Fish finders come in many sizes offering more or less features and accessories, and some go up to 4,000 bucks, or even more. However, especially if you’re usually fishing on a lake, from a small boat or kayak, chances are you’ll never need features like marine GPS, maps with aerial photography, Radar, or even networking. Therefore, if you’re on a budget, here are some of the best fish finders under $300 that you can get in 2021.
Contents
Top 10 Fish Finders Under $300
Fish Finder | Features | Price |
 | - CHIRP/ClearVü sonar | |
 | - Dual beam sonar | |
 | - CHIRP/ClearVü sonar | |
 | - CHIRP/DownScan sonar | |
 | - Standard sonar | |
 | - DualBeam sonar | |
 | - DualBeam Plus sonar | |
 | - Dual Beam sonar | |
 | - Dual Beam sonar | |
 | - DualBeam Plus sonar |
Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv
In the second part of 2020, Garmin has released a new series of Striker fish finders, the Vivid series.
These basically offer the same features as the Plus units, but with 7 new added color modes for the ClearVü mode. These can actually be quite helpful as certain submerged objects or structure can appear differently depending on the color palette used.
The Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is a 4-inch display unit, featuring a QSVGA color display, with a pixel resolution of 272H x 480V, and LED backlight. It doesn’t have touchscreen technology, so its keypad covers all its functions. It doesn’t have networking features like Ethernet or NMEA, and also doesn’t have Wi-Fi, like the 7-inch and 9-inch units. It includes the classic tilt/swivel mount and a transom and trolling motor mounting for the transducer.
The unit supports multiple base frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for standard CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü sonar. This being said, you can pair it with different transducers, including the 50 kHz capable ones. However, it does not support Panoptix sonar or SideVü sonar.
The transducer included with the Striker Vivid 4cv is the classic GT20 model. This transducer uses two conical beams for standard CHIRP. Their coverage is 15° @ 200 kHz, and 45° @ 77 kHz, with the maximum possible depth capability of 1,900 ft. (579 m). For ClearVü, it also uses two beams, but they are oval, not conical. Their coverage is 53°x2.5° @ 455 kHz and 29° x 1.6° @ 800 kHz. The maximum depth capability is 750 ft. (288 m) for the 455 kHz beam.
The Quickdraw Contours feature is also available with the Striker Vivid 4cv along with several other basic navigation features. Quickdraw Contours gives you the possibility to create your own fishing maps by scanning and recording the depth contours of your lake. It also has Depth Range shading which can be quite useful. Track recording, route creation, and waypoint marking are on the navigation features list as well. However, it’s important to mention that the unit does not support charts such as LakeVü or BlueChart.
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Garmin Striker Cast GPS
Next to the Striker Vivid series, the Garmin Striker Cast GPS is one of the fish finders released by Garmin in 2020.
It’s a castable fish finder that uses your smartphone or tablet as the sonar head unit. It also has built-in basic navigation features. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02246-02.
In terms of sonar, the Garmin Striker Cast GPS supports two main frequencies. These are 260 kHz and 455 kHz. It only has standard sonar; it does not offer ClearVü, SideVü, or Panoptix sonar possibilities. Its built-in transducer casts two oval beams with a coverage of 9° x 14° @ 455 kHz and 22° x 63° @ 260 kHz. Its maximum depth capability is 150 ft. (46 m). It also has a built-in temperature sensor.
The unit has built-in GPS as well, although there is a version of this Garmin fish finder without GPS. It also has the Quickdraw Contours feature which uses both the sonar and the GPS data to record and draw the depth contours of the body of water that you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, you can create your own 1-foot contour bathymetric maps. Plus, you can access the Quickdraw Contours Community to backup your maps, share them with other anglers or download other maps made with the Quickdraw Contours feature.
The Striker Cast GPS features a rugged structure with an outer shell made of durable thermoplastic material. It is constructed like a buoy; it should always turn with the sonar sensor down. It comes with a 16.4 ft. (5 m) tether which you can attach to it in order to cast it. You can also cast it with a fishing rod as long as you use a fishing line above 20 lbs test. The unit has a built-in battery with an autonomy of approx. 10 hours. Naturally, the battery is rechargeable and the unit comes with a USB cable.
The Striker Cast app is available for Android and iOS systems. It offers several sonar views and features such as Fish Symbols ID, A-Scope, AutoGain, Circular Flasher, and more. It also Depth Range Shading feature for the mapping so you can color-code the depth contours on the maps you create with the Quickdraw Contours feature.
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Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is the newer version of the Striker Plus 5cv. It’s pretty similar to the Striker unit
but has the Vivid color palette for the ClearVü sonar. For reference, this is the Garmin unit part number 010-02551-00.
Similar to the other Garmin Striker units, the 010-02551-00 is not a chartplotter. It only has the basic GPS plotter and does not support charts. However, it does have the Quickdraw Contours feature which gives you the possibility to create your own bathymetric maps. The unit also has track recording, route creation, and waypoint saving functions. It can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, 50 tracks, and 100 routes.
As a fish finder, the Striker Vivid 5cv offers two types of sonar. These are standard CHIRP and ClearVü. For standard CHIRP, it supports 50/77/200 kHz, while for ClearVü it supports 260/455/800 kHz. It also supports dual-frequency sonar, however, it does not support SideVü or Panoptix sonar.
The unit includes the classic GT20-Tm transducer which has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, a 4-pin connector, and an internal temperature sensor. For standard CHIRP, it uses two conical beams with a coverage of 45°/15° and a max. depth range of 1,900 ft. (579 m). For ClearVü, it uses two oval beams with a coverage of 2.5° x 53° @ 455 kHz and 1.6° x 29° @ 800 kHz, with a maximum depth range of 750 ft. (228 m).
On the list of sonar features and functions, we can count Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Split-Zoom, Fish Symbols, AutoGain for reducing clutter and maximizing targets, Temperature Graph, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, and more. It does not have Sonar Recording and Rewind functions, only Pause Sonar.
The unit is keypad-operated. It features a WVGA color, 5-inch diagonal display, with a pixel resolution of 800 x 480. As we’ve mentioned above, the unit does not support charts so it does not have a microSD or SD card slot. It also lacks any networking features. It comes with the standard tilt-swivel mount.
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Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x SplitShot
The Hook Reveal 5x SplitShot is one of the Lowrance fish finders released in 2020. Similar to the
Striker Plus 5cv, it is close to the $300 mark, but still falls into this price category. It also has the same range of features.
The unit has two built-in sonar technologies, these being standard CHIRP and DownScan. As its name suggests, it includes the SplitShot transducer which supports both these sonar technologies. Although the unit supports multiple frequencies, with the included transducer, this Lowrance fish finder can only use the 200 kHz channel for standard CHIRP but can use both 455/800 kHz channels for DownScan. Its maximum depth capabilities are 500 ft. (153 m) for CHIRP, and 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan.
The unit has a built-in basic GPS plotter and offers the possibility to save waypoints or plot your course. Just like the Garmin Striker units, it does not support charts but does have the Genesis Live feature which allows you to create your own charts. It’s important to mention that the unit has a microSD card slot and you can only save your created maps on a data card.
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x SplitShot is equipped with a 5-inch color SolarMax display featuring a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V. It includes the standard bracket mount. It does not have touchscreen technology, just the side keypad. It also doesn’t have networking features like NMEA 2000, Ethernet, or WiFi.
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Lowrance Hook2-4x Bullet
Although it’s one of the units released in 2017, the Lowrance Hook2-4x Bullet is still available for now. It’s one of the
most affordable 4-inch fish finders at the moment. It offers Wide-Angle Broadband Sonar and supports only one frequency (200 kHz). It comes with the Bullet transducer which uses a 40° beam capable of scanning depths up to 500 ft. (153 m). It has several standard fish finding functions such as Fish ID, Circular Flasher, Depth Alarm, Bottom Range, Automated Sonar Settings, etc. However, it does not have a split-view feature.
The Hook2-4x Bullet has a built-in GPS plotter but does not support charts. It allows you to save waypoints on a black background and plot your course. However, it does not support charts and does not have the Genesis Live bathymetric feature as the newer Hook Reveal models.
The unit is equipped with a 4-inch WVGA color display with LED backlight. It is keypad operated. Since it’s a basic unit, it does not have networking features such as Ethernet or NMEA ports. It comes with the standard tilt mount.
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Humminbird Piranhamax 4 DI
Although the PiranhaMax 4 DI is one of the fish finders released by Humminbird in 2016, it is still 
available. It’s a fish finder only unit; in other words, it does not have built-in GPS and does not support charts. It also does not support external GPS.
This Humminbird fish finder offers two sonar technologies. These are standard DualBeam sonar and Down Imaging. It does not have CHIRP technology. It supports two frequencies, these being 200 kHz and 455 kHz. The DualBeam sonar can use both these frequencies, while the Down Imaging sonar operates only at 455 kHz. The unit does not support 83 kHz or 50 kHz.
The Humminbird PiranhaMax 4 DI comes with the XNT 9 DI T transducer, just like the HELIX 5 DI G2. This transducer features a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and integrates a temperature sensor. It uses conical beams for the standard sonar; their coverage is 28° @ 200 kHz, and 16° @ 455 kHz, while the Down Imaging beam is oval, and offers a coverage of 74°. The maximum depth range that can be achieved with this transducer is 600 ft. (183 m).
Needless to say, the unit is not networkable. It does not support NMEA and does not have Ethernet or wireless connectivity. It has a color display, 4.3″ in diagonal, with a pixel resolution of 480V x 272H. It is also IPX7 waterproof. And finally, the unit includes the standard tilt/swivel mount.
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Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2
Although the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is one of the older Humminbird fish finders, it hasn’t been discontinued
yet. It’s one of the smallest HELIX units and offers standard GPS, charts, and CHIRP sonar. It’s also one of the most affordable Humminbird fish finders with GPS. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410210-1.
The unit doesn’t support Down Imaging or Side Imaging sonar, only DualBeam Plus CHIRP sonar. It supports 50/83/200 kHz frequencies but the included transducer can only operate at 83/200 kHz. The included transducer is the XNT 9 20 T which comes with a transom mount and 20 ft. (6 m) of cable. It also has a built-in temperature sensor. The CHIRP frequency intervals supported by this transducer are 175-225 kHz, and 75-95 kHz. The two conical beams have a coverage of 20° @ 175-225 kHz, and 60° @ 75-95 kHz. Also, its maximum depth capability is 1,500 ft. (457 m).
In terms of navigation, the unit is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap chart platform. These charts cover more than 10,000 U.S lakes with 1-foot depth contours, and also provide coverage for coastal waters, showing depth markers, buoys, hazards, marinas, nav-aids, and various other points of interest. Also, the unit supports LakeMaster and Navionics charts.
AutoChart Live is also included with this unit. This application is similar to the Quickdraw Contours available with the newest Garmin units. It’s a feature that allows you to create your own fishing maps with the depth contours revealed and recorded by your plotter. Of course, the unit also has internal GPS and can save waypoints, routes, and tracks.
The control unit features a 5-inch color display with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V and LED backlight. It is keypad operated (does not have touchscreen technology). It supports NMEA 0183 and has a microSD card slot for chart upgrades or data backup. It does not have wireless connectivity, though. It includes the standard Gimbal mount.
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Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar
The Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar is not exactly your standard fish finder. That’s because it does not
include a control unit. All the sonar elements are encased in a spherical shell made of tough plastic. It is intended for use with a smartphone and castable with a fishing rod. It connects to your smartphone (or tablet) via the Fish Deeper app available for iOS and Android. Fish Deeper is a multi-purpose app. It offers standard 2D sonar and a Circular Flasher sonar view.
The Deeper Pro+ sphere integrates a dual-beam 15°/55° transducer. Its maximum depth capability is 260 ft. (80 m). It also has a pretty decent WiFi range; it should be able to send data to your smartphone in a range up to 330 ft. (100 m).
Internal GPS and a bathymetric map creation function are also available with this fish finder. This being said, you can create your own custom maps for your fishing spots with the most up to date depth contours.
Last but not least, the unit features a USB port concealed by the top cover of the spherical shell. It can be charged via USB cable with a smartphone charger or from a PC. It also comes with a portable bag.
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The fishing line to which it is attached may snap and you can lose your Deeper Pro+ or it may be difficult to retrieve. |
Vexilar SP200 T-Box
The Vexilar SP200 T-Box is a fish finder similar up to a point with the Deeper Pro+ model. However, it
is not castable with a fishing rod. It includes a conventional dual-beam transducer and a small sonar black box. The sonar black box also has an internal WiFi module so it can connect to your smartphone or tablet via the free SonarPhone app available for iOS and Android phones.
The SonarPhone app offers a pretty wide array of fish finding features, including fish icons, bottom zoom, noise rejection, surface clarity, automatic range, fish alarm, and more. It can also run both beams of the transducer simultaneously. Unlike the Deeper Pro+ app, it does not have a map creation function. However, it is compatible with the Navionics app. Therefore, if you install the Navionics mapping app, the SonarPhone app can work with it so you can view the sonar and the maps in split-screen.
The transducer operates at 200/83 kHz. Its maximum depth capability is 240 ft. (73 m). It has 25 ft. (7.6 m) of cable and the WiFi range of the sonar box has a range of approx. 300 ft. (91 m). The transducer comes with a transom mount, so this fish finder is basically intended for use on a boat. However, with a bit of improvisation, it can also be used on ice. The transducer integrates a temperature sensor as well, and the app shows water temperature.
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Humminbird HELIX 5 DI G2
The HELIX 5 DI G2 is one of the older (2016) Humminbird units but it is still available at the moment. It’s 
pretty much the same as the HELIX 5 Sonar G2 we’ve presented above, but also has Down Imaging sonar.
The unit supports three main frequencies, these being 200/455/800 kHz. It does not support 50 kHz or 83 kHz, though. Its standard sonar application is DualBeam Plus, which means it can use both 2D transducer beams simultaneously.
The transducer included with this Humminbird fish finder is the XNT 9 DI T which supports both sonar technologies provided by the unit. It’s also a dual-beam transducer; for the standard sonar, it uses two conical beams of 28° at 200 kHz, and 16° at 455 kHz. For Down Imaging, it also uses two beams but they’re oval-shaped, not conical. Their coverage is 45° at 800 kHz, and 75° at 455 kHz. The max. depth range that can be achieved with this transducer is 600 ft. (183 kHz) for the 2D sonar, and 350 ft. (106 m) for Down Imaging.
The unit does not have GPS, charts, or other navigation features. It is only a fish finder. It also does not have NMEA, Ethernet, or wireless connectivity. It has a 5-inch color display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V and LED backlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof. The standard Gimbal mount is included with it, but the box does not include a unit cover
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What to Look for When Choosing Your Fish Finder
Needless to say, the 10 fish finders that we’ve covered here may not be all the models available under $300. Therefore, if you’re looking for an affordable fish finders, here are a few aspects to consider.
Brand
Some of the most popular fish finder brand names at the moment are Garmin, Humminbird, and Lowrance. They pretty much offer fish finders from the most basic models to the most inclusive and most advanced. Some of their most affordable models are actually covered on this page. However, even their most basic units may cost a little extra due to the brand name’s popularity (quality too). So, if you only want a basic fish finder that costs under $300, you should also check some of the less popular brands such as Phiradar, for example.
Sonar
Most basic fish finders offer only one type of sonar, typically standard sonar with or without CHIRP technology. Of course, there are exceptions as well. For example, the PiranhaMax 4 DI, or the Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv are some of them. These also have down scanning sonar. It is also a plus if a fish finder can support dual-frequency, as not all have this feature. This means that the unit can work with two sonar frequencies simultaneously and you can view the returns from two transducer beams in split-screen.
Transducer
Not all fish finders come with a transducer, but there are many models under $300 that do. It’s definitely a plus to have a full fish finding system out of the box and not have to look for a compatible transducer once you’ve got your unit. Also, you can be sure that the transducer included with your fish finder is compatible with it. All the fish finders on this page include a transducer
If you’re looking for an affordable fish finder, chances are you may not need GPS and charts. However, in case you do, there still are several models under $300 that include features like this. For example, the ECHOMAP Plus 43cv is one of the most complete models in this category offering standard GPS and the LakeVü charts. Also, units like the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5x, or the models in the Garmin Striker series, have basic GPS and a bathymetric mapping feature such as Genesis Live or Quickdraw Contours.
Networking Features
Again, if you’re looking for an affordable fish finder, you may not need networking features such as NMEA support, Ethernet, or online connectivity. Most models in this category don’t have these features. The only model under $300 that we could find, that actually supports NMEA 0183, is the ECHOMAP Plus 43cv.
Final Word
The fish finders that we’ve covered here are some of the best under $300 available in 2021, at least for the moment. Our top 10 covers models for all budgets and needs. Each one comes with a transducer, and most of them offer at least dual-beam sonar. They all offer excellent value for the price, and so far, most of them have gathered the best user feedback.