Last updated on May 25th, 2023 at 05:02 pm
Fish finders are a must-have essential gear for any angler looking to locate and target fish. However, high-end models of fish finders can be quite expensive.
The good news is that there are now many affordable options available that still provide excellent performance.
In this article, we will take a look at the best cheap fish finders for 2023, providing you with the features and specifications you need to make an informed decision.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, you’ll be able to find a fish finder that fits your needs and budget.
What Are The Best Cheap Fish Finder?
The best overall cheap fish finders are:
Garmin Striker 4 GPS Fish Finder
The Garmin Striker 4 is one of the best cheap fish finders on the market, and if you are serious about fishing then this is the device for you.
I had been using an older model fish finder but when I saw the Striker 4 in action, I knew that I needed to upgrade.
The Striker 4 comes with a transducer and a 3.5″ display, making it easy to see what is going on beneath your boat.
The Chirp traditional transducer provides crystal clear images of fish and other underwater structures, while the GPS functionality ensures that you always know where you are so that you can find those hot spots again in the future.
Clear Vu Scanning Sonar
Any good fish finder needs to have a sonar system that can give you a clear view of what is happening beneath the surface of the water and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint.
The ClearVu Scanning Sonar gives you a nearly photographic image of the structure, cover, and contours of the lake bed. It also works well in very shallow waters.
Waypoint Map
The Waypoint Map feature allows you to save, organize and navigate to your favorite fishing spots. You can mark waypoints on the map so that you can easily find your way back to them later.
The map also shows you underwater features like reefs, shipwrecks, and more so that you can plan your fishing trip accordingly.
Chirp Sonar
The Chirp sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies which provides even better resolution and target separation. This is the traditional kind of sonar transducer.
Built-in Flasher
The Garmin Striker 4 Fishfinder has a built-in flasher which allows you to see your bait as it falls through the water.
This is great for fishing at night or in low-light conditions. You can also use the flasher to find schools of fish or locate structures and covers.
Water Rating IPX7 – 1,600 feet freshwater, 750 feet saltwater
Most people don’t realize that their electronics need different levels of protection based on whether they will be used in fresh or salt water.
This fish finder is designed for both, with a water rating of IPX7.
That means it can withstand being submerged in up to 1,600 feet of freshwater or 750 feet of saltwater.
So no matter where you drop your line, this little device will be able to keep up.
Display Size: 3.5 inches diagonal (8.7 centimeters)
The large display size on this Garmin Striker 4 GPS Fishfinder is just what you need when you’re out on the open water.
It gives you plenty of space to see all your readouts clearly, so you can keep track of your progress and location easily.
Plus, the extra-large numbers and letters are easy to read even in bright sunlight.
Review and Score
Our Score: 93/100
I fish a lot, and I have to say that this is one of the best fish finders I’ve ever used.
It’s very accurate and it’s helped me catch a lot of fish. The transducer is also very good quality and it works well in all types of water.
The only downside is that the battery life isn’t great, but other than that, I’m very happy with this product. I would give it a score of 93 out of 100.
Verdict
All in all, the Garmin is a pretty good fish finder/depth finder. It’s easy to use and set up, has clear imaging, and gives accurate readings.
This product would be great for anyone looking for a reliable device to help them locate fish while out on the water.
Garmin Striker Plus 5cv GPS Fish Finder
I had been looking at upgrading my old fish finder for a while and when I saw the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv, I knew it was the one for me.
With its built-in GPS and scanning sonar, I would be able to find the fish like never before.
And with the quickdraw contours mapping software, I could map out my favorite fishing spots and share them with my buddies.
Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
Includes transducer for built-in Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar plus CHIRP clearer scanning sonar
This fish finder comes with a special transducer that allows you to use both traditional Garmin CHIRP sonar as well as the newer, clearer CHIRP scanning sonar.
This gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to finding fish whether they’re hiding in deep water or closer to the surface.
Plus, the built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software lets you create your fishing maps on the go, so you can always know where the hot spots are.
Built-in Garmin quickdraw contours mapping software
With the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv, you can create and store maps with 1-foot contours for up to 2 million acres. This is perfect for fishermen who want to be able to find the best fishing spots quickly and easily.
The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software makes it easy to find these spots and plan your next fishing trip accordingly.
Bright, Sunlight-readable 5 display and intuitive user interface
This bright, sunlight-readable 5-inch GPS fishfinder features Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar for crystal-clear imaging, built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software to instantly create personalized fishing maps on-screen, and a transducer for ultra-clear scanning sonar images.
It also has an intuitive user interface so you can easily find your way around even if you’ve never used a fishfinder before.
Rugged design for every fishing environment
The Garmin Striker Plus 5cv is designed to withstand the rigors of fishing in any environment. It features a rugged, waterproof design that can stand up to being dropped, bumped, or even submerged.
Additionally, it comes with a transducer that can be mounted on your boat or kayak for easy scanning of the water below.
Review and Score
Our Score: 90/100
The Garmin Striker Plus 5cv is one of the best fish finders and depth finders on the market.
It’s packed with features including CHIRP traditional and ClearVu scanning sonar, built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software, and a 5″ color display.
It also has a transducer for high-quality sound and image transmission.
I would give this product 90 out of 100 ratings. The customer reviews on Amazon are overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the product’s features, ease of use, and accuracy.
One customer even went so far as to say it was “the best fish finder (they) have ever used in the budget range.”
There were very few negative reviews, and those that were negative generally had issues that were specific to their setup or use case rather than problems with the products themselves.
Overall, this is an excellent product that I would highly recommend to anyone in the market for a fish finder or depth finder.
Verdict
For anyone looking for a good fish finder/depth finder, the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv is an excellent choice and comes highly recommended.
It’s easy to use right out of the box, and even easier if you’re already familiar with Garmin products.
Humminbird Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 Fish Finder
The Humminbird Helix 5 is one of the best cheap fish finders on the market, and if you love fishing, then this is the perfect device for you.
I decided to buy a Humminbird after doing extensive research on all of the different brands and models available.
The features that set this particular model apart from the rest were its CHIRP sonar technology, GPS capabilities, and large color display.
Humminbird Helix 5
5″ Widescreen Display
This 5″ widescreen display is certainly a step up from the smaller screens on other fish finders.
It gives you plenty of space to see all the important information at a glance and makes it much easier to spot fish in the water.
The large screen also comes in handy when you’re trying to navigate your way through unfamiliar waters.
Features CHIRP Digital Sonar, GPS mapping, AutoChart Live, Humminbird Basemap, DualBeam PLUS, and SwitchFire
This fish finder has a lot of features that will make your fishing experience better.
CHIRP Digital Sonar gives you clear and precise readings of what’s going on under the water, while GPS mapping ensures you know exactly where you are and where the fish are biting.
AutoChart Live automatically creates bathymetric maps as you fish, so you can always come back to your hot spots.
And SwitchFire lets you customize how your sonar returns appear, so you can see the information that’s most important to you.
SwitchFire Sonar – Take Command of How Your Sonar Returns Appear
The SwitchFire sonar feature on the Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 is a great way to tailor the appearance of your sonar returns to better suit your needs.
Whether you’re looking for more detail, or just want to simplify things, SwitchFire has you covered.
Plus, with its large 5″ display, you’ll have no trouble seeing what’s going on beneath the surface.
Dual Beam PLUS Sonar – Two Beams Combine for Great Detail and a Generous Coverage Area
This fish finder uses two beams of sonar to give you a wider coverage area and more detail than you would get with just one beam.
The wider beam gives you a big picture of what’s going on beneath your boat, while the narrower beam provides greater detail so you can see exactly where the fish are hiding.
This is especially useful when you’re fishing in unfamiliar waters or trying to find a specific spot in a large body of water.
Humminbird Basemap Built-in
This fish finder has a Humminbird Basemap built-in, which provides an enhanced mapping of underwater terrain and points of interest.
This is extremely helpful in giving you confidence when fishing or navigating in unfamiliar waters.
The unit also includes GPS for pinpoint accuracy, so you can always know exactly where you are and how to get back to shore.
Review and Score
Our Score: 94/100
I found the Humminbird Helix 5 to be an extremely versatile and user-friendly fish finder. It can be used in both salt water and fresh water, and it has a variety of features that make it ideal for any fisherman.
The color screen is easy to read, even in direct sunlight, and the GPS function is accurate and reliable.
I would award this product a score of 94 out of 100. Moreover, I also did the groundwork for your readers by finding customer reviews on Amazon.
The customer reviews are positive overall, with customers praising the accuracy of the GPS function as well as the clarity of the color screen.
Overall, I think anyone in the market for a fish finder would be pleased with this product.
Verdict
Overall, the Humminbird Helix 5 G3 is a great fish finder that does what it’s supposed to do. It’s easy to use and set up and provides accurate readings.
If you’re in the market for a fish finder, this is one of the better options out there.
Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder
The Lowrance HOOK2 is a great Fish Finder for any fisherman, whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting.
I have used this fish finder on many fishing trips and it has helped me to catch more fish than ever before.
It is easy to use and provides accurate information that can help you make the most of your time on the water.
High-resolution display
A fish finder is only as good as its display, and this one from Lowrance certainly doesn’t disappoint.
With a high-resolution display, it gives you a clear and concise picture of what’s going on under the water.
This is vital for finding those fish that are hiding in nooks and crannies.
Autotuning sonar
This particular fish finder uses something called autotuning sonar, which means that it can automatically adjust the settings to provide you with the best possible image of what’s going on beneath the surface.
This is great news for those of us who are less than expert at fiddling around with settings; now we can just let the machine do its thing and focus on fishing!
Double the CHIRP sonar coverage of most fish finders
This fish finder is different because it uses two frequencies instead of just one.
Most types of fish finders use a single frequency, which gives you a limited view of what’s beneath the surface.
But this bad boy uses both low and high frequencies, giving you twice the coverage and a much more extensive view of everything that’s going on under there.
Review and Score
Our Score: 89/100
Overall, I am very pleased with Hook 2. It’s easy to use and read, even in direct sunlight.
The bottom contour mapping is a cool feature that I haven’t seen on other fish finders in this price range. I gave it an 89/100 rating because there are a few things that could be improved.
For example, the included mount is somewhat flimsy and wobbles a bit when attached to the boat hull.
It would also be nice if the unit came with some sort of case for storage or transportation.
That being said, those are minor complaints and do not take away from the overall usefulness of the product. The HOOK2 Fish Finder gets two thumbs up from me!
Verdict
The Lowrance HOOK2 is a great choice for those looking for an affordable, yet reliable fish finder.
With its easy-to-use menus and advanced features, the HOOK2 is perfect for both novice anglers and experienced fishermen alike.
Deeper PRO+ Smart Castable and Portable Fish Finder
Deeper PRO+ Smart Castable and Portable Fish Finder
The Deeper PRO+ is one of the best smart sonar castable and portable fish finders that is a versatile and high-tech device that is perfect for anglers who fish in a variety of different environments.
Whether you’re fishing from a kayak, a boat, or even onshore or through the ice, this fish finder will give you the information you need to catch more fish.
One of the standout features of this fish finder is its castable design, which allows you to easily cast out the device and get real-time depth and fish location data from up to 165 feet away.
The built-in GPS also allows you to mark your favorite fishing spots and return to them later.
Another great feature of this fish finder is its WiFi connectivity, which allows you to view the data from your device on your smartphone or tablet.
This means that you can keep your phone or tablet in a dry and safe place while you’re fishing, and still be able to see the data in real-time.
The Deeper PRO+ also offers a high-definition display and a range of different sonar modes, including a standard, clear and max mode, which will help you get a better understanding of the water column and the fish that inhabit it.
The device also includes a built-in rechargeable battery which will last up to 6 hours of continuous use.
Overall, the Deeper PRO+ is an excellent choice for anglers who want to take their fishing to the next level.
Its advanced features and easy-to-use design make it a great option for both experienced and novice anglers.
It is a great tool to have on any fishing trip. The Deeper PRO+ fish finder is a high-tech device that can help you find more fish and improve your chances of catching them.
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Conclusion
So, there are many affordable fish finders available on the market that offer excellent performance and features.
When looking for a cheap fish finder, it’s important to consider your specific needs and the features that are important to you.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, there is a fish finder that will fit your needs and budget.
The models we have highlighted in this guide are some of the best cheap fish finders on the market for 2023, and we believe that one of them will be a great choice for your next fishing trip.
Remember to do your research and read the reviews before making a final decision to make sure you are getting the best fish finder that fits your needs.
FAQs: People Also Asked
What’s The Easiest Fish Finder to Use?
Fish finders with user-friendly interfaces, simple navigation, and clear display are considered easy to use. Some models include Lowrance Hook2, HOOK² 9 TripleShot, etc are the best easiest-to-use fish finders.
How do You Choose a Fishfinder?
When choosing a fishfinder, consider your specific needs and the features that are important to you. Look at the display, resolution, and transducer frequency.
Also, consider the size, power, and portability of the unit. Research and read reviews to compare the performance of different models before making a final decision.
Is a 7 Inch Fish Finder Big Enough?
A 7-inch fish finder is considered a standard size, it offers good display and resolution, and it is considered adequate for most fishing needs.
Is it OK to Run Fish Finder Out of Water?
It is not recommended to run a fish finder out of water as it may damage the transducer, which is designed to work underwater. Additionally, the fish finder will not function correctly when not submerged in water.
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