I am finally getting my finder this season.  I am wondering if getting a down scan on a 3.5" screen is worth it.  Because it's a $60 feature.  What are your guys thoughts.  I have seen pics where the fish are hard see on down scan.

Which down scan are you getting?

I was looking at Garmin Striker 4dv

I'm not familiar with Garmin. Just be careful with companies advertising units as "down scans". I got a Lowerance Elite 7 HDI a few years back thinking I was getting top shelf technology at a cheap price when all I got was a glorified sonar. True structure scan units aren't cheap and require a good transducer. I got a Gen 2 Touch w/ a LSS-2 transducer last year and finally got what I was looking for. I'm not the best at explaining everything to these units but I know that there are those "big box store" units and then there is the real deal. If you are just wanting a good sonar, I would get just that, a sonar. JMO

Thanks...I appreciate it just trying to figure this out to see if it's worth it or just get CHIRP and GPS and be happy.

True chirp technology is only found in Raymarine. I'm good friends with a guy who is a genius at this stuff and that's what he told me. The Lowerance Chirp is one of those misleading units. The GPS on them works fine but if I was wanting a good GPS mapping unit, I would look at a Humminbird. They are compatible with Lakemasters map cards and they are the best. I use a Humminbird for maps only and a Gen 2 for structure scan. I like my Humminbird's sonar too back when I used it for that. Just a thought. I would definitely read into it before I purchased one. I was fortunate to have a good friend lead me in the right direction. 

Are you using it on the Bow or at the console? Either way I'd save your money till you can afford something a little larger. 3.5" is very small and will make picking out any details your hopping to see on the down scan very difficult. 

At the Bow GPS is only  good for way points marking structure you fish. At the console the GPS is great for navigation, and marking way points you pass at low speed.   The average depth of the water you fish should be factored into your decision as well. 

This is for my kayak.  

16 minutes ago, Canine said:

This is for my kayak.  

 Structure scan is sensitive to the speed you are going. Mine works best at 5-6 MPH. You may be able to hold steady speed in your kayak. I know kayak fishing is gaining lots of popularity. I would ask somebody who fishes from one. I bet it makes a difference and I bet they know what works best on a kayak. Good luck

29 minutes ago, Canine said:

This is for my kayak.  

I fish from a kayak.  I have a Lowrance Elite 4 HDI.  I decided to spend the extra little bit for the maps and downscan.  I can't say I regret spending the extra, because at least it's there if I want it, but I use the standard sonar 95% of the time.

As others have said, you need to be going about 5 mph for the best clarity and that's real hard to sustain in a kayak (even with a Hobie mirage drive).  Also, the screen is just too small to really see the detail even if the picture is clear.

One day I may save up and make the jump to an HDS 7, but for now I'm satisfied with what basic sonar on a 4 inch model can do.

Thanks for that info.  It seems like I should just get the standard sonar w/GPS I'm not a bells and whistles kind of guy any way but the down scan looked clear

I have a 301 DV on my Coleman crawdad.  It was on the front deck of my Triton and was way too small.  It does however work well on the crawdad.  Yes the DownVu does not show fish as well but it shows the bottom very well.  Defining grass, bushes, trees, laydowns, etc.  You can always switch back and forth between DownVu and standard sonar. 

 

SE Kansas grass grower

I like Garmin a lot, but on a Kayak the Raymarine Dragonfly 4 DV can be had for ~$200.  With the RAM mount and ease of use I would at least take a look at it.

I have an old town angaler 10dlx which is a hybrid kayak/canoe.  I'll come up with something for mounting.  I we looking at that one as well.  I like the striker because of the GPS.  But that screen is clearer and larger.

 

I am just tryi g to figure out if it's worth the extra money for down scan.

 

I use the Humminbird 346 DI when kayaking and have found DI to be of limited use in this size...if any use at all.

I think having 2D sonar and DI next to each other might improve translation of what you are seeing....but a screen large enough for this is needed.

With Humminbird, I find the fish ID capability to be useful.  So having the 2D for the fish ID and the DI for imaging the topography to which the fish are relating to could be useful.

GPS to mark structure is way more important IMO.