Fishfinder & GPS Combos

Standalone Fishfinders: These are basic units focused solely on sonar imaging, ideal for smaller boats or anglers who only need depth and fish visibility.

Combo Units: Combo units combine fishfinder and GPS features, allowing simultaneous navigation and fish tracking with a split-screen display—great for mid-sized boats.

Networked Systems: Networked systems integrate fishfinding, GPS, radar, and video feeds across multiple displays, ideal for larger boats with complex electronics and serious anglers.

Key display considerations include screen size, resolution, and visibility. Larger screens—9 inches or more—make it easier to view sonar data and split screens. High resolution improves clarity, helping you distinguish fish from structure. A bright, glare-resistant display ensures readability in direct sunlight.

CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radar Pulse) sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies, providing clearer images and better target separation than traditional sonar. Scanning sonar, such as Side Imaging and Down Imaging, gives you a more detailed view of what’s around your boat, helping you locate fish and understand the underwater environment.

Power is measured in watts RMS (root mean squared). A 500-watt unit is usually sufficient for most coastal and inland applications. However, if you plan to fish in deeper waters, look for a fishfinder with 1,000 watts or more to achieve greater depth penetration and better resolution.

Higher frequencies, like 200 kHz and above, provide more detail and are great for shallow water. For deep water, choose lower frequencies (50 kHz or 80 kHz), as they penetrate deeper but with less detail. CHIRP systems often cover a range of frequencies to provide the best of both worlds.

Fishfinder-GPS combos allow you to navigate and track fish at the same time. They’re perfect for anglers who want to mark hot spots, set waypoints, or keep a detailed map of their fishing journey. The integration simplifies navigation and provides a fuller picture of what’s happening under and around your boat.