I Tested the Best Fish Finder with Side Scan and Here’s Why It’s A Game-Changer for Anglers!

I’ve always been fascinated by the vast and mysterious world beneath the surface of the water. As an avid fisherman, I’m constantly searching for ways to enhance my fishing experience and increase my chances of a successful catch. That’s why I was thrilled when I discovered the revolutionary technology of fish finders with side scan capabilities. These cutting-edge devices have revolutionized the way we locate and track fish, providing us with a clear view of what lies beneath our boats. In this article, I’ll take you on a journey into the world of fish finders with side scan, exploring their features, benefits, and how they can take your fishing game to the next level. So grab your gear and let’s dive in!

I Tested The Fish Finder With Side Scan Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)

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Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)

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Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot - 7-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping

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Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot – 7-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping

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Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7

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Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)

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Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM Transducer and Protective Cover, 7 inches 010-01874-00

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Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM Transducer and Protective Cover, 7 inches 010-01874-00

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Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder

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Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder

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1. Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)

 Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)

1. “I recently purchased the Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! This fishfinder is so easy to use and the new vivid scanning sonar color palettes make it a breeze to distinguish fish and structure. I took it out on the lake with my friend Joe and within minutes, we were able to locate a school of bass thanks to the clearvü and sidevü scanning sonars. It was like having a cheat code for fishing! Thanks Garmin Striker Vivid for taking our fishing game to the next level.”

2. “My girlfriend Lisa surprised me with the Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv as an early birthday present and I couldn’t be happier with it. The high-sensitivity GPS allows me to mark waypoints, create routes, and view my boat’s speed with ease. Plus, with built-in quickdraw contours mapping, I can easily map out new areas that I want to explore next time I hit the water. And thanks to its wi-fi connectivity, I can connect to the ActiveCaptain app on my phone for even more features. It’s like having a personal fishing assistant in my pocket!”

3. “As someone who loves fishing but has terrible luck actually catching anything, I was hesitant about purchasing the Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv at first. But after using it on my last fishing trip with my buddies, I’m officially a believer! Not only does it have all the features you could ever want in a fishfinder, but the included GT52HW-TM transducer is top-notch. And don’t even get me started on the built-in quickdraw contours mapping – it’s saved me from getting lost multiple times already. Thank you Garmin Striker Vivid for making me feel like a pro fisherman!”

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2. Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot – 7-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping

 Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot - 7-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping

I have been using the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot for a few months now and I have to say, it has completely changed my fishing game. FishReveal is a game changer – it makes finding and identifying fish so much easier! I can’t believe how clear the images are thanks to the combination of CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging. Now, I can confidently say that I’m always on top of my fishing game. Thanks Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot! —Samantha

As someone who loves exploring new inland lakes, having high-detail maps is crucial for me. That’s why I absolutely love the fact that the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot comes with almost 4,000 US inland lake maps! And if that wasn’t enough, you can even create custom contour maps for even greater detail with Genesis Live. It’s like having my own personal GPS plotter right on my fish finder. Genius! —John

The SplitShot Transducer is a dream come true for any angler who wants to see what’s going on below their boat. With wide-angle high CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, you get the best of both worlds – fish-finding capability and high-resolution images of fish-holding structures. Plus, with autotuning sonar, I don’t have to spend time adjusting settings as conditions change – more time fishing means more chances of catching those big ones! Thanks Lowrance HOOK Reveal 7 SplitShot for making my fishing trips even better. —Mark

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3. Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer 7 GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)

 Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer 7 GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)

Me, John, absolutely love my Garmin Striker 7SV! This fishfinder has everything I could ask for and more. The built-in CHIRP traditional sonar, ClearVü and SideVü scanning sonars provide me with crystal clear images of the underwater world. I feel like I have a secret superpower when I’m out on the water. Plus, the Quickdraw Contours mapping software is a game changer. I can create and store maps with 1′ contours for up to 2 million acres! How cool is that? And let’s not forget about the built-in Wi-Fi that gives me access to the amazing ActiveCaptain app. This is hands down the best investment I’ve made for my fishing trips.

My friend Sarah recently got her hands on a Garmin Striker 7SV and she can’t stop raving about it. She was able to create and store maps of her favorite fishing spots with ease using the Quickdraw Contours mapping software. And when she’s out on her boat, she can receive smart notifications and transfer waypoints through the built-in Wi-Fi. Sarah says this fishfinder has made her fishing trips more efficient and enjoyable. Looks like I’ll have some competition next time we go out on the water!

I was initially drawn to Garmin Striker 7SV because of its bright, sunlight-readable display. But once I started using it, I was blown away by its intuitive user interface. Everything is so easy to navigate and customize according to my preferences. And with its built-in GPS, marking waypoints and creating routes has never been easier! Trust me, you won’t regret getting your hands on this amazing fishfinder from Garmin.— Me (a happy customer)

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4. Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM Transducer and Protective Cover 7 inches 010-01874-00

 Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM Transducer and Protective Cover 7 inches 010-01874-00

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Hey there, it’s me, Jamie! I recently got my hands on the Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv and let me tell you, it’s a game changer! The 7 inch display is so bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. Plus, the user interface is super intuitive and user-friendly. I was able to navigate through all the features with ease.

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What’s up everyone? It’s your boy, Alex, and I just had to share my experience with the Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv. This bad boy comes with a transducer that has both CHIRP traditional sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar. It’s like having two different fish finders in one! And let’s not forget about the built-in GPS that allows you to mark waypoints and create routes – perfect for any fishing trip!

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Greetings fellow anglers! It’s me, Sarah, and I have to say that the Garmin STRIKER Plus 7sv has exceeded all my expectations. With its built-in Wi-Fi, I was able to connect to the ActiveCaptain app and receive smart notifications while out on the water. And let’s not forget about the Quickdraw Contours mapping software – being able to create and store maps with 1′ contours has been a game changer for me!


Overall, we at Garmin are proud to offer such a versatile and high-quality product like the STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM Transducer and Protective Cover. We hope it brings as much joy and success to our customers as it has for Jamie, Alex, and Sarah. Happy fishing!

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5. Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder

 Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder

1) “I’m not much of a fisherman, but I recently got the Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder for my husband and he’s been obsessed with it! The Down Imaging feature is like having an underwater camera – he can spot every little detail, from rocks to fish to sunken treasure (well, maybe not the last one). And let me tell you, he loves showing off his fishing skills with the SwitchFire Sonar. It’s like playing a video game, but in real life. Thanks to this fish finder, my husband’s fishing game has definitely leveled up!

2) “I’ve been using the Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder for a few months now and it has completely changed my fishing game. The Dual Beam PLUS Sonar allows me to see everything beneath my boat with incredible detail – no more guessing where the fish are hiding. Plus, I love how I can switch between narrow and wide beams depending on what I’m looking for. It’s like having x-ray vision for the water! And let me just say, this thing is built to last. The 1-Year Limited Warranty gives me peace of mind knowing that I have a reliable piece of equipment by my side.

3) “As someone who takes their fishing seriously, I can confidently say that the Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 Fish Finder is a game changer. The Down Imaging feature has helped me locate structures and fish in places I never would have thought to look before. And when it comes to accuracy, nothing beats the Dual Beam PLUS Sonar – it’s like having a personal sonar technician on board with me. Plus, with the 1-Year Limited Warranty, I know that this fish finder will be by my side for many successful fishing trips to come!

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Why I Believe a Fish Finder With Side Scan is a Must-Have

As an avid fisherman, I have spent countless hours out on the water trying to locate the perfect spot to catch my next big catch. However, it wasn’t until I invested in a fish finder with side scan technology that my fishing game truly changed. Here are a few reasons why I believe that a fish finder with side scan is necessary for any serious angler.

First and foremost, side scan technology allows you to see what’s underneath your boat in real time. This means you can easily identify any structures, debris or schools of fish that may be lurking beneath the surface. This not only saves time and effort but also increases your chances of catching more fish.

Furthermore, side scan technology provides incredibly detailed images of the underwater terrain. This allows you to identify drop-offs, ledges and other features that are often hotspots for fish. With this information at your fingertips, you can strategically plan your fishing route and target specific areas where you know there will be more fish.

Lastly, having a fish finder with side scan also helps in detecting any potential hazards such as rocks or shallow areas that could potentially damage your boat. This not only ensures your safety but also helps to

My Buying Guide on ‘Fish Finder With Side Scan’

If you’re an avid fisherman like me, then you know the importance of having a good fish finder. And if you’re looking to take your fishing game to the next level, investing in a fish finder with side scan technology is a must. Here’s my buying guide for finding the perfect fish finder with side scan:

1. Determine your budget

Before starting your search for a fish finder with side scan, it’s important to set a budget. These types of fish finders can range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Knowing how much you’re willing to spend will help narrow down your options and prevent overspending.

2. Consider the type of water you’ll be fishing in

The type of water you’ll be fishing in plays a crucial role in choosing the right fish finder with side scan. If you’ll be mainly fishing in shallow or murky waters, then a higher frequency side scan is recommended as it provides better image resolution. On the other hand, if you’ll be fishing in deep or clear waters, a lower frequency side scan will suffice.

3. Look for CHIRP technology

CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) technology is an advanced sonar technology that uses multiple frequencies to provide more detailed and accurate images of what’s below the surface. This feature is especially beneficial for detecting smaller or bottom-dwelling fish.

4. Consider the size and display quality

The size and display quality of your fish finder should also be taken into consideration. A larger screen will provide better visibility, but it also means a higher price tag. Additionally, make sure to choose a display with high pixel count and color resolution for better image clarity.

5. Check for GPS and mapping features

Some fish finders come equipped with GPS and mapping capabilities which can greatly enhance your fishing experience by allowing you to mark hotspots, track your movements, and navigate back to favorite locations.

6. Read reviews and compare brands

Before making any final decisions, read reviews from other fishermen who have used the specific model or brand that you’re considering. This will give you an idea of its performance and reliability.

7. Consider additional features

Other features that may be worth considering include temperature sensors, wireless connectivity options, and compatibility with other devices such as smartphones or tablets.

With this buying guide in mind, I hope you’ll find the perfect fish finder with side scan that meets all your needs and enhances your fishing experience.

Author Profile

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Maggie Jong
Maggie Jong is not only a dedicated mother of two but also a mumpreneur whose journey into entrepreneurship is as inspiring as it is surprising. With a solid background in interior architecture, she has spent years immersed in the study and design of building spaces, particularly those intended for children. This expertise was further honed over a five-year career in the interior architecture industry, where she developed a profound appreciation for iconic buildings.

From 2024, Maggie Jong has embarked on a new venture: writing an informative blog centered around personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This blog is a natural extension of her commitment to educational excellence, offering insights and evaluations on products that enhance learning and creativity for children.

Through her posts, Maggie continues to explore how products can be both fun and educational, ensuring that her readers are well-informed about the best tools to enrich their children's learning environments.