Best FishFinder GPS Combo: A Complete Review and Buying Guide 2018
Table Of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Best FishFinder GPS Combo For The Money
- 3 How Do Fish Finders Work?
- 4 Fish Finder & GPS Combination Buying Guide
Introduction
Fish Finders are a super versatile tool for anglers of any skill level, but when you add a built-in GPS to the mix, you up their utility and user-friendliness tremendously.
Best FishFinder GPS Combo For The Money
| Humminbird Helix 10 SI | Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3 | Humminbird HELIX 9 | Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro | Garmin Striker 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Screen | 10.1" (600V x 1024H) | 7" (800×480) | 9" (800H x 480V) | 5" (800 x 480 WVGA) | 3.5" (480 x 320) |
| Sonar | 200/83/455/800/50* kHz | 83/200kHz | 50*/200/83/455/800* kHz | 170-230 kHz / 25° | 50/77/200 kHz |
| Chirp | |||||
| Micro SD | - | ||||
| Price | $$$$$ | $$$$$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
Under $1000 → Humminbird Helix 10 SI Fishfinder
Features
Display
The Humminbird Helix 10 SI features a broad 10-inch display with LED backlighting for clear visuals even on bright sunny days, which are notorious for messing with screen clarity.
Sonar
The Helix 10 SI features dual beam sonar to give you the most accurate data relating to fish locations, contour maps and more advanced data as well.
Split screen
The Humminbird’s display offers side-by-side image windows to be displayed simultaneously as a split screen so you can have your go-to maps on hand when you need them most.
Push button interface
The Helix 10 features a classic pushbutton interface along with three additional programmable buttons for ultimate customization.
The Pros
What to like:
- 10-inch LED backlit display for great color contrast and image clarity
- Dual beam sonar
- Near-picture quality sonar imagery and quality contour maps
- Pushbutton interface
- 3 additional programmable buttons
- Split screen view; display different views simultaneously
- HD transducer included
- Cable included
The Cons
What to consider:
- Some folks have found that learning to read it can be a little bit of a challenge if you’re not familiar with fish finders; that said, once you do get used to it, reading it will begin to come second nature.
Under $900 → Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3 Insight Fishfinder
Features
Dual interface options
The Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3 Insight Fishfinder features both pushbutton and touchscreen interface options, allowing you to interact with the fishfinder in the way that works best for you.
Dual sonar
This model comes complete with built-in CHIRP sonar and structure scan sonar, providing you with a more complete picture of the details you need to know.
Internal GPS antenna
Since the GPS antenna is built-in, it’s more durable as opposed to an add-on component. Additionally, it’s optimized to work specifically with this fishfinder to give you the best possible experience.
Built-in Insight charts
Built-in Insight charts for both coastal and inland waters of the United States provide extra utility and information.
Transducer
The included transducer features an 83/200kHz frequency for powerful fish finding capabilities.
The Pros
What to like:
- Built-in GPS (internal antenna)
- Built-in USA Insight charts
- Dual sonar: CHIRP sonar and structure scan sonar
- 83/200kHz frequency transducer included
- Pushbutton functionality
- Touchscreen capable
- 7-inch touchscreen
- Easy access to on-demand features via touchscreen menu
The Cons
What to consider:
- Some users have found that the manual doesn’t fully detail more complex setup features; this can be remedied with a call to customer service, though.
Under $700 → Humminbird HELIX 9 Sonar GPS Fishfinder
Features
Display
The Humminbird Helix 9 Sonar GPS Fishfinder features a 9-inch color TFT display that can display more than one view at a time for information at-a-glance. Additionally, this LED display features backlighting that prevents harsh sunrays from being a visual issue.
Interface
The Helix 9 comes with a pushbutton interface; extra utility and customization is provided by three additional programmable buttons that you can program to suit your specific needs, tailoring them to the maps you use most often, for instance.
Dual beam sonar
The Helix 9 features Dual Beam PLUS Sonar along with SwitchFire Sonar for a more expansive view of the situation.
Mounting options
Can be mounted with a gimbal; additionally, there’s an optional in-dash mount feature.
The Pros
What to like:
- Wide 9-inch color display
- LED display with backlight to prevent sunlight issues
- Pushbutton interface
- 3 additional programmable buttons
- Multiple mounting options
- Dual Beam Sonar PLUS
- SwitchFire Sonar
- Contour XD built-in
- Chart plotting-capable
- Built-in ethernet
The Cons
What to consider:
- This model features only 2D sonar; however, for novice or even intermediate anglers, especially casual hobbyists, this isn’t really a big downside. This is more of an issue for hardcore users.
Features
Display
The Raymarine Dragonfly 5 Pro’s 5-inch display is optically bonded for improved visuals, while minimizing internal fogging. It’s an LED display with crisp colors and no sunlight issues thanks to robust backlighting. Additionally, it’s also weatherproof, so you can feel confident putting it through heavy use out on the water.
Dual-channel sonar
The Raymarine offering features not only conventional CHIRP sonar but also wide-spectrum CHIRP DownVision sonar for the best possible fishfinding experience.
Robust storage capabilities
The Dragonfly 5 Pro is capable of storing a whopping 3,000 waypoints and 15 tracks. If that isn’t enough storage space for you, it’s also equipped with its own micro SD reader; you can store any overflow data on any micro SD card and read it on your Dragonfly 5 Pro.
Synchs with your smartphone
Perhaps one of the major standout features is ultimately Raymarine’s Wi-Fish app and the fact that this fishfinder is primed to synch with it, upping the overall usability and versatility of the device. You can even stream your fishfinding live to your smartphone, as well as post your finds and targets on social media.
The Pros
What to like:
- LED backlit display with optical bonding for improved experience
- Weatherproof display
- Dual=channel sonar: conventional CHIRP plus CHIRP DownVision
- Storage space for 3,000 waypoints and 15 tracks
- Built-in micro SD reader for additional storage options
- Synchs with Raymarine’s Wi-Fish app on your smartphone
The Cons
What to consider:
- Some people have reported ultimately having theirs professionally installed, but since it’s such a solid product, and an investment, having it installed correctly is probably the best way to go unless you, yourself, are a pro.
Under $100 → Garmin Striker 4 Built-in GPS Fish Finder
Features
Built-in GPS
The built-in GPS is high-sensitivity for perfect location data every single time.
Color display
Though the Garmin Striker 4 has a small, 3.5-inch display, its small size is well-balanced with vivid colors and crisp visuals that perfectly convey the information and data the device is giving you.
CHIRP sonar
The included CHIRP sonar transducer is 77/200kHz; however, for those who need more robust powerful, this unit is upgradable, and you can opt for a more powerful CHIRP sonar, if that better fits your needs.
Waypoints
One of the nicer features on this model is the ability to easily mark waypoints. You can use this option to mark where the fish are popping, or to avoid structures you wish to avoid, or simply return to your home dock. It’s highly versatile—and very easy to operate.
Simple interface
The interface is ultrasimple, featuring straightforward, classic keypad operation.
The Pros
What to like:
- Built-in GPS
- Color display
- CHIRP sonar transducer (77/200kHz)
- Upgradable on the transducer front
- Simple, pushbutton interface
- Easy to mark waypoints
The Cons
What to consider:
- It’s got a very small screen, but when you balance that with the portability factor, it’s really all down to personal preference.
How Do Fish Finders Work?
The basic technology that goes behind a fish finder is quite simple. It works with the functioning of two key components. First, we have the transmitter, which acts as the core unit of the fish finder and monitors and communicates signals. Secondly, we have the transducer, which is a sensing and action based-device put underwater.
The transmitter communicates with the transducer by sending electrical signals which are converted into sound waves and transmitted in the water. These waves travel underwater until they come across a fish, which they hit and reflect back an echo signal which is read by the transducer. The data is then sent back to the transmitter which converts it to a format which is readable. The information of the fish and their location is then displayed on the screen for the fisherman to note.
Fish Finder & GPS Combination Buying Guide
The fish finder and GPS combination comes at various prices, which mostly depend on the number of features present. The larger your display or GPS module, the more expensive your system tends to be. At times, not all the extravagant features are necessary to be used. All you need is the standard fish finder which will be able to do the task you require it to.
Fish Finder with GPS Combination is a Life Safer to Fishers
If you choose to go fishing in deep seas and oceans, you may want to look at the frequency options within the fish finder. Certain systems offer dual frequency features along with depth finder functionalities. However, if you do not do deep fishing as a part of your job, you will not need the depth finder functionalities. In that case, you can opt for other frequencies and transducer designs which will ultimately lower the price.
Simple units to start off with are also available which are used for stationary fishing. These units are simple and do not have too many functionalities. On the other hand, we have advanced units which offer a bunch of options such as temperature graphing and sonar recording. Some units also allow you to export the data to your computer, which can be used to make inferences and come to other judgments.
Some of the important tools and features you need to be aware of are as follows:
It is necessary for you to ensure that your unit includes a good navigation feature. It may be a good decision to purchase a unit which offers a variety of GPS channels as they will be able to enhance your accuracy and positioning.
Mapping
Once you have a good navigation system, you need to move toward looking at map charting options. Most units come with base map packs which are built in. These are able to provide basic navigation guides and give you a good understanding of map charts. However, it is always good to be able to invest in a unit which allows you to have a few map charts with the potential to upgrade.
Transducers
Not all fish finder units are equipped with a transducer, which is why it is important to review the unit you pick carefully. It becomes extremely expensive to buy a unit and a transducer as separate components. In addition to that, it is good to check the size and length of the cable wires being used for the unit and transducers. This will help you make a decision based on the boat you have.
Boat Type
Most fish finders being produced are geared toward a general boat size. However, if you think that your boat may be bigger than usual, it is necessary for you to look into the size of the unit which will correspond to the boat you have. Similarly, not all units can be comfortably installed on smaller boats. If you are going to use a kayak for fishing, you need to look for a specific type of unit which can be installed in it.
Potential to Upgrade
With the evolvement of modern-day technology, it is always best to opt for units which have the potential to upgrade. Look for fish finders that will allow you to upgrade to better models, both in terms of hardware and software.
Fish finder and GPS combinations are definitely out there in the market for those who wish to invest in them. Fish finders are a life saver for fishermen nowadays and tend to be really useful for those who go out in the waters to fish. Given that the technology seems to be a bit complicated for novices, it is best to consider guides which will help you buy such units. You will be investing a big amount in installing such fish finders on board, so it is best to ensure that the product is worth paying for.
