10 Best Fish Finders 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is a user-friendly fish-finder with a 7-inch color LCD screen, providing a vivid and clear display to easily distinguish fish and underwater structures. It includes a GT20 transducer that offers both traditional CHIRP sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar, which helps in getting detailed underwater images. The high-sensitivity GPS is a notable feature, allowing users to mark waypoints, create routes, and check boat speed, making navigation easier for anglers. The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping is a great addition, enabling users to draw their own maps with 1-foot contours.

Wi-Fi connectivity is a modern touch, allowing you to connect to the ActiveCaptain app for waypoint transfer, smart notifications, and access to the Garmin Quickdraw Community. However, some users might find the reliance on a battery power source limiting if they are on extended trips without a reliable power source. The device is relatively portable with a weight of 4.4 pounds and includes a tilt/swivel bailmount bracket for easy mounting, although this might still be on the heavier side for some. Moreover, while the screen size is decent, those who prefer larger displays for better visibility might find it somewhat limiting. The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is well-suited for recreational anglers who value easy-to-use, portable, and feature-rich devices, though those on longer fishing expeditions may need to consider power source logistics.

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder stands out due to its comprehensive feature set and high-quality components. Its most notable advantage is the Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar, which includes CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan capabilities, allowing users to see underwater structures with remarkable clarity. The 9-inch LCD screen is large, high-resolution, and multi-touch, making it user-friendly and easy to install.

With preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts, anglers can navigate and pinpoint fish hotspots on 8,900 U.S. lakes, enhancing fishing success. Additionally, the device supports ActiveTarget Live Sonar for real-time fish observation, which is beneficial for serious anglers aiming to improve their catch rates. The full networking capability, including wireless, NMEA 2000, and Ethernet connectivity, allows the integration of additional devices, making it a versatile choice for comprehensive fishing systems.

On the downside, the unit’s size and weight might affect portability, making it less convenient for those needing a more mobile solution. Moreover, the power requirement of 12 Volt DC might necessitate additional power management for extended use. The Lowrance Elite FS 9 is well-suited for dedicated anglers who prioritize advanced imaging and comprehensive connectivity options in their fish-finding equipment.

The Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 with LiveScope Plus Bundle is a high-end fish-finder designed for serious anglers who want detailed underwater views and reliable navigation. It features a large 12-inch screen with a sharp 1280 x 800 resolution, making it easy to see fish and underwater structures clearly. The hybrid touchscreen controls help you navigate menus smoothly, which is helpful whether you prefer touch or button inputs. The sonar system uses advanced CHIRP technology across multiple frequencies (70, 83, and 200 kHz), combined with ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar, to give detailed and wide-ranging views of fish and bottom contours. The included LiveScope Plus system adds real-time scanning sonar, giving a live look at fish movement and underwater objects, which is a big advantage for tracking fast or subtle fish activity.

GPS is very precise thanks to support for multiple satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BEIDOU) and a 10 Hz receiver that updates your position 10 times per second. This ensures accurate boat positioning and smooth navigation. The device also supports comprehensive connectivity options, including dual microSD card slots for map storage and NMEA 2000 networking for integrating with other marine electronics.

The unit’s weight and sizable dimensions make it less portable and not easy to move between boats, making it best suited for larger vessels with permanent mounts. While it comes with preloaded Navionics+ charts for the U.S., international users might need to purchase additional charts. Its price and advanced features reflect its professional-grade focus, which could be more than casual fishermen require. This Garmin fish-finder excels in screen quality, sonar technology, and navigation precision, making it a strong choice for experienced anglers who want a powerful, detailed, and integrated fish-finding and chartplotting system, though it may be less ideal for casual or budget-conscious users.