fish finders

Rancocas · Jun 22, 2021

I'm in the market for a fish finder. I am technologically impaired, computer illiterate, don't even use a simple cellphone. So, I am really confused about all the various fish finders.
Here is what I think I want; 1. cost under $300. 2. I just want to see bottom contour and fish. I don't need or want GPS or to be able to connect to bluetooth (whatever that is) or a smartphone (whatever that is). I just want a simple fish finder that is easy to use for the average backwoods nincompoop.
I have a small, 14 foot aluminum boat with a 15 h.p. outboard that I want to mount the unit into.
So far, I'm leaning towards either a Hummingbird Helix 5 or a Lowrance Hook2 4X. But, I really don't understand what is what.
So, please give me some recommendations.

m_allison71 · Jun 22, 2021

I've got a Helix 5. I wouldn't recommend it. It looses depth completely or shows that I'm in 1000 feet of water. It has trouble loading charts and keeping them loaded. I'm currently looking at a garmin.

WTM · Jun 22, 2021

garmin striker 5cv gonna be the better units in that price range. user friendly and auto settings are usually spot on out of the box. albeit it does have wifi, gps, waypoint marking and software for map making included but you dont have to use any of that.

Garmin STRIKER Vivid 5cv with Transducer | The GPS Store

Garmin STRIKER Vivid 5cv with Transducer offers a vivid 5” display dedicated to fishfinding. Internal GPS allows for waypoint marking. Available now at The GPS Store

www.thegpsstore.com

have no experience with the helix 5 but the hook2 series had some problems with some units they shipped out. mostly comms between the head and the xducer, which some folks fixed by replacing the xducer.

clwg97 · Jun 22, 2021

Rock and a String:

Tie rock on string,
Lower out of boat until it stops falling
tie knot
Raise rope and see how far it is to rock
Repeat as many times as necessary to figure out how deep bottom is.

But in all honesty some of the kayak units may work for what you are looking for. Academy runs specials on them where they can get pretty affordable.

Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 Fishfinder | Free Shipping at Academy

Easily find, identify and track targets using the Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 Fishfinder. Its CHIRP traditional sonar system helps you see what's swimming below with crys...

www.academy.com

Rancocas · Jun 22, 2021

LOL Thanks for the replies. I actually have the rock and string unit. Works well for finding the depth, but it doesn't show me any fish.
I'll look at the Garmin Striker

Crow Terminator · Jun 22, 2021

Helix 5 has the older generation computer chips in them. If you get a Helix, make sure it's at least a Gen 3 (they call it G3N). The newer ones will load faster. To me, the Hook series are not the greatest. My boat came with the Hook Reveals and I had them taken off and replaced in short order.

If you don't want side view, the Garmin 73cv unit would be right down your alley. That's what I put on my trolling motor at the bow. That way I still have maps, 2D, and ClearVu.

utvolsfan77 · Jun 27, 2021

Crow Terminator said:
Helix 5 has the older generation computer chips in them. If you get a Helix, make sure it's at least a Gen 3 (they call it G3N). The newer ones will load faster. To me, the Hook series are not the greatest. My boat came with the Hook Reveals and I had them taken off and replaced in short order.

If you don't want side view, the Garmin 73cv unit would be right down your alley. That's what I put on my trolling motor at the bow. That way I still have maps, 2D, and ClearVu.

Crow Terminator, that's true but not totally accurate. I don't know much about Garmin or Lowrance units but with Humminbird units, the "G2" G3", etc. does identify the generation of manufacture, but the "N" at the end indicates whether or not a unit is networkable with other units (sonar, trolling motor, shallow water anchors, etc.) on the same boat. The "N" has absolutely nothing to do with which generation a unit is.

Please be aware that Humminbird makes several different models in both G3 and G3N versions. They are very similar but not the exact same units. The "N" suffix indicates that the unit is network capable and will connect via ethernet to other units in same boat.

How do I know this? I bought both a Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3 ($600) and a Helix 9 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3N ($1,200) from the Bass Pro Shops in Kodak back in late February during their first major fishing sale this year. But no matter what I did, I couldn't get them to "talk" to each other. As it turned out, in order to make them work and actually communicate with each other, I had to return the Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3 and exchange it for a Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3N ($100 more).

Didn't mean to hijack your thread. It's just that technology has gotten so advanced, it's hard to do simple comparisons between similar units anymore. In some cases, one digit difference in a model number or part number can amount to hundreds of dollars difference at the cash register.

waynesworld · Jun 28, 2021

I like my Helix but they are not basic and it has taken me some time to learn. But as UT has mention if you are going to have more then one I would get the N's just in case. I have both of mine networked so I can have my front show the SI.

Crow Terminator · Jun 28, 2021

utvolsfan77 said:
Crow Terminator, that's true but not totally accurate. I don't know much about Garmin or Lowrance units but with Humminbird units, the "G2" G3", etc. does identify the generation of manufacture, but the "N" at the end indicates whether or not a unit is networkable with other units (sonar, trolling motor, shallow water anchors, etc.) on the same boat. The "N" has absolutely nothing to do with which generation a unit is.

Please be aware that Humminbird makes several different models in both G3 and G3N versions. They are very similar but not the exact same units. The "N" suffix indicates that the unit is network capable and will connect via ethernet to other units in same boat.

How do I know this? I bought both a Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3 ($600) and a Helix 9 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3N ($1,200) from the Bass Pro Shops in Kodak back in late February during their first major fishing sale this year. But no matter what I did, I couldn't get them to "talk" to each other. As it turned out, in order to make them work and actually communicate with each other, I had to return the Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3 and exchange it for a Helix 7 CHIRP Mega DI/SI GPS G3N ($100 more).

Didn't mean to hijack your thread. It's just that technology has gotten so advanced, it's hard to do simple comparisons between similar units anymore. In some cases, one digit difference in a model number or part number can amount to hundreds of dollars difference at the cash register.

Actually I never said that the "N" was to determine what generation it is.

That's what the number typically differentiates . G2 = 2nd generation. G3 is 3rd generation. G4 = 4th generation. But..That in itself is not 100% accurate either. It's just easier to say it that way to get people to understand. There is no difference between a Gen 3 Mega and Gen 4 mega as far as imaging goes. They only changed the networking in the G4N to be NMEA 2000 compatible to be competitive/compatible with other products. We had a world of trouble out of the Gen 2s and that's currently all the Helix 5s are offered in. You can still find some Gen2s online for discounts. One Gen2 Helix 10 my dad had spent about as much time in Eufala as it did on the boat. The Humminbird customer service guy finally said they had received a bad batch of chips in the G2s and sent a replacement G3 Mega brand new unit. We've never had a single issue out of it, nor with the Gen 3 Helix 7s I had on my kayak and Jon boat. The sub units are often exactly the same, except for what maps come preloaded and what transducer it comes with. You can even opt for control units only without a transducer. My Garmin up front is listed as a CV unit...meaning it only does clearvu and 2D Chirp because the transducer it comes with isn't side view capable. But...I can hook a side view transducer to it and when the unit recognizes what transducer is attached, it gives the option in the menu for side view. The Hook Reveal units and Humminbirds are the same way. The preloaded maps are the other distinction. In the Garmins, a 93 UHD unit is exactly the same as a 94 UHD. The 94 is not newer or bigger sized...it just has coastal maps pre installed vs the 93 that has inland maps.

The Humminbird Mega imaging is currently leaps ahead of the competition as far as side scan and down scan goes. The Garmin has better maps IMO. I am happy with the Garmins but without a doubt, the Birds are clearer. I am going to be putting a Bird Solix at my console and maybe keep one Garmin there too for maps only, then have a Garmin up front to eventually add livescope to.

utvolsfan77 · Jun 28, 2021

Crow Terminator said:
Actually I never said that the "N" was to determine what generation it is.

That's what the number typically differentiates . G2 = 2nd generation. G3 is 3rd generation. G4 = 4th generation. But..That in itself is not 100% accurate either. It's just easier to say it that way to get people to understand. There is no difference between a Gen 3 Mega and Gen 4 mega as far as imaging goes. They only changed the networking in the G4N to be NMEA 2000 compatible to be competitive/compatible with other products. We had a world of trouble out of the Gen 2s and that's currently all the Helix 5s are offered in. You can still find some Gen2s online for discounts. One Gen2 Helix 10 my dad had spent about as much time in Eufala as it did on the boat. The Humminbird customer service guy finally said they had received a bad batch of chips in the G2s and sent a replacement G3 Mega brand new unit. We've never had a single issue out of it, nor with the Gen 3 Helix 7s I had on my kayak and Jon boat. The sub units are often exactly the same, except for what maps come preloaded and what transducer it comes with. You can even opt for control units only without a transducer. My Garmin up front is listed as a CV unit...meaning it only does clearvu and 2D Chirp because the transducer it comes with isn't side view capable. But...I can hook a side view transducer to it and when the unit recognizes what transducer is attached, it gives the option in the menu for side view. The Hook Reveal units and Humminbirds are the same way. The preloaded maps are the other distinction. In the Garmins, a 93 UHD unit is exactly the same as a 94 UHD. The 94 is not newer or bigger sized...it just has coastal maps pre installed vs the 93 that has inland maps.

The Humminbird Mega imaging is currently leaps ahead of the competition as far as side scan and down scan goes. The Garmin has better maps IMO. I am happy with the Garmins but without a doubt, the Birds are clearer. I am going to be putting a Bird Solix at my console and maybe keep one Garmin there too for maps only, then have a Garmin up front to eventually add livescope to.

You're right about that. Like I said before, technology has advanced so much, it's hard to do simple comparisons between similar units anymore. Anyone remember the early "flash" units from the mid to late 1970s? Things are generally better now but also much more complicated as well.

WTM · Jun 28, 2021

to do an apples to apples comparison between humminbird to garmin si, di you will need to run the gt56 on an ultra head or a gpsmap head. that transducer with those comparable resolution screens are fairly equal to mega si+. looking at the xducer specs for the gt56 i imagine there was some patent trading in order for garmin to improve on the gt54 and allow humminbird to use their livescope tech.

X-Tennessean · Jun 28, 2021

WTM said:
to do an apples to apples comparison between humminbird to garmin si, di you will need to run the gt56 on an ultra head or a gpsmap head. that transducer with those comparable resolution screens are fairly equal to mega si+. looking at the xducer specs for the gt56 i imagine there was some patent trading in order for garmin to improve on the gt54 and allow humminbird to use their livescope tech.

I feel like you hit the nail on the head!! Good reply and spot on.

jlanecr500 · Jun 28, 2021

I have 2020 models of the Helix 5 and 7 DI with gps. I use the 5 on my flat bottom when hunting rivers that are shallow and the gps keeps me off the bank in the dark. I use the 7 on the pontoon or bass boat for striper trolling. I use GPS to monitor speed and mark fish to come back across them on the next pass. Both load fast and I'm very happy with them. Of course, the fish I'm after are quite distinctive on screen, even on the 5 inch. Zoom in on the pic and it will clear up.

Crow Terminator · Jun 28, 2021

WTM said:
to do an apples to apples comparison between humminbird to garmin si, di you will need to run the gt56 on an ultra head or a gpsmap head. that transducer with those comparable resolution screens are fairly equal to mega si+. looking at the xducer specs for the gt56 i imagine there was some patent trading in order for garmin to improve on the gt54 and allow humminbird to use their livescope tech.

I agree about the transducer spec trading. When I first got mine, I compared my GT56 to dad's Mega transducer and they are identical. Even the mount and mount holes are exactly the same.

The 93sv UHD is a bit mis leading on the UHD part. I had assumed the U stood for "Ultra" and that the 10 and it shared the same screen resolution. But the screen res for it is just 400x800. The 10" Ultra is 1280x800. The way they market the 93 with the UHD distinction, it makes it seem like it does have the same Ultra res specs as the 10...just with a smaller screen. Comparable size Helix 9" or 10" Mega are both 1024x600. Interesting. At the time I bought my 93, everything else was back ordered anyways, which is why I went with Garmin over the Birds in the first place...couldn't find a 10" one in stock and they are still scarce today . But I just looked and found several Ultra 106sv in stock without the transducer. I bought one since I already have the GT56 transducer. I'll be able to move the 93 up front and that should be big enough if I add live scope up there.

Each one has its own thing it does better than the other. I love competition between companies. We as consumers are the ones who benefit....except for when you think about having $5,000+ in electronics at your console and bow.

fish finders

Rancocas

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m_allison71

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WTM

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Garmin STRIKER Vivid 5cv with Transducer | The GPS Store

clwg97

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Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 Fishfinder | Free Shipping at Academy

Rancocas

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Crow Terminator

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utvolsfan77

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waynesworld

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Crow Terminator

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utvolsfan77

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WTM

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X-Tennessean

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jlanecr500

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