Best Down Imaging Fish Finders (Updated for January 2023)

Down scanning, down imaging, or down vision sonar technology is a step further from traditional sonar technology. It offers a superior quality view of the sonar returns, and whatever passes underneath the boat will appear on the screen in a much clear detail than in traditional sonar imaging. It’s much better than standard sonar, especially at observing structure and vegetation, or differently put, understanding better the places where fish are hiding. Needless to say, it’s quite a feature to have in a fish finder.

The section below points out some of the best fish finders with down imaging sonar or down scanning sonar that you can get in 2023. All of them have a clean or almost clean 5-star rating on all retailers. The list also covers all budgets starting with models that go for less than $150, but also includes pretty complete chartplotters with superior sonar and navigation features.

The Best Down Imaging Fish Finders for 2023

Humminbird PiranhaMax 4 DI

The PiranhaMax 4 DI is one of the fish finders released by Humminbird in 2016 but it is still available in 2023. It’s one of the most affordable Down Imaging fish finders at the moment. However, it does not have any navigation functions (no GPS, no maps). For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410160-1.

The unit has two types of sonar. These are DualBeam standard and Down Imaging. It does not have CHIRP technology. It supports two frequencies, these being 200 kHz and 455 kHz.

The transducer included with the PiranhaMax 4 DI fish finder, is the XNT 9 DI T. This is a plastic transducer with a transom mount. It has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable and integrates a temperature sensor. It supports both sonar technologies provided by the unit. For the Dual Beam sonar, it can use two conical beams, one for 200 kHz with a coverage of 28°, the other for 455 kHz with a coverage of 16°. For Down Imaging, it can use only the 455 kHz channel. The beam is oval and thin but offers a coverage of 75°. The maximum depth capabilities of this fish finder system are 600 ft. (183 m) for the DualBeam sonar, and 320 ft. (97.5 m) for the Down Imaging sonar.

The unit has a 4.3″ diagonal display with a pixel resolution of 480V x 272H and LED backlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof. Its interface is very easy to use and highly intuitive. It does not have touchscreen technology. It also does not have any networking features. It comes with the standard tilt-swivel mount.

Pros	Cons
DualBeam standard sonar; Down Imaging sonar; XNT 9 DI T transducer included; Transducer is temperature-capable; Fish ID, Bottom Lock, Depth Alarm, etc; Color display; IPX7 waterproof; Easy to install; Great for kayaks and small boats; Tilt-swivel mount included.	No navigation feature; No card reader.

Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv

The Striker Vivid 5cv is one of the fish finders released by Garmin at the end of 2020. As opposed to the older Striker Plus 5cv, this one offers several (7) extra color modes for its down scanning sonar. By changing the color palette, sometimes you can benefit from a better view of the underwater environment.

The fish finder unit has two sonar technologies. These are standard CHIRP and ClearVü. It does not support Panoptix sonar. It is capable of multiple frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for the standard CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for the ClearVü down scanning sonar.

The unit includes the classic GT20-TM transducer which integrates a temperature sensor. It has 20 ft. of cable with a 4-pin connector and comes with a transom mount. This transducer is dual-beam capable. For the standard CHIRP sonar, it uses two conical beams of 15° @ 200 kHz, and 45° @ 77 kHz. The maximum depth capability for the 2D CHIRP sonar element of this transducer is 1,900 ft. (579 m). For ClearVü, it uses thin oval beams with a coverage of 2.5° x 53° @ 455 kHz, and respectively 1.6° x 29° @ 800 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the ClearVü sonar (in freshwater and perfect conditions) is 750 ft. (228 m).

The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv does not offer the full range of navigation features like the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv, for example. It does not support charts but does have a basic GPS plotter. This being said, you can mark waypoints, record tracks, and create routes with it. It also has the Quickdraw Contours feature for bathymetric mapping. It uses the GPS and the CHIRP sonar system to reveal and draw the depth contours of your lake on the plotter image.

The unit has a 5-inch diagonal display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It is not networkable. It does not have NMEA or Ethernet ports and does not have wireless connectivity. It comes with a standard tilt-swivel mount, and a transom mount for the transducer.

Pros	Cons
Standard CHIRP sonar; ClearVü sonar; Color display; Vivid colors for ClearVü; Supports dual-frequency; Supports 50 kHz; GT20 transducer included; GPS plotter; Waypoint and tracks functions; Quickdraw Contours; User-friendly interface; Tilt-swivel mount included.	Does not support charts; No networking features; No microSD card reader.

Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 Navionics+

Although the HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2 fish finder is pretty old, one of the models released by Humminbird in 2017, it is still available in 2023. It’s a chartplotter as well, and as the title suggests, it comes with the Navionics+ charts.

The unit is equipped with two sonar technologies, Down Imaging and CHIRP DualBeam Plus sonar. It supports multiple frequencies including 50/83/200/455/800 kHz. It comes with the XNT 9 DI T which uses two conical beams for DualBeam Plus. Their coverage is 25° @ 200 kHz, and 16° @ 455 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the DualBeam Plus CHIRP sonar is 600 ft. (183 m).

For Down Imaging, the XNT 9 DI T transducer uses thin, oval beams. These are considerably wider than the standard CHIRP beams. They offer a coverage of 45° @ 800 kHz, and 75° @ 455 kHz. The maximum depth range of the Down Imaging sonar that can be achieved with this transducer, is 350 ft. (106 m), when using the 455 kHz beam.

The unit has a built-in GPS. Therefore, you can always view your position, mark waypoints, create routes, and record tracks. It is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemaps which cover more than 10,000 U.S. lakes and also provide coastal water coverage. Plus, the unit comes with a Navionics+ microSD card. The Navionics+ charts offer considerably more detail than the Humminbird maps, are 1 ft HD bathymetry charts that offer coverage for more than 21,000 lakes and water bodies in North America, Nautical Chart guides, Sonar Chart HD bathymetry mapping, and free Community Edits for a full year. Plus, the unit has the AutoChart Live feature which gives you the possibility to create your own custom maps.

The unit features a 5-inch LCD color display with LED backlight and a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It supports NMEA 0183, but not NMEA 2000. It also doesn’t have an Ethernet port, WiFi, or Bluetooth Connectivity. However, it does have a microSD card slot which you can load with the provided Navionics+ card, or with a different card for software updates, sonar recordings, or data backup.

Pros

Cons

CHIRP DualBeam Plus; CHIRP Down Imaging; XNT 9 DI T transducer included; Supports 50/83/200/455/800 kHz; Selective Fish ID, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, etc; Sonar Recording; 10 Hz internal GPS; Humminbird Basemap charts; Navionics+ microSD card included; Supports LakeMaster, Navionics, and SmartStrike charts; AutoChart Live; Tracks, routes and waypoints functions; Color display; NMEA 0183 capable; IPX7 waterproof; MicroSD card slot; Upgradeable internal software; Gimbal mount included; Fairly easy to install.

Unit cover not included; Flush mount not included.

Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 HDI Contour+

Although the HOOK Reveal series was released in 2020, the models with Contour+ maps are newer (released in 2021). So, this is the HOOK Reveal 5 part number 000-15857-001, the one that includes the HDI skimmer transducer and comes with the Contour+ maps.

As its name suggests, the unit has 5-inch display, with a pixel resolution 800H x 480V. It does not have touchscreen technology, so it can only be operated via the keypad on the right. It also does not have wireless connectivity (no Bluetooth, no WiFi) or other networking features. However, it does have a microSD card slot for various charts as well as for Genesis bathymetric mapping.

The unit has two sonar technologies. These are standard CHIRP and DownScan. It supports 50/83/200/455/800 kHz. It comes with the 50/200 kHz HDI transducer which supports both its sonar technologies.

The transducer casts conical beams for the standard CHIRP sonar. Their coverage is 12° @ 200 kHz, and 29° @ 50 kHz. For DownScan, the beams are oval and very thin. Their coverage is 57°/4° @ 455 kHz, and 38°/2° @ 800 kHz. The maximum depth range is 3,000 ft. (914 m) for the CHIRP sonar, and 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan. Also, the transducer integrates a temperature sensor.

The HOOK Reveal 5 HDI Contour+ is also a chartplotter. The Contour+ charts offer considerably more detail than the older Inland Basemap. They offer inland and near-shore coverage for the coastal areas of the continental United States, Hawaii, and Bermuda. They offer high-resolution 1-foot contours for over 15,000 U.S. lakes and 9,400+ Canadian lakes.

Finally, this is one of the Lowrance fish finders that can support charts from Navionics and C-MAP. Plus, it has the Genesis Live feature for bathymetric mapping. So, if the included Contour+ maps don’t offer enough detail for your favorite lake, you can scan it yourself and create your own fishing map with the most up-to-date depth contours.

Pros	Cons
Standard CHIRP sonar; DownScan sonar; 50/200 kHz HDI transducer included; Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Colorline, Sonar Recording, FishReveal, etc; Depth range up to 3,000 ft; Internal GPS; Contour+ charts; Genesis Live mapping; Supports Navionics and C-MAP charts; Adjustable backlight; MicroSD card slot; Bracket mount included; Fairly easy to install; One year warranty.	No networking features; No wireless connectivity; Unit cover is not included.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv

The ECHOMAP UHD series was released by Garmin at the end of 2019. Unlike the Striker Vivid models, these support charts and have superior navigation features. The ECHOMAP UHD 63cv 010-02330-01 is one of the smallest units from this series. Evidently, it’s also one of the most affordable and the one with the most 5-star reviews.

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv offers two sonar technologies. These are standard CHIRP sonar and ClearVü. As the unit’s name suggests, the ClearVü sonar has the UHD mode for improved imaging.

The unit comes with the GT24UHD-TM transducer which has a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable with an 8-pin connector, and an internal temperature sensor. This transducer uses two beams, one for standard CHIRP and one for the UHD ClearVü. For the 2D CHIRP sonar, it uses the 150-240 kHz frequency range; the beam is conical and has a variable coverage of 24°-16° with a depth range of 800 ft. (244 m). The UHD ClearVü, it uses the 760-880 kHz range. The ClearVü beam is oval with a coverage of 0.94° x 60° and a depth capability of 200 ft. (61 m).

In terms of navigation features, the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is equipped with an internal 5 Hz GPS receiver. It is pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 charts. These charts cover more than 17,000 U.S. inland bodies of water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs), in high-detail and with up to 1-foot depth contours. These charts come with other useful features such as Depth Range Shading and Auto Guidance. Plus, the unit is compatible with the BlueChart g3 maps, as well as the superior version of the inland maps, the LakeVü g3 Ultra.

Along with the LakeVü g3 charts, the unit also has the Quickdraw Contours feature. This application uses the 2D sonar information and the GPS data to reveal and record the depth contours of the body of water that you are scanning. With this application, you can map your own favorite lake, and create your own custom fishing maps.

The unit is equipped with a 6.2″ WVGA display featuring a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It has NMEA 0183 ports and is NMEA 2000 compatible. Therefore, you can hook it up to an already existing NMEA network on your boat so it can communicate with other boating instruments such as AIS units or DSC-capable VHF radio units. It also has wireless connectivity and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain app. And finally, the unit comes with the quick-release mount.

Pros

Cons

High-Wide CHIRP sonar; UHD ClearVü sonar; Dual-frequency capable; UHD transducer included; Internal GPS; Pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 charts; BlueChart g3 Vision support; LakeVü g3 Ultra support; Quickdraw Contours; Waypoints, tracks, and routes functions; AutoGuidance for trip planning; SailAssist features; Supports AIS and VHF radios; One microSD card slot; NMEA compatible; Wireless connectivity; Quick-release mount included.

Does not support Navionics or C-MAP charts; Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Simrad GO7 XSR HDI C-MAP Discover

The Simrad GO7 XSR that comes with the C-MAP Discover charts is one of the units available since 2021. It’s actually one of the best DI fish finders from Simrad that you can get at the moment. For reference, this is the Simrad part number 000-14326-002.

The unit includes the HDI transducer for Mid/High CHIRP and DownScan which supports 83/200/455/800 kHz. However, the unit supports 50 kHz, as well. Also, the unit supports SideScan and ForwardScan but you’ll need a different transducer to use these sonar technologies.

For DownScan, the transducer uses oval and thin beams, with a coverage of approx. 56° @ 455 kHz, and 32° @ 800 kHz. For the standard CHIRP sonar, the beams are conical, and their coverage is approx. 52° @ 83 kHz, and 22° @ 200 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the HDI transducer is 1,000 ft. (305 m) for the CHIRP sonar, and 350 ft. (106 m) for the DownScan sonar.

The unit’s internal charts are basic but it comes with a C-MAP Discover card. These charts offer ultra-wide coverage for inland and off-shore U.S. and Canadian waters. They come with several new features including High-Res Bathymetry, Vector Charts, Custom Depth Shading, Tides & Currents Information, Easy Routing, Detailed Marina Port Plans, and more. Also, the unit supports other charts from Navionics and C-MAP. However, it does not have its own live bathymetric mapping feature, such as the Genesis Live feature of the Lowrance HOOK Reveal units.

The unit’s GPS receiver operates at 10 Hz, so it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It can also use WAAS for position augmentation. The unit also has the TripIntel feature for storing and recalling trip data. It also supports radar, AIS, SteadySteer, Mercury SmartTow, engine data, and more.

Last but not least, this Simrad fish finder and chartplotter offers a fairly decent range of networking features. It has a radar connector for quick plug and play, as well as a NMEA 2000 connector. It also has Bluetooth and WiFi, so you can either mirror it on your smart device, or download software updates or charts with ease.

Pros

Cons

CHIRP and DownScan sonar; SideScan and ForwardScan capable; HDI skimmer transducer included; 1,000 ft. depth range; FishReveal, Overlay DownScan, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording, etc; 10 Hz internal GPS; C-MAP Discover charts; Supports Navionics charts; Supports C-MAP charts; TripIntel and Cruise Charting; 3G/4G & Halo radar support; SteadySteer support; AIS support; MercurySmart Tow enabler; NMEA 2000 port; Radar port; Bluetooth & WiFi; Simrad SonicHub®2 & Bluetooth Audio Integration; Sun cover included; In-dash mount included; Standard mount included.

No bathymetric mapping feature; No Circular Flasher feature.

Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot US Inland

The Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot offers a similar range of features the Hook Reveal 5 SplitShot has a wider 7-inch display. It’s also a chartplotter, offering a fairly decent range of navigation features. For reference, this is the Lowrance fish finder part number 000-15512-001.

As its name suggests, the unit has SplitShot sonar (standard CHIRP and DownScan). It supports multiple frequencies, including 50/83/200 kHz for the traditional CHIRP sonar, and 455/800 kHz for DownScan. It’s also important to mention that it does not support SideScan, ForwardScan, or ActiveTarget sonar.

The unit includes the SplitShot transducer which comes with a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and has an internal temperature sensor. For the standard CHIRP sonar is only uses a conical beam at 200 kHz, with a coverage of 40° and a depth range of 500 ft. (153 m). For DownScan, it supports both 455 kHz and 800 kHz. The beams are oval, with coverage of 35° and 55°. The maximum depth range of the DownScan sonar that can be achieved with this transducer is 300 ft. (91 m).

The unit has built-in GPS and is pre-loaded with the C-MAP US Inland Basemap. These charts cover more than 4,000 U.S. lakes with 1-foot contours. However, the unit supports premium charts from C-MAP and Navionics, including Navionics Gold, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, C-MAP Insight Pro, and C-MAP Lake Insight. The GenesisLive feature for bathymetric mapping is also available with this Lowrance unit.

The control unit features a 7-inch color display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It does not have touchscreen technology, just the side keypad. Just like the other Hook Reveal units, it does not have networking features or wireless connectivity. However, it does have a microSD card slot which you can load with a data card or a Navionics charts card. The unit comes with the standard tilt mount and unit corner clips, but a unit cover is not included.

Pros

Cons

2D Broadband Wide CHIRP Sonar; DownScan sonar; Supports 50 kHz; SplitShot 2-in-1 transducer included; Fish ID, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Colorline, Sonar Recording, FishReveal, etc; Internal GPS; Built-in US Inland Basemap; Genesis Live real-time mapping; Supports Navionics and C-MAP charts; Adjustable backlight; MicroSD card slot; Bracket mount and panel mount kit included; Fairly easy to install; One year warranty.

No networking features; No wireless connectivity; Unit cover is not included.

Lowrance Elite FS 7 HDI Contour+

The Elite FS 7 is one of the fish finders released in 2020. As opposed to the older Elite 7 Ti2, it supports ActiveTarget Live sonar and comes with the improved Contour+ charts. It also supports SideScan sonar, but this is the Elite FS 7 000-15696-001, the one that comes with the HDI transducer, that’s why we’ve put it on our list of best down scanning sonar fish finders.

The unit features a 7-inch display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V it has LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight. It has both touchscreen and keypad navigation and an easy-to-use interface.

This Lowrance fish finder offers a fairly decent range of networking features. The list includes Ethernet, NMEA 2000, as well as wireless connectivity. It is compatible with the Lowrance app which allows for easy software updates, data backup, map downloads, and more. It also has a microSD card slot and can use cards up to 32 GB.

For navigation, the Lowrance FS 7 000-15696-001 has a built-in 10 Hz GPS receiver, which means that it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It can store 3,000 waypoints in its memory, 100 routes, and 100 tracks. As its name suggests, it comes with the new C-MAP Contour+ charts which cover the inland and near-shore coastal areas of the continental United States, Hawaii, and Bermuda. They offer high-resolution 1-foot contours for over 8,900 U.S. lakes. Genesis Live bathymetric mapping is also included. Plus, the unit supports 4G, 3G, Halo20, Halo20+, and Halo24 radars, as well as Outboard Pilot, Ghost trolling motors, Motor Guide Xi3 & Xi5, AIS data, and Weather SiriusXM via WM-4.

As we’ve mentioned above, the unit not only has standard CHIRP sonar and DownScan sonar, it also supports SideScan sonar, StructureScan 3D, and ActiveTarget sonar. However, this particular unit comes with the HDI transducer that only supports DownScan and CHIRP sonar. The transducer uses conical beams with a coverage of 52° @ 83 kHz and 22° @ 200 kHz for the CHIRP sonar, and oval beams with a coverage of 56° @ 455 kHz, and 32° @ 800 kHz for DownScan. It can scan depths up to 1,000 ft. (305 m) for standard sonar, and up to 300 ft. (91 m) for DownScan.

Pros

Cons

Supports Active 3-in-1 sonar; Supports ActiveTarget live sonar; Supports StructureScan 3D sonar; HDI transducer included; FishReveal, A-Scope, Fish ID, Sonar Recording, etc; Built-in C-MAP Contour+ charts; Genesis Live; StructureMap; Supports Navionics charts; Supports C-MAP charts; High precision, 10 Hz GPS; Autopilot functions; Radar support; Waypoints, routes, and tracks functions; Easy to use touchscreen navigation; Super-bright display, excellent readability; WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity; MicroSD card slot; NMEA 2000 connectivity; Ethernet connectivity; Standard swivel bracket mount included; Unit cover included; Available in multiple language packs; Fairly easy to install.

To use Genesis Live you need a microSD card as support; In-dash mount not included.

Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4 is one of the fish finders released by Humminbird in 2021. As opposed to the older G3 model, it has a richer pixel resolution, of 1024H x 600V (up from 800H x 480V), which means it provides crisper imaging. Since it’s only a G4 unit, it does not have superior networking features, like Ethernet, NMEA 2000, or wireless connectivity. However, it does have COMs port to which you can hook an AIS unit or a GPS heading sensor. But the unit does not support radar or i-Pilot Link.

The unit offers two types of sonar – Dual Spectrum CHIRP and MEGA Down Imaging. It comes with the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer. Although the unit supports the 50 kHz and 83 kHz CHIRP ranges, the included transducer only supports the High CHIRP 200 range. For the 2D CHIRP, it casts conical beams with a coverage of 42° for the Wide mode, and 25° for the narrow mode. For DI and MEGA DI, the beams are thin and oval, with a coverage of 75°. Their maximum depth range is 350 ft. (106 m) for the standard DI and 125 ft. (38 m) for MEGA DI. The depth range of the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar is 1,200 ft. (365 m).

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. It has a Circular Flasher mode for ice fishing, A-Scope, Fish ID+, Bottom Lock, WhiteLine, Structure ID, SwitchFire, various alarms, and more. It also has Sonar Recording, but in order to use this feature, you will need a blank microSD card. The unit cannot save the sonar log in its memory.

The unit’s internal GPS operates at 10 Hz, so it can provide position updates 10 times per second. The unit’s chart base is the Humminbird Basemap. These offer both coastal coverage and in-land coverage for U.S. waters, as well as other useful data such as hazards, buoys, day markers, etc. The unit also supports charts Navionics and LakeMaster charts, as well as the newer CoastMaster and SmartStrike fishing charts.

AutoChart Live is another important feature available with this unit. It’s an application for bathymetric mapping. So, if the built-in Humminbird Basemap charts don’t offer satisfying coverage for your favorite lake, you can always map it yourself. The unit can hold up to 8 hours of AC Live contour recordings.

Pros

Cons

Dual Spectrum CHIRP; CHIRP MEGA DI; XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer included; Sonar Recording; 10 Hz GPS; Humminbird Basemap; AutoChart Live; Supports Navionics charts; Supports LakeMaster charts; Supports CoastMaster charts; Supports SmartStrike charts; Tracks, routes and waypoints functions; Wide color display; IPX7 waterproof; Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors; One microSD card slot; Gimbal mount included.

In-dash mounting kit not included; Unit cover not included.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv

Even though the ECHOMAP UHD2 units are already out, the ECHOMAP UHD 74cv still is one of the best Garmin fish finders. It’s one of the units intended for bluewater fishing as it comes with the BlueChart g3 maps. Needless to say, it’s a chartplotter as well, equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS which offers position updated 5 times per second. It also supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS data for position augmentation.

The BlueChart g3 maps cover the US coastal waters including the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. They have integrated Navionics data and show navigation aids, depth contours, tides and currents information, spot soundings, and more. They also make available features like Depth Range Shading and Auto Guidance. Of course, the unit supports the LakeVü g3 maps for the U.S. lakes as well and also has the Quickdraw Contours feature that offers the possibility to create your own bathymetric maps.

The unit’s sonar technology covers standard CHIRP and ClearVü. It supports six main frequencies; these are 50/77/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. It comes with the GT24UHD-TM transducer which casts a High CHIRP beam in a range of 150-240 kHz, with a coverage of 24°-16°, and a depth capability of 800 ft. (244 m). For ClearVü, the transducer uses an oval beam with a coverage of 0.94° (fore to aft) x 60° and a depth range of 200 ft. (61 m).

The display of the head unit is 7-inch in diagonal with a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V. It is a WVGA color and has LED backlight. The unit has both a keypad and touchscreen technology and comes with the standard quick-release mount.

This Garmin fish finder offers a mid-range of networking features. The list includes NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 support. It also has wireless connectivity so you can sync it with your smartphone or tablet via the ActiveCaptain app for data downloads, software updates, backups, trip planning, and access the Garmin Quickdraw Community. A microSD card slot is also available on this unit, so you can opt for any of the premium Garmin map versions, like the BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra.

Pros

Cons

High-Wide CHIRP sonar; UHD ClearVü sonar; Dual-frequency capable; UHD transducer included; Internal GPS; Pre-loaded with the BlueChart g3 charts; Supports BlueChart g3 Vision; Supports LakeVü g3 Ultra; Quickdraw Contours; Waypoints, tracks, and routes functions; AutoGuidance for trip planning; SailAssist features; Supports AIS and VHF radios; One microSD card slot; NMEA 2000 support; Wireless connectivity; Quick-release mount included.

Does not support Navionics or C-MAP charts; Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

How Does Down Imaging Work and How to Interpret It

First of all, a fish finder with Down Imaging or Down Scan requires having this technology built-in the head unit. Or the unit should be at least compatible with a sonar module that has this feature. Normally, the units labeled as “DI”, “CV” or “DS”, have this sonar feature built-in. Also, in order to benefit from the down view, it requires a specific type of transducer, that typically operates at 455 kHz, or has dual frequency, of 455 / 800 kHz.

The down imaging sonar technology works basically the same as the traditional sonar, only the images are much sharper and clearer. The main advantage is that it allows you to distinguish much better between fish and structure. For example, if the sonar passes over a sunken tree, you will be able to determine if there are fish between its branches or not. With the traditional sonar view, there’s a good chance you’ll only see the tree.

The down imaging sonar view normally scrolls on the screen from right to left. Your boat is placed in the upper right corner. In most cases, the water surface will appear as a white, irregular line, irregularity given by the turbulence of the motor of your boat.

The transducer emits sonic pulses into the water which return back to it, providing a specific amount of data about the underwater environment. Each sonar return will materialize on the screen as a thin, vertical plane. As the transducer is dragged through the water, these narrow planes will stack, providing you with a final image of the water column, bottom, fish, and structure behind the boat.

To put it differently, you can imagine a big water tank behind and below your boat, and yourself on its right side, looking into it. The thing is, the image will appear in 2D, and will be a bit difficult to assess where exactly the fish caught by the beam are, in relation to the boat. You won’t be able to tell whether they’re to the right or to the left. But you’ll know they’re somewhere inside the water column below and behind the boat.

What It Can Do For You

DownScan Imaging is a kicker when fishing in waters with a lot of structure. That’s because it offers a superior quality imaging to the traditional sonar, and it’s much easier to spot the fish hiding among submerged objects, rocks, and vegetation. On classic sonar, the returns for fish close to structure may mix together, and you won’t see them.

If the sonar signal passes over fish, they will appear on the screen as bright white dots. Bait balls will appear as cloud shapes. Weeds show up as lines, reaching up from the bottom, and you will actually assess how far up from the bottom they extend. This basically goes for every other piece of structure the sonar catches. Evidently, you will also see how up in the water column the fish are located.

This way, you will know exactly at which depth to maintain your lure, or how up from the bottom your baits must be placed.

Other Aspects Important to Know About Down Imaging

When choosing a fish finder with DownScan, many anglers overlook the fact that this technology is quite limited. On average, most fish finders with down scanning sonar offer a depth capability of 300 ft. (91 m). The transducer must be mounted correctly and the boat run at the required speed, in order for it to function at normal parameters.

Also, in case you will buy a unit with a smaller screen, which has a split-screen function, you should be aware that when observed in split-screen, the down view will appear much smaller, and so will be the returns. That shouldn’t be a problem though, because you can always view your sonar in full screen, in single view mode.

Okay, I think I’ve covered most of the key-points regarding Down Imaging sonar technology. By now you should have a pretty good idea what it’s about and what it can do for you. So, here are a few aspects that you should know about the fish finders with this type of sonar.

As it results from the selection above, there are several brands that offer fish finders featuring this type of sonar. So far, Lowrance, Humminbird, and Garmin are top of the list. But each one of these manufacturers offers a different palette of features surrounding the Down Imaging sonar technology. Also, even though this type of sonar pretty much works the same regardless of fish finder brand and unit, there are differences and specifics for each one.

Another important aspect that you should know about this sonar technology is that its terminology differs from one manufacturer to another. Garmin calls it ClearVü, Lowrance calls it DownScan or StructureScan, and Humminbird calls it Down Imaging. Regardless of how it’s called, it’s basically the same thing. In this post, we’ll refer to it as DI, down imaging, or down scan.

Things To Consider Before Choosing Your Down Imaging Fish Finder

The type of fishing you’re going to use your unit for

As I mentioned above, Down Imaging is a sonar technology designed for depths up to 300 ft. (91 m). It will be completely useless to you in a deep-sea fishing session. For this type of fishing, it’s best to use a CHIRP sonar, or at least a fish finder with a transducer that operates at 50 kHz frequency.

Since the sonar beam emitted by the transducer covers only the water column below your boat, you won’t benefit from an extreme coverage. But, depending on the unit and transducer, the beam can extend for up to 60°. That’s still good coverage, but it can’t be compared with the huge portion of water covered by Side Imaging. So, keep in mind that if you will get a unit that only has DownScan and not SideScan, you will have to sail over a wider area multiple times, in order to see every good fishing spot.

Type of boat

Depending on the boat you have, you may require a different type of transducer. For example, a fiberglass boat may require a through-hull transducer, while an aluminum boar with a flat transom, would require a transom-type transducer.

In case you will be using a kayak or a rental boat, a smaller, or even a portable unit may be more indicated.

Transducer

This is a very important aspect to know about a certain fish finder before you purchase it. Even though various models are advertised as DI fish finders, that may only stand for the head unit of the model. In other words, the unit is capable of DI. But the box may not include the Down Scan specific transducer, which you will have to pay extra for. Therefore, make sure you purchase a unit that has the Down Imaging sonar built-in the unit, and the box also includes the DI transducer.

Other Features of the Unit

Needless to say, the more features or options a device such as this has, the higher the price. Most units that come with DownScan and SideScan, also include quite a wide array of navigational features. You may not need, nor want any of those. Therefore, in this case, it might be a good idea to opt for a unit that focuses exclusively on fish finding capabilities, without being a chartplotter as well.

Pricing

Maybe the best indicator for the price range of a fish finder is the diagonal of the screen. In general, a unit with a screen over 7″ in diagonal, isn’t exactly cheap. In general, the bigger the head unit, the higher the number of features and options the unit has. However, not all widescreen units may include all the features they’re advertised for. They may support a wide range of technologies, but most of them have to be purchased separately.

Touchscreen technology also reflects a higher price. There’s a good chance you will find a fish finder with the same sonar and chartplotting capabilities, but with regular navigation (through buttons), for a better price.

Most (if not all) Side Imaging fish finders also include Down Imaging. But there are units that support only Down Imaging, such as the HELIX 5 DI GPS from Humminbird, for example. These units are normally cheaper than the similar ones with SI as well. Of course, the more features, the higher the price.

When it comes to pricing, there are Down Imaging fish finders beginning at $150. And for a price under $1,000, you can get quite an exceptional fishfinder and chartplotter.

Summary

Our page here covers some of the best Down Imaging fish finders available in 2023. The list and table above cover models for all budgets starting with units that cost less than $200. We’ve also covered here a full guide for the functionality of Down Imaging sonar and its usefulness for finding fish and understanding the underwater environment better.