Garmin SideVu vs Humminbird Side Imaging: Which is Better?
Garmin SideVu vs Humminbird Side Imaging: If you’re an avid angler, then you know that there are a lot of different techniques and tools that you can use to improve your fishing skills.
One popular tool is side imaging, which allows you to see underwater structures and fish next to your boat.
But what’s the difference between Garmin SideVu and Humminbird Side Imaging? Want to know what is SideVu and Side Imaging mean? Keep reading to find out!
It is a popular tool among anglers because it provides a clear view of underwater structures and fish next to the boat.
By understanding the differences between Garmin SideVu and Humminbird Side Imaging, you can make a more informed decision about which sonar is best for you.
What are Garmin SideVu and Humminbird Side Imaging?
Garmin SideVu and Humminbird Side Imaging are two of the most popular side imaging technologies on the market. They both have their pros and cons, so let’s take a closer look at each one:
#1 Garmin SideVu
Garmin SideVu is a sonar technology that creates a 300-foot view of the area immediately to the sides of your boat. This gives you a much better idea of what’s going on beneath the surface, which can help find fish or avoid underwater hazards.
Advantages of Garmin SideVu
The main advantage of Garmin SideVu is that it has a higher frequency than Humminbird Side Imaging, which means that it can provide clearer images.
Additionally, Garmin SideVu is compatible with more types of sonar, including traditional 2D sonar, chirp sonar, and DownVu sonar.
Disadvantages of Garmin SideVu
The main disadvantage of Garmin SideVu is that it is more expensive than Humminbird Side Imaging.
Additionally, it requires a special transducer that is not included with the standard Garmin fishfinder package.
#2 Humminbird Side Imaging
Humminbird Side Imaging is a sonar technology that creates a 180-degree view of the area immediately to the sides of your boat.
This gives you a much better idea of what’s going on beneath the surface, which can help find fish or avoid underwater hazards.
Advantages of Humminbird Side Imaging
The main advantage of Humminbird Side Imaging is that it is less expensive than Garmin SideVu.
Additionally, it does not require a special transducer, which makes it easier to set up and use.
Disadvantages of Humminbird Side Imaging
The main disadvantage of Humminbird Side Imaging is that it has a lower frequency than Garmin SideVu, which means that the images are not always as clear.
Additionally, Humminbird Side Imaging is not compatible with all types of sonar.
Must read: Down Imaging vs Side Imaging Sonar, Which is best for you and your needs?
How do They Work Differently?
If you want to know how Garmin SideVu vs Humminbird Side Imaging works differently? then read on to know more:
How Does Garmin SideVu Work?
The SideVu from Garmin is a technology that uses sonar to create an image of what is on the left and right sides of your boat.
You can see this image on your device’s screen, and it will show you objects, fish, and structures in great detail.
One of the best things about SideVu is that it gives you a nearly real-time view of what is happening beneath and around your boat, so you can make better decisions about where to fish.
How Does Humminbird Side Imaging Work?
The Side Imaging from Humminbird works similarly to the Garmin SideVu, but it uses different sonar frequencies to create its images.
The advantage of this is that you get a clearer view of what is happening beneath and around your boat.
So, if you are looking for a tool that will help you improve your fishing skills, then the Side Imaging from Humminbird is a great option.
Which One is Better For You – Garmin SideVu or Humminbird Side Imaging Products?
Before taking a decision about which one is better, first, you have to know what they are. So let me explain this.
Side Imaging Explained:
Both Garmin SideVu and Humminbird Side Imaging are sonar imaging technologies that give anglers a view of what’s going on below the water’s surface.
However, they work in different ways.
Garmin SideVu uses a beam of ultrasonic waves that are sent out from the side of your boat.
These waves bounce off of objects below the surface and are then reflected back to the transducer, which creates an image on your screen.
Humminbird Side Imaging, on the other hand, uses multiple sonar beams that are sent out in a fan-like shape.
This allows you to see not only objects below the surface but also the sides and rear of your boat.
Which is better?
So which is better – Garmin SideVu or Humminbird Side Imaging? The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
But most anglers (I have asked) say, If you’re primarily interested in seeing fish and underwater structures, then Humminbird Side Imaging is the better option.
However, if you’re also interested in seeing what’s going on around your boat, then Garmin SideVu is the better choice.
What Fish Finder Has The Best Side Imaging?
The Best side imaging fish finders are Humminbird G4N Helix with MEGA SI+, G3 Solix, and any Extreme units.
All of these fish finders have great features that make them top contenders in the Humminbird side imaging fish finder world.
What transducer should you use for Humminbird side imaging?
You should use the XNT 9 SI, XNT 9 HW MSI, XHS 9 HDSI, XTM 9 SI, XTM 9 HW MSI, XTM 9 HDSI, XTM 14 HW MSI, XPTH 14 HW MSI, XM 14 20 MSI, XM 14 74 MSI, SSTH 14 HW MSI, etc transducers for Humminbird side imaging units.
What Garmin Fish Finders Have SideVu?
The Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, 9sv, Echomap UHD 74sv, 94sv, Echomap Ultra 102sv, 106sv, 122sv, GPSmap 743xsv, 943xsv, 1243xsv, 1022xsv, 1222xsv, 8610xsv and more.
Basically, every Garmin unit that has the “SV” letter in the last of the model name is SideVu.
What transducer should you use for Garmin SideVu?
You should use the GT30, GT40, GT41, GT50, GT51, GT24UHD, GT34UHD, GT36UHD, GT54UHD, and GT56UHD transducers for your Garmin SideVu unit.
How Do You Read a SideVu?
To read a SideVu, you need to first determine the direction your boat is pointing. The centerline of the SideVu display is always aligned with your boat’s heading.
From there, you can see what’s directly beneath your boat as well as what’s off to the side.
If you see something of interest on the SideVu display, you can use the trackback feature to navigate back to that spot.
This is a great feature for finding fish or other underwater structures.
How Do You Read a Side Imaging?
Like SideVu, you need to first determine the direction your boat is pointing. The centerline of the Side Imaging display is always aligned with your boat’s heading.
From there, you can see what’s directly beneath your boat as well as what’s off to the side.
However, unlike SideVu, Side Imaging uses different colors to represent different types of objects.
For example, blue represents water while green represents the land. This makes it easy to differentiate between different types of objects.
Which Sonar Has The Best Side Imaging?
When it comes to side imaging, both Garmin and Humminbird offer quality products. But which one is better? That depends on what you’re looking for.
If you want the best overall side imaging performance, then the Garmin SideVu is the way to go. It has a higher frequency sonar that produces clearer images.
However, if you’re on a budget, then the Humminbird Side Imaging might be a better option. It doesn’t have quite as high of a frequency, but it’s still good enough for most people.
Price point
Garmin is typically a more expensive brand, so the SideVu will cost you more than Side Imaging. But that extra money buys you some of the best-side imaging technology on the market.
Does Garmin Have Mega Imaging?
Yes, Garmin has its own version of mega imaging which is called UHD (Ultra High Definition) sonar which was released in the year 2020. The Garmin UHD sonar has a range of 1000-1200 kHz sonar frequencies relying on what transducers you use.
It is a game-changer in the world of sonar technology as it gives anglers the clearest underwater view that has ever been possible. It is able to do this by using four times the sonar beams of traditional HD sonar.
FAQs: People Also Asked
SideVu or Side Imaging Which is Better For Fishing?
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re using the sonar for. If you’re mainly interested in side imaging for fishing, then the Humminbird is probably the better option. It’s less expensive and still provides good-quality images.
But if you want the best possible side imaging, regardless of price, then the Garmin SideVu is the way to go.
Is Garmin SideVu Worth It?
Yes, The Garmin SideVu is a high-end piece of sonar technology. If you’re looking for the best possible images and don’t mind spending a little extra, then it’s definitely worth the investment.
Does Garmin SideVu Show Fish?
Yes, the Garmin SideVu uses high-frequency sonar to produce clear images of fish next to your boat.
Can you network a Humminbird to a Garmin?
Yes, at this time it is possible to network a Garmin sonar to a Humminbird unit. However, Garmin wants you to pay at least $250 for the network hub that you can buy for Humminbird to Garmin networking.
Is Humminbird Side Imaging worth it over Garmin SideVu?
Humminbird Side Imaging, while not as high-end as the Garmin Side Vu, is still a great product. It has a lower frequency sonar than the Garmin, so the images might not be quite as clear, but they’re still good enough for most people. And it’s much less expensive than Garmin.
Does Side Imaging Show Fish?
Absolutely, like the Garmin side Vu, Humminbird side Imaging uses a high-frequency sonar to show fish and other underwater structures next to your boat.
Does Side Imaging Work on a Kayak?
Yes, it does! You can use side imaging on a kayak as long as you have a transducer that is compatible with your kayak.
How Much Does Side Imaging Cost?
Side imaging is a fairly new technology, so it’s not cheap. Expect to pay at least $800-$1,000 for a good-quality unit. However, there are some less expensive options available if you’re on a budget.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Both Garmin and Humminbird offer quality side imaging products. If you’re looking for the best possible images, then the Garmin SideVu is the way to go.
However, if you’re on a budget, then the Humminbird Side Imaging might be a better option.