10 Best Fish Finders 2025 in the United States

The Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 106sv LIVESCOPE Plus Bundle is designed for anglers who want detailed underwater views and precise navigation. It features a 10-inch LED screen that’s large enough for clear visibility without being bulky, making it reasonably portable given its size. This model supports Garmin’s LIVESCOPE sonar technology, which is advanced and provides real-time scanning, improving your ability to see fish movements and underwater details live around your boat.

The power source is battery-powered, offering flexibility for use on smaller boats or in areas without direct power. The device includes multi-band GPS, improving position accuracy for marking fishing spots or navigating waters safely, a crucial feature for any serious fish-finder. Wireless networking lets you share sonar data, waypoints, and routes between compatible devices, which is handy if you fish with friends or want backup data on another unit. It also supports screen video recordings to capture your best catches, a fun and practical feature for sharing or reviewing your trips.

At 27 pounds and with dimensions around 15 x 10.6 x 16.7 inches, it’s not the lightest or most compact option, so it may be less ideal for highly portable needs like kayak fishing. The transom mount is common but limits installation to certain boat types. This product is well suited for serious anglers who value high-quality sonar and GPS features and are willing to carry some extra weight for the benefit of cutting-edge scanning and mapping abilities.

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.