Best Fish Finder Reviews 2018

There are fish finders that cost as little as $39, and those that cost as much as $369. A large number of features are available in fish finders, and the more features contained in one product, the higher the price will be. Tech-savvy anglers, who love products with more complex and advanced functionalities, will part with more dollars than those who are content with basic features.

Fishing is both an art and an investment, and you'll want to draw as much value and satisfaction as possible from it. Settling for a cheap fish finder may deprive you of this.

Every fish finder must have a defined maximum depth, so you can be aware of how deep you can explore. You should also be aware of the transmitting power, as the greater it is, the faster your unit can display readings. A great number of fish finders have a display (the resolution could be high or low), but there are those whose readings are drawn from a smartphone screen that is connected via an app.

Other features you should consider include:

• Wireless connection
• An alarm system
• CHIRP Sonar Transducer
• Built-in flasher
• Charging station and charger
• Fishing log and activity calendar
• Extras like USB cable or a carrier bag

The depths of reach for these fish finders range from 100 to about 1,800 feet. These depths differ with the kind of water. For instance, a fish finder that gives signals of 1,600 feet in fresh water may function for 750 feet in saltwater.

There are fish finders that are built so that when they are cast in the water, they float and transfer signals from as deep as their capacity can carry. They are built with sensors that detect and show the depth of water, likely fish location, and presence of rocks or vegetation. With products that have both the CHIRP DownVü and the CHIRP SideVü scanning sonars, you can find things on either side of your boat.

Another category of products has transmitters that are dipped into the water and receivers that display the readings. The transmitter is usually a cable that may be as long as 25 feet. Their receivers come in dimensions ranging from 2.2 x 9.6 x 5.9 inches to 13.8 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches, with display dimensions as small as 2.3 inches and as wide as 7 inches.

In addition to the internal memory, some fish finders have slots for a MicroSD card, which gives impressive storage for maps. There are also ports for charging the device, and for some products, a USB port. The battery features are not made the same, as you will find some products that have non-removable batteries and some with exchangeable batteries. Less sophisticated products seem to have a longer battery life, so you can choose what attribute you can forfeit for the other.

Your fish finder should come with a manual to guide you on how to install and use it. If you’re using the type that is connected to a smartphone (usually iOS and Android operating systems), the readings will appear on your phone screen. They are designed to work without data connection, but having a data connection can give you access to loads of real-time info.

Fish finders are portable and generally lightweight, so they don't become burdensome while you enjoy your experience. The slightly larger products ideally come with a mounting ball to aid easy mounting on your canoe or kayak.

Some products come with alarms that notify you of depth and presence of fish. This is a strong point, especially for a product that does not have a high definition color display. Remember that a high screen resolution shows readings more accurately and clearly. ASP-Advanced Signal Processing, together with precise target separation, makes seeing fish easier.

If you spend long hours fishing, you should look at fish finders with long battery life so that your work is not cut short. For anglers who go fishing at dawn, dusk or night, there are products that have a backlighting feature so you can read your device despite the darkness. This could sometimes be controlled by a button that alternates as a power button. Generally, most fish finders do not perform optimally in extremely cold weather. Pay attention to products that have high transducers if you’ll be engaging in lots of ice-fishing.

A fish finder requires the typical care that is given to electronic gadgets, and attention must be paid to ensure that parts are not tampered with carelessly. It is also important to note that while the transmitter is waterproof, the receiver (the unit with the display) is not and should be kept away from water to avoid malfunction.