What Is the Best Fish Finder GPS Combo? [TOP 7 Products in 2024]

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A good fish finder is not hard to find. A solid GPS chart plotter is also easy to find. However, finding both as a combo can be a bit more difficult. That is why we have put together this list. We show you the 7 best fish finder GPS combo on the market.

Things to Look For When Buying A Fish Finder GPS Combo

Sonar

GPS and chart plotting are important features. However, they are little more than fancy maps without being able to find fish.

This is done with the use of sonar detection. Sonar provides a detailed map of the terrain and objects below the water’s surface.

However, there are a couple of different types of sonar used. Those types come in a wider variety of configurations than even experienced fishermen may suspect.

The basic sonar simply sends out a signal. It then uses the time it takes for the signal to return to determine the position and distance of objects.

However, the conditions of the water can greatly affect the quality of this process. It is also worth mentioning that different frequencies of sonar provide different resolutions.

This led to the development of CHIRP sonar. This sonar uses a range of different frequencies. These frequencies provide a more detailed image that pierces further through obscured waters. In an effort to push this further, manufacturers have also developed high-CHIRP. This allows extremely detailed images, though the range is a bit limited.

Beams

Sonar is the method a transducer uses to image the water and objects around it. However, the signals are not usually sent in a ubiquitous sphere-like with submarines.

Instead, a fish finder’s transducer will work more like a dolphin. It sends a sonic signal in a tighter cone that still provides a wealth of imaging data.

The larger the size of the cone, generally the better the transducer. Though, there are a number of different configurations for this aspect as well.

For one, a single cone is generally the lowest frequency. This penetrates as deeply through the water as possible.

However, most high-end fish finders will include a second, narrower cone within the first. This uses a higher frequency sonar signal to generate a more detailed image.

This tighter sonar cone will not penetrate as deeply. The small cone can give more accurate results regarding what objects are in the water.

Finally, the top-tier fish finders will go further than that. This includes sonar signals sent to the sides of the craft.

However, these are often broad and deep as opposed to high frequency and detailed.

Still, this allows some fish finders to have up to a 270-degree arc of sonar detection. That will make it somewhat difficult for fish to hide from you for too long.

GPS/Chart Plotting

Given the subject of our review, this is clearly one of the more important aspects to consider. Though, this judgment does not really have a clear cut answer.

The GPS capabilities and chart plotting functions of a fish finder need not be on the same level. In fact, there are some fish finders we reviewed with excellent GPS options. Some GPS fish finders are not nearly as good at chart plotting.

That said, these two features do definitely go hand in hand. You cannot truly chart a plot without knowing where you are. That is the primary function of GPS.

In terms of the latter, GPS is determined by a combination of the satellites. The fish finder uses them as well as their refresh functions.

A 5 Hz GPS is often more than enough. It refreshes 5 times every second to provide accurate triangulation of your position through movement.

Of course, there are some with even better GPS. Some refresh twice as much, but that may be more than you need if you are working with a budget.

Display

This might seem to be a bit superfluous in terms of the fish finder’s capability. Still, it ends up playing a much bigger role for chart plotting to me.

I find the display affects my ability to read the GPS position. The display interface also makes it harder or easier for me to set a plotted chart.

Granted, there are plenty of fish finders that account for this by providing fairly easy to use software. That takes care of most of the work for you.

If you want custom chart capabilities, you need to make sure that your fish finder has a solid display.

It is worth noting that the display includes the image resolution and quality. But, this extends further for chart plotting capabilities.

This is because some fish finders with larger screens will actually have touch-screen interfaces. These allow you to chart the plot manually rather than having to rely on clunky button controls to do so.

The display will also often place a bit of a limit on how refined the plotted chart can present. The best ones allow charting as precise as to the meter.

Best Fish Finder GPS Combo: Product Reviews

#1 Garmin Striker 4

Garmin may have become one of the better known and respected mid-tier fish finder manufacturers. However, they actually got their start making GPS products for automobiles.

As such, it only makes sense that Garmin would be one of the first products that we reviewed. Even more, that they would occupy a number of different spots on our list.

For the Garmin Striker 4, this is more of a no-frills fish finder GPS combo. I like that there are numerous models to choose from.

Outside of the traditional model, one comes with a kit. Another comes with a dual-beam, while the last automatically chart plots.

In fact, its simplicity is part of its beauty, a feature rather than a bug. This allows you to quickly set it up and get on the water where you belong.

Once there, you will be treated with surprisingly good results considering its price point and competition. Part of this has to do with the fact that the lowest RMS power output is 200W. Other models exceed that by 50-percent or more.

The Garmin Striker 4 is also noted for being one of the more accurate GPS devices with a 5 Hz signal. Below the water, things are just as good with Garmin’s patented ClearVu CHIRP sonar providing excellent clarity. I find the clarity solid, but the small display can sometimes still be difficult to read.

Pros

  • Is a less expensive fish finder GPS combo
  • Has solid GPS chart plotting
  • Has ClearVu CHIRP sonar
  • Has solid RMS power output

Cons

  • Has the smallest display reviewed
  • Not the most durable

#2 Humminbird HELIX 5

Humminbird is by far one of the most trusted fish finder brands on the market. Their products are used by professional fishermen the world over.

However, they do not simply make professional-grade, and professional-priced, products. The HELIX 5 being a great consumer-grade option.

Granted, you do have to give up something when you opt for a less expensive model. With the HELIX 5, the main issue comes down to the durability of the transducer.

To be fair, this does seem to be more of an issue if it comes into contact with something. But, there have been enough reports about its fragility for me to be concerned.

On the other hand, the Humminbird HELIX 5 comes with a surprising range of specs. For instance, the Helix 5 is able to push 500w power output. This is well more than most of the other options at this price point.

This allows the sonar to extend its signal farther. It also receives weaker signals due to obscuring water.

Still, the GPS module itself is not terribly impressive compared to some of the other models. But, it does come with Basemap loaded as well as AutoChart: Live. This way, you do not have to worry about the accuracy or precision of your charts.

Pros

  • Is a less expensive fish finder GPS combo
  • Has 500w RMS power output
  • Has a MicroSD card expansion
  • Has Basemap and AutoChart: Live

Cons

  • Not the most durable
  • Has little on-board memory

#3 Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 54cv with transducer

Another Garmin to appear on our list, the echoMAP is definitely an upgrade above the lower levels of the brands’ lineup. It has some features which are competitive against products costing twice as much.

Granted, there are not nearly as many bells and whistles with the echoMAP. Thankfully, most of those features are for convenience and not truly necessary.

There might be some features that some people would prefer that the echoMAP does not come with. Arguably one of the most convenient would be some form of sonar beam for the sides of the craft. Though, while the echoMAP does not come with those beams standard, they are easily added on later.

In fact, the echoMAP is designed to be a bit of a basic fish finder GPS combo that is part of a larger system. Of course, if you choose to go with the echoMAP alone, you can still get a great performance.

I love the range. The echoMAP provides a solid 500w RMS output which gives it a maximum range of over 1500’ in freshwater.

Pros

  • Is a less expensive fish finder GPS combo
  • Has 500W RMS power output
  • Has ClearVu CHIRP sonar
  • Is easily expandable

Cons

  • Does not have side beams
  • Not the easiest to use

#4 Lowrance HOOK2

Lowrance is right up there with Humminbird as one of the most trusted and accessible brands. Its marine electronics and can be found on many professionals’ boats.

However, the Lowrance HOOK2 is definitely a bit more limited in terms of its intended use. The HOOK2 does not actually come with any information regarding coastlines or the oceans. You will need to stick to freshwater fishing when using the Lowrance.

Of course, that is by far the most common type of fishing. It should not necessarily be much of an issue for too many people. And, you have 4 different screen sizes to choose from.

On the upside, the Lowrance casts a wide net of sonar beams. The HOOK2 is able to provide both down and side imaging at a fraction of the cost of other fish finders.

This is because of my favorite transducer, the TripleShot. It uses the Lowrance patented SideScan and DownScan as well as a high-CHIRP function.

Even better, this is also one of the easier fish finders to set up. Auto-tuning features set the sonar to what suits your particular fishing circumstances best.

Pros

  • Has a TripleShot transducer
  • Has easier setup options
  • Has an SD card expansion
  • Has SideScan and DownScan

Cons

  • Is a more expensive fish finder
  • Not for oceanic fishing

#5 Garmin Striker 7SV with transducer

The Striker 7SV is the last Garmin fish finder to make our list. It definitely takes a different approach to its predecessors.

This is actually one of the few fish finders in its class that does not come with its own charts. Thankfully, the Striker 7SV does do a great job on the other front.

This might be the best mid-range fish finder that we encountered. Granted, it also has the same problem that less expensive Garmin products do. The transducer is easily disrupted when it comes into contact with underwater objects.

That said, if you take care when trolling, you will get some of the best sonar readings in its class.

This begins with a powerful 500w RMS power output. This allows the Striker 7SV to receive readings from impressive distances.

Of course, these ranges are only complimented by the fact that the Striker 7SV sonar. This is the only fish finder on our list that uses a 6 frequency CHIRP sonar. Though, it is actually 2 sets of overlapping sonar settings.

Finally, the Striker 7SV offers excellent resolution with Garmin’s patented ClearVu and SideVu scanning features.

Pros

  • Comes with ClearVu and SideVu scanning
  • Works with Striker or echoMAPs
  • Has a 6 frequency CHIRP sonar
  • Has 500w RMS power output

Cons

  • Does not come with charts
  • Not the most durable transducer

#6 Simrad GO7 XSE

Simrad may not be the most well-known brand on our list. This is largely due to the fact that they have a tendency to focus more on high-end aquatic electronics.

This may lead to their products being a bit prohibitively expensive. It also means that you do not have to worry about their quality either.

In fact, if you want, the Simrad GO7 XSE could easily be a smaller part of a much larger system. It can be the HUB of a full array of hardware and software capable of handling fishing on any waters.

A big part of this has to do with the fact that the Simrad comes with more charting and mapping software. I appreciate the sheer wealth of information I have at my fingertips.

The Simrad’s ability to function as a network HUB for a larger array is also enabled due to its connectivity.

For one, the Simrad has one of the larger screens in our review. The screen also offers a multi-touch interface for quick and easy navigation.

I found most functions easy enough to use. However, all of the different functions the Simrad provides will take a little bit of getting used to. The TripIntel technology that comes with the Simrad combined with the built-in WiFi makes this a hearty GPS chart plotter.

Pros

  • Offers numerous cartography options
  • Has a multi-touch interface
  • Has built-in WiFi
  • Has a TotalScan transducer

Cons

  • Is a more expensive fish finder
  • Not the easiest to use

#7 Raymarine Axiom 7

Out of all the different brands we reviewed, few are rated as consistently high across the board as Raymarine. It is a surprise that the Axiom 7 is expensive but still lacks in a number of major features.

It is not so much that the Raymarine Axiom 7 lacks features as much as they are not the focus. The specific issue is that the fish finding software often lags behind the GPS and chart plotting software. The Axiom 7 is far closer to a recreational marine GPS product than a fish finder GPS combo.

This is because of the inclusion of numerous entertainment apps for listening to music or watching movies. It should go without saying that no serious fisherman would risk scaring away the fish with music or movies.

Still, the Axiom 7 is still a fairly impressive piece of technology. It is also easily upgradeable for both software and hardware.

As such, the Axiom 7 can serve as an excellent central command for a larger array of marine electronics. I am not sure if that is worth it because that will cost significantly more.

Still, the LightHouse3 operating system and quad-core processor allows it to both manage a large number of peripherals. It can also connect both wirelessly or by Bluetooth to your smart devices.

The Axiom 7provides a full 270-degrees of sonar detection from above, in front, and on either side. Those beams are powered by a 600W RMS output power with a full range CHIRP sonar.

Pros

  • Has a full-view CHIRP sonar
  • Has a multi-touch interface
  • Has a great OS and processor
  • Has N.A. Navionics+ Charts

Cons

  • Is a more expensive fish finder
  • Limited fishing features

Conclusion

As we can see, there are quite a few options for the best fish finder GPS combo. Our clear winner is the Simrad, even if it is a bit pricey.

Not everyone necessarily needs anything terribly fancy but still want a solid option. Then the Humminbird HELIX 5, and Striker 4 and echoMAP are reasonably priced. They may not come with the same kind of displays or breadth of sonar beams that others might.

But, they still provide accurate and detailed results with fully capable GPS systems. They can chart directly onto the provided mapping software.

The Lowrance and Garmin Striker 7SV are both capable fish finders. They are a bit more limited in the chart plotting department without some aftermarket upgrades.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, the Raymarine is an impressive option. It comes with a fairly comprehensive mapping software. It also offers the ability to upgrade it without much issue.

It is worth noting that they can be a bit difficult to use without some thorough reading. However, you will not have to worry about missing any fish or getting lost.

David Linsmeyer Avatar

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