Every fisherman wants to know where the pikeperch is sitting. .. You are a fan or professional, the owner of a simple spinning or the owner of a complete set of modern fishing gear - it does not matter. Know the fish places will not hurt a fisherman, but they can be found quickly, armed with a good echosounder. To understand the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular devices for finding fish will help our rating.
Contents:
- sounder which company to buy
- Ranking of the best sonar
- Best Portable fishfinders
- best stationary echo sounders
- Best Fish Finder with GPS
- What sounder Sounder
choose which company to buy
Garmin
Garmin Fishfinder company offers a wide range of models. Among their advantages are high sensitivity, convenient mounting, powerful radiation, displays of high-quality materials, thought-out design, the possibility of using devices at both small and large depths.
Humminbird
The American company Humminbird has been producing echo sounders for more than 40 years and has taken leading positions in this field. Among the innovative developments of the brand are devices with sensors of a circular view and wireless technology SmartCast, sonar-3D.Humminbird was the first to release a waterproof echo sounder, and in the line of their products there will be both budget models and options for professional fishing.
Lowrance
Modern Lowrance echo sounders are equipped with a mass of useful functions. They perfectly handle the signal, have the option of automatic tuning, provide a good view under the boat. The technology CHIRP allows you to scan in different bands using a single sensor. Lowrance sonars can be tuned specifically for fish search, adjust the sensitivity of the device and the brightness of the screen. Plus an intuitive interface and a Russian-language settings menu.
Deeper
Deeper sounder is an uninterrupted operation in fresh and salt water, high-precision sonar, built-in temperature sensors. Smart Imaging technology provides a good overview of the bottom and places of fish accumulation, increasing the chances of catching. The brand produces a line of wireless echosounders with a high scanning speed and remote control capability.
Practitioner
The company "Practitioner-NC" is a domestic manufacturer of easy-to-use, compact and functional echosounders for fishing. Sonars of this brand have a good battery capacity and are capable of operating at low temperatures. A suitable option for beginners and amateurs.
Rating of the best echosounders
In this rating, compiled based on customer reviews, were taken into account:
- the location of the hull( portable, stationary);
- availability of GPS;
- power of the device;
- compactness( dimensions of the device, screen diagonal);
- scanning depth;
- number of beams and presence of lateral radiation;
- additional options( moisture proof enclosure, speed and temperature sensors, type of power supply);
- price category.
The best portable echo sounders
The most popular portable echo sounder - Deeper Smart Fishfinder 3.0
Two-beam portable echo sounder with transducer in the kit and sound signaling. Power source - batteries or batteries, dimensions - 6.5 × 6.5 × 6.5 cm. The frequency of the beams is 290 and 90 kHz, the emission angles are 15 ° and 55 °, respectively. Operating temperature range from -20 to +40 ° C.
Pluses:
- high quality scan;
- waterproof housing;
- function to determine the depth and size of fish;
- displays the structure of the bottom;
- it is possible to enlarge the image on the display;
- is Bluetooth, which allows remote control of the device using a mobile application;
- can be used for summer and winter fishing;
- compactness;
- battery autonomous operation;
- accuracy, easy operation;
- modes for catching from a boat, from ice, from the shore.
Disadvantages:
- is a dark color, it is difficult to distinguish from afar, it is difficult to find if the cord breaks when casting;
- there is no application on Windows Phone;
- limited range for Bluetooth - up to 30 m, then the signal is unstable;
- charger only with USB connector, for 220V network no;
- there is no wing-stabilizer.
In general, the reviews on the quality of the Deeper Smart Fishfinder 3.0 echo sound and performance are positive.
A popular affordable portable echo sounder - Practitioner ER-6PRO
A small, low-cost single-beam portable echo sounder with a transducer and Black and White screen size 3 × 5 cm and a resolution of 64 × 128 pixels, there is a backlight for working in the dark. The device is powered by batteries, the depth of scanning is 25 m in fresh water. A suitable option for amateur fishing.
Advantages:
- mobility;
- is compact and lightweight, weighs only 170 g;
- waterproof enclosure( class IP67);
- displays the bottom relief, the depth of the location and the size of the fish;
- is equipped with an air temperature sensor.
Disadvantages:
- too small screen;
- only two buttons for navigating in menus, are pressed tightly.
Most of the customer reviews indicate a good price-performance ratio. The sounder copes with the main tasks when searching for fish.
The most popular of the powerful portable models - Lowrance Elite-4x CHIRP Ice Machine
Powerful two-beam portable echo sounder powered by 12V.The complete transducer with universal fastening. Color screen with backlight, resolution 272 × 480 pixels.and a diagonal of 4.3 inches. Output power: peak - 30 000 W, RMS - 250 W.The maximum scanning depth is 305 m in fresh water.
Advantages:
- optional GPS module;
- displays the structure of the bottom, the depth and size of the fish;
- picture enlargement option;
- technology CHIRP - high-intensity radar impulse, allows you to distinguish objects( individual fish in a flock, several fish in thickets or near the bottom);
- housing is waterproof;
- compact, light weight.
Of the shortcomings, users note only the complexity of setting the menu, in general, the reviews are positive. Suitable echo sounder for professional fishing at medium depth.
The best stationary fishfinder
The most popular model - Garmin Fishfinder 350C
Stationary dual-beam echo sounder with transducer attachment to the transom and power supply from the network 12 V. Display with backlight, color, 480 × 272 pixels, 5 inches. The frequency of the beams is 200 and 77 kHz, and the angles are 60 ° and 120 °, respectively.output power: peak 2400 watts and RMS 300 watts. Displays bottom relief, enlarges the image. Presence of a sound signal, temperature and speed sensors. Advantages:
- shows the size and depth of the fish;
- is a large screen that can be divided vertically to view the picture with different approximations and by rays;
- is suitable for winter fishing;
- convenient menu buttons with quick access to the necessary sections;
- has a log with a graph of temperature and depth.
Disadvantages:
- there is no protective cover for the display;The
- can not be connected to a PC, a chartplotter or a navigator;
- Russian menu, automatic and manual mode;
- can not be called light - the device weighs 500 g.
. Most buyers note the convenience and functionality of the Garmin Fishfinder 350C.
The most affordable stationary echosounder is JJ-Connect Fisherman 600 Duo
Fixed stationary dual-beam sonar for fishing with transducer to transom mount, built-in speed and temperature sensors. Power - from batteries or batteries, operating temperature range - 10 - 50 ° C.Housing with waterproof coating, the screen is black and white, with a backlight and a resolution of 160 × 240 pixels. The frequency of the beams is 200 kHz first and 50 kHz second, the angles are 20 ° and 35 °, respectively. The maximum scanning depth is 350 m in freshwater reservoirs, the peak output power is 1600 W.
Advantages:
- reasonable price;
- easy operation;
- portability;
- quality assembly.
Disadvantages:
- no protection against improper installation of batteries - can burn from reverse polarity;
- errors in depth indicators;
- insufficient moisture protection in the keyboard area.
According to consumers' reviews, the device regularly serves for several seasons, but in case of breakdown it is non-repairable. Budget option for amateur fishermen.
Best echosounders with GPS
The most popular model with GPS - Deeper Smart Sonar PRO +
Portable dual-beam sonar float for fishing with built-in GPS module. In the complete set of transducers with fastening to the float, the power source - batteries or batteries. The depth for fresh water is 80 m, and the frequency of the rays is 90 and 290 kHz with angles of 55 ° and 15 °, respectively.
Advantages:
- availability of Wi-Fi, wireless control from the screen of the tablet or smartphone;
- compact and light weight - only 100 g;
- high quality display;
- fast connection to the smartphone;
- in the menu there is a calendar in which you can enter data with reference to a particular locality.
Among the shortcomings, consumers only call the high cost of the echo sounder and a rare loss of connection with the tablet for 2-5 seconds. Perhaps, this is one of the best sonars, which will be appreciated by both amateur and professional fisherman.
The most affordable model with GPS - Garmin STRIKER 4dv
Compact four-beam echo sounder with transducer complete and waterproof case. One of the most purchased models with a GPS-module. Power - from the network 12 V, the screen is color, with backlight and a resolution of 320 × 480 pixels. The output power is 2400 watts peak and 300 watts RMS.Weight 230 g.
Advantages:
- high image quality on the screen;
- rich functionality;
- convenient and fast fastening;
- consumes little energy;
- Flasher mode;
- CHIRP technology for detailed object discrimination;
- is a good chartplotter;
- large scanning depth - 253 m in salt water bodies and 533 in fresh water;
- wires with protective caps;
- is lightweight, compact;
- is an affordable price.
Disadvantages:
- small screen.
According to reviews, the Garmin STRIKER 4dv is convenient for long-distance and many-day fishing, as well as for winter fishing in a narrow hole. In addition to a small display, the rest of the device completely suits the consumers.
Which sounder to choose
1. For fishing in spacious water bodies it is better to use an echo sounder with a good beam angle and a low frequency, and for narrow rivers and short distances a sonar with a high frequency of radiation and a small angle is suitable.
2. If it is necessary to determine the structure of the bottom and the depth of the reservoir, it will be sufficient to have a budget single beam echo sounder.
3. To actively search for fish, it is better to choose at least a two-beam model with a beam angle of at least 50 °.
4. Sonar with Flasher function for winter fishing.