Best GPS Fishfinder of 2022: Top 8 Tested & Reviewed

Another unique feature of the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5X SplitShot is its autotuning sonar function. When an angler boats into an area, the depth and conditions of the fishing area are calculated by the Reveal 5X, and provisions are made to provide optimal sonar operation. This feature should allow anglers to make more efficient use of their time on the water.

The GPS fish finder also utilizes a FishReveal function to differentiate between fish and other miscellaneous instances of sonar return. When the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5X SplitShot recognizes the signature of a fish, it is illuminated to create contrast from other objects that are graphed. This provides anglers with a definitive representation of what lies beneath their boat.

Many anglers will also likely find value in the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5X SplitShot’s GPS Plotter function. This function allows anglers to mark and store waypoints for future reference instantly. This feature should be immensely popular with tournament anglers, who often mark good locations when prefishing in an attempt not to waste time when returning on day one of the competition.    

Much of the Garmin Striker Plus 5CV’s pronounced viewing capabilities stem from the unit’s use of not one but two highly effective sonar platforms. This fishfinder GPS combo employs both standard CHIRP sonar and Garmin’s signature CHIRP Clear Vu sonar technology. Combined, these two applications produce high-quality images of all taking place within proximity to one’s boat.

The fish finder also features Garmin’s Quickdraw Contour Mapping software, which allows anglers to create and store up to 2 million acres of contour maps. This is a feature that should find favor among bass and crappie anglers, who often find themselves searching for suspended fish along drop-offs, points, and channel ledges. You will no longer be forced to guess the whereabouts of this location, as your graph will present all information needed.

Another highly regarded feature of this best fish finder is its bright 5-inch display, which you can read even in the face of direct sunlight. This feature will likely save anglers time and effort as the need to stoop and bend to view a sonar display will be a thing of the past. Images are also displayed in crystal clear clarity, thanks in large part to the unit’s 800 x 480 pixels count.

Another noteworthy feature of the Striker 4 is its GPS-enabled capabilities. So if you stumble upon an excellent site during your next outing on the lake, mark it as a waypoint, and return to it time and time again. This is also quite handy when attempting to navigate new waters where you have not previously ventured. Simply drop a waypoint at the boat ramp you launched, and travel toward this location should you become turned around.

It is also renowned for its depth of clarity, which comes as a byproduct of Garmin’s Clear Vu technology. This sonar operates at 200 kHz and probes to a maximum depth of 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater. This should be plenty deep enough for most any fishing application, as it will give clear images to depths where many game fish species are found.

This best fish finder features a 3.5” color display, which provides an outstanding definition, and is easy to decipher. The unit’s resolution is high enough that anglers should key in on subtle changes in bottom composition and any form of submerged structure.   

As mentioned, the Striker Plus 4 fish finders feature a dual-beam transducer for enhanced detection capabilities. This feature is nearly unheard of at this price point, making the Striker Plus 4 valuable for anglers of every skill type. As a byproduct of this technology, the Striker Plus 4 provides excellent target separation and can detect contour fluctuations of as little as 1’.

This best fish finder features a wealth of GPS-enabled capabilities, making it possible for anglers to drop waypoints whenever they have located a point of interest. This unit also comes preloaded with Garmin’s quickdraw contour mapping software, making it possible to reference up to 2 million acres of referenceable contour maps on a single unit.

Most anglers are also likely to appreciate the Striker 4 Plus’ easy-to-use interface, which allows simple navigation through various menu screens and maps. This unit is also renowned for its sizable 4.3-inch display screen, with a 272 X 480 pixels count. The sum of these features should allow this unit to be viewed concisely, even on the sunniest of days.  

Many anglers should find immense value in the Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP’s AutoChart Live programming. This program allows you to create custom maps of any given body of water in a fully automated fashion. Information is automatically stored regarding lake bed contour, vegetation, and bottom hardness as you pilot your boat. You can then use this information from that point forward to seek out areas of promise when attempting to locate fish in numbers.

One can also load additional maps onto the Helix 5 through the unit’s SD port, further expanding its guidance and mapping capabilities. One can simply store a map of any type onto an SD card and place it within their Helix 5 unit, and this map will also be at their fingertips anytime they are on the water. 

This best fish finder is also notable for its use of both side imaging and down imaging. These two capabilities provide a different vantage point of what is going on beneath the water’s surface. Down imaging is primarily known for its crystal clear depiction of structure and high-resolution capabilities. The unit’s CHIRP sonar is also mainly impervious to any foreign form interference, which bolsters the Helix 5’s reliability.

The mapping software Garmin Quickdraw Contours is another feature of the Garmin Striker 4cv that is likely to become an instant hit with most anglers. This software allows anglers to store and create maps with 1’ contours for up to around 2 million acres. This feature should be incredibly well-received by avid crappie anglers, who often rely upon contour maps to locate suspended post-spawn fish.

It also features first-in-class GPS capabilities, allowing anglers to mark a nearly infinite number of waypoints. In doing so, anglers can access prior points of interest in a far more efficient manner than they would have previously thought possible. This feature alone should make it possible to spend more time fishing, instead of boating around in search of your honey hole.

Many anglers should also favor the Striker 4cv’s 300 watts (RMS) power rating. This robust output allows its transducer signal to push through minor obstructions, such as silt, and penetrate deeper than many other units in its class. As a result, anglers using this fish finder GPS combo should notice little in the way of feedback.

One of the Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP’s most unique features is its Dual Spectrum programming. This programming allows anglers to toggle between individual transducer modes to select their desired view of what lies beneath. In Wide Mode, it scans the largest sweep of water possible, providing anglers with a significant scope of coverage. In Narrow Mode, a smaller area is scanned with an ultra-high level of detail.

No matter its mode of operation, the fish finder should provide a level of image clarity that few other sonar units can match. This GPS fish finder is created to help you see each fish, reach greater depths and range, and identify bait and structure. This level of ingenuity is likely to give tournament anglers the competitive edge that they seek.

The fish finder GPS combo also features a pronounced 7-inch screen, on which you can view all data in vivid color. Additionally, users are given the option of toggling between numerous split screen menus, which allow for simultaneous viewing of maps, graphs, and images. This should be of immense benefit to those who are looking to maximize their efficiency while on the water.  

The Lowrance Hook2 5X fish finders are unexpectedly easy to install. A single transducer can be mounted on the transom, inside the hull, on the trolling motor, or through a scupper hole, allowing an angler to choose the particular mounting option that best suits their needs. With the unit’s transducer and operational interface in place, you can make final connections hassle-free. Overall, a complete installation can be achieved in as little as an hour.

Anglers are also likely to find favor in the Lowrance Hook2 5X’s wide range of coverage. This unit offers a wide-range CHIRP sonar cone, which provides double the coverage of many traditional fish finders. This should make it easier than ever to cover the water rapidly in search of fish in numbers.

The GPS fish finder also features a host of GPS-enabled capabilities. Anglers can easily mark waypoints with the press of a button, allowing simple navigation to and from such locations in the future. This interactive format is likely to find favor among anglers who fish multiple lakes regularly and must be able to cover water in the most efficient manner possible.