A fish finder for a person keen on fishing from a boat is not a luxury, but an irreplaceable assistant. It allows not only to see the presence of fish and its size at a specific point, but also to measure the depth so that the fisherman can pick up the weight of the bait and have a chance to catch the largest prey. And showing the bottom relief will allow you to successfully hunt for pike perch, catfish or pike, who prefer to hide in a snag. Which fish finder is best for fishing?
We have prepared a new rating of the best echo sounders for fishing from a boat in 2019.
Important criteria for choosing an echo sounder:
- The deeper the echolocation depth of the model, the better.
- For a professional fisherman, it is desirable that the model has a GPS navigator, this allows you to mark a promising point on the traversed relief.
- Screen size - the bigger the better. There are models without a screen, they can be connected to a tablet or smartphone.
- For a person who is just mastering fishing, an inexpensive single-beam echo sounder is perfect. For the experienced fisherman, a dual-beam echo sounder is better suited to survey a larger area underwater.
- Models for ice fishing must be made of frost-resistant materials.
In our top 10 fish finders for 2017, there are options that have earned many positive reviews from both amateurs and fishing experts. Happy choice!
10. JJ-Connect Fisherman 220 Duo Ice Edition MARK II
You can buy, on average, 5,900 rubles.
The number of rays is 3.
This is one of the best boat fishing echo sounders according to experienced anglers. It has a black and white backlit screen with the ability to enlarge the picture, a temperature detector, display of bottom structure, depth to fish and its size, as well as an additional sensor for winter fishing. Those who have tried it in practice claim that even the bottom of the boat is not an obstacle for the sensor.
Of the minuses: you need to keep the device upright, otherwise it gives incorrect readings.
9. Lowrance Elite-3x
You can buy, on average, 9,480 rubles.
The number of rays is 2.
Small and inexpensive device with a color 3.5 "display, scanning up to 244 meters, displaying the depth to fish, bottom structure. You can enlarge the image if necessary.
However, this echo sounder does not always accurately display the depth (with an error of plus / minus half a meter), does not give a signal when a fish is found, and constantly catches signals reflected from stones.
8. Garmin GPSMAP 585
Sold, on average, 35,190 rubles.
Total rays - 2.
The most expensive model in the 2017 boat fishing echo sounder rating. For such a high price, it offers the following features:
- 5-inch color screen with the ability to enlarge the image.
- IPX7 water and dust resistant housing. This means that the device can be immersed in water for a while, dropped and left in the rain.
- The maximum scanning depth in fresh water is 457 meters.
- GPS module.
- The sounder can be connected to a computer or flash drive.
- Support for memory cards.
- Long battery life: When used for 6 hours, the sounder lasts for two days.
For better visibility in bright sunlight, it is best to position the unit straight.
7. Lowrance Mark-5x Pro
It is offered, on average, for 18,066 rubles.
The number of rays is 2.
A well-built model with a 5-inch black and white screen.The maximum scanning depth is 305 meters. Convenient and simple menu in Russian can be easily mastered by any user. The device displays the structure of the bottom, the presence or absence of fish and even algae.
The main disadvantage of this echo sounder is the periodic display of the depth of 0.8 meters. Even a reboot does not help, after a short time it "passes" by itself.
6. Rivotek Fisher 30
Cost - 7 690 rubles.
How many rays - 1.
Ergonomic device with black and white display and scanning up to 36 meters. It shows water temperature and depth, bottom topography and the presence or absence of fish. And the ball-shaped design allows you to cast the fishfinder manually or using a spinning rod.
But the fishermen complain about the heavy sensor, which is difficult to cast, and the impossibility of using it in winter, since the wide beam "gets stuck" in the walls of the hole.
5. Practitioner ER-6Pro2
Price, on average - 6,950 rubles.
The number of rays is 1.
In fifth place in the review of fishfinders for fishing is an inexpensive domestic model with a black and white screen and long battery life (about 7-9 hours with continuous use). It can show the depth and temperature of the water, and also sound an alarm when it finds the right fish size. Thanks to the Pro mode, the fishfinder can automatically tune to any body of water. So we can say that this is the best echo sounder in terms of value for money.
Fishermen attribute hard buttons to the unpleasant moments of using the Practitioner ER-6Pro2, the need to remove the battery when the device is stored for more than a week (the settings are preserved) and imperfect sensitivity. It happens that the echo sounder does not see the fish near the very bottom or takes a snag for a fish.
4. Garmin Fishfinder 350C
The average price is 28,090 rubles.
The number of rays is 2.
Powerful model with a scanning depth of up to 457 meters, a five-inch backlit color display and an IPX7 waterproof rating. You can keep a log with temperature or depth graphs, and split the screen vertically for viewing at different zoom levels or separately along the beams.
Cons: you cannot connect the echo sounder to a PC or navigator.
3. Humminbird PiranhaMAX 230 Portable
The average cost is 21,000 rubles.
How many rays - 2.
This echo sounder has a large scanning depth in fresh water - 182 meters. Of course, hardly anyone will fish from a boat at such depths, but the very presence of such functionality inspires respect for the manufacturer. In addition, the Humminbird echo sounder uses the unique DualBeam technology, in which two sensors work simultaneously, rather than switching between modes. This preserves both the strength benefits of a narrow sensor and a large wide view.
High-quality assembly of American production gives hope for a long service life of the device. And the intuitive interface and the ability to mount on a suction cup ensure comfortable use.
2. Deeper Smart Sonar PRO +
Average cost - 22,900 rubles.
The number of rays is 2.
Small in size (65x65x65 mm) echo sounder using the screen of a smartphone or tablet as a display. Distinctive features of this model are the ability to synchronize data on the topography and bottom depth through the cloud, and the presence of a GPS module.
According to the manufacturer's information, the device operates at a depth of up to 80 meters.
The user-friendly interface in Russian received positive reviews, so you don't have to spend a lot of time studying the device.
Also on sale there is a model Sonar Pro, which differs from the "plus" version only by the absence of a GPS-module and costs a couple of thousand rubles cheaper.
The disadvantage of both models is the periodic loss of signal during fast pulling and strong waves of water. This is due to the fact that the device is very deep in the water. In addition, these echo sounders do not have an indication of the distance between the sonar and the receiver.
1. Deeper Smart Fishfinder 3.0
On average, it costs 10,300 rubles.
How many rays - 2.
This is the best fish finder for boat fishing in 2017 rankings. Why is he so fond of users?
- Firstly, it is small in size. The dimensions of the device in length, width and depth are 65x65x65 mm, weight - 100 g.
- Secondly, excellent waterproofing and quality assembly.
- Thirdly, a very user-friendly interface that a beginner can easily understand.
- Fourth, the accuracy of determining the depth and structure of the bottom, as well as the size of the fish.It can be used from the shore, which saves the fisherman both time and effort.
- Fifth, the duration of the battery charge. According to one of the users, after 4 hours of being in cold water, the echo sounder was discharged by only 10%.
A useful feature is to save the place of fishing and fishing history on a smartphone, as well as independently turn on and off the echo sounder when lowering or lifting from the water
This model is the best choice for those who fish at shallow depths, up to 40 meters.