Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Questions new members commonly ask e.g. Which kayak should I buy?
User avatar
Magpie_Mick
The force is strong in this one
Posts: 131
Joined: 29 May 2016, 18:56
kayak: Thresher 140
Real Name: Mick
Location: Essendon

Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by Magpie_Mick »

I have been investigating a fish finder/sounder (or what ever you wish to call them). I have come down to a decision based on a few factors:
- Sounder capability – must have CHIRP, down view/vu
- Screen size – bigger is better!
- Touch screen or not? Not.
- Maps or not? Not.
- Price

I have ended up with the Garmin Striker 5dv being my first choice ($429 rrp).

Most of my fishing likely to be within a relatively short distance from shore and so based on price discounted maps. Thought instead to use the Navionics app on my phone.

Any thoughts or suggestions on things I may not have considered?

A second question relates to battery size? (7.2 AH, 12AH or bigger?). Any particular battery brands better than others?

Regards,
Mick
User avatar
laneends
Vyak Addict
Posts: 6641
Joined: 25 Jan 2013, 15:59
kayak: Quests 11 13 Adventure 16 Revo 16 ORSki epic k1
Real Name: Keith
Location: Melbourne, Bundoora

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by laneends »

Have you tried using phone ap on the water yet?

It is not as convenient as on a sounder. especially on a paddle yak.

TBH if that was my budget I would put maps above a bigger screen
choppers
PHD in Yakology.
Posts: 2359
Joined: 22 Jul 2014, 17:56
kayak: prowler elite 4.5
Real Name: rob
Location: Korumburra

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by choppers »

laneends wrote:Have you tried using phone ap on the water yet?

It is not as convenient as on a sounder. especially on a paddle yak.

TBH if that was my budget I would put maps above a bigger screen

My thoughts too. Get GPS you'll love it. 4" screen is fine
"Ye old town" Yak captures - gummy (116) salmon (32) flatty (35) yakka (28) silver trev (25) couta (38) plus all the garbage fish

Prowler victims - squid (30cm) Gar (36) Snapper (80 :yahoo: ) kgw (39)
User avatar
Tim399
Lord of the fish
Posts: 1279
Joined: 29 Oct 2014, 06:49
kayak: Terrapin XL, 2012 PA14
Real Name: Tim
Location: Bacchus Marsh

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by Tim399 »

I have an elite 4 CHIRP mounted almost between my knees on my centre console in my yak, and the screen is large enough to see easily. However were it further away it would be harder to see when the screen is split 3 ways (sonar, imaging and map), but it would also be too far to press the buttons in that case.
User avatar
maverick
Hardcore Vyaker
Posts: 10913
Joined: 25 Jan 2010, 21:49
kayak: Hobie Direction & Hobie Road Sign
Real Name: TopGunPete
Location: Mornington

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by maverick »

What sort of fishing are you doing?

I use the Lowrance Elite 4 in the Bays on the Outback, no need for the down-scan, just the GPS to return to marks (I don't use maps, just a blank screen) and the sounder to find fish once on the mark.

I use the Lowrance Chirp 4 on the AI, it is really good in the lakes when trying to differentiate between fish and trees. Somewhere like Eildon there is no need to use all 3 screens at once.

I used the Raymarine Dragonfly 5 for a while on the AI but found it cumbersome to navigate through the screens, but that may just have been a lack of practice. The bigger screen was ok, but if you put a BerleyPro visor around the 4 inch screens, the vision is a lot better in sunlight and uses less power.
Well past the edge, almost at the point of no return.
User avatar
Magpie_Mick
The force is strong in this one
Posts: 131
Joined: 29 May 2016, 18:56
kayak: Thresher 140
Real Name: Mick
Location: Essendon

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by Magpie_Mick »

Most of my fishing will be in PPB or WPB or similar (Port Fairy perhaps).

So taking into account the maps suggestion then the Garmin echoMap CHIRP 45dv or the Lowrance Hook4 Combo may be the go.

Mick
choppers
PHD in Yakology.
Posts: 2359
Joined: 22 Jul 2014, 17:56
kayak: prowler elite 4.5
Real Name: rob
Location: Korumburra

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by choppers »

Iv got the older elite 4 chirp. Love how easy to use it is
"Ye old town" Yak captures - gummy (116) salmon (32) flatty (35) yakka (28) silver trev (25) couta (38) plus all the garbage fish

Prowler victims - squid (30cm) Gar (36) Snapper (80 :yahoo: ) kgw (39)
cobby
Square eyes
Posts: 660
Joined: 23 Feb 2012, 18:34
kayak: Hobie i9s
Real Name: Mark

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by cobby »

Magpie_Mick wrote:Most of my fishing will be in PPB or WPB or similar (Port Fairy perhaps).

So taking into account the maps suggestion then the Garmin echoMap CHIRP 45dv or the Lowrance Hook4 Combo may be the go.

Mick
I don't know if the small models have the same thing, but the echomap 95sv has a mapping option that Garmin call quickdraw. The unit uses the sonar data to draw even more accurate and detailed contour lines on the map as you go along (think navionics sonarcharts detail with better accuracy). Not that the base bluechart maps are garbage, they're better than the old cmap cards
User avatar
Magpie_Mick
The force is strong in this one
Posts: 131
Joined: 29 May 2016, 18:56
kayak: Thresher 140
Real Name: Mick
Location: Essendon

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by Magpie_Mick »

Found the Garmin Echomap 55v combo at a really good price at SoundMarine ($489) and could not resist it. :D
User avatar
Hvalross
Lord of the fish
Posts: 1280
Joined: 24 Sep 2015, 20:05
kayak: Yellow Hobie Pro 14
Real Name: Andrew
Location: Woodend, Victoria

Re: Fishfinder/Sounder- Which one?

Post by Hvalross »

Magpie_Mick wrote:Found the Garmin Echomap 55v combo at a really good price at SoundMarine ($489) and could not resist it. :D
Just had a look at the unit on line.....not bad,, got some handy features - enjoy!
When all else fails........read the instructions!
Studies have shown that people who have more Birthdays tend to live longer...
Post Reply