Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo Reviews 2021 [Update]
There’s nothing like taking a day off to go fishing, especially if you can take some time off work. However, your fishing trip can turn from exciting to disappointing in a hurry if you’re not catching anything. Fish can be quite smart, and they know how to escape quickly. If you’re not having too much luck, you should consider getting a fish finder.
Not only should you enjoy a fish finder, you should make sure it has a chartplotter as well. This way, you can navigate towards unsuspecting fish, and mark your favorite locations. If you haven’t tried using a fish finder combined with a chartplotter, you don’t know what you’re missing. Finding the best chartplotter fishfinder combo doesn’t have to be like finding a needle in a haystack.
Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo Comparison Table
Image
Product Name
Editor Rating
Price
Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo Reviews
1. Simrad GO7 XSE Chartplotter/Fish Finder
Touch Display
The touch display makes it easy to scroll through the menu. It makes it easy to use, especially when you’re out on the water. You can drag and pan across the maps quickly and smoothly using the touch screen display.
Navigation
The Simrad fish finder has a chartplotter and waypoint management system that makes it practical to travel over the water. No matter where you’re planning on fishing, you can rely on the device. You just point and click on the location, and you’re on your way.
Customizable
You can customize the fish finder to your preferences, allowing you to scroll through the maps quickly. When you need the change the menu, you can just touch the screen. It’s ideal for those looking for a customizable device.
TripIntel Technology
The TripIntel technology provides a new way of tracking the fish. You can follow them wherever they’re going. When you’re reeling in the fish by the loads, you’ll enjoy fishing a lot more when the fish finder is hooked up to your boat.
Pros
- Easy to use
- The chirp notification is loud
- You can save waypoints quickly
Cons
- May not work for everyone
2. Garmin GPSMAP 742xs GPS Chartplotter
Basemap
For those that want to venture out to the middle of the open water, you can quickly locate your base easily. It’s ideal for those that need to make sure they have a way to get back.
Touchscreen
The touchscreen allows you to pick anything in the menu, making it easy to find what you need. No matter how you’re planning on using the fish finder, you can rely on it.
Waterproof
For those that like to venture out into open water, you can rely on this unit. Since it is waterproof, you don’t need to worry about any splashing waves wreaking the fish finder. The fish finder will work in any condition, allowing you to focus on fishing.
CHIRP Sonar
The fish finder includes a CHIRP sonar, making it easy to detect any fish in your area. You will always hear what the fish finder picks up on the fish finder. You can narrow your search to focus on different areas.
Pros
- Practical for exploring
- Option to split the screen
- Shows the bottom
Cons
- May not work for everyone
3. Minn Kota Humminbird Combo Fishfinder/Chartplotter
Highlighted Features
This is a gorgeous, multifunction unit with a 10.4 inch full color LCD screen. It has an internal GPS and chartplotter built into the unit, which can use Humingbird, C-Map Charts, or Avionics. It has a built in dual beam sonar, so that you will have no problems finding fish when you are out on the water. It has high-speed ethernet networking ports on it, which gives you the ability to load up your software with features like radar and AIS. It also comes with a one year warranty, should you have any hardware or software problems with your fishfinder.
Pros
- Large 10.4 inch full color LCD screen that is easy to read and easy to use
- Internal GPS and chartplotter which can use a variety of different features and software
- dual beam sonar, which makes it even easier to find the fish that you are looking for
- High speed ethernet ports which make it easy to add radar, AIS, and other features to your unit
Cons
- This is by far the most expensive and highest quality model that we are looking at today
- This unit is probably best designed for long term, serious fisherman. Or a new fisherman with a high limit of disposable income.
4. Lowrance HOOK-5 Fishfinder/Chartplotter Combo
Highlighted Features
This unit features a bright LCD 5 inch color display. It comes with Downscan Imaging and CHIRP Sonar to give you the ultimate view beneath the surface of the water. Highly accurate GPS technology that includes the maps of over 3,000
- Rivers
- Coastal contours
- Lakes
And displays up to 1,000 feet. THis model features ASP technology so that you don’t have to keep adjusting your computer to see fish, bottom, and structure detail. The device can adjust automatically as you go. It has Trackback technology so that you can go back and look at your sonar history to pinpoint locations that were abundant with fish.
Pros
- Awesome GPS technology
- Colorful and compact 5 inch LCD display
- Downscan imaging that overlays with CHIRP sonar to get the best possible lay of the fish, structure and floor around you
- Programmed with thousands of bodies of water, around the country
- Trackback technology so that you can remember all of your favorite fishing spots
Cons
- The mounting bracket can be a little loose
- It’s a good model for intermediate fisherman, but may be lacking for the more experienced
5. Furuno GP1870F Color GPS Chartplotter/Fishfinder
Highlighted Features
This model includes a 7 inch color LCD display and boasts maximum durability. This model fully waterproof and impact resistant. It has a dual-range display that allows you to look at both long and short ranges, on the same screen, to better navigate for fish. This has an internal antenna that is hassle free, and supports C-Map cartography software. Has an adjustable post-processing gain control that you can adjust based on the kind of water that you are in. The unit also helps you distinguish between all kinds of masses that you find around your boat and on the floor, including mud, gravel, rocks, and sand.
Pros
- Uses C-Map technology
- 7 inch colorful LCD display
- Compact, durable and totally waterproof
- Internal antenna
- Adjustable gain control
- Bottom discrimination function
Cons
- This unit is kind of expensive, so it may be better suited for the pros and veterans
- Smaller display than other models in its price range
How to Choose the Right Chartplotter Fish Finder
Fishfinder and chartplotter combos can easily reach the mid to high hundreds of dollars. The technology is advanced, so it’s understandable why the price can run so high. If you’re not looking for the best fish finder, or don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a fish finder, you can find some that are priced.
However, you should look for the best one that fits your budget, and thankfully, the market is full of options. While it may be tempting to go out and grab the first one you see, the truth is that it might not work for you. Here is what you should consider when you’re looking for a top chartplotter combo.
Size
The size of the fish finder is crucial to ensuring you can see as much as possible. The screen size is important, as the bigger the screen, the more likely you’re going to detect the fish hiding out. Not only should the screen size be large enough to see without squinting, you want to make sure you have a high resolution.
The resolution allows you to tell the difference between a fish and a rock, and you can coordinate your position to your advantage. That’s why finding a fish finder/chartplotter combo with a large screen will make your experience a lot more enjoyable.
Power
The power output of the fishfinder/chartplotter combo should be good enough to see everything around you. The more power the fish finder has, the more you can see, which helps when you’re looking for fish hiding away. Most fish finders have a power output between 100 and 300 watts, which is practical for most fishermen.
Unless you’re planning on doing some deep-sea fishing, that amount of power should suffice. You can see up to 200 feet down with the standard amount of power, but you should up the ante if you’re planning on fishing in deep water.
Transducer
The transducer is one of the most critical parts of the fishfinder and chartplotter. A transducer will use different beams to scan through the water. It will pick up the fish’s location, and what type of fish they are. The transducer also allows you to map out the bottom of the water, making it easier to spot the fish.
Depending on how far deep you want to fish, you should make sure the transducer has dual frequencies. You can adjust the frequencies for shallow or deep water. It’s practical for those fishing expeditions where you don’t know where you want to go.
Connectors
The connectors allow you to keep the wires organized. Using cheap, plastic connectors can break easily, which will happen at the worst time. Upgrading the connectors to a copper or metal material provides durability and stability to your wires.
When you’re out on the water, you don’t need them to snap and break off the wires. You can check out their durability, and what material they’re made of before you decide to purchase the fish finder. The connectors should be easy to attach and pull off the cords, just so you can be sure they’re on properly.
Durability
The durability of the fish finder is important. You should make sure it is waterproof, and how well the fish finder is sealed. Most of the fish finders have a rating that tells you how durable it is. Usually a higher rating will result in a well-built unit that you can use for boating. You want to make sure the fish finder is prepared to handle anything you throw at.
Even dropping the fish finder on the ground can shake loose the electronics inside. You may be able to purchase a case to keep the fish finder in, and attach it to your mount. While some of the more expensive units are going to have more durability, you can still find a fish finder that is durable enough in your price range.
Price
The price of the fish finder is important, as well. You should create a budget, and shop for a fish finder within the budget. You can find the best one in your price range. If you find one you really like, you should consider the features. If it is out of your price range, you can still find a good one, except you’ll have to sacrifice a few different features. Staying within your budget allows you to focus on the best fish finder for you.
Conclusion
A fish finder should durable, reliable, and accurate, the Garmin GPSMAP 741xs Chartplotter. Garmin is known for their GPS units, and when you’re using a chartplotter fishfinder combo, you want to make sure it works well. The fish finder works in any type of weather, making it ideal for those that run into rough waters. The waterproof design makes this one of the more durable and reliable fish finders available. The price is reasonable for a chartplotter/fishfinder combo, so you know you’re getting your money’s worth.
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