Fishing can be a hobby and a career. Whatever your pursuit is, coming home with an empty creel is likely to spoil your day. Meanwhile, fish finders can change the situation, especially GPS combos. They help locate fish and easy to operate. However, not everyone, novices, in particular, can pick up the right device.
After hundreds of hours floating on rivers and seas, I’ve summed up a list of the best fish finder GPS combo models. Let's review together in detail.
Here are the best fish finders gps combo (Apr 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer, 4-inch GPS Fishfinder
- Best For Vertical Jigging: Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5-inch GPS Fishfinder
- Best For Small Fishing Boats: Lowrance HOOK2 5 – 5-inch Fishfinder
- Best For Ice Fishing: Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fishfinder
- Best For Trolling: Deeper PRO+ GPS Portable Wireless Fishfinder
- Best For Beginners: Humminbird HELIX 7 Fishfinder
| Top 6 Best Fish Finders GPS Combo | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer, 4-inch GPS Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best For Vertical Jigging | Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5-inch GPS Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best For Small Fishing Boats | Lowrance HOOK2 5 – 5-inch Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best For Ice Fishing | Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best For Trolling | Deeper PRO+ GPS Portable Wireless Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best For Beginners | Humminbird HELIX 7 Fishfinder | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer, 4-inch GPS Fishfinder
- Versatile
- Rugged design for all environments
- Clarity enhanced
- Convenient to operate
- No manuals included.
When it comes to the best fish finder GPS combo, the Garmin striker 4cv should appear on top. The combination of Garmin ClearVü scanning sonar and Garmin CHIRP technology promises to bring about photographic images of all the marine life under your boat.
Notably, the CHIRP technology integrated into this striker creates multiple frequencies from low to high for different results. The product can work in every environment with a sunlight-readable display. Besides, the screen is large enough to ensure you won't miss any information while the intuitive interface facilitates simple navigation.
| Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer, 4-inch GPS Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 11.2oz |
Dimension | 3.9 x 1.8 x 6.9 inches |
Watts RMS | 300 |
Maximum Depth | N/A |
Highlight Features | CHIRP traditional sonar CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar and built-in quickdraw contours mapping software. |
The Garmin striker 4cv fish finder is perfect for stationary fishing, such as crappie, ice, or jigging.
Best For Vertical Jigging: Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5-inch GPS Fishfinder
- Produces crystal clear images
- Highly sensitive GPS
- Incredible depth
- Buttons are tricky to clean
- Challenging to see under the sun.
The Garmin 4 striker has made fishing more comfortable than before. It produces explicit and uninterrupted images regardless of abrupt depth scale changes.
A fishing symbol ID is available for target identification, increasing the chances of catching fish. The unit also enables you to mark your favorite spot to return next time. With the auto gain, you can filter noise and set the device automatically, saving a lot of time and effort.
| Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5-inch GPS Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 8oz |
Dimension | 3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches |
Watts RMS | 200 |
Maximum Depth | 1,600 ft freshwater, 750 ft saltwater |
Highlight Features | Waypoint map Smooth scaling graphics Keypad operation Built-in flasher and CHIRP (77/200 kHz) transducer. |
The Garmin 4 striker suits advanced fishers best, given its innovative features.
Best For Small Fishing Boats: Lowrance HOOK2 5 – 5-inch Fishfinder
- Easy to set up and use
- Wider sonar coverage
- Optimized keypad
- Upgradable
- Difficult to see in the sunlight.
Don’t let the simple look of this Lowrance Hook2 you misjudge about its functionality. Suitable for small boats, it provides enough power for enjoyable outgoings.
You can create three panels: straight down imaging by a TripleShot transducer, fish arch view by CHIRP sonar, and 300’ to each side by SideScan sonar. Therefore, you will get an overview of the water terrain from current speed, temperature, and other metrics. It’s time to turn on the device and let automated sonar settings do the rest.
| Lowrance HOOK2 5 – 5-inch Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.6oz |
Dimension | 9 x 7.5 x 7.13 inches |
Watts RMS | 200 |
Maximum Depth | 1,000 |
Highlight Features | Traditional sonar scans TrackBack Fish ID DownScan Overlay SplitShot Transducer and Fish ID. |
If your fishing trip is small-scaled, this Lowrance Hook2 fish finder packs all your necessities.
Best For Ice Fishing: Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fishfinder
- Powerful
- Robust design
- Simple to operate
- Waterproof rating
- Expensive
Launched by Humminbird, the 410210-1 HELIX 5 model is worth your investment. With a 5-inch display and 2D sonar, it allows you to read clearly and conveniently, even in harsh glare, thanks to the full-color crisp feature.
I highly appreciate the product's ample power storage up to 500 watts. It lasts enough to operate in deep ocean waters. Also, the dual-beam contains a narrow one for more accurate navigation and a wide one for a broader search area. Thus, you can see the bottom and fish concurrently.
| Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.5oz |
Dimension | 1.1 x 7.5 x 4.3 inches |
Watts RMS | 500 |
Maximum Depth | 2500 feet |
Highlight Features | Down imaging CHIRP digital sonar Built-in base map Auto chart live Switch fire Dual beam and MicroSD slot. |
The waterproof rating of IPX7 together with a maximum depth of 2500 feet makes the unit deserve the title of the best fish finder GPS combo under the ice or in coastal waters and freshwater lakes.
Best For Trolling: Deeper PRO+ GPS Portable Wireless Fishfinder
- Well-built
- Strong wireless connectivity
- Vast casting range
- Easy to use
- Short-lived battery
- No night fishing feasible
As a castable fish finder, the Deeper PRO+ model is suitable for ice or shore fishing. Rather than attaching the unit to the boat, you throw it into the water.
The product boasts a specially designed Ice Fishing mode that comes with 2D vertical zoom and flasher display. The Deeper app is also available, making it easier to find hotspots and fish. There’s diverse information from water depth, temperature to fish size, and underwater vegetation. You can download it onto your smartphone and track your location via GPS.
| Deeper PRO+ GPS Portable Wireless Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 3.5oz |
Dimension | 3 x 5.3 x 5.9 inches |
Watts RMS | N/A |
Maximum Depth | 260 feet |
Highlight Features | Cloud storage GPS onshore mapping, Wi-fi connection and advanced Lake book data platform. |
The Deeper PRO+ GPS fish finder is a convenient and budget-friendly choice for those planning a joyful trolling.
Best For Beginners: Humminbird HELIX 7 Fishfinder
- Clear outputs in sunlight
- Multiple sonar functions available
- Upgradeable
- Water-resistant
- Easy to install
- A unit cover unavailable
If you’ve just taken up fishing, an easy-to-use and simple device should be your priority. The Humminbird HELIX 7 fish finder is an example.
It offers two search ways: wide and narrow mode for an overall view and maximum detail, respectively. Given the two display modes, you're able to change account of water turbulence and temperature while watching lure presentations.
| Humminbird HELIX 7 Fishfinder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5.3oz |
Dimension | 10.5 x 3.7 x 5.8 inches |
Watts RMS | 500 |
Maximum Depth | 1,200 feet |
Highlight Features | Mega down imaging Dual spectrum CHIRP Low Q CHIRP transducer and accessories included. |
Heading towards simplicity and functionality, the Humminbird HELIX 7 fish finder will help novices through challenging steps of fishing.
How To Choose The Best Fish Finders GPS Combo?
There’re a few criteria you need to bear in mind when searching for the best fish finder GPS combo.
Display
- Three typical screen sizes are available, including 5, 7, and 9 inches. It's difficult to read the 5-inch screen, especially from a distance, but it's suitable for kayaks and small boats. Meantime, medium fishing boats require larger displays. The ideal resolution is at least 800 x 480 pixels.
- If possible, seek extra features for enhanced visibility, such as glare-resistant or backlit screens. They allow you to get a good view even on sunny days; otherwise, flacking or cracking is unavoidable.
Maximum Depth
- Depending on your intended location for fishing, you should consider the suitable depth range of your device. A fish finder working effectively under thousands of feet of water may be too much for shallow water but never unnecessary for big lakes.
- There's a variety of maximum depths you can choose from 500 feet up to 5000 feet. However, freshwater provides a better condition for fish finders' operation than saltwater in terms of depth.
Transducer
- It serves to detect signals reflected from objects after contacting beams in the water. Not all fish finders are equipped with transducers. Although they can still work by emitting their signals into the water, a transducer can provide stronger ones.
- Don’t go for plastic units. They may be easy to install and inexpensive, but susceptible to breakdown. Instead, going for the stainless-steel model makes more sense.
Navigation And Mapping
- The higher the GPS frequencies are, the more accurate your device is. At the same time, excellent route plotting is feasible, even at high speeds.
- Investment in good maps is worthwhile since you can quickly locate the boat and share your comments. Such data can appear on other devices like tablets, smartphones, in real-time thanks to the memory card and network connectivity.
Waterproof
- Water rating may be helpful in case you fear water may splash up into your boat and damage your fishfinder. The water rating of IPX6 or IPX7 is suitable. IPX7 implies the product can stay intact in water under a meter deep for half an hour, while the IPX6 label means resistance to the water jet for 3 minutes. If you drop the device into the water by mistake, it's still usable.
Sonar
- Low frequencies have a limited target separation ability but offer a broader range of sonars. Meanwhile, higher ones provide more detailed views and good separation despite restricted ranges.
- In particular, CHIRP sonars adjust frequencies based on real conditions to create the best target detection and facilitate bottom mapping.
Size
- The size of your vehicle will decide how big the fish finder should be. Something compact is easy to fit into small boats, while smaller devices allow you to transport them around in a tackle box more conveniently. However, don't choose small finders, for it may be difficult to see data.
Memory
- Given the product integrates a fishfinder with GPS, it understandably consumes considerable space. Thus, make sure it has sufficient storage memory. Memory is available in a couple of forms: external or internal, but the combination of both works best.
Which Brands Make The Best Fish Finders GPS Combo?
Garmin
- Garmin is a popular name worldwide among both amateur and professional fishers. It has launched several dependable products, notably fish finders for anglers, at a very affordable price range. Currently, the brand is leading GPS technology.
Humminbird
- Humminbird is proud of setting the trend with the latest technologies. It was the pioneer in equipping a waterproof depth sounder with LCR screens and then 360-degree sonar technology. The brand is committed to meeting customers' demands with its unique and innovative products.
FAQs
What are the advantages of a fish finder with a GPS?
Compared to regular fish finders, those with a GPS reduce the time of location identification by half, allowing you to fish at great ease. They're easy to install, and you don't have to prepare tools besides a boat and power source. Their accuracy is undoubted, in terms of longitude and latitude.
A GPS-equipped fish finder can work well in every weather conditions from rain, snow, ice to aggressive water bodies. Also, the unit enables the review of your boat's previous movements. At the same time, the internal database contains all necessary information for next fishing trips; thereby, there's no need to cram your mind.
What maps are available for the GPS?
Most fish finders document the map of large and well-known lakes. However, if your destination is streams or smaller ponds, you can customize and store your route in real-time as you start your journey.
How do fish side imaging finders work?
A side-imaging fish finder locates marine creatures by emitting sonar waves from boat sides. It provides an overview of water bodies and shows you to the hidden corners of bays where fish may gather. At the same time, the process of scanning the water is quicker since the device searches many directions at the same time.
How long do fish finders last?
The duration of fish finders depends on the capacity of the battery used. A 15 to 18Ah battery can power a 10-12-hour trip. Meanwhile, the 4.5-6 Ah model supplies enough energy for shorter trips that last for 3 to 4 hours.
Can you see fish on down imaging?
Yes. Down imaging acts by directing sonar waves from the bottom of your boat, thereby finding more fish.
Is side imaging better than down imaging?
It depends. Compared to down imaging, side imaging provides a better point of view with better picture quality in shallow creeks and bays. However, it only proves useful when capturing at low speeds, so you may miss several schools of fish. Down imaging can work well when the boat reaches high paces, and it suits deep waters.
Conclusion
Before seeking the best fish finder GPS combo for your own, it's crucial to research water type and the depth of fish you desire to catch.
I hope you've already had your answer to your pursuit. And if you have any question regarding the gear, just leave in the comment box. I’d be answering as soon as possible.
Don’t forget to like and share the post. See you soon in my next posts.
Bryan Listor
