Echo sounders for fishing will help increase the productivity of the fisherman. The device allows you to analyze the seabed, determine its relief and inhabitants. The user receives information from a special screen. If a novice fisherman may not even suspect the existence of such a tool, professionals never go fishing without it. To understand the many modern models, we suggest you check out the 9 best fish finders in 2020. When compiling the rating, we were guided by the analysis of their technical characteristics, price-quality ratio. Reviews of ordinary users and experts were also taken into account. But before that, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the selection criteria!
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What to look for when choosing an echo sounder?
The main characteristics of echo sounders include:
Audio transmitter power and receiver sensitivity
The accuracy of fixing objects in the analysis of the bottom depends on these parameters. A microcontroller is built inside the echo sounder, which calculates the size and position of the found object under water. The stronger the signal, the higher the likelihood of detecting even small objects underwater. Also important are the performance of the receiver, which must pick up the sound wave. The best option would be to buy a sonar with a power of 600 W and a good quality of the projected image.
Number of beams
When choosing a fish finder, rely on the type of fishing that you plan to do. If this is a professional direction, it is better to buy a good echo sounder with 2-5 beams. Cheaper models have 1 beam, which limits their ability to scan space.
Scan depth
Amateurs can choose models that can scan the bottom at a depth of 100 m, when professional echo sounders can successfully operate at 150 meters and above.
Bait function
An important option for those fishermen who bet on the amount of catch. A bait is a vibration signal that is sent to a fish. The individual perceives it as prey. The bait option is found even in budget models.
Display
Inexpensive sonars provide for simple monochrome screens that do not provide a color image with good brightness. More expensive models are equipped with a high-resolution LCD display, and touch control may also be present. If you plan to go fishing during the day in bright sun, it is better to pay attention to a fish finder with a high display contrast. This will allow you to accurately examine the bottom.
Availability of additional sensors
For example, side view or water temperature measurement. How important this or that option is for you is up to you.
Summary table of the best echo sounders
| Sonar model | Number of beams | Depth, m | Coverage, ° | Working temperature, ° C |
| Echo sounder Practician 6M | 1 | 25 | 40 | -20 – 60 |
| Lucky FFW718 | 1 | 40 | 90 | -20 – 70 |
| GSMIN WA3 | 1 | – | 105 | -10 – 60 |
| Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4x DI | 2 | 200 | 16-28 | – |
| Deeper Smart Sonar CHIRP + | 3 | – | 7-47 | -20 – 40 |
| Garmin Striker Plus 4CV | 2 | 488 | – | – |
| Garmin Striker Plus 9SV | 2 | 488 | – | – |
| Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 HDI 83/200 | 2 | 152 | – | -15 – 55 |
| FishHunter Directional 3D | 3 | 55 | 12-20 | -30 – 35 |
The best inexpensive fish finders for fishing under 10,000 rubles
Echo sounder Practician 6M
With the help of an echo sounder from the Praktik company, you can determine the topography of the bottom of the reservoir and the presence of certain types of fish as accurately as possible. For this purpose, a special recognition algorithm is triggered. The built-in LCD will display information in the form of 3 different sizes of symbols.
This is an indispensable tool for fishing in winter, and it will be useful for fishing from a boat in summer. The advantage of the model is that the display is equipped with a super-frost-resistant coating, which ensured its uninterrupted operation even at 20 degrees below zero.
The domestic manufacturer took care of the convenience and simplicity of gadget control. The whole process is carried out using 4 buttons. The screen is rotated 180 degrees. The Practician 6M works on an AA battery, which is enough for 100 hours of using the device.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 1 |
| Depth, m | 25 |
| Coverage, degrees | 40 |
| Working temperature, ° C | -20 – 60 |
- reliability - the case is hermetically sealed and equipped with anti-vandal protection in accordance with the IK-67 and IK-10 standards, respectively;
- durability of use due to the reinforcement of the frost-resistant coating of sensors and cables, elements of the battery compartment;
- simple control;
- unique sensor sensitivity - able to see the jig at a depth of 20 m;
- long battery life;
- device power adjustment;
- the ability to filter information about small and medium-sized objects.
- not found.
Lucky FFW718
Fishfinder with good LCD display and adjustable backlight. Experts advise to pay attention to the model for those who are engaged in river and lake fishing. The device weighs 165 grams, which is convenient for transportation.
The model is equipped with a single beam scanner. The viewing angle is wide enough - 90 degrees, at a frequency of the converter - 125 kHz. The device allows you to get a clear image even at a depth of 45 m, which is quite enough for an amateur exploring an unfamiliar area.
Equipped with an echo sounder option for automatic recognition of moving objects. As soon as the device detects a fish, a sound signal will sound, and the display will show information about the distance to the fish and data on its size. Also, the manufacturer has additionally installed a water temperature sensor in the model.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 1 |
| Depth, m | 40 |
| Coverage, degrees | 90 |
| Working temperature, ° C | -20 – 70 |
- sound indicator about the detection of fish;
- clear image on the LCD display;
- light weight and ease of transportation.
- instability of the echo sounder receiver to water.
GSMIN WA3
The manufacturer focused on the reliability and ease of use of the echo sounder by the fisherman. The device is wrapped in a sturdy case made of impact-resistant material. The control is simple, at the first connection the owner will not encounter problems, even without the skills to work with such a device. In fact, the device is a sonar float and a tablet, which are automatically connected to each other when it is put into operation. There is a possibility of remote control of the echo sounder at a maximum distance of 50 meters.
Autonomy of work - 5 hours. The viewing angle is 105 degrees. This allows the fisherman to quickly analyze the bottom and increase the productivity of the catch. The WA3 from GSMIN is the optimal solution for lake or river fishing.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 1 |
| Depth, m | – |
| Coverage, degrees | 105 |
| Working temperature, ° C | -10 – 60 |
- light weight - 180 grams;
- small dimensions 131x80x20 mm;
- wide viewing angle;
- intuitive controls.
- no.
The best fish finders for price and quality
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4x DI
The PiranhaMAX 4x DI is one of the finest echo sounders in the Humminbird range. The fishing gadget is practical and works flawlessly with a depth of up to 200 m. The display quality of objects is decent - the resolution of the color TFT display is 480x272 pixels. Also contributing to this was the manufacturer's decision to complement the device with Down Imaging technology.
The model is equipped with 2-beam standard Dual Beam technology, in the case of fishing at night - you can use the backlight. Upon reaching the set depth and finding fish, the PiranhaMAX 4x DI owner will be alerted with an audible signal. As additional options, there is a sensor for measuring the water temperature, the Zoom function to enlarge the picture on the display, Fish ID + - to determine the size of the object, Structure ID - to analyze the characteristics of the bottom.
Together with the echo sounder, the buyer receives a mounting base for the display, as well as a transducer for the boat transom, power cable and main receiver.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 2 |
| Depth, m | 200 |
| Coverage, degrees | 16-28 |
| Working temperature, ° C | – |
- waterproof case;
- simple control;
- user settings remain in the device memory;
- battery discharge indicator;
- full set.
- not detected.
Deeper Smart Sonar CHIRP +
Recommended for sea fishing. Signal transmission accuracy deserves special attention. The error in monitoring the bottom at a depth of 100 m is only 1 cm. A high rate is ensured by the introduction of CHIRP technology, which sends pulses into the water at different frequencies. The echo sounder is equipped with 3 beams at once. The most powerful of these is 675 kHz. The other 2 have frequencies of 100 and 290 kHz. Due to the difference between them, it is possible to conduct a more accurate scan.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 3 |
| Depth, m | – |
| Coverage, degrees | 7-47 |
| Working temperature, ° C | -20 – 40 |
- Wi-Fi support;
- scanning accuracy;
- sensor for measuring water temperature.
- short battery life - 4.5-6 hours (with and without GPS turned on, respectively).
Garmin Striker Plus 4CV
This fish finder can be used for lake and boat fishing. But there are limitations - the speed of the boat should not exceed 30 km / h. The model is equipped with a GPS module, as well as cartographic software that allows you to mark route points, monitor the speed of the boat and memorize data on the bottom area up to 8 thousand square meters.
The device has good image quality, even if the sun is shining or vice versa - bad weather is observed. The screen is equipped with a diagonal of 4.3 inches. The transmitter operates at 300 watts.
As an addition to the device, the manufacturer has provided the ability to analyze the movement of fish in real time and draw up a water temperature graph.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 2 |
| Depth, m | 488 |
| Coverage, degrees | – |
| Working temperature, ° C | – |
- simple control;
- protection of the case from water;
- support for GLONASS and GPS;
- mapping option;
- capacious memory reserves.
- fragile fasteners.
TOP of the best in different categories
Realizing that every fisherman approaches the choice of an echo sounder according to certain criteria, our editorial staff decided to draw up a separate TOP. The list includes: premium echo sounders for shore and boat fishing. Only one best model represents each category.
Premium - Garmin Striker Plus 9SV
The STRIKER Plus 9sv features a bright 9-inch display and GPS receiver for a clearer picture of the underwater world with Garmin CHIRP sonar. It simultaneously sends signals of different frequencies (50-800 kHz), and then separately decodes each reflected pulse. As a result, the user gets clear contours of the day, even at high speeds.
The fishfinder is compatible with Quickdraw Contours software, which allows you to create maps over an area of 8000 m2 They are saved in the device memory. Wi-Fi is used to pair with a smartphone. To do this, you need to use the ActiveCaptain application. The user gets the opportunity not only to receive alerts on the phone, but also to join the Quickdraw Contours community, where fishermen exchange new maps and useful data. Updates for STRIKER Plus 9sv can also be found there.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 2 |
| Depth, m | 488 |
| Coverage, degrees | – |
| Working temperature, ° C | – |
- bright display with a clear image;
- intuitive interface and device control;
- pairing with a smartphone;
- clear scanning of the bottom and creation of fish maps of the area.
- high price.
Boat Fishing - Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 HDI 83/200
This is a new product in the Lowrance line that is equipped with advanced technology and time-tested tools for productive fishing at shallow depths. The model is equipped with a 7-inch SolarMAX display and the FishReveal option, which helps to get a high-quality image of fish. Even in the DSI lower scan mode at 455/800 frequencies, the user can clearly see individuals on the display. The symbols will be represented as arcs. The sounder also supports the CHIRP option at 83/200.
To make the model even more convenient for fishing, the manufacturer has implemented the HOOK Reveal Autotuning option. This will allow you to get the best sonar image even when fishing conditions change frequently. There will be no problems navigating the menu, the fisherman will deal with a comfortable keyboard and an intuitive interface.
The fishfinder supports GLONASS, MSAS, EGNOS, WAAS, Navionics mapping and C-MAP options. It is possible to expand the memory using microSD, but the card should not be more than 32 GB. Tracks, routes and waypoints can be stored in memory.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 2 |
| Depth, m | 152 |
| Coverage, degrees | – |
| Working temperature, ° C | -15 – 55 |
- support for cartography;
- automatic tuning;
- the ability to increase the memory resource;
- bright high-resolution display;
- Convenient mounting of the echo sounder to a stand or panel.
- high price.
Shore Fishing - FishHunter Directional 3D
The main feature of this sonar is the presence of a 5-beam mechanism for the operation of the signal transmitter. They work at 3 frequencies: maximum - 675 kHz, as well as 475 and 381 kHz. This makes it possible to analyze the bottom even at a depth of 50 m. The pulse power is 300 W, with a viewing angle of 80 degrees.
Supports the fishfinder the ability to pair with a smartphone. To do this, you need to use Wi-Fi. The option of creating a 3-dimensional map of the studied bottom area is available, as well as adjusting the signal strength. This is a good option for those who do not want to bother fishing with complicated gadgets.
Characteristics:
| Number of beams | 3 |
| Depth, m | 55 |
| Coverage, degrees | 12-20 |
| Working temperature, ° C | -30 – 35 |
- easy setup;
- autonomy of work up to 10 hours;
- the sensor supports 5 beams;
- 3D cartography.
- high price.
Which fish finder is better to buy?
If you are thinking about purchasing an echo sounder, this information may be useful:
- the domestic brand Praktik managed to achieve an excellent combination of cost and good technical features. The budget echo sounder 6 will help out a fisherman who has gathered for winter fishing, and it will always come in handy in the warmer seasons. In the more expensive segment, check out the PiranhaMAX 4x DIPiranhaMax 4x DI from the American Humminbird brand.
- For sea fishing, the Deeper Smart Sonar CHIRP + is suitable, which has a low error in bottom analysis even at 100 m depth.
- For professional lake and river fishing, the premium model Garmin Striker Plus 9SV will be indispensable, but keep in mind that this purchase involves a substantial expense from the family budget.
Any of these echo sounders will help you get to know the new reservoir better and get a well-deserved trophy for the efforts made by the fisherman. Our editorial team hopes that the article will help the reader make the right choice, and if you have an idea how to supplement the TOP, share the information in the comments.
