Nothing beats having a great set of tools to make your fishing trip a success. It would be great if you had access to valuable information, such as weather conditions, water depth, water temperature, and fish at the bottom.
It takes a lot of time, research, and knowledge to read all of this information. It used to be practically hard to gain access to all of this data. But we can use technology to assist us in today’s modern world.
A chart plotter GPS/fishfinder combo is one of my favorite gadgets. It provides a wealth of information in a single device.
What is the best chart plotter fishfinder combo? Our top 7 picks are as follows:
- Lowrance HDS-9 Live with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer
- Hummingbird Helix 7
- Garmin Striker 7SV
- Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer
- Humminbird Helix 9
- Deeper Smart Sonar Pro
- Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3
Read on to know more about these excellent Chartplotter fishfinder combos, including their features and advantages.
What Is the Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo?
1. Lowrance HDS-9 Live with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer
Because of its stunning 9-inch screen and several features, the Lowrance HDS-9 Live with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer is our top pick for the best Chartplotter fishfinder combo.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Lowrance HDS-9’s active imaging capability is ideal for locating fish-holding areas, such as standing timber, weedbeds, rockpiles, drop-offs, and ditches.
Compared to conventional Chartplotter fishfinders, the Active Imaging sonar provides improved clarity and high-resolution views of structures and fish over a longer range.
Fish in Real-Time with LiveSight Sonar – provides the most realistic images of fish down below, down to every flip and turn of the tail.
You’ll be fishing in real-time as you see how the fish react to your bait and lure, as well as how they interact with other structures, to learn what will work and what won’t, including what to do next.
FishReveal – combines CHIRP sonar targets with improved, high-resolution views of structures, standing timber, and fish to make fish easier to spot with DownScan Imaging. FishReveal eliminates the requirement for a 2-panel split-screen to display CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging.
2. Humminbird Helix 7 GPS Fishfinder
A 7-inch color TFT display is featured on the Humminbird Helix 7 Fishfinder. You can see what’s beneath the water with crystal-clear vision out to 125 ft. on either side of your boat, thanks to its mega side imaging.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Its mega down imaging allows you to see underwater photos up to 125 ft deep with clarity.
You can search in two modes with its Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar: wide mode for maximum coverage & narrow mode for pinpointing details. A transducer, Gimbal mounting bracket, power cord, and mounting hardware are included in this package.
What’s the best chartplotter fishfinder combo? This could be your best choice if you’re looking for a mid-range model with a lot of features and operates in both saltwater and freshwater. Take a look at this video on the Helix 7:
3. Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer
The Garmin Striker 7SV is your best option if you want a compact GPS fishfinder combo with a sharper scanning sonar. It offers you a better image of what’s in the water and around your boat.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Even at depths of 2,300 ft. in freshwater, this high-frequency sonar produces near-sharp images with precise representations of structures, objects, and fish.
Installing and operating the device is simple. With a 7-inch display and a keyed interface with specific buttons, turning it on is a breeze. It comes with a waypoint map, making it simple to see, mark, and travel to areas like stumps, docks, and brush piles.
Also, it features a chirp sonar that sends out continuous frequency sweeps, giving you a wider range of data. This means that even when your boat is speeding, you’ll get clearer fish arches with improved target differentiation.
It’s ideal for vertical jigging or ice fishing because it contains a built-in flasher. It doesn’t come with a protective cover, and the mounting bracket’s side arms are a little too flexible for my preference.
4. Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer
The bright 4.3″ display on this Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer is easily visible even in direct sunlight.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Striker 4cv includes a CHIRP traditional and ClearVu scanning sonar transducer, as well as a built-in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, allowing you to make and store maps with 1′ contours for up to 2 million acres.
You may also use the GPS to view the speed of your boat, set routes, and mark waypoints. It offers several installation options, including a trolling motor, so it will easily fit into your boat.
Canoes, Jon boats, kayaks, and even ice can all benefit from it. Watch this review of the Garmin 4cv to see how it works:
5. Humminbird Helix 9 Sonar GPS Fishfinder
The HELIX 9 Sonar GPS Fishfinder has a 9-inch Color TFT display with three configurable buttons. It’s not difficult to use, even though it’s jam-packed with features.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
For split-screen or blended display modes, the DualBeam 2D sonar may run two frequencies at the same time. In the split-screen model, you can zoom in on the image. It also comes with a switch-fire sonar with a gimbal or an optional in-dash mount that allows you to flip between highly detailed and clear views.
A water temperature graph on the Helix 9 lets you observe the variations between surface temperatures and currents below the surface. And if you want to add new functions later, the Humminbird software can be upgraded.
On Amazon, the Humminbird Helix 9 has received excellent ratings for its outstanding visibility (even under direct sunlight) and ease of usage. It’s also compatible with Navionics charts. Best of all, the unit is really inexpensive while still providing all of the necessary functions.
So, what is the best Chartplotter fishfinder combo? The Humminbird Helix 9 Sonar GPS Fishfinder is, without a doubt, the best. It is the greatest GPS fishfinder for the money and has all of the amazing features.
The only challenging part of this device is that operating it with gloves on can be difficult due to the small buttons. But discover for yourself what a handful of anglers have to say about this device:
6. Deeper Smart Sonar Pro
The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro is next on our list of the best chartplotter fishfinder combos. More features, casting range, power, and scanning depth are promised in this device. Also, it claims to be the world’s first and only castable device with built-in GPS.
It may generate its own Wi-Fi signal to connect to your iOS or Android device. The Deeper PRO allows you to find hot spots (and fish) faster while also providing a view of what’s beneath the surface. Your fishing experience will be enhanced by the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro.
With its dual beam sonar frequency, including narrow and wide beams, this fishfinder can cast up to 300 ft. and scan down to 200 ft.
It also allows you to scan and map the area from your boat (particularly a kayak), shore, and even on ice, making it ideal for fishing and catching like a pro.
7. Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3 Insight Fishfinder Chartplotter and Transducer
With a touchscreen or keypad option, the Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3 Insight Fishfinder Chartplotter and Transducer provides an upgraded interface. Other Lowrance marine electronics systems are compatible with this plug-and-play device.
It features a CHIRP / Structure Scan Sonar and Insight USA maps for Coastal and Inland US waters. A sonar combination like this allows you to see fish arches below and to the sides of your position, as well as a 360-degree picture of structures.
The Lowrance GEN3 has a GPS antenna and an 83/200KHz transducer as well. It may also display the rpm of your boat engine if it has a module that can link to the device.
In general, this product has received positive feedback, with users claiming that Lowrance has helped them have successful fishing expeditions. This model comes with a sturdy mounting bracket and is also simple and straightforward to operate.
The only thing you’ll need patience for is the knobs, which can be difficult to hold when wet.
Conclusion – Top 7 Picks for the Best Chartplotter Fishfinder Combo
So, to recap, what is the best chartplotter fishfinder combo? Our top 7 picks are as follows:
- Lowrance HDS-9 Live with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transom Mount Transducer
- Hummingbird Helix 7
- Garmin Striker 7SV
- Garmin Striker 4cv with Transducer
- Humminbird Helix 9
- Deeper Smart Sonar Pro
- Lowrance HDS-7 GEN3
The products listed above have been tried and tested by fishing pros as well as people who are new to fishing. Once you have the best Chartplotter fishfinder combo with you, your fishing experience will never be the same.
You’ll notice a significant difference with this essential tool, making your fishing trip worthwhile. Now it’s only a matter of picking which model best suits your needs and budget – and, of course, provides the best user experience in any water.
