The echo sounder is a device that can help you enjoy the pleasures of fishing. It allows you to observe fish in their natural environment, understand their movements and then cast your line where they bite. Just like the Lowrance Hook 5 Fishfinder/Map Plotter in black. Its main assets? Its large screen and built-in GPS antenna. Read our comparison to learn more.
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Our selection
"This new generation of Lowrance fishfinders features a large screen for easy viewing of underwater information. It also has an internal GPS antenna for positioning…"
"Wireless and accurate, this device syncs with iOS/Android devices simply by using wifi. You don't need an internet signal, and just turn on mobile data…"
"This new generation of Humminbird Helix has the new "Reflex" user interface. This allows an easier use of the device and higher performance."
"Extremely easy to use, this unit has a GPS in addition to being a fishfinder. It has an ultra-bright, sunlight-readable screen that provides an almost…"
This new generation of Lowrance fishfinders features a large screen for easy viewing of underwater information. It also has an internal GPS antenna for positioning and marking navigation points.
279 £ on AmazonThis unit has an internal GPS antenna to determine your position, however, it cannot accept a navigation map. All you can do is find your position and create routes and waypoints. It also has the classic 2D fishfinder feature. That is, it works with a 200 kHz sonar, so it can work at depths of up to 100 meters without any problems.
The 5" color TFT display provides a perfect picture quality that makes it easy to read the information even in bright sunlight. This new generation still has a side keyboard for extremely simple operation of the unit. It can basically work with the original settings, but can be better adapted later to improve the performance of your device. Finally, this device is equipped with a quick-release bracket, which will save you time when mounting or dismounting.
Wireless and accurate, this device syncs with iOS/Android devices simply by using wifi. You don't need an internet signal, and just turn on mobile data for an uninterrupted connection.
144 £ on AmazonThis unit will not only detect the location of fish, but also the structure, contours, depth, temperature and vegetation of the bottom where you want to fish. It has a depth range of 80 meters and a 15/s wide and narrow beam scan, and the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro can be up to 100 meters away from the user with its WIFI connection.
This unit is designed primarily for small boats and kayaks. It's easy to install because it has no cables or batteries. The device is light, not very bulky and very portable. QYou don't need to equip your boat with Internet, it can perfectly synchronize with your smartphone and use the WiFi of the latter via Hotspot. Don't forget that this powerful and versatile fishfinder is very compact (6 cm diameter), can separate targets up to 2.5 cm and offers 5.5 hours of continuous use on a single charge (2 hours for a full charge).
This new generation of Humminbird Helix has the new "Reflex" user interface. This allows an easier use of the device and higher performance.
850 £ on AmazonThe Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp has a 7-inch screen (800 H x 480V resolution TFT color display). The image will be sharper and more accurate for sonar and mapping. It also has full sun protection and anti-fog treatment so you can enjoy your day of fishing. It's extremely easy to use, with just a few buttons to fully control your unit and take full advantage of its great performance.
This unit is equipped with the Humminbird Dual Beam, which allows for better detection of the ocean floor. While the 200/455/800 kHz sonar allows you to go down to 100 meters with a clear image on the screen. The Down Imaging technology also integrated will facilitate the survey of the seabed, as it is the most advanced marine electronic technology to date with the Chirp technology. Finally, it is easy to disassemble, as it only requires loosening the two screws, disconnecting the probe and the power cable.
Extremely easy to use, this unit has a GPS in addition to being a fishfinder. It has an ultra-bright, sunlight-readable screen that provides an almost photographic view of what's happening under your boat.
260 £ on AmazonThis echo sounder with built-in GPS and 5-inch display incorporates a CHIRP (77/200 kHz) sonar for clear, perfectly detailed images. It can also be combined with STRIKER and echoMAP™ units to share your waypoints and routes. This makes it easy to find fish. The built-in high-sensitivity GPS antenna displays your GPS location wherever you are. It lets you store the location of your favorite fishing spots and quickly navigate to different spots without risking getting lost along the way.
Finally, the STRIKER™ Plus 5 hp allows you to display your boat speed so you can maintain proper speed in confined areas. In addition, this unit is designed to identify fish for you to fish with symbols, all thanks to the Fish ID feature. And its auto-sensing technology reduces interference to focus on the target.
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The best entry-level echo sounder
The best high-end echo sounder
The best alternative echo sounder
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| TOP OF THE TOP | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
8/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Lowrance- Hook 5 Fishfinder/Mapplotter Black
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Deeper - PRO Portable Kayak Sounder
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Humminbird - Helix 7 Chirp Sounder
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Garmin - Fishfinder Striker Plus 5hp with a Stern Probe
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This new generation of Lowrance fishfinders features a large screen for easy viewing of underwater information. It also has an internal GPS antenna for positioning and marking navigation points.
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Wireless and accurate, this device syncs with iOS/Android devices simply by using wifi. You don't need an internet signal, and just turn on mobile data for an uninterrupted connection.
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This new generation of Humminbird Helix has the new "Reflex" user interface. This allows an easier use of the device and higher performance.
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Extremely easy to use, this unit has a GPS in addition to being a fishfinder. It has an ultra-bright, sunlight-readable screen that provides an almost photographic view of what's happening under your boat.
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Large, bright display
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Wide and narrow beam scanning
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Screen with full sun protection and anti-fog treatment
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Crisp, detailed image
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Easy to use
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Primarily designed for small boats and kayaks
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Extremely easy to use
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Built-in high-sensitivity GPS antenna
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GPS and echo sounder combinations
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Lightweight and portable
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Sonar 200/455/800 available for depths of up to 100m
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Fish ID feature lets you identify fish before you fish
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There are two things to consider with this criterion, screen size and screen resolution. Size is important for viewing the information sent by the sonar echo, while resolution helps determine the accuracy of the image. If you choose a large screen, you can display a variety of information simultaneously, including a map and background zoom. They are displayed in separate frames, but on the same screen.
In addition, a definition greater than 360 vertical pixels will allow you to better locate fish. A high-definition screen makes for a much more reliable and readable picture, especially when you're drilling deep.
As a reminder, the higher the number of vertical pixels, the more detail the unit can display on the screen. In addition, the number of horizontal pixels allows you to keep the information on the screen longer.
With the evolution of technology, there are now fishfinders equipped with a screen of more than 800 pixels and a touch screen. Depending on your budget, you can choose a touch screen, black and white or color.
The power, expressed in watts, is an important criterion for excellent range. You can use a low-powered sonar in fresh water and at normal depth. But at sea or in murky water, very high power is required. A model with more than 800 watts of peak power can do the job.
Some models, such as multi-frequency fishfinders, offer more than 2000 W or even 8000 W peak power. They are very effective at detecting weak echoes at the periphery of the cone. This gives you the opportunity to see the lure longer and more often.
To avoid setting the unit every time after turning it off and on, a model with internal memory is recommended. This may sound absurd, but there are still fishfinders with internal volatile memory. With these types of units, any settings you make will be lost and returned to the factory settings.
The internal memory is an important consideration, as is the frequency. The frequency determines the acoustic wavelength emitted by the unit. A low-frequency (50 KHz) unit is much more suitable for saltwater fishing, as it's more effective at sounding deeper; while a high-frequency (200 KHz) unit provides a more accurate picture and is better at detecting small objects.
4 main types of fishfinders are available on the market, including flashing or "flasher" fishfinders, graphic or thermal fishfinders, video fishfinders, and LCD (liquid crystal display) fishfinders. You can choose according to the display of your choice and the type of fishing you plan to do: sea, freshwater, through the ice, sight fishing... These devices are distinguished by their display systems.
It's important to know that a sonar unit scans in cones, not lines. When the sonar screen scrolls, it doesn't mean the sonar is moving or that there are many fish. If you want to spot fish, you need to spot bows. Thicker lines and a second return to the sonar means a harder bottom.
The time it takes for sound to travel downward and backward is used to calculate the distance to the seafloor. Water depth is estimated using the speed of sound in water (about 1500 meters per second) and a simple calculation:Distance = speed x time/2.The product is divided by two, because the time measured is the round trip time (from the transducer to the bottom and back to the transducer). The faster the sound pulses return to the transducer from the bottom, the shallower the water depth and the higher the bottom elevation.
The sound pulses are sent regularly as your boat moves along the surface, producing a line that shows the depth of the water below the boat. You can then use this data to create a small bathymetric map of the fishing areas you want to fish to make your job easier.
This is the echo sounder used by freshwater fishermen. It rarely gets hot, so manufacturers use it to make waterproof echo sounders. In addition, this sonar's screen is readable even in bright light. Since fresh water is darker than the sea, this screen offers a perfect viewing perspective. In fact, the LCD echo sounder has excellent color contrast and a constant level of brightness, resulting in perfect image quality. Hence the frequent use among freshwater fishermen. This type of screen also has a reputation for being more durable.
They are also known as "thermal fishfinders." They use a roll of thermal paper, like fax paper. This type of echosounder will transmit the collected information to a moving stylus, while the paper is being unrolled. It is the mobile stylus which will then "burn the signals" on the paper, and thus makes it possible to obtain a print of the echoes in an indelible way. The interest of this system is to keep a trace of the echoes that occur during a tour.
This type of echo sounder allows you to obtain very precise data and offers the possibility of making counts and statistics after the fact. However, it requires much more work, because the paper roll must be changed regularly. This is very difficult when it is cold or when it is raining. That's why it's mostly used by scientists, which is why we don't offer it in our selection.
The echo sounders transmit a pulse of acoustic energy to the sea floor and measure the total time it takes to travel through the water, i.e. the outward and return journey. If the measured time is one second and the speed of the acoustic waves is known to be 1500 m/s, the depth is obviously (1500 x 1)/2 metres = 750 m. By calculating the difference between the transmission and reception of the echo produced by the device, the depth of the object can be determined, or more precisely its distance from the probe.
The returned echoes also provide a two-dimensional representation of the bottom relief, and of the objects between the bottom and the surface on the sonar screen. If the system is sensitive enough, it will also display fish echoes, but this only gives an indication of their relative abundance.
Sonar, short for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is useful for exploring and mapping the ocean because sound waves travel farther through the water than radar and light waves. It is primarily used to develop nautical charts, locate underwater hazards for navigation, search for and map objects on the seabed such as shipwrecks, and map the seabed itself.
This type of device is mainly used in military or industrial settings and is not really of interest to amateur fishermen who can make do with an echo sounder.
The choice depends primarily on what you want to use it for. If you need a unit that will work in both fresh and salt water to detect fish, choose an echo sounder. If you need a unit that will work in both fresh and salt water to detect fish, choose an echo sounder. If you need a unit that will work on the ocean floor and you're not interested in fish, try a sonar unit.
For your safety first
An echo sounder transmits a sound pulse into the water, and when it hits something solid such as vegetation, fish or other objects in the water, the signal is reflected back to the surface. As this sound travels through the water at a set speed, the sonar unit can calculate how long it took for the sound to reach the object and then return. These measurements can tell you the depth of the water and other information about objects in the water. The echo sounder also measures the strength of the return pulse, the greater the strength the harder the object. Echo sounders are used to read the structure of the seabed in addition to helping you locate the type of fish you are looking for.
Detecting the type of fish
Echo sounders scan the transmitted signals as a cone, and this must be taken into account when interpreting the information on the screen. A fish that appears to be just below the boat on the screen may actually be a little lower, depending on the depth. The deeper the water, the larger the cone. On most echo sounders, you can adjust the range, which is good to check, as the effectiveness of the equipment can depend on conditions. Scanning with a wide beam/cone is best for detecting fish, then adjusting the setting to a narrower beam/cone will show more accurately where the fish are, even if you are now scanning a smaller area.
Determining the size of the fish
If you want to try to determine the size of a fish using an echo sounder, you must think vertically rather than horizontally. The fish will be displayed as an arch on the screen, but a long arch probably means the fish is in the cone and is fairly still, but it doesn't tell you anything about its duration. If, on the other hand, the line is thick, it's probably a bigger fish.
To help you become a fishing professional
If you learn to process the raw data that the echo sounder displays on the screen, such as lines, arcs and scrolling, you will gradually become better at finding the most interesting spots. The more you get used to using the echo sounder, the quicker you'll be able to detect areas where a particular type of fish is found. Moreover, you will also be able to interpret the information given by your device concerning the dangers or the zones at risk.
In our opinion, the best brands of echo sounders in 2022 are :
Simrad Yachting is a manufacturer of marine electronics for the recreational and professional markets. Simrad's modular technology allows you to create a sportfishing system that includes ultra-modern, sophisticated and high-performance equipment.
Lowrance has been a leader in marine electronics since inventing the first consumer sonar unit in 1957, the famous "Little Green Box. Since then, they've continued to create innovative products with even greater performance.
Garmin never ceases to impress with the creation of intuitive and user-friendly devices, Garmin's marine offerings include sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, fishfinder technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping and instrumentation. Garmin is also known for creating all kinds of advanced technology devices, making it the leader in this field.
Humminbird is experienced in designing fishfinder, GPS systems, radar and autopilot for fishermen. For over 40 years, the brand has been working to find new ideas to offer its consumers, which has earned it its reputation and fame.
Deeper Sonars uses a Wi-Fi connection to pair with your smartphone or tablet. This gives a powerful, stable wireless connection and the best casting range of any castable fish finder (the Deepers work as a Wi-Fi hotspot - you don't need an internet or mobile network connection). This is how the brand will show you depth, contour, fish location and much more.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Set up your echo sounder properly
To operate at its best, your echo sounder must be properly installed on the boat. If your boat has an electric motor or foot engine, you can install the depth sounder in the bow. If your boat has an internal combustion engine, the best place to mount it is at the stern. Also note that the transducer must be well submerged to avoid interference.
Familiarize yourself with the device
An echo sounder usually has several controls, between the control keys and the simulation buttons. For this reason, it can be quite difficult to operate, especially if you're a beginner. To remedy this, consider familiarizing yourself with the unit, taking the time to analyze each function with the help of the user's manual.
Mute your echo sounder
It's important to know that an echo sounder's transducer makes quite a bit of noise, even if you can't really hear it when you're out on the water. It's not a problem for your ears, but it may scare off the more wary fish. Because of this, consider unplugging the sonar wire behind the screen when you've found a good place to fish.
Choose the right battery
Be aware that you should never connect your sonar unit to the same battery as the motor, as this creates a significant risk of noise. For small echo sounders, a lawnmower or motorcycle battery would work fine. However, for a 9-inch or larger sonar unit, look for a battery with 70 amps of current.
Use a plastic box as a stand
If you want your sonar unit to be mobile, opt to use a stand. You don't have to spend money on a special sonar stand; a plastic box will do just fine. It just needs to be rigid enough to support the weight of the screen. Besides, this solution is very practical because you can even store a few essentials in the box.
When a sonar unit isn't returning good data for any reason, try "peaking" the transducer. This is a way to fine-tune the settings so that the transducer returns a clearer picture even under difficult conditions. Do this in four steps: First, change the range to three times the actual water depth. Second, increase the sensitivity until you see a second "bottom" below the first on the main screen. And third, slowly reduce the sensitivity until you have a fairly good reading of the first "bottom" result. Finally, return the range to its normal setting.
The sounder pulse sent by an echo sounder may take a little time (milliseconds) to return. If you're on the move, in a few seconds you'll have passed the point your sonar unit is monitoring. If your screen is scrolling too slowly, you may not see that school of fish until you pass it. Increase the screen speed. As soon as something interesting appears on the far right side of the screen, slow the boat down.
Dual frequency echo sounders were originally designed for use by seagoing vessels to give reliable depths in deep water situations (low frequency) and more accurate navigation in shallow areas (high frequency).
Yes at certain times, when the parameters of modification of the density of the water are too important then it is very possible that fishing with an echo sounder does not allow to bring back fish. This case is very possible if you are a novice fisherman in the field, so you need a minimum of experience to master the technicalities of the echo sounder.
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