Garmin Striker 5dv Review – Great Fish Finders for Fisherman

When you’re out on the water, you want to be able to make your catch of the day without waiting for hours. As such, you need a reliable fish finder to help you see what’s going on beneath the surface so that you don’t waste any time bringing your next haul.

In this case, we’re looking at the Garmin Striker 5DV Fish Finder. Garmin is one of the best companies out there making these kinds of products, and the Striker Series is one of their top sellers. The reason that the Striker is so popular is that it’s both reliable and easy to use. Let’s see how it can help you find your next catch.

Five-Inch Color Screen

When comparing different fish finders, one of the most noticeable variations in the size and capability of the screen. As you get cheaper models, you’ll notice that the image is kind of fuzzy, and it can usually be in black and white.

The Striker is kind of in the middle of the pack as far as screens go. It’s only five inches, but it’s backlit and displays in high-definition. It’s also full color so that you can differentiate objects even more clearly.

What we also like about this screen is that you can view two images at once. Since this is a Garmin, you get a GPS built-in, so it’s helpful to see where you are as well as what’s happening beneath your boat.

Rugged Design

Although fish finders are designed to work out on the water, that doesn’t mean that they’re all made equally. In this case, the housing for the Striker 5DV is much more durable and rugged than most so that you don’t have to worry about it breaking down as quickly as the competition. For its class, this fish finder is sturdy and reliable.

Waypoints and Chartplotting

As we mentioned, GPS comes standard with all Garmin fishfinders, and this means that you can do more than just see what’s below you.

First of all, this model comes with a bunch of preloaded maps, making it ideal for most waterways in North America. If you want to travel internationally, you’ll have to unlock other countries and download their maps to make it work.

Second, you can plot waypoints and save your progress for next time. As you already know, fishing spots can change with the season, so you don’t have to spend as much time searching for the fish once you’ve mapped their location.

Finally, this finder comes with a Ultrascroll system, which allows you to scan the bottom while you’re trolling in the boat. Most other units can’t provide precise images while you’re moving, but this will enable you to be even more productive out on the water.

Also Read: Best Fish Finders Under $500 – Unbiased Reviews & Buying Guide

Transducer with CHIRP Sonar

Although the screen and GPS capabilities make the Striker worthwhile on their own, they aren’t worth much if you can’t see anything. For a finder to work correctly, you need to have both a transducer and built-in sonar. The Striker 5DV has both in spades.

The transducer is robust and powerful. It enables you to see up to 2,300 feet down in fresh water, and 1,100 feet down in the ocean. It syncs with CHIRP sonar, which provides the best imaging overall. In fact, most high-end fish finders utilize CHIRP to ensure that you get the clearest images possible.

Pros

• Durable construction
• Rugged design
• Five-inch color screen
• GPS built-in
• Chartplotting with waypoints
• Transducer included (77/200 kHz)
• CHIRP sonar with 300-watt capability
• Share location and progress wirelessly
• Max depth of 2,300 ft (freshwater)
• Max depth of 1,100 ft (saltwater)
• Ultrascroll system tracks fish at higher speeds
• Adjustable depth line
• Split-screen capability

Cons

• Screen may be too small for some users
• Cable connectors are really short, so you may have to buy extras

FAQs

• How much memory does this unit hold?
• It takes SD cards, so you can upgrade to a higher capacity memory card if you like.
• Does this device also display your boat speed?
• Yes, it provides that information along with everything else you need to know.
• Can this fish finder be battery-operated?
• Unfortunately, it has to be plugged into a 12-volt power source to work.

Final Verdict

When compared to most other fish finders, we like the Striker 5DV because of its simplicity and effectiveness. It’s not as flashy or as high-tech as some different models, but then it’s also not super expensive as a result.

When compared to other finders in its class, we have to say that we appreciate the full range of capabilities that the Striker has to offer. Also, the rugged housing and color-screen make this a valuable addition to any fishing boat.

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