Kayak depth finder decision

[crankbait2009 62]

I was going to place this in the electronics portion of this forum, but my question is more based off of it being used on a kayak.  So I will start here.

I was comparing the Garmin Striker 4, and the Garmin Striker 4cv models.  The only thing I can tell that separates the two, is that the 4CV has more power, and can read deeper depths.

 

I do not fish water that are deeper than a 100ft.  More times than not, I am in 30ft or less waters.

 

Can anyone share their experience with both of these when using on a kayak?  Is the 4cv really worth that added $75 in cost?

I would mainly be using it for structure viewing, and water temp.

[kenmitch 428]

I have no experience with either unit. The cv in 4cv stands for clear view which would give you a better view of what's really down there. 

 

Is there a specific reason why you selected those 2 units?

 

The price point of the 4cv is too close the the Lowrance HOOK2 5X SplitShot GPS currently on sale at Cabelas and BPS for $199. 

[crankbait2009 62]

Well, never owning one before, and wanting one that isn't all that large, I was initially looking at the striker 4, then saw the 4cv.  I was trying to keep cost down, as well as size since it will be on a kayak.

[kenmitch 428]

13 hours ago, crankbait2009 said:

Well, never owning one before, and wanting one that isn't all that large, I was initially looking at the striker 4, then saw the 4cv.  I was trying to keep cost down, as well as size since it will be on a kayak.

I can understand the budget being a concern. With numerous mounting options available today one can put just about any sonar on a kayak....As long as it's within ones budget.

 

If all your after is water temp and a general idea of what's down there the Striker 4 would get the job done. If you'd like a better idea of what's down there then there's better options for close to the price point of the 4cv.

 

Anywhere local to you that you could go and look at them in person?

 

 

[crankbait2009 62]

Ya. I have a bps down the road from me, I was getting ready to go there. At least then I can put my eyes on a few.

 

I'll check them out there and see what options if have. 

[crankbait2009 62]

well, it's mainly about what I want to spend.  I had a depth finder on my last boat that I mainly used for depth, and not much more.  Now that I am in a simpler boat, I believe it would be convenient to see what's below me, rather than flying blind.

 

I did go to BPS and found a few models that were in the same price range.

I found these (BPS prices):

 

Garmin Striker 4CV - 4.3" screen ($180)

Lowrance Hook2 4X - 4" screen.  This screen appeared larger, maybe due to the horizontal screen($120)

Humminbird PiranhaMax 4DI - 4.3" screen ($150)

[Smalls 112]

I just went through this exact same thing. Wasn’t looking at spending a fortune on a FF, didn’t need anything super fancy, etc. 

 

I went with the Humminbird. The “make your own map” deal on the Garmin seemed useless on a kayak. The pictures I’ve seen of the down imaging on the HB looked better, and it was like $30 cheaper, which basically paid for my battery.

 

At this  price point, there’s definitely things I wish were improved, but overall I’m pleased with it. I’m still in the learning phase, though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. 

[crankbait2009 62]

thank you smalls. I appreciate that

[LadiMopar 272]

Like you I don't fish waters much deeper than 30ft. I mostly wanted a sonar for mapping smaller waters and really didn't want to clutter up my yak with electronics so my choice is a Deeper Sonar. Started with the base model 2 years ago and recently upgraded to the Pro version. https://deepersonar.com/uk/en_gb

 

the Deeper is fully self contained (no big battery, no separate transducer etc) runs on a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection (phone or tablet) and attaches to the frame of my seat with a flex arm. Product comparison videos are available at YT (Deeper/Humminbird etc.)

 

It's been perfect for my needs, and the company provides free online map viewing/sharing and cloud storage for all your scans. 

[Bassman_55 1]

The DeeperSonar can be used with any bluetooth device right (such as a tablet)? With my track record of dropping it all over the place, would like to keep my phone out of the question haha. 

[LadiMopar 272]

18 minutes ago, Bassman_55 said:

The DeeperSonar can be used with any bluetooth device right (such as a tablet)? With my track record of dropping it all over the place, would like to keep my phone out of the question haha. 

Yup, I understand that! 😊 I bought a $50 refurbished tablet to use with mine. It is Android specific (no Deeper sonar app for I-pad devices) and I can mount it with a RAM mount to the track system, or I most often just slide the tablet in the side pocket of the seat. 

 

On average I can get 6 hours of use on the tablet, so picked up a $30 dollar rechargeable, water resistant battery pack (usb) to keep the tablet charged if I want to stay on the water longer than that. Battery pack is maybe the size of a deck of cards. Nice, neat, compact with an equally nice, neat compact price. About $300 total if you're willing to do a little extra price hunting, or buy used/refurbished tablet or mounts.

 

Good luck with your decision. If you have more questions just give a yell.

[JustJames 2,823]

I use my old elite 4x chirp that I remove from my Jonboat to be able to use across 3 platforms, float tube, kayak and Jonboat. I can’t tell you if elite 4x is good or not since I have no idea how to read fish finder. I use Scotty rail track mount with gear head. Let me know if you wanna see how I set mine up.

[MIbassyaker 2,106]

I have been using an old model Deeper as well to map lakes.  This is why you need mapping of some kind on a kayak. 

 

Here is the navionics Sonarchart view of the south drop off on lake (a little under 200 acres) that I have fished a few times:

 

And here is the mapped version from Deeper, aggregated from 3 different trips -- notice the two inside-turn pockets that don't show up on the navionics map:

[jaimeastin 235]

I love my Garmin fish finders.  I have echos, echomaps and I have the striker 4cv that you are talking about.  It is worth it. It has all you need with chirp, down imaging, and gps that can create maps for where you go.  You don't alwas need maps, but it is nice to make a map of areas.

 

Do not get a deeper or a lowrance model with a x in the model.  The lowrance hook2 x are straight garbage.  They have a slow processor.  I hate them with a passion.  The deeper units take your phone battery and do not do anything special like real down imaging.  I never uploaded the video demo of the lowrance hook2 units I bought, but I hated them so much.  They are garbage.  I am just used to better.  The humming bird does not have chirp.  The lowrance is in a horizontal/landscape, but does not really offer any benefit.  The Garmin 4cv plus has everything and is the very best value feature and price.

 

I am actually thinking of selling my 4cv, if not I will just put it on one of my kayaks.  I am getting a echomap 93sv, lowrance elite 7ti, Garmin striker 5/7, and maybe another to test out.  I will be keeping one.  

 

I actually use it on the bow of my boat.  It is nice and I am just upgrading because I am preparing to put a panoptix model up front.

[superkamikazee 21]

I'm also using a Deeper sonar, Deeper Pro+, there is a boat mode. I am typically fishing water with a max depth of 30 ft, and I use the Deeper to find structure and vegetation. I also use it for ice fishing, in ice fishing mode, works great. It's the versatility and simplicity that initially sold me on the Deeper, no big batteries, wiring, clutter etc, and after using it for a season I can easily recommend it to someone looking for a simple but versatile depth finder. I have it attached to my kayaks dashboard with the Deeper flex mount, and I can remove it if I take my kid out for a paddle, 2 seater kayak. The charge on the deeper lasts about 6.5 hrs in warm weather, and about 5.5 hrs ice fishing. I bring a small battery pack with me if I need to recharge anything while I eat lunch on the water if necessary. I bought a used cheap $30 Nexus 7 tablet as the monitor, and a cup holder mount for the tablet. The Deeper software is also available on iOS devices. 

 

[Landis Carrier 19]

I’ve been using Deeper for about 4 years now. Works great for me, as a kayak fisherman. 

[flyfisher 2,971]

I am not familiar with those units as I have a helix with side imaging myself but i noticed a comment regarding size.  What i will say is unless you are going with some gigantic unit, i would go with the largest screen you can afford.  I have a 5' screen and wish i sprung for at least the 7" if not 9"  the space taken up difference isn't enough to worry about.  

[wasabi_VA 36]

Joining in here. I need a kayak unit like the op. Generally fishing 20’ or less, don’t use gps, want in-hull mount.

 

Have a Lowrance Elite-4 HDI on another small boat and friggin hate it. Focusing on a Humminbird or Garmin for a change of pace. 

[jaimeastin 235]

11 minutes ago, wasabi_VA said:

Joining in here. I need a kayak unit like the op. Generally fishing 20’ or less, don’t use gps, want in-hull mount.

 

Have a Lowrance Elite-4 HDI on another small boat and friggin hate it. Focusing on a Humminbird or Garmin for a change of pace. 

Garmin, just get the features you want.  They units work.  They are not slow and more bang for buck than hummingbird.  Other than that, you can't go wrong.