Best Fish Finder 2020 – Unbiased Reviews & Buyers Guide

Transducer Frequency

Frequency here refers to the frequency of the sound wave emitted by the transducer. The higher the frequency, the wider the cone angle. However, higher frequency will produce a shorter soundwave, so it won’t be able to reach deep areas.

Transducers usually come in 50, 83, 192, or 200 kHz sound frequencies, although some really high-end fish finders can reach 400 kHz or more.

In general, if you want to fish in mainly shallow waters, higher frequencies (192 or 200 kHz) are better, but lower frequencies (50 kHz) are better for deep waters.

Some units can switch back and forth between high and low frequencies, so this might be your best bet if you are looking for versatility.

Also, there are models that operate on both types of frequencies (dual-frequency) and even multiple frequencies. Typically these models with dual or multiple frequencies will also involve a larger display unit so you can view readings from each frequency in a split-screen.

CHIRP Sonar and CHIRP Transducers

CHIRP, stands for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse, is the latest, most sophisticated sonar technology available today.

Standard sonar sends 1 frequency at a time. So, if you want two different frequencies, you will need two different transducers.

CHIRP sonar, on the other hand, emits sweeping frequencies from low to high continuously, and the transducer with CHIRP scanning capability will then interpret the different reflected frequencies individually. As a result, CHIRP sonar produces a much clearer image with a higher resolution.

Newer models offer CHIRP sonar capabilities. While they are relatively expensive, know that you’re in for a treat with a CHIRP transducer.

Display Unit

If the transducer is about how well the fish finder unit can locate the fishes, the display unit is about how well it can show you the information—the user experience—.

In many cases, how we choose a display is similar to choosing an underwater fishing camera, although it’s also important to consider some technical factors like how well it presents the data (i.e. with colorful charts, easy to read graphics, etc.).

Here are some important factors when considering a display:

Screen Resolution

Screen resolution ultimately refers to how many pixels a screen will display. The more pixels, the more details and the smoother you’ll see the displayed images.

You should, at the bare minimum, look for at least 240×160 pixels resolution (keep in mind, this is fairly low-res). In newer models—including the ones we have reviewed above—, higher resolutions or even HD resolutions are quite common and affordable.

Scanning/Imaging Methods

There are two different scanning, or imaging modes performed by different fish finders: downscan (or down imaging) and sidescan (side imaging).

Side imaging sonar works by using two beams—positioned on each side of your vessel— pointed slightly upwards.

A side imaging fish finder allows us to scan a wider area of water and to see schools in great detail as we pass. However, the downside of side scan sonar is that it won’t produce effective imaging in deep waters, as it won’t cover too much area below your boat.

This is where a down imaging sonar comes in.

Down imaging sonar utilizes a single transducer that emits a thin, but powerful sound wave directly below your boat. Thus, a downscan fish finder is usually the better bet for monitoring bait schools in deep water.

Down imaging can offer very detailed view of what’s beneath your boat, and so is generally a better choice if you like stationary fishing.

Side imaging, on the other hand, is better when you are scanning for shallow diving fish.

Portable VS Mounted

Portable models are generally more affordable—due to their smaller size—, and so they are often portrayed as just that, an affordable alternative to a “real”, bigger, mounted fish finder.

However, it can’t be further from the truth. There are portable fish finders that offer really advanced transducers and really high screen resolutions, and on the other hand, there are many affordable mounted/fixed models with large screens.

It’s true, however, that in general a portable fish finder that is comparable (in price) to a fixed fish finder will offer less overall quality.

So, when comparing the two, it’s best to focus on the main issue that is portability. If you, for example, rent different boats all the time, prefer smaller boats, or wanted to use the fish finder for kayaking, then a portable finder is a better choice.

On the other hand, if you want more advanced technology for the same budget, a fixed/mounted finder is a better bet. Fixed models are also usually more stable and reliable, so it’s a better choice for boats with higher speeds. Also, they are generally more consistent and you wouldn’t need to re-tweak the settings all the time.

GPS Integration