Every angler loves to have GPS included in their fish finder. But built-in GPS is pricey because it requires expensive components. Fortunately, you can now find a fish finder with GPS function on your tight budget. Before you go for a GPS fish integrated finder at this price range you need to do basic research. We created this list of the ten best fishfinder gps combo under $500.
Who Makes The Best Fish Finder GPS Combo?
Humminbird is the leading fish finder GPS combo maker on the market. Humminbird makes both high-end and budget-friendly fish finders. They have models for just about every angler, from those starting to more experienced anglers.
Lowrance is another well-known fish finder GPS combo maker. Lowrance also makes both high-end and budget fish finder combos. Their fishing models are geared toward experienced anglers. They also have fish finders for those looking for a more advanced fish finder than a traditional bait cast reel.
Garmin has been making fishing products since they were founded in 1989. They are one of the top fishing gear manufacturers. They create entry-level and professional-grade fish finders. Garmin’s most popular models are their Striker series. This series is designed for anglers who want an easy-to-use fishing tool.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Unit
Depth finder:
Investing in a good fish finder changes the way you fish forever. A good fish finder shows the depth of water. This can be very useful in keeping track of the weather and understanding how deep below the surface you are. Under 500 lots of fish finders show depth range.
Screen Size:
The screen is one of the essential parts of a fish finder GPS combo. This is where you see the fish arch. It determines how easy it is to use your fish finder. A bigger screen means more information on your screen at once. Smaller screens are easier to read but can’t show as much information at once. Color screens also tend to be easier to read and use than monochrome screens.
Screen Resolution:
The resolution of a fish finder’s screen is measured by pixels. A higher resolution means the net will be more precise and easier to read. You’ll be able to see more information at one time. A lower resolution might mean you have to zoom in to see details. This is not easy when you are on the water.
Portability:
Some fish finders can be challenging to carry around with you. A portable fish finder makes it easy to take your fish finder on the water with you. You will not have to worry about it getting damaged. Your fishing pole won’t feel heavy with the fish finder attached. Portability is a crucial feature for all fish finders. But don’t compromise quality for portability.
Safety features:
There are various safety features that you can find on a fish finder. A fish finder with GPS will be able to help you stay safe on the water. It will be able to tell you where the shore is, and it can also warn you if there are any hazards nearby. You don’t want to get stuck in a situation where you need to call for help. Having a fish finder with GPS will help prevent this from happening.
Down- or Side-Imaging: Down- or Side-Imaging:
Down-imaging is when your fish finder will show you what is below the water. Side-imaging is when your fish finder will show you what is on the side of the water. Down imaging can be beneficial in understanding what is under the water. It can be used to identify fish, rocks and other hazardous items.
Connectivity:
Some fish finders offer a variety of connectivity options. These options can include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB. Having these options can make it easier to use your fish finder. You will be able to connect your fish finder to your phone or tablet and use it as a GPS. You will also be able to use your fish finder with other devices like a PC or laptop.
GPS and Chart Plotting:
GPS and chart plotting are two features often found with fish finders. Chart plotting allows you to use your fish finder as a GPS. You can connect it to your phone or tablet. You will be able to use it as a GPS for boating. Chart plotting can also be helpful in case you lose your way on the water.
How a Fish Finder Works
A fish finder combines electronic technology with a physical device to help anglers find their prey. Different models use different technologies, but all fish finders work in the same basic way. They use a sonar system to “see” the bottom of the water. This system can detect objects as small as a single fish. The fish finder then uses that information to create an area map. This map can find objects in the water, such as fish.
How a GPS Works
A GPS is a system that uses satellites to determine the location of objects. The GPS can be used to find your position on a map, or it can be used to track the movements of a fish. This information can then be used to find and catch the fish.
There are various types of GPS systems, each with advantages and disadvantages. Each method has its strengths and weaknesses, so choosing the right one for your needs is essential.
One of the main advantages of using a GPS to find fish is that it can be used in all weather conditions. Even if there is little or no signal strength available, a GPS will still work as long as there is enough data onboard the device to do so. This makes them perfect for use on open water waterways, where other devices may not be able to operate reliably.
Best Fish Finder GPS Combo Reviews
#1.Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
This fish finder has a 5-inch WVGA color display. 800 x 480 pixels resolution will give you a crisp, clear view of the sonar reading. It has IPX7 waterproofing. This device only weighs about only 1 lb. Hence it is easy to move. You can set this one for your kayak also.
Garmin Striker Plus 5cv has chirp sonar with traditional, ClearVü and sideVü view. The traditional sonar has a frequency of 50/77/200 kHz. ClearVü has a 260/455/800 kHz range. You can pick in between these frequency ranges to your preference. These sonar options give you a near-photographic image of under your boat. Traditional chirp sonar can identify individual fish. It has target separation capability.
This device has an integrated High sensitive GPS. You will have complete control over your fishing trail. It will help you with tracking your speed and course. Whenever you find a hot spot for fishing, you can save it and come back later to the exact location. You can map your routes up to 2 million acres with this device.
Striker Plus 5cv has a depth range up to 600 feet underwater. Fish symbol options will separate fish from underwater objects. It also shows the depth of the target fish. So you can know the depth and plan accordingly. Its built-in flasher is perfect for your ice fishing.
#2.Lowrance Hook Reveal 5
This is one of the best kayak fish finders on this price list. It has a perfect display size of 5 inches with 800 x 480 resolution. Splitshot transducer gives you multiple readings on the screen at the same time. So you can plan your perfect fishing with various data in one set.
This device has the FishReveal option enabled. FishReveal helps detect fish as an individual target. It can identify a fish in underwater construction. A simple fish symbol will help you understand where the fish is and its depth. SplitShot transducer gives you a high chirp and downscan imaging. You can scan down to 500 feet underwater.
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 comes with a built-in GPS. Its mapping options included C-MAP, C-MAP Genesis, and Navionics. You will have a 4000 US inland water map. It has a micro SD card slot. You can save your favorite fishing spot. Save up to 3000 waypoints and 100 trails.
#3.Garmin Striker 7SV
Striker 7SV is the perfect allrounder fish finder at this price range. It has a 7 inches 800 x 480 pixels resolution display. This display is visible under the bright sunlight. Built-in Wi-Fi helps you connect to a smart device. You can get notifications on a smart device by installing the ActiveCaptain app. IPX7 waterproofing gives the device flexibility around water.
It has CHIRP sonar, including Garmin CHIRP ClearVu and Garmin CHIRP SideVu scanning sonars. These sonar systems will simultaneously provide you with different essential readings on the split-screen. This will reduce the time-consuming hassle of your fishing plan. The fish symbol Id will separate the fish from the underwater objects. It will also indicate the fish depth to know the exact location.
The integrated GPS of Garmin Striker 7SV is the best in this price category. It will locate your current location very quickly. More importantly, you can mark a hotspot and can come back later to that location. This device can detect under 2000 feet in freshwater and 1000 feet in saltwater.
#4.Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is the best CHIRP traditional sonar GPS Fishfinder in this price category. Its 6.2-inch LCD display has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. You can see the display reading under any lighting condition. This gorgeous device comes with a Bail mounting system. You can set up quickly and start fishing. IPX7 waterproofing will give you extra water-resistance around the water.
This device comes with a GT24 transducer for Ultra High-Definition ClearVü scanning sonar. It helps you to see a crystal-clear image below your boat. In addition, you will get Garmin-wide CHIRP traditional sonar for remarkable target separation. Split-screen will give you different readings at the same time.
This model has a built-in GPS. You can easily navigate any water with the LakeVü preloaded maps. LakeVü has both the US and Canadian versions of the inland water map. You can create maps on the fly and then modify them to fit your needs. It has a maximum 800 feet depth detection capability.
#5.Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder
The Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder is a powerful device for finding fish in any water condition. This unit can be used as a standalone unit or as part of a more extensive fish-finding system. This 7-inch display will show you a high definition image. The SolarMAX display is visible under bright sunlight.
This fish finder uses a wide-angle CHIRP sonar cone. Which gives you twice the coverage of traditional fish finders. Its autotuning sonar gives you the clearest image by automatically adjusting sonar settings as water conditions change. It reduces time spent on grounds to get back to fishing faster. TripleShot Transducer lets you track your bait, mark fish, and identify structures underwater.
Hook2 has a basic GPS built-in. This GPS device provides basic navigation without a map. You can still add your waypoints and follow trails. It has options to save your favorite fishing spots. A preloaded inland water map lets you float around without getting lost.
#6.Lowrance Hook Reveal 7
This GPS fish finder has a 7-inch display. The Solarmax display can be visible under direct sunlight. You will have split-screen readings. This device only weighs around 1.25 pounds. You can use this lightweight device for a small boat.
The Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot transducer features the fish-finding capability of wide-angle high CHIRP sonar. This provides high-resolution images of fish and structures from DownScan Imaging. The Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot transducer is also autotuning. They allow users to spend more time fishing and less time reworking their sonar settings by automatically adjusting settings based on fishing conditions.
With the Hook Reveal 7, you can see high-detail maps of almost 4,000 US inland lakes. Create custom contour maps with Genesis Live to get onto the fish faster. The built-in GPS of this device helps track your location. You can mark waypoints and save any fishing hotspot.
#7.Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv
The Striker Vivid 7sv fishfinder from Garmin is a 7″ touch screen color fishfinder with new vivid sonar scanning. The display of this device can be read under bright sunlight. The screen has a 800 x 480 resolution for clear images.
The Striker Vivid 7sv is the ultimate fish finder. Garmin CHIRP traditional, ClearVü will give you clear-down scan imaging. SideVü scanning sonars will provide a side-scan view of the boat. It also has a conventional high-frequency sonar. These readings are capable of detecting individual fish separately. Sonar color in different conditions gives you more chances of catching fish.
This device has a built-in GPS. This helps you to create your waypoints. You can also create routes and your favorite fishing spots. WIFI connectivity with a smart device makes it easy to share your location and maps with others.
#8.Humminbird 410220-1NAV HELIX 5
This fish finder has a 5-inch display of 800×450 resolution. You can see the LCD display under bright sunlight. It weighs around 3.5 pounds. So you can tell this is a light device. You can fit this one in your small boat.
With CHIRP digital sonar, you’ll see details down to 2x the depth of conventional smart sonar. CHIRP Sonar uses Broadband Pulse sonar technology to produce more accurate, more detailed returns of fish, structure, and the bottom. Down Imaging helps you to see a clearer view beneath your boat. A dual sonar beam will give you a more detailed reading about your targets.You can detect 2500 feet under with this device.
The built-in GPS of this device can give you a pinpoint location. You can have more accurate waypoints and tracks. Helix 5 has Basemap and a lakemaster mapping system. You can also create your own mapping on the go. With its micro sd card, you can save a huge amount of data on your own maps.
#9.Garmin ECHOMAP UHD
This GPS fish finder has a 6.2-inch LCD screen. The display has a split-screen option. This allows you to read a bunch of sonar data at the same time. Even in bright, broad daylight, you can see the display easily. Bail mounting gear is good for a quick setup. It only weighs 0.7 kg. This light weight makes it one of the portable fish finders in this price range.
The ECHOMAP UHD 53cv features a GT24 transducer for extra-high definition scanning sonar. Garmin-wide CHIRP traditional sonar gives accurate underwater readings. You can see incredible underwater detailed reading with this sonar system. The high wide CHIRP traditional sonar will give you an accurate target separation.
It has an integrated GPS. It confirms your pinpoint location. Preloaded lakevu and Navionics give you 17000 US inland water mapping. You can mark your waypoints and can track your trails. It has a micro sd card where you can save any fishing hot spot. You can also map on your own.
#10.Deeper PRO+ 2 Sonar
Deeper PRO+ is a WIFI fish finder. It features a portable, easy-to-use device. It creates its own hotspot. You need to install an app online and then connect to the wifi signal. There is no mounting or extra setting up hassle. So you can connect, and it’s good for fishing. This item weighs only 3.5 Ounces.
This fish finder has smart technology. It can give you a very accurate reading up to 330 feet under. The DEEPER PRO+ allows you to cover large expanses and locate fish with the wide-angle 47° beam. You can use the mid-angle 20°beam on a hotspot you’ve located. It also has a 7° narrow-angle beam. It can separate targets within a distance of 0.4 inches. This allows you to see every individual fish separately underwater.
This device has a very basic GPS built-in. It will create an automatic mapping of your waypoints. You can find these maps on your connected smart device. From your saved location, you can come anytime to your favorite fishing spot.
Comparison
Model Name | Display | Resolution | Depth |
Garmin Striker Plus 5cv | 5” | 800×480 | 750 ft |
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 | 5” | 800×480 | 500 ft |
Garmin Striker 7SV | 7” | 800×480 | 2000 ft |
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv | 6.2” | 800×480 | 800 ft |
Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder | 7” | 800×480 | 500 ft |
Conclusion
There are a lot of models that you will see in this list. You can find the best fish finder under 500 dollars that fits your needs. These are all top-rated fish finders that have been tested by many people. We hope our reviews will help you choose the right fish finder for your boat. Happy fishing!
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