Best Fish Finders under $500 for 2021 (Most Affordable)

[@texasplumr]

I have a Helix 5 and it's my very first fish finder. I'm happy with it but then, I fish the same river over and over. The thing about rivers is they are constantly changing. Every time we get a good rain something is different. And it might be just bank erosion or new brush and trees that washed down but it's always different. I know this river intimately so questioned myself when I bought this unit but at the end of the day, it put me on fish in spots I had never fished before and probably wouldn't have ever fished had I not bought the Hummingbird or some other fish finder. The only knock against it for an old man like me is that it isn't a little easier to learn for tech challenged folks, like myself. It's been a process. Thankfully I'm not ashamed to ask for help and there are people out there, like yourself, who are good at speaking plain language when demonstrating different things.

[@joepublic9597]

Perfect timing! I'm a newly retired first time fish finder user looking at these 3 units for 500$. I was still trying to decide. I was asking questions at bass pro and the guy couldn't answer my questions about when the fish scrolled across the screen, where was that in the cone. He didn't know anything about a cone. Your website is saving the day for me. thank you

[@FloppingCrappie]

You're welcome, glad the videos are helpful

[@dougschust1]

In general, the TI units are faster in response to inputs. This is seen when quickly switching between sonar, downscan, chart, and split screens kzbin.infoUgkxeAxH15LxhjGlg5-CRYqjTGTEH0tbY4vk recommend The Hook units will show some lag on button pushes and screen switching. The big ticket item though is maps. If you install a mapping card such as Navionics or the free C-Map Genesis which has a lot of map detail, then moving around the map with the cursor or when running down the lake can lag significantly on the Hook units, but is seamless with the TI units.

[@irench]

I know it is over a year ago you made this video but it has been very hard for me to find a clean and clear analysis of the available units in this price range until I found yours. So, thanks. I'm sure you've heard it before but 1 as an average angler spending 1200 on a electronics is a perfect way to cause me to suffer a stroke. I like how you have presented the material and don't belittle anyone for considering purchase of these pieces. Lots of us love to fish but have to purchase tackle and so forth from less than the high priced chains. I also was, am very frustrated with the topo map situation. Something that stopped me from purchasing two years ago when the lakes I live near, toilet bowl ponds compared to the midwest and places with real water, are not included in the available charts. Combined with the AZGF being determined to destroy any bass fishery with foreign cat and trout stocking I'm ready to say to hell with it. But I love fishing and I'm going to put the effort into dragging my boat to the western edge of AZ in hope of finding some better fisheries. thanks again

[@justdoingitjim7095]

I got the Garmin Striker 7 Vivid SV, because I fish only one lake and because it uses less power. My boat is a 1969 aluminum V-hull with a 1969 Evinrude 25hp w/electric start. The motor does NOT charge the battery, so that one deep cycle battery has to start my motor and run my electronics. Eventually I'll probably get another battery if it appears this one can't keep up, but I'm gonna try it for a while first. I can always pull start the motor, but I'm 70 years old and it's a bother. Total cost for the Garmin delivered to the door was $560.

[@douglasdoyle7507]

I have the Garmin striker on my boats and I really love them. To me they are very easy to use. I also have navionics map app on my cellphone with gps for around $10.00 a year so I can see where I’m fishing and mark spots on the fish finder.

[@codycantrell2780]

Is this a separate app you are using or part of the Garmin Active Captain App?

[@jasonlins9033]

I appreciate you making this video and clearly explaining the features, thanks.

[@MarcoVelasco-y4z]

Hi, do you have any recommendations on a fish finder for 2024? Same peice range of $500 as in your 2021 review. If you have a newer review, please send link. Thanks in advance.

[@sreduos]

Got a little worried. My Garmin comes tomorrow… lol I am new to fishing and bought a boat that had a Garmin and the previous owner left all the cabling and transducer so I just went with that. After this video I may have been swayed a little bit but I hope the contours aren’t a big deal for me. I plan on fishing the same few bodies of water with an occasional trip to a new spot. So I think I still made the right choice! Time will tell, then I’ll probably want an upgrade anyway.

[@sargentt6003]

Bird is the word Mega is worth the price,I suggest a 7 to start because size matters

[@shelbyz88]

Thanks for doing this video. The descriptions online are all very confusing. This helps a lot!

[@bitmor2628]

I just bought a Lowrance Hook Reveal 7sv with maps and side view for $250 at Sportsmans. It's normally $399.

[@FloppingCrappie]

@bitmor2628 that's a really good deal!

[@charlesronk2989]

I would wait until black friday and save another 100 bucks. Then hope like last year you can get a Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 93sv for 599.00. That is how I got mine.

[@przemysaw124]

Hello Can you help me choose a fish finder? Is GARMIN ECHOMAP ULTRA 102sv + GT56UHD-TM TRANSDUCER or LOWRANCE Elite FS9 better? I use side sonar and traditional downscan Which one shows better in your opinion? Which one is better to buy? Can you advise me? I have been using Lowrance Elite 5 HDI for 10 years and now I want something newer and better

[@FloppingCrappie]

@@przemysaw124 the Garmin echomap ultra is the better option

[@robertcollyer3500]

I clicked on your link, the unit was not Triple Shot, you have to move up to 7" for $650

[@kevinshelton3919]

I was looking at Garmin sticker cv5 plus model. Is this a good unit or do you think I should spend my money on another model. If you can you get me the exact models you think would work good for me . Thanks Kevin

[@FloppingCrappie]

For that price range ($300-350), all the units for different manufacturers will be similar. Understand that CV means downing imaging only, no side imaging in this unit. Usually side imaging units (new) cost $500+. It is a decent unit for that price range.

[@Kgoutdoor]

What about salt water inshore fishing in Florida? Would these fish finders with maps on it have all of that?

[@dougnice67]

I'm not a tweaker...So I'm going with the Hook Reveal. Thanks

[@lockyraglus3358]

Yet to try the Garmin have one brand new sitting in box for past 6mths bout to hook it up on my kayak

[@coleprezkop8098]

Just ordered the lowrance!

[@TRUMPWONHECKYEA]

I just installed my striker 7sv today going to play with it tomorrow

[@dtrain1476]

Awesome information. Thanks for sharing!!

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Hey Davis u have used them all what's the best si is mega that much better than garmins new gt56 ducer ?? Oh and thank you for doing these reviews it means alot coming from a actual fisherman 👍

[@FloppingCrappie]

The gt56 transducer does produce the mega imaging signal, so it's pretty much the same as humminbird mega.

[@donniefoster7713]

I know it’s 2024 but today if you were buying one with SI AND DI imagining for crappie fishing from a 14 ft aluminum boat first time buyer needs to be user friendly on a budget $600 less? Give me your honest opinion that you would buy

[@FloppingCrappie]

I would look for a used Garmin echomap 73sv uhd. Typically, they go on sale for $599, but you could find a used one for less. If you wanted to buy new: either the lowrance hook reveal tripleshot or garmin striker SV. Both those units should be less than $600. I don't believe humminbird makes the helix 5 with side imaging anymore, the new helix 5s only have DI.

[@donniefoster7713]

I was looking at the 7x hook reveal with triple shot transducer for $399 on Amazon with side view and down view I really don’t need maps just want to be able to drop a waypoint then come back to it? You think this would work and user friendly?

[@FloppingCrappie]

@donniefoster7713 yes the 7x hook reveal is a user friendly unit

[@gertstoltz6065]

Hi i have a hook reveal 5 on my boat it doesn't have side scan. So i want to add 1 more bit biger unit and use side scan my 2 options are the helix 7 si gps and the striker vivid 9sv. Does the helix 7 have a sd slot for additional maps. Best regards gert. O and i live in south africa

[@Byron4RollTide]

Bass Pro Shop said the week of Thanksgiving they’ll have their Garmin’s half off on the higher end models.

[@TalkFishTVHawaiianDan]

Excellent video, content, and knowledge base!

[@thenickoftime5132]

Great video I can't decide which one I want

[@radoslavstefanov6060]

hello, thanks for the nice videos, could you share in the video what are the best settings of Garmin striker vivid 9 sv, in your opinion .

[@ChuckRiley123]

Does Garmin 73SV with panoptics transducer have sonar , down imaging, side imaging, gps and panoptics using only the one panoptics transducer or do I need to use the transducer in the box and the panoptics transducer?

[@FloppingCrappie]

You will need a regular transducer gt54 or gt56 in order to use side imaging, down imaging and sonar. The panoptix will not give you these types of sonar.

[@ChuckRiley123]

Thank You, so I need the transducer that came in the box and the Panoptics transducer also?

[@FloppingCrappie]

@@ChuckRiley123 yes, you will need both.

[@ChuckRiley123]

@@FloppingCrappie /. Got it. I understand now. Thank You

[@ferrosjewellers4558]

Why don't fishfinders have a doppler type system, so in other words, two sonars fitted to boat, each pinging and receiving signals, by decoding those returns one can know exactly where the fish is and its depth in relation to the boat. So for a top view the fish would be port and 10m at a 45° angle and 5m deep. Surely this can't be so difficult?

[@FloppingCrappie]

The more advanced fish Finders do have this technology. They are able to plot out a 3d picture of the bottom showing where an object is relative to the surface and lake bottom. However, these units /transducers typically cost well over $2k.

[@ferrosjewellers4558]

@@FloppingCrappie hi, thanks for the reply. I will take a look at those options.

[@geraldfranklin3151]

How would you make a Lowrance Hook Reveal fish finder portable. I have a Portable Humming bird Piranha max4. 2D sonar.

[@FloppingCrappie]

I know lowrance makes an ice fishing kit, not sure if they just sell the kit separately though amzn.to/3veJGQi

[@geraldfranklin3151]

@@FloppingCrappie I love to go fishing with you sometime when I am in the area.

[@FloppingCrappie]

@@geraldfranklin3151 I am a guide, send me a message on Facebook when you're in the area and we can get something on the books

[@geraldfranklin3151]

@@FloppingCrappie Sounds good thanks 👍.

[@nothing-xk8vr]

Good video. Good advice.

[@huffman476]

Great video young man.!!!

[@owendrake709]

Is it just me or do they not make the lowrance or hummingbird with side imaging anymore?

[@codycantrell2780]

Does the Garmin Active Captain app not replace the need for mapping? I believe you can buy navionics maps through the app and sync them to the Garmin Striker 7sv. I have not tried yet tho, so maybe I am mistaken.

[@FloppingCrappie]

The new striker units might be able to do that now, but the old models weren't able to use mapping.

[@thomaskitlica5572]

On small rivers the bottom changes no way they could sell charts for them!

[@rogerhale6404]

Do you have a list for 2023?

[@FloppingCrappie]

Working on it for next month (March videos)

[@mikeshepard6257]

What if you also need a new transducer?

[@hihi-ze8mv]

What battery would you recommend for these?

[@FloppingCrappie]

I use these batteries. A 12ah would work for these units www.enduropowerbatteries.com/

[@tomt7116]

I have been looking at the Lowrance series you have described (Hook Reveal) but it doesn't look to me like these units have maps with them, or the ability to add maps. Am I missing something, or did they change the capabilities since this video was made?

[@FloppingCrappie]

This unit comes pre loaded with maps. amzn.to/3kCpVgP

[@leonardlytle4509]

No it does not gps only no mapping or the ability to add maps your looking at almost 900 for one with mapping. I literally just got off the phone with their sales rep

[@FloppingCrappie]

@@leonardlytle4509 just checked the lowrance website and a lowrance hook reveal 7 tripleshot with C-map system is sell for $730. I tried to find pricing on the 5 inch screen but not sure if lowrance stopped making the tripleshot model in this size since I made this video. www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/fishfinders-chartplotters/hook-reveal-7-tripleshot-us-inland

[@keithnavarro2930]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@mana-hg9qh]

Where can I get a replacement monitor? For an echomap 94sv? I can't find any info on Garmin website. Thanks

[@FloppingCrappie]

Do you need a new control head/ display unit? You can buy the 94sv without a transducer.

[@mana-hg9qh]

@@FloppingCrappie yes sir.

[@FloppingCrappie]

Here is the display unit only without transducer amzn.to/3C6o6QC

[@faikkyfai4582]

Does Lawrence hook2 5split support navionics map?

[@FloppingCrappie]

Depends on the year it was made. Some units had an SD card slot where you could add mappinh

[@faikkyfai4582]

@@FloppingCrappie i just bought one on eBay.. hope there will be a card slot.. its not very old model i guess.

[@faikkyfai4582]

@@FloppingCrappie i just bought one on eBay.. hope there will be a card slot.. its not very old model i guess.

[@straightwhitemale5753]

Which is clearest with the down imaging?

[@FloppingCrappie]

All these units run the same frequency for down imaging and have the same pixel quality, so the images will be the same across all three.

[@straightwhitemale5753]

@@FloppingCrappie I went with Humminbird.

[@AEMansell]

Are all of these coming with transducers for that price?

[@FloppingCrappie]

Yes, transducers are included

[@FaithisKey792]

Great review. God bless you brother.

[@Softsausage12]

What's the best hook reveal under 600?

[@antoniomaldonado4528]

Is it possible to find a used GPSMAP 1022?

[@FloppingCrappie]

That might be difficult, I know I will have my unit for as long as I own my boat. You can always try Facebook marketplace or Craigslist, but most garmin units you find are going to be the lower priced striker series units

[@anthonyruffin3619]

Great review

[@D2chukhna]

It looks like Hummingbird and Lowrance have both discontinued their 5" side imaging unit. Is that an accurate interpretation of their websites? I'm looking for something to go onto a kayak so would prefer the 5" to 7" although it appears that the 7" units are now priced at what the 5" were previously.

[@FloppingCrappie]

I'm not sure why the helix 5 SI isn't on the humminbird website. I see it available in a few different stores. If you can afford a 7" screen, id recommend getting that

[@helitec89]

I got the garmin vivid 9sv from ebay brand new for $540. Ebay has a lot of awesome deals if you know what you are looking for. The 9 inch is the biggest screen I would go for a kayak. I have mine installed on a tempest 120p

[@drewhil23]

do i spend the extra hundred get the garmin sv over the cv?

[@FloppingCrappie]

I would highly recommend the SV if you can afford it

[@michaelhudson4080]

Don't even bother with lowrance hook. My first one last 5 months my replacement 3 months. Now warranty is giving me issues

[@kevinwilkey4687]

Thank you.

[@fishingwithcamo-joe88]

THUMBS UP!!!!...

[@cho-x9v]

howmuch

[@zipl0c]

For a second I thought you had some SERIOUS chest hair.

[@FloppingCrappie]

Hahaha 😆

[@JESSEPAVON]

I’m torn, the striker has better reviews.

[@justinmitchuson8992]

No mapping is dangerous, shame on Garmin

[@howardosborn7070]

Striker 7sv has active captian, you can download maps other people have shared

[@klaralogan7058]

Вообщем что лучше то

[@thomaskitlica5572]

Will it update the charts I run a small river that constantly changes???

[@FloppingCrappie]

Some units allow you to adjust the contour depth on the mapping, but the map won't automatically adjust for you if that's what your asking

[@thomaskitlica5572]

@@FloppingCrappie in the video it says that it creates a map as you drive and saves it. What happens after a storm and the river changes will it change the map as you travel?

[@FloppingCrappie]

@thomaskitlica5572 if the river changes, you would have to create a new map or mentally add/subtract how many feet the water rose/dropped

[@wholenebaleba]

In general, the TI units are faster in response to inputs. This is seen when quickly switching between sonar, downscan, chart, and split screens kzbin.infoUgkxeAxH15LxhjGlg5-CRYqjTGTEH0tbY4vk recommend The Hook units will show some lag on button pushes and screen switching. The big ticket item though is maps. If you install a mapping card such as Navionics or the free C-Map Genesis which has a lot of map detail, then moving around the map with the cursor or when running down the lake can lag significantly on the Hook units, but is seamless with the TI units.