GPS Fish Finder Buying Guide and Reviews

GPS fish finders allow the avid and novice fisherman to catch more fish in a shorter among of time. While many of the powerful features in a GPS fish finder become overwhelming, there is one that is simply a must-have – GPS.

Those that have fished before will quickly realize just how beneficial a GPS unit would be. Let’s take a look at why a GPS is the most vital feature offered in a fish finder.

GPS Pros:

While every fish finder with GPS is different, they all boast the following:

• Map Making: Create your own maps with the use of LakeMaster Maps or Lowrance Insight Genesis. These two map makers will allow you to be able to chart the best fishing spots you have found. This makes going back to an exact location a quick and easy task.
• Know Your Location: Sailing in unfamiliar waters can lead to hours lost trying to find your way home. A GPS will ensure that you can venture out as far as you like without being concerned about finding your way back to shore.

GARMIN GPSMAP 541S FISHFINDER

 

Garmin is the biggest manufacturer of GPS systems in the world. When it comes to the GPSMAP 541s, fishermen are able to easily chart their way through waters without ever worrying about where they are going.

The 541s is NMEA 2000 certified and ensures that it runs seamlessly at all times. Radio functionality is offered so that you can predict weather patterns before dropping anchor. The built-in maps are accompanied with satellite technology to ensure accuracy at all times. The unit also shows the boat’s current speed using its beautiful 5 inch LCD display.

The GPSMAP 541s also features revolutionary BlueChart g2 Vision cards. This allows you to see high-res imagery as well as 3D models to ensure you know where you are going. The transducer also illustrates depth as well as fish targets.

LOWRANCE ELITE 5 GOLD

 

The Lowrance Elite 5 Gold features a stunning 5” color display that shows you land masses and maps on the left portion of the screen and depth contours on the right. When it comes to accuracy, the Elite 5 surpasses expectations each and every time.

There is a built-in GPS for easy charting of your route as well as USA charts and SD card capability. Users can store over 3,000 waypoints as well as track 10,000 points on a given trail. This model is extremely easy to mount and is ultra-lightweight. There is even the ability to scroll through past history to find past fishing locations with ease.

LOWRANCE HDS-5 GEN2

 

The HDS-5 Gen 2 is an extremely detailed fish finder that comes packed with features. This model has a high resolution display that makes seeing the real-time map overlaying a breeze. The screen is 5 inches, which is more than enough to be able to see every intricate detail as well as the current sonar image mapping being rendered.

Fast charts are updated often and the internal GPS is precise. There is also a chart plotter and depth sounder to find the depth of the fish to lure them in easier. A broadband sounder is also seen which displays under the surface of the water faster and more efficiently. Users can exceed depths of 3,000 feet with accuracy by utilizing the latest in broadband sounders.

 

Portable Fish Finder Buying Guide & Reviews

When searching for fish finders, you may be inclined to purchase a portable model. While portable fish finder are typically less expensive than fixed devices, they may not be the ideal choice for every situation. In the long run, a portable device may wind up costing you more and may also be a major inconvenience.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of a portable fish finder to see if this is the right choice for you.

Pros

• Less Expensive: Generally speaking, fixed fish finders cost five times more than portable fish finder models.
• Easy to Use: With a portable device, no permanent installation is required.
• Versatile: As its name implies, portable fish finders can easily be mounted and transported from one location to another. This versatility can be convenient when renting boats, fly fishing, ice fishing or fishing on the shore.
• Adaptable Transducer: These devices can easily be thrown into the water for dock, boat or shoreline use. They can also be mounted onto boats, canoes or kayaks.

Cons

• Insecure: Portable fish finding devices are mounted using a suction cup, which can make them unstable. This can be problematic when moving above trolling speed.  
• Unreliable: Because the device is unstable, the movement can make it difficult to tweak its settings to appropriate levels. This leads to inconsistent results each time you use the device.

NorCross HawkEye F33P

 

The NorCross HawkEye F33P is both compact and accurate. It features a 25 degree sonar beam angle. This beam allows the device to provide precise readings up to 99 feet. It also comes with three sonar sensors: Trollable, floatable and mountable. With 35 feet of cable, the NorCross HawkEye F33P can be tossed from the shoreline, bridge or a boat and still provide accurate readings of depth, fish, contour and weeds. The HawkEye F33P is incredibly versatile and easy to use. For added convenience, the antenna is powered by battery and provides 20 hours of uninterrupted use.

Garmin echo 100

he Garmin echo 100 is affordable and precise. With a 600ft max depth and 4 inch display, this fish finder allows you to see more than other devices on the market. The device uses HD-ID tracking technology with fast refreshing to create a clear image. Thanks to its 200kHz transmitter, the device allows you to scan up to 600 feet below the surface. This makes the echo 100 ideal for freshwater lake fishing. The device also features a quick-release tilt mount to make installation simple and easy. The echo’s affordable price makes it the ideal choice for any budget-conscience fisherman.

 

---

Signstek FF-011 Wireless Fish Finder

 

Designed for both professional and amateur fisherman alike, the Signstek FF-011 uses advanced technology to locate fish, measure the depth of the water and map out the contour of the water. This model features five sensitivity levels and a water temperature indictor. The Signstek FF-011 can scan from two to 100 feet with 1/10 precision. A depth and fish alarm make the device even more convenient. As an added bonus, a fish symbol and depth indicator is included. The FF-011 runs on 4 AAA batteries for the utmost in portability and convenience.