choose and why? Or is there another one is the $300 price range that you would recommend?

It's for a kayak, a Old Town Topwater 106 to be specific which has a built in transducer port.

 

The 5CV version $299

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Garmin_Striker_Vivid_Series_Fishfinders/descpage-GSPV.html

 

CHIRP DI GPS $349

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Humminbird_Helix_5_G2_Fishfinders/descpage-H52.html

 

X SplitShot $299

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lowrance_Hook_Reveal_5_Series_Fishfinders/descpage-LRF.html

[MN Fisher]

If you want built-in maps with the ability to update them - drop the Garmin off the list. Only maps available are those shared via Active Captain that other users have uploaded to the Garmin Community.

 

Lowrance and Humminbird both have the ability to plug a micro-SD card in that has maps. The Helix can use Navionics or Lakemaster cards, the Reveal can use Navionics, C-Map or Genesis cards.

 

The Reveal comes with 4000 lakes already loaded.

[kayaking_kev]

25 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

If you want built-in maps with the ability to update them - drop the Garmin off the list. Only maps available are those shared via Active Captain that other users have uploaded to the Garmin Community.

 

Lowrance and Humminbird both have the ability to plug a micro-SD card in that has maps. The Helix can use Navionics or Lakemaster cards, the Reveal can use Navionics, C-Map or Genesis cards.

 

The Reveal comes with 4000 lakes already loaded.

 Would any of the stuff matter much to me if I only fish a handful of above ground reservoirs and a handful of lakes mostly all within my region?

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, kayaking_kev said:

 Would any of the stuff matter much to me if I only fish a handful of above ground reservoirs and a handful of lakes mostly all within my region?

Even though I've fished Minnetonka off-and-on for decades, I still like having maps...lets me see structure beforehand to give me an idea of where to try based on the time of the year.

 

Right now, those maps are Navionics running on my Tablet as I have a Striker 7...probably get a map equipped unit next year...this years funds are already designated.

[kayaking_kev]

6 hours ago, MN Fisher said:

If you want built-in maps with the ability to update them - drop the Garmin off the list. Only maps available are those shared via Active Captain that other users have uploaded to the Garmin Community.

 

Are all Garmins like that? I was looking at the 7SV too.

 

How important is Side Imaging, that seems to be another big difference between the $300 finders to the $500 ones?

[gunsinger]

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

[Bluebasser86]

10 minutes ago, gunsinger said:

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

My average speed in my kayak is 2-4 mph. Kayaks are perfect for SI units because you're almost always traveling at the perfect speed to be scanning. 

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

Are all Garmins like that? I was looking at the 7SV too.

All the Strikers are - you'd have to get an Echomap to have built-in maps and the card slot to add updated maps to them.

 

2 hours ago, kayaking_kev said:

How important is Side Imaging, that seems to be another big difference between the $300 finders to the $500 ones?

For basic fishing I find that down-imaging is enough. Would I like side-imaging? Of course...but it's not in the budget at this time.

[king fisher]

I have an Echomap plus 64 CV for my kayak, that I like and highly recommend.  You can find them in your price range on Ebay.  As others have said if you don't move up to the Echomap series in Garmin you are better off going with a Lowrance, or Hummingbird because those brands can use SD cards with maps.  Side imaging would be nice, but can make mounting the transducer more difficult.

[Standard]

On 10/29/2021 at 4:16 AM, gunsinger said:

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

I was getting a great SI image just floating down the river at .5-1mph.  I just leave the scroll speed set to auto and let the unit figure it out.

[Smalls]

On 10/28/2021 at 8:56 PM, MN Fisher said:

If you want built-in maps with the ability to update them - drop the Garmin off the list.

He'll have to drop the Lowrance off the list, too, unless he moves up to a non "X" model of the Hook. X models do not support external mapping.

[slonezp]

Unless your lakes have been charted, there is no need for maps. That being said, Navionics has a mobile app you can put on your phone if needed. It's $22.00 a year for the US and Canada app and will do most everything a plotter will do. 

On 10/28/2021 at 9:56 PM, MN Fisher said:

If you want built-in maps with the ability to update them - drop the Garmin off the list. Only maps available are those shared via Active Captain that other users have uploaded to the Garmin Community.

 

Lowrance and Humminbird both have the ability to plug a micro-SD card in that has maps. The Helix can use Navionics or Lakemaster cards, the Reveal can use Navionics, C-Map or Genesis cards.

 

The Reveal comes with 4000 lakes already loaded.

What about Garmin LakeVu? Is that available for fish finders or only chartplotters?

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Unless your lakes have been charted, there is no need for maps. That being said, Navionics has a mobile app you can put on your phone if needed. It's $22.00 a year for the US and Canada app and will do most everything a plotter will do. 

What about Garmin LakeVu? Is that available for fish finders or only chartplotters?

I dunno about LakeVu - but the Strikers won't have it in either case.

[slonezp]

14 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I dunno about LakeVu - but the Strikers won't have it in either case.

Gotcha

 

[Scott F]

Are you in a hurry to get a new unit? Are you planning to use it over the winter? The best time to purchase a depth finder is in the spring when the new models come out and the old units are discounted heavily. Hard to say what will be happening next spring if supply shortages will have any effect on what goes on sale. 

[Fishingmickey]

     Just to add to BlueBasser post, Side imaging is definitely well worth it. Being able to see 50 -100' on each side of your kayak! You would be amazed at how much more bottom contour changes (creek channels, road beds, fence lines) you can see. It is also excellent for finding brush piles, rock piles. I consider it a dang near invaluable tool for scouting for new spots to fish.  FWIW I run the Garmin 93sv.

FM

 

P.S. Another good place to check prices on is The GPS store and they also have black Friday sales.

 

[gim]

On 10/29/2021 at 4:16 AM, gunsinger said:

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

I think it’s dependent on what brand/model is used. Lowrance electronics indicate that 5 mph is optimal for side scan. You might be able to adjust the refresh rate if you wanted to go slower, but the manual for my units specifically say 5 mph.

[Smalls]

16 hours ago, gimruis said:

but the manual for my units specifically say 5 mph.

That may be the optimal speed they work at, but my hook2 shows decent imaging all the way down to  1 mph. 

 

If the tripleshot transducer is capable of that, anything is. The Hook also doesn't give you the option for scroll speed adjustment on anything other than 2D.

[Koz]

On 10/29/2021 at 5:16 AM, gunsinger said:

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

My Lowrance Hook2 and tripleshot transducer disagree.

[flyfisher]

On 10/29/2021 at 5:16 AM, gunsinger said:

I don’t think SI will be of much value in a kayak. The best SI results come at speeds of 2-5 mph. At least that’s been my experience. 

that is flat out incorrect.  You adjust your chart speed to your paddle/pedal speed and you are good to go.  I get clean images at 1mph or less in my kayak every time out.

SI in a kayak is a huge time saver.  it allows you to "see" way off to the side without having to paddle over it.  I wouldn't get any electronics without some sort of SI capability.

[gunsinger]

Apologies for any misinformation. My statement was based on what I’d read on other forums.  I’ll have to look into how to adjust chart speed on my Hook 2 Tripleshot. 

[Smalls]

On 11/7/2021 at 5:30 AM, gunsinger said:

 I’ll have to look into how to adjust chart speed on my Hook 2 Tripleshot.

Like I mentioned earlier, you can only do this for 2D on that model 

[txchaser]

Humminbird Autochart is really nice for making maps. You'll need the $100 upgrade to do more than 8hrs of mapping though.

[kayaking_kev]

I've been away for a few weeks but thanks for all the info so far. 

 

I was leaning towards the Humminbird Helix 5 Chirp DI GPS, but looks like it won't be in stock at TW, so the next choice would be the Lowrance.

 

But, based on the recent replies it appears that Side Imaging is back on the table. My only concern would be whether or not the transducer would fit through my Old Town Topwater 106 transducer hole.

 

My choices with Side Imaging would be out of these.

 

Humminbird Helix G2 SI GPS

 

Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 X TripleShot

 

Garmin Striker Vivid Series 7SV

[Koz]

I just saw an article that stated that Academy Sports will have the 12 inch, Lowrance Hook2 on sale on Black Friday for only $700.