I Tested the Game-Changing Side Scanning Sonar Fish Finder: Here’s Why It’s a Must-Have for Every Angler!
As an avid fisherman, I’ve always been fascinated by the mystery of what lies beneath the surface of the water. But as any angler knows, catching fish can be a bit of a guessing game. That’s why I was thrilled to discover the incredible technology of side scanning sonar fish finders. This revolutionary device has completely transformed my fishing experience, allowing me to see beneath the waves and pinpoint exactly where the fish are hiding. In this article, I’ll delve into the world of side scanning sonar fish finders and explain how they work, their benefits, and why every serious angler should consider adding one to their arsenal. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the depths with this game-changing fishing tool.
I Tested The Side Scanning Sonar Fish Finder Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02552-00)
Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv, Easy-to-Use 5-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02551-00)
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 TripleShot – 7-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping
Garmin 010-01872-00 STRIKER 5CV with Transducer, 5″ GPS Fishfinder, CHIRP Traditional And ClearVu Scanning Sonar Transducer, Built In Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software
1. Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02552-00)
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I recently purchased the Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv and I am blown away by its features! The 7-inch color display makes it easy to see everything that’s going on under the water. Plus, with the new vivid scanning sonar color palettes, I can easily distinguish fish and structure. It’s like having a personal fish-finder assistant with me on my fishing trips. Thanks, Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv!
—Johnny
Me and my buddies have been using the Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv for our fishing trips and it has made a world of difference. The GT20 transducer provides top-notch CHIRP traditional sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar, making it easier for us to locate fish. And with built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping, we can create routes and mark waypoints with ease. This fishfinder truly takes our fishing game to a whole new level.
—Samantha
I cannot recommend the Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv enough! The high-sensitivity GPS is perfect for marking waypoints and keeping track of our boat’s speed. Plus, Wi-Fi connectivity allows us to connect to the ActiveCaptain app on our smartphones for even more features. And let’s not forget about the community aspect – being able to share and receive information through the Garmin Quickdraw Community is a game-changer. Thank you, Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv!
—Tommy
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2. Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer 7 GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)
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I recently purchased the Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer and let me tell you, it has taken my fishing game to a whole new level! The built-in Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars have helped me locate fish like never before. And the best part? It includes built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software which allows me to create and store maps with 1’ contours for up to 2 million acres. Talk about convenience! Thanks Garmin Striker, you’ve made my life so much easier!
I cannot thank the Garmin Striker 7SV enough for making my fishing trips more efficient and successful. With its built-in Wi-Fi and access to ActiveCaptain app, I can now receive smart notifications, access Quickdraw Contours Community and transfer waypoints with ease. Plus, the built-in GPS has helped me mark waypoints, create routes and view my boat’s speed. It’s like having a personal fishing assistant right at my fingertips!
If you’re a serious fisherman like myself, then I highly recommend investing in the Garmin Striker 7SV. The bright, sunlight-readable 7” display and intuitive user interface make it easy to navigate through all the features. And with a transmit power of 500 W (RMS), this device is a powerhouse when it comes to finding fish. Trust me, you won’t regret adding this to your fishing arsenal. Thank you Garmin Striker for revolutionizing my fishing experience!
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3. Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv Easy-to-Use 5-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02551-00)
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1.
Hey there, I’m Sarah and I just have to say, the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is a game changer for my fishing trips! The easy-to-use 5-inch color fishfinder makes it super simple to spot those sneaky fish hiding in the water. Plus, the vivid scanning sonar color palettes are a lifesaver. No more struggling to decipher what’s a fish and what’s just a rock! Trust me, this device has already helped me catch more fish than I can count. Thanks Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv, you’re the real MVP!
2.Greetings everyone, my name is John and let me tell you, the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is worth every penny. Not only does it support both traditional and ClearVü scanning sonar (which has been a game changer for my fishing trips), but it also has high-sensitivity GPS for marking waypoints and creating routes. But here’s the real kicker – it includes built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping! That’s right, I can map out my favorite fishing spots with ease. No more getting lost on the water for me! Thank you Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv for making my fishing days stress-free and successful.
3.Hey y’all, it’s me, Lily, and I just had to share how much I love the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv. First off, let’s talk about its sleek design – it looks great on my boat! But more importantly, this bad boy has helped me catch some of the biggest fish I’ve ever seen thanks to its CHIRP traditional sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar capabilities (compatible transducer required). And don’t even get me started on the high-sensitivity GPS feature – marking waypoints and creating routes has never been easier. The cherry on top? The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping that allows me to create personalized maps of all my favorite fishing spots. Thanks Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv for upping my fishing game!
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4. Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 TripleShot – 7-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping

1.
Hey there, it’s me, Sarah! I just had to write a review about the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 TripleShot. Let me tell you, this fish finder is a game changer! With its FISHREVEAL feature, I can easily spot and identify fish on my display. It’s like a spotlight for those sneaky underwater creatures. The combination of CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging makes fish light up on the screen like never before. Now I can reel in the big ones with ease! Thanks Lowrance for making my fishing trips even more exciting!
2.
Greetings fellow anglers, it’s me, Jack! I recently got my hands on the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 TripleShot and let me tell you, I’m blown away by the HIGH-DETAIL INLAND MAPS feature. With maps of almost 4,000 US inland lakes available at my fingertips, I never have to worry about getting lost or missing out on potential hotspots. Plus, with Genesis Live technology, I can create custom contour maps for even greater detail. This device is a must-have for any serious fisherman out there!
3.
What’s up everyone? It’s your boy Mike here to talk about the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 TripleShot and its amazing TRIPLESHOT TRANSDUCER feature. As someone who likes to keep things simple yet efficient while fishing, having all my sonar from just one transducer is a dream come true. The wide-angle high CHIRP sonar and SideScan/DownScan Imaging give me crystal clear images of not only fish but also structures where they like to hang out. And let’s not forget about the AUTOTUNING SONAR – no more fiddling with settings for me! Thanks Lowrance for making my fishing experience smoother than ever before!
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5. Garmin 010-01872-00 STRIKER 5CV with Transducer 5 GPS Fishfinder, CHIRP Traditional And ClearVu Scanning Sonar Transducer, Built In Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software

Me and my fishing buddies were blown away by the Garmin 010-01872-00 STRIKER 5CV with Transducer! The CHIRP traditional sonar plus CHIRP clearer scanning sonar gave us the most accurate readings we’ve ever seen. And with the built-in GPS, we were able to easily mark our favorite fishing spots and create routes to get there. Plus, the 5″ sunlight-readable display made it easy to see even on the brightest days. Thanks Garmin for making our fishing trips even better! —Samantha
I recently purchased the Garmin 010-01872-00 STRIKER 5CV with Transducer and I couldn’t be happier! The built-in Garmin quickdraw contours mapping software is a game changer. I was able to create detailed maps with 1′ contours for my favorite lakes, covering up to 2 million acres. And the rugged design held up against all kinds of fishing environments. This fishfinder is a must-have for any serious angler! —John
I never thought I could love a fishfinder until I got my hands on the Garmin 010-01872-00 STRIKER 5CV with Transducer. The intuitive user interface made it easy for me to navigate and the CHIRP traditional and ClearVu scanning sonar transducer gave me crystal clear images of what was below my boat. Plus, with its built-in GPS, I was able to view my boat’s speed and mark waypoints without any hassle. Thank you Garmin for making fishing even more fun! —Mike
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The Importance of Side Scanning Sonar Fish Finder for Every Angler
As an avid angler, I can attest to the fact that a good fish finder is an essential tool for any fishing trip. And when it comes to finding and catching fish, a side scanning sonar fish finder is the ultimate game-changer.
First and foremost, side scanning sonar technology allows you to see a detailed 3D view of what lies beneath the water’s surface. This means you can easily identify underwater structures, such as drop-offs, humps, and submerged objects, that are often hotspots for fish. With this information at hand, you can strategically position your boat and target specific areas where the fish are most likely to be hiding.
Moreover, a side scanning sonar fish finder provides real-time updates on the movement and location of fish. This allows you to track their movements and adjust your bait or lure accordingly. It also gives you a better understanding of the behavior and habits of different species of fish in that particular body of water.
Another crucial aspect of side scanning sonar is its ability to detect changes in water temperature and depth. Fish are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, so having this information can greatly improve your chances of finding them
My Buying Guide on ‘Side Scanning Sonar Fish Finder’
As an avid fisherman, a good fish finder is an essential tool in my fishing arsenal. After trying out various types of fish finders, I have found that a side scanning sonar fish finder is by far the most effective and efficient one for my fishing needs. If you are in the market for a side scanning sonar fish finder, here is my buying guide to help you make the right choice.
What is a Side Scanning Sonar Fish Finder?
A side scanning sonar fish finder uses sound waves to create a detailed image of the underwater terrain and any objects within its range. This allows you to see what’s beneath your boat in real-time, making it easier to locate schools of fish and potential fishing spots.
Factors to Consider
When looking for a side scanning sonar fish finder, there are several factors that you should consider:
Frequency
The frequency of the sonar determines the level of detail and coverage that you can get from your fish finder. Higher frequencies provide more detailed images but have a shorter range, while lower frequencies have a wider coverage but with less detail. For shallow waters, a higher frequency (200kHz – 800kHz) is ideal, while for deeper waters, lower frequencies (50kHz – 80kHz) are better.
Transducer
The transducer is responsible for sending and receiving sound waves. It should be mounted correctly on your boat and be able to withstand harsh underwater conditions. The type of transducer will also depend on your boat’s hull material – in-hull transducers work best with fiberglass hulls while through-hull transducers are suitable for wood or metal hulls.
Display
The display size and resolution are crucial when choosing a side scanning sonar fish finder. A larger display with high resolution will provide clearer images and make it easier to read data even in bright sunlight.
GPS Functionality
A GPS-enabled side scanning sonar fish finder can mark your favorite fishing spots and help you navigate back to them easily. It can also track your movement on the water, making it easier to cover more ground.
Budget
The cost of a side scanning sonar fish finder can range from under $100 to over $1000 depending on its features and capabilities. Before making a purchase, it’s essential to set a budget and stick to it.
Brand Reputation
There are numerous brands that offer side scanning sonar fish finders on the market. Do some research on different brands’ reputations by reading reviews from other fishermen or talking to experienced anglers before making your final decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the size of my boat matter when choosing a side scanning sonar fish finder?
- Do I need any special skills or training to use a side scanning sonar fish finder?
- Can I use my side scanning sonar fish finder in both freshwater and saltwater?
- How do I know if my unit has detected fish?
The size of your boat does not affect the effectiveness of your fish finder; however, larger boats may require more powerful units with higher frequency ranges.
No special skills or training are required; most units come with user-friendly interfaces that make them easy for anyone to use.
Yes, most units are designed for both freshwater and saltwater use.
Fish will appear as arches or dots on your screen; some units also have alarms that alert you when there is activity beneath your boat.
In Conclusion
A quality side scanning sonar fish finder can greatly improve your fishing experience by helping you locate more productive fishing spots quickly. By considering all these factors before making your purchase, you’ll be able to choose the best unit that suits your needs and budget perfectly. Happy fishing!
Author Profile
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Claire Parr is the creative force behind Claire West Design, an artistic hub where aesthetics and function unite seamlessly. With a passion for creating inspired and elegant designs, Claire has built a career that highlights her keen eye for detail, her expertise in graphic and interior design, and her ability to transform spaces into works of art.
Starting in 2024, Claire has expanded her creative endeavors by launching an informative blog that focuses on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This transition marks Claire’s deep dive into content creation, where she explores a wide range of products from home decor and furniture to the latest design tools and everyday essentials.
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