When it comes to your favorite hobby, it’s crucial to have the necessary device to help you get the most out of your experience. It can be daunting for a first-time buyer to choose from the wide array of brands available, such as transducers, echoes, sonars, flashers, and other things.
In this fish finder guide and review, we want to provide simple and practical information for everyone. Specifically, we have compiled the best Garmin Striker Fisher Finder so you can compare them easily. By doing so, we can help you make the right decision when buying a fins finder for yourself or for a loved one. Let’s get started!
Buying Guide to Shopping Fish Finder
What are the important features you need to look for when choosing the right fish finder for you? It’s possible to narrow down your search based on your needs and preference. Let’s check them out!
1. Transducers
Every fish finder should have a transducer, which sends out and receives sonar waves. The emitted waves into the water helps in determining the things you can see down below, because the waves bounce off different objects through signals. Transducers pick up these signals and the data comes back and transmitted into the central unit for data processing.
Transducers come with various types of mounts. The transom mount is the easiest to install. However, if you need something serious or you have a big boat, opt for s thru-hull mount or another type of mounting.
2. Transducer Material
A transducer having an in-hull mount or thru-hull should use fiberglass. Steel or aluminum hulls require stainless steel housings. On the other hand, metal hulls would required plastic housings, while bronze housings are fiberglass (wood hulls). If you’re a casual fisherman or hobbyist, a plastic transom mount is okay to use. These are compatible with different types of boats.
3. Cone Angles and Beams
The cone angle depicts the width of the beam which is emitted from your boat into the water. A larger area is covered with a wider cone. The cone angle will expand if the beam goes down, with the expense of the sensitivity in deeper areas. Most transducers range from 9 to 60 degrees. Most fish finders have 16 to 20 degrees. For newbies, a 20-degree cone is a good choice, which is the same if you want to explore different depths of water. Some transducers have more than one beam, most especially for advanced units (dual beams, side beams, or triple beams).
4. Displays
Color displays offer plenty of colors and details so they’re easier to read as compared to black and white displays. You’ll better see and understand what is going on with color displays like what Garmin Striker Fish Finders provide.
5. Screen Resolution
What is the ideal resolution of a good fish finder? Screen resolution is measured through pixels or the number of dots on a fish finder screen. The display provides a detailed and clearer view with more pixels. Aim for a screen resolution of a minimum of 240 x 160 pixels, but a higher resolution is highly recommended for crisp images and better experience. Purchase a fish finder with a large and high-quality display.
6. Frequencies
A higher frequency means more detailed display because the transducer sends out and receive more sonar waves. The best ones can attain up to 400 kHz or more. If you fish mostly on shallow water, high frequencies, such as 192 to 200 kHz are your best choice. If you venture into deep water, invest in fish finders with 50 kHz transducers frequencies because they work best.
7. Power
For deeper and faster readings, choose a fish finder with a high wattage unit. A fish finder with a low wattage reads slower which is better in shallow waters because a fish finder turns sonar waves from the transducer. Choose a fish finder that can handle more power as possible for reliable and accurate readings. Get depth readings (up to 400 ft) for every 100 watts (50 kHz power).
8. Water Resistance
Water resistance is a crucial factor when choosing a fish finder. Find out the JIS or IPX ratings which determine the level of water resistance of a unit. A rating of 4 means that the unit is safe from water splashes (not for a kayak). A rating of 5 o r6 stands low to high pressure, while a rating of 7 submerges your device up to 10 ft for 30 minutes. For extended periods, a rating of 8 is the best, which makes a real difference.
Best Garmin Striker Fish Finders
1. Garmin Striker 4
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The Garmin Striker 4 adopts the ClearVü technology, allowing you to mark your desired fishing spot. It will be easier for you to navigate when you return back tomorrow. It saves you money and time. This fish finder measures 3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches.
With Garmin Striker 4, you can share routes and waypoints with other echoMAP and Striker combos. It comes with a built-in flasher. It displays speed data too. This fish finder comes with a tilt or swivels mount, mounting hardware (trolling motor), cable, and CHIRP transducer (at 77/200 kHz) with transom.
Conclusion: The sonar rewind history of Garmin Striker 4 allows scrolling back through various sonar images, marking the waypoints you missed out. Fishing is now made easier with this device with uninterrupted imagery through smooth scale graphics.
Pros
– Can raise when launching or landing
– Intuitive interface
– In-depth reading
– Very clear display
Cons
– Limited lifetime
– Screen disappears easily
2. Garmin Striker 4cv
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The Garmin Striker 4cv measures 3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches and weighs 8 ounces. The display size is 3.5 inches diagonally and the display resolution is 480 x 320 pixels. It has a water rating: of IPX7 and the maximum depth is 1,750 feet in freshwater and 830 feet in saltwater. The transmission power is 300 watts.
The screen size is 3.5 inches, with data speed displayed on the screen. This device can help you easily find fish as well as mark and return to desired hot spots, docks, and slipways. It includes a CHIRP transducer at 77/200 kHz and CHIRP ClearVü at 455/800 kHz. It has a 500 W power which means more accurate results.
Conclusion: The Garmin Striker 4cv comes with a built-in flasher. You can use this device stress-free while fishing on your favorite spots because of its high-sensitivity and built-in GPS. It adopts the ClearVu technology of scanning sonar waves.
Pros
– Easy to use
– Easy to set up
– Great for kayak
– See fish or structure well
– Bright screen
Cons
– No optional brightness
– No optional screen size
3. Garmin Striker Plus 4cv
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The Garmin Striker Plus 4cv has a bright 4.3 inches display. It has built-in GPS features which include the CHIRP sonar transducer, CHIRP ClearVü sonar scanner, and the Quickdraw Contours (a map drawing software). It can store up to two million acres of content with 1 foot contours.
The built-in GPS allows marking and navigation to waypoints, showing the boat’s speed. The Garmin Striker Plus 4cv measures 3.9 x 1.8 x 6.9 inches and weighs 11.2 ounces.
Conclusion: The Garmin Striker Plus 4cv has a rugged design which is perfect for any type of fishing environment. It’s easy to use that also gives accurate display readings.
Pros
– Multiple mounting options
– Large screen
– No glare
– Sharp imagery
Cons
– No transducer size description
4. Garmin Striker 4dv
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The Garmin Striker 4dv has a rugged design, which is suitable for an outdoor look, complementing your activities and lifestyle. It measures 3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches and weighs 8 ounces. This device can withstand harsh marine environments with great performance. Because of its high-sensitivity GPS, you can mark your desired fishing spots and return tomorrow, saving your time and effort.
Take advantage of the waypoint map, so you can easily mark, navigate, and view locations, like stumps, docks, and brush piles. The CHIRP sonar sends a consistent sweep of frequencies that range from low to high frequencies, providing a wider range of data.
Conclusion: Now, it’s possible to create crisper fish images with Garmin Striker 4dv. It has a built-i flasher so you can easily view sonar information. It is perfect for vertical jigging or ice fishing.
Pros
– Heavy duty
– Great GPS feature
– Great chirp feature
– Good price
Cons
– Brittle back cover
5. Garmin Striker 5cv
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The Garmin Striker 5cv can show you more things in the water while you’re fishing. The Garmin Striker 5cv measures 7.4 x 2.1 x 4.5 inches and weighs 1.1 pounds. It is a high-frequency sonar with chirp sonar, giving close-photographic images.
This Garmin fish finder is easy to install and use. You can utilize the waypoint map so you can easily see, navigate, and mark different locations, like brush piles, docks, and stumps. It comes with a built-in flasher in classic format, which is suitable for vertical jigging or ice fishing.
Conclusion: The CHIRP sonar has the ability to create crisp fish arches with a better target separation. Enjoy viewing the detailed displays of objects, fish, and other water structures.
Pros
– Clear display
– Great price
– User-friendly
– Great features
Cons
– No built-in maps
6. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
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The Garmin Striker Plus 5cv comes with a 5 inches bright display. It also has a built-in GPS feature with Garmin CHIRP classic or traditional sonar. It provides 7.4 x 2.1 x 4.5 inches and weighs 1 pound. It has a CHIRP scanning sonar for accurate readings.
Because of its built-in mapping software, the Garmin Quickdraw Contours, it allows you to create as well store maps up to 2 million acres in 1’ contours. Marking waypoints, creating routes and viewing boat’s speed is now easier. It supports 50/77/200 kHz frequencies.
Conclusion: It is readable even in bright sunlight with a 5-inch display. It has an intuitive user interface. You’ll be impressed with the rugged design of this fish finder, which is perfect for any fishing environment.
Pros
– Easy to install
– Excellent GPS features
– User-friendly
– Set waypoints
Cons
– No chart plotter
– No maps
7. Garmin Striker 5dv
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The Garmin Striker 5dv weighs 1.1 pounds and measures 7.4 x 2.1 x 4.5 inches. The screen display measures 5 inches. It’s now easier to mark and return in any of your desired hot spots, docks, and boat ramps with this device.
Also, you’ll be able to share the best routes and waypoints with other echoMAP and Striker combos. We love the built-in flasher and intuitive interface that clearly displays the speed data. The mounting hardware is tilt and swivels with transom.
Conclusion: This fish finder has a rugged design that greatly complements any fishing environment. The GPS is highly sensitive, marking your desired fishing spots. It provides a vast range of data with CHIRP sonar for crisp images.
Pros
– Tells water temperature
– User-friendly
– Easy to install
Cons
– Transducer sold separately
8. Garmin Striker 7cv
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The Garmin Striker 7cv has a clear scanning sonar, displaying what’s in the water through the 3.5 inches screen display. The high-frequency sonar provides near-photographic images of objects, fish, and structure,
It has dedicated buttons that are intuitive and user-friendly. The way point map promotes easy viewing, as well as marking and navigation to various locations such as stumps, brush piles, and docks. The Chirp sonar sends a steady sweep of frequencies, providing a wider range of data.
Conclusion: The Clearly technology of this Garmin fish finder is designed for easy fishing navigation. It measures 9.3 x 2.3 x 5.5 inches and 1.7 pounds.
Pros
– Good price
– Sensitive GPS
– High-performance
– Easy to use
Cons
– No mapping
9. Garmin Striker Plus 7Cv
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The Garmin Striker Plus 7Cv has a 7 inches bright display. It has built-in GPS features and map drawing software. The traditional Garmin CHIRP sonar provides excellent target separation. On the other hand, the CHIRP ClearVü displays photographic images of the things and creatures passing below your boat.
You can use the built-in Wi-Fi so you can pair this fish finder with ActiveCaptain app to get notifications. The transmit power is 500 W (RMS). The Garmin Striker Plus 7Cv measures 9.3 x 2.3 x 5.5 inches and weighs 1.7 pounds.
Conclusion: We love the built-in Wi-Fi of this fish finder, allowing you to access and get notifications through the ActiveCaptain app. It is readable even on bright sunlight.
Pros
– With depth finder
– No synching issues
– Clear view
– Good quality
Cons
– No side scan
– No built-in maps
10. Garmin Striker 7sv
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The Garmin Striker 7sv measures 9.3 x 2.3 x 5.5 inches. It has a clear sonar scanner so you can easily view what’s in the water. Same with all Garmin fish finders, it provides detailed data of fish, structure, and objects. The chirp provides a consistent sweep of frequencies, providing a wide range of data. The chirp sonar will give you a crisper and detailed fish arches with a very good target separation.
Conclusion: This unit is easy to install and use. With the waypoint map, you can easily view, navigate, and map areas like brush piles, docks, and stumps. The water rating is IPX7.
Pros
– Easy to run
– Great detail
– Clear screen
– Nice graphics
Cons
– Cords not long enough
11. Garmin Striker Plus 7sv
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The Garmin Striker Plus 7sv has a transducer with built-in Garmin CHIRP sonar in addition to CHIRP ClearVü sonar scanning. It also has a built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to access the ActiveCaptain app to get smart notifications.
It has a 7 inches sunlight-readable display and intuitive user interface. Also, it comes with a GPS feature, allowing marking of waypoints, creating routes and viewing the speed of your boat.
Conclusion: We were impressed with the software update notifications of this Garmin fish finder. It comes with a protective cover so you can use it for many years to come.
Pros
– Fast GPS
– Easy to set up
– Easy to use
– Clear images
Cons
– No echo map and chirp
12. Garmin Striker 7dv
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The Garmin Striker 7dv has an all-new and rugged fish finder with a high-sensitivity GPS feature. It measures 9.3 x 2.3 x 5.5 inches and weighs 1.7 pounds. It is designed so you can mark your desired fishing spot. Now, you can easily navigate different fishing locations that will save you time and money.
The CHIRP traditional sonar displays crisp fish arches having an amazing target separation. It provides crisp and clear images found below the boat. You can use the split screen view, displaying the waypoint map.
Conclusion: The Garmin Striker 7dv has a rugged design you’ll love. The different sonar options allow you to make customized sonar views.
Pros
– Accurate GPS
– Clear screen
– No glare
Cons
– No save current track feature
General Conclusion
Choosing the correct type of transducer highly depends on the type of your boat. Garmin provides state-of-the-art transducers to give you accurate readings every time. The GPS, Wi-Fi, and other cool features provide smart notifications that can make your fishing journey a lot easier. Garmin fish finders are really one of the best brands in the market today.
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