Garmin Striker 5dv

The first Striker fishfinder series was released by Garmin in 2016. However, since then, several other series were released. In this post, we’re going to address the Garmin Striker 5dv part number 010-01552-00, the one that includes the GT20-TM transducer. This unit has been discontinued, though, and one of the newest models that are available at the moment is the Striker Plus 5cv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 5.0″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: Dual Frequency 2D CHIRP, CHIRP DownVü
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 2D Sonar: 200 kHz / 15° and 77 kHz / 45°
  • DownVü: 455 kHz 2.5° / 53° and 800 kHz 1.4° / 32°
• Depth Capability:
  • 2D: 1,900 feet (579 m)
  • DownVü: 750 feet (228 m)
• Transducer: GT20-TM (4-pin), for HD-ID and DownVü
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: High-precision, internal
• Maps: No
• Waypoints: 5,000

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin Striker 5dv is actually capable of multiple frequencies. For 2D, it supports 50/77/200 kHz, while for DownVü it supports 260/455/800 kHz. The supplied transducer, the GT20-TM (4-pin) will cover the 77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for DownVü.

When it comes to CHIRP, it can only use Mid and High CHIRP for 2D, but one of the strengths of this unit is that its DownVü also uses CHIRP. The new HOOK-5 and HOOK-7 from Lowrance for example, only offer CHIRP for their 2D sonar, but not for DownScan.

With the 2D CHIRP sonar, the transducer will use two conical beams, one of 15° for 200 kHz, for lower depths and higher detail, and one of 45° for 77 kHz, for more coverage but lesser detail. The 2D CHIRP is great to use when looking for fish targets. It’s much better than the traditional 2D sonar, as it actually modulates each echo over a range of frequencies, not just one. Thus, it will offer much better detail and higher penetration. Targets will appear separated much better on-screen, allowing you to see whether there’s a bigger fish into a bait ball, or if a certain sonar return is a bigger fish or several fish close together.

On the other hand, DownVü is great to use when observing the shape of the bottom, or various structures or vegetation that pass under the boat. Now, since this Striker unit has CHIRP DownVü, the detail offered by this type of sonar is highly clear, pretty close to the clarity of a photo.

The 2D sonar of this unit also opens several functions that you might find useful on the water. Among these, we can mention A-Scope, Circular Flasher, Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Split Zoom, and several alarms.

A-Scope or Amplitude Scope is a vertical flasher which you can view on the right side of the full-screen sonar view. It displays the information caught by the most recent sonar echo.

Bottom Lock as terminology suggests will lock the screen to the bottom. It gives you the possibility to select a certain distance from the bottom and scan only that particular area. It’s a function great to use for bottom feeders.

The Circular Depth Scale or Circular Flasher view is great to use when fishing in stationary mode, down dropping or for ice fishing. It indicates what’s caught by the conical beam, being structured like a ring. Depth information appears within the ring, sonar info flashes on the ring, while different colors indicate different strengths of the sonar returns.

Since it’s a dual-frequency capable unit, being able to use either 77/200 kHz, or 50/200 kHz, Split Screen as well as Split Zoom are also available functions. Split Screen allows you to see the returns of both sonar frequencies simultaneously, or various combinations between the provided sonar views and the GPS view. Split-Zoom allows you to magnify a portion of the sonar and view it in split screen with the normal view.

Fish Symbols is a function that will replace some of the suspended sonar returns that are likely to be fish, with fish symbols. If you’re new to sonar, the view that depicts fish traditionally, like arches, may not be that useful to you, thus this function should help.

The Striker 5dv is quite a powerful unit and has a maximum depth capability of 1,900 ft (579 m) for 2D, and 750 ft (228 m) for DownVü. The transducer supplied is also temperature capable, while the unit supplies a Temperature Graph function which can help you see the temperature variance from an area to another. The GT20-TM transducer comes with 20′ of cable and a transom mount.

GPS plotter features

The Garmin Striker 5dv features a high-sensitivity internal GPS receiver, that allows you to view your current coordinates, also indicating the speed of your boat. It also gives you the possibility to mark waypoints for your favorite fishing spots, or other points of interest, assigning various suggestive icons to each one of them. The unit can hold up to a maximum of 5,000 waypoints.

An important aspect to mention here is that this unit, along with the other Striker units cannot support maps of any kind. They offer only the basic GPS system, with a blank background and no maps.

Control unit features and functions

First of all, the Striker 5dv from Garmin features a more compact design, more suitable for outdoor use than the echoMAP 53dv. It’s IPX7 waterproof which means it can take splashes with no problem, and can even survive immersions. Even though it has a 5-inch display, the 800 x 480 layout offers a better option for observing sonar and GPS in split-screen. And speaking of split-screen, the unit offers up to 3 panels per view. Also, the unit’s display features an adjustable backlight, offering a pretty bright view, easy to read even in direct sunlight.

This unit does not offer a microSD card reader or NMEA connectivity options.

It supports Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors with integrated transducers, and there’s also the option of a portable kit, which makes it easier to disconnect or use for ice fishing or kayak. However, the box comes with the standard, tilt mount.

Last but not least, this unit offers the possibility to transfer waypoints and routes via data cable, from any echoMAP unit.

The Pros

• Dual-frequency capable – 77/200 kHz or 50/200 kHz
• 2D CHIRP sonar (Mid CHIRP and High CHIRP);
• CHIRP DownVü sonar – capable of 260/455/800 kHz;
• GT20-TM transducer included – supporting 77/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP and 455/800 kHz for DV, also temperature capable;
• Various 2D sonar functions available, such as A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Split Zoom, Flasher, Fish Symbols etc;
• High-sensitivity GPS;
• GPS speed;
• Can save up to 5,000 waypoints;
• Can share waypoints with echoMAP units via data cable;
• Tilt mount included;
• Temperature graph function;
• Adjustable backlight.

The Cons

• Unit cover not included;
• No NMEA connectivity;
• No microSD card reader for waypoint backup.

Summary

The Garmin Striker 5dv is a great unit for freshwater use, but due to its powerful CHIRP sonar, it can also serve as a great fish finder for coastal waters. It only has basic navigation functions, however, these should be just enough for any angler that doesn’t require a dedicated chartplotter unit. It focuses on supplying the best sonar technologies available, and for quite an affordable price. It’s an excellent unit for any small boat or kayak, and with the optional portable kit, it also makes a fine choice for ice fishing.