Buying The Best Fish Finder GPS Combo And Reasons Why You Need One (2019)
If you are a serious fisher, it really pays to know where the fish you are targeting are located in real time. In some cases, you might also need at least a hint of where they have been. Of course, your naked eyes are not enough to do that.
Thankfully, today’s modern technology has got you covered! Many brands are now offering fish finders and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) that tell your exact location and the whereabouts of fish anywhere in a body of water.
On an even better note, you can now find the best Fish Finder GPS combo for your needs with the help of this guide! So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to find out how!
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Our Top 5 Picks
If you like big, HD screens like me, this model is for you! It has an excellent LCD display along with a DownVision CHIRP Sonar that gives photographic images of the bottom of the body of water as well as the fish in it. It is also very easy to view the screen because of the excellent swivel mount.
It comes with the data of most US rivers, lakes, and major streams that allows me to save and see my waypoints clearly on the map. I can also stream my data live into my smartphone using this gadget, including clear bottom images of the lake during my day there.
The design and style of the model are also user-friendly and fun. What makes it the best for me is the many benefits that it offers for a reasonable price.
Pros:
Cons:
- Not route function or sonar recording
- The mount feels shaky
If the Raymarine Dragonfly 4 Pro is too expensive for you, you should consider the HawkEye FT1PX Fish Trax. It is one of my favorites simply because it gives me enough information yet also encourages me to think and guess, which improves my fishing skills.
It features a unique and accurate depth finding ability thanks to its ultra-wide beam angle. It is also very easy to use and handle. I can just turn it on and throw it from the shore or my boat, and it will instantly give me various readings like the contour, weed, and depth.
It also comes with accessories like a broomstick handle complete with a SideScan adapter and mounting tabs. This allows you to scan your surroundings as well as mount it securely on the hull of your kayak, canoe, or boat.
This model is also rich in advanced technologies that allow me to use it even in water of below zero degrees. It also has a mountable, trollable, floatable, and boatable sonar sensor that comes with a cable tie-strap.
The depth scale and fish alarm also warn me to let me know where I am headed. Despite its small, handy size, it is very functional. The dot matrix display helps minimize eye strain while the LCD protector gets rid of condensation.
Pros:
Cons:
- The Bluetooth might not work with all devices
- The device would not give proper readings if it floats down the river and when the current is very fast.
If you’re on a tight budget and in search of a much cheaper option, Venterior is among the best fishfinders available in the market today, for just a fraction of other brands’ prices.
It is small and portable but serves its purpose of approximating the depth of water around you and the location of fish. It also gives out a fairly audible fish alarm in any water environment such as a pond, a lake, or the sea except during extremely cold weather.
It can also detect and show rocks, sand, weeds, and grass underwater and around the landscape. It is very affordable; easy to use, transport, and handle; and operates smoothly. The backlighting also allows me to use it for fishing even during the night, at dawn, or dusk.
Pros:
Cons:
- The Bluetooth might not work
- You would require WIFI for using this device
- The battery doesn’t last longer.
If you can afford a high price for the best quality product, try the Dragonfly 7 Pro with US Navionics by Raymarine. The key benefit of this model is the US Navionics feature which means that it comes with map data for the lakes and all coastal waters within the US.
All of these data are stored on an included SD card. Although this product costs extra bucks, many serious and expert fishermen agree that it is a good investment. It delivers CHIRP DownVision with excellent performance on waters as deep as 600 feet and delivers ultra-clear sonar images.
The unit also comes with a wide Spectrum CHIRP Technology that offers better image structure and detail. It has a built-in GPS equipped with Navionics+, Wi-Fi to enable a connection between the device and my smartphone, as well as an optical bonding LCD display Technology with sharp contrast and bright colors.
This model combines technology and smart engineering to give accurate details about fish targets and clear image structures. It can perform in waters as deep as 600 feet and features a reliable high-speed bottom tracking.
It has built-in Wi-Fi for streaming sonar data to my smartphone or tablet through the Raymarine Wi-Fish app.
Pros:
Cons:
- Mounting bracket cost
- Very Limited Mount Range and movement
Last but not the least is the Raymarine Dragonfly-4DV sonar, which is not as advanced regarding technology as the previous one, but will sure make kayak fishing more productive and fun.
From the popular fish finder series from Raymarine comes the Dragonfly 4DV. It comes with a 4.3” HD LED-backlit display. This allows me to view data and the screen clearly even under direct sunlight.
The display is also comparable to other models in the series by offering wide-angle viewing and sharp colors. It also prevents internal fogging.
This model also comes with a dual-channel sonar system as well as DownVision with a conventional sonar. Photo-like images are shown by the CHIRP DownVision sonar while targeting fish is the function of the second CHIRP conventional sonar channel.
This model is particularly great for kayak fish finding because it has all the needed features in such a small package.
You can also use it using the Wi-Fish mobile app to stream and share your sonar data and catch for the day.
Pros:
Cons:
- Booting takes a while
- Requires some getting used to
Benefits Of Fish Finder GPS Combo
To enjoy all these benefits, watch this video
Factors To Consider When Looking For The Best Fish Finder GPS Combo
There are only a few things to consider to find the best fish finder GPS combo. Other features will just be determined by your personal preferences and budget.
Conclusion
Choosing a Fish Finder GPS combo depends on your particular needs as a fisherman. However, I have chosen the Dragonfly 4 Pro Navionics+ by Raymarine because it delivers the essential features for me at a reasonable price point.
It has a nice display, reading power, a practical frequency range, and many other useful features. If that’s also what you need and the price seems logical for you, then give it a shot. Otherwise, the other four options are also great.
Please let us know if this article has helped you.
