Whether you’re a casual weekend fisherman who casts a line for fun, or a professional angler striving to gain a competitive edge, a fish finder can make a useful addition to your gear supply. With all the different brands and models to choose from, I decided to create my own Garmin Striker 7SV reviews. How well does it stack up against the competition? Read on to learn the answer.
Shopping for a Garmin Striker 7SV: The Basic Considerations
Are you buying a fish finder for the first time? Or are you a seasoned shopper looking for the best value? Either way, you might find the following information useful as you begin your search.
- Affordability—Determine how much money you’re willing to spend on a fish finder.
- Power—Look for information about the battery life and transmit power of the device.
- Frequency—In general, fish finders use low frequencies to cover wide swaths of ground at once, while high frequencies are capable of showing greater detail, especially in shallow water. Some units are equipped with CHIRP sonar, meaning that the transducer can transmit a range of frequencies at once.
- Water Resistance—Most fish finders carry a JIS or IPX rating of at least 7. This allows the unit to remain functional, even if it’s been submerged in up to 12 inches of water for as long as 30 minutes. A rating of 6 is still acceptable, but make sure it’s no lower than that, or the fish finder will be prone to water damage.
- Screen Color and Resolution—Look for a color screen with a resolution of at least 240X160. This number refers to the number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen (width by height). As a rule of thumb, remember that a higher screen resolution means a clearer image.
- Transducer—The transducer is the microphone-shaped device responsible for transmitting sound waves into the surrounding water. When these sound waves encounter obstructions, such as fish or bottom structure, that information is relayed back to the display screen.
- Additional Features—Some fish finders are equipped with GPS and mapping technology to aid in your navigational efforts. The display screen might be capable of reading everything from the air and water temperature to your boat’s speed. Think carefully about which features might be most useful to you.
Garmin Striker 7SV Reviews: What You’re Buying
When you purchase a Garmin Striker 7SV, you receive a transducer, along with a 12-pin transducer to 4-pin sounder adapter cable. The color display screen measures 7 inches on the diagonal. This unit is capable of mounting on either a transom or trolling motor. A power cable, tilt mount, and documentation are also included.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- User-friendly interface
- High-resolution color screen
- Good maximum depth rating
Cons:
- High price point
- No GPS for mapping and charting features
- User manual must be downloaded separately
Features & Benefits of the Garmin Striker 7SV
In this section, we’ll go over the specifications of the Striker 7SV in greater detail. This should give you a clearer picture of what the model has to offer, helping to determine whether it could be the right fit for you.
Affordability
The “SV” in the name refers to the “SideVu” technology that this unit offers, but it could just as easily stand for “Special Version.” You can expect to pay more for the Striker 7SV than for some comparable models. On the plus side, it also offers a good value for the money.
Power
The Garmin Striker 7SV uses a 12-volt battery, which can be plugged into a charger or alternate portable power source. The transmit power is 500 watts RMS (root mean squared). In case you aren’t familiar with the term, transmit power refers to the strength capability of the signals emitted by the transducer. The higher the number, the more reliable your images will be. 500 is an adequate number for lake and pond fishing and shoreline excursions, but deep-sea fishermen should look for a transmit power of at least 1,000.
Frequency
This unit has dual-beam sonar that supports both high and low frequencies. The traditional sonar reads at 200 kHz, while the “ClearVu” and “SideVu” options operate at 800 kHz. The CHIRP technology enables the transducer to read multiple frequencies at one time, making this a highly versatile model.
Water Resistance
This model carries an IPX rating of 7, which is fairly standard for this type of fish finder. Since the scale runs from 1 to 8, the only models that you’ll find with a higher rating are the ones that were designed for full immersion during use.
Screen Color and Resolution
With a color screen that measures seven inches in diameter, the Striker 7SV is exceptionally easy to read, even in bright sunlight. The screen resolution is 800X480, which is more than twice the recommended minimum. That gives this model a definite competitive edge in this category, especially if you’re planning on mounting the unit on a larger boat with a center console. If you’re looking for a fish finder that can be read from a distance, then you should be satisfied with what the Striker 7SV has to offer.
Transducer
As mentioned above, this unit is equipped with a 12-pin transducer that offers traditional 2D sonar, as well as ClearVu and SideVu options. ClearVu is used for down-imaging, which provides a broad image of the area directly beneath your boat. SideVu is used for side-imaging, giving you details about the environment surrounding your boat. The transducer cable measures 20 feet in length, which makes it suitable for most applications.
Additional Features
The Garmin Striker 7SV offers a split screen that allows you to view both the ClearVu and SideVu images at once. There’s also a fish ID function that will help you determine whether the fish beneath your boat are the ones you’re trying to catch—something that comes in especially handy during fishing tournaments and derbies. A water temperature sensor is included as well.
This model is also outfitted with GPS technology, meaning that you can use the device for navigational aid. You can also use this function to mark waypoints and create your own contour maps. Unfortunately, this device doesn’t come with pre-loaded maps, as some comparable models do. Considering the price, this can be viewed as something of a letdown, especially if you’re planning on using your fish finder in a professional capacity.
Taking the Garmin Striker 7SV to the Water
Does the Garmin Striker 7SV deliver as advertised? To help find the answer, I searched the Web for positive reviews from satisfied customers.
Most consumers were pleased with the overall performance of the unit, citing the crisp visuals and the easy setup as major perks. As high-end models go, the Striker 7SV earns high marks from hobbyists and serious anglers alike. The only drawback that came up on a regular basis was the lack of preloaded maps, but as long as you have informed consent before buying, this shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker.
Alternatives to the Garmin Striker 7SV
Have you considered the product and decided that you’d like to keep searching? Here’s the rundown on a few comparable models to aid you in your efforts.
Humminbird Helix 7
This is a high-end model with a 7-inch screen featuring crisp resolution and split-screen technology. It can show you the location of your boat, as well as information about the fish arches and bottom structure.
How They Compare
- Affordability—Garmin
- Power—Tie
- Frequency—Humminbird
- Water Resistance—Tie
- Screen Color and Resolution—Humminbird
- Transducer—Tie
- Additional Features—Humminbird
If you have a big budget and are looking for the ultimate in fish finder technology, consider the Humminbird Helix 7.
Lowrance HOOK2 7
Like the Striker 7SV, this unit is equipped with a 7-inch screen, but it includes the pre-loaded maps that many anglers are looking for. Accordingly, the HOOK2 7 is priced slightly higher than its Garmin counterpart.
How They Compare
- Affordability—Garmin
- Power—Tie
- Frequency—Garmin
- Water Resistance—Tie
- Screen Color and Resolution—Garmin
- Transducer—Garmin
- Additional Features—Lowrance
If built-in maps rank high on your hit parade, and if you have a few extra dollars to spend, check out the Lowrance HOOK2 7 today.
Humminbird Helix 5
This earlier Humminbird model is priced in a much lower bracket than the units listed above, roughly half as much as the Garmin Striker 7SV. The display is two inches smaller and offers no split-screen technology, but the transducer functions are more than adequate.
How They Compare
- Affordability—Humminbird
- Power—Garmin
- Frequency—Garmin
- Water Resistance—Tie
- Screen Color and Resolution—Garmin
- Transducer—Tie
- Additional Features—Garmin
Take a closer look at the Humminbird Helix 5 if affordability is the driving factor in your purchasing decision.
The Bottom Line
As fish finders go, the Garmin Striker 7SV delivers in just about every category. The high screen resolution provides clear images of both the fish arches and the bottom structure, giving you valuable information about the territory. It even allows you to save this information for future reference. With both down-scanning and side-scanning capability, you’ll have access to broad swaths of the underwater environment at all times.
Click here to add the Garmin Striker 7SV to your list of must-have fishing equipment today.
