However experienced you are as an angler, there always comes a time when you would need additional help to boost your numbers.
An excellent example of where such help might come from is a fish finder. This device aims to help you locate the fish more accurately, and this would significantly boost your chances of success.
Luckily for you, we are here to help you get the best fish finder under $400, which would give you the best service without denting your pockets.
There are several factors that you need to place more emphasis on so that you can land the best affordable product, and they include:
- Ease of operation
- Display
- Bonus storage capacity, among others
With that in mind, let us start by reviewing seven fish finders, which we believe are the best available.
7 Top-Rated Fish Finders Under $400 – Comparison List
In a rush? We’ve got you covered through the brief list provided below.
| Ranking | Name | Dimension | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder | 13.8 x 13.8 x 13.8 inches | 0.2 pounds |
| 2 | Lowrance HOOK2 5 – 5-inch Fish Finder | 9 x 7.5 x 7.1 inches | 3.68 pounds |
| 3 | Garmin Striker Plus 4 | 12.9 x 11.4 x 5.4 inches | 2.91 pounds |
| 4 | Garmin EchoMAP Chirp 53cv with Transducer | 6.8 x 1.7 x 5.4 inches | 5.1 pounds |
| 5 | Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar | 3 x 5.3 x 5.9 inches | 0.56 pounds |
| 6 | Humminbird 409620-1 Helix 5 DI Fish Finder | 16 x 10 x 10 inches | 3.65 pounds |
| 7 | Humminbird 410200-1 HELIX 5 DI G2 FIshfinder | 1.13 x 7.55 x 4.28 inches | 2.6 pounds |
1. Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder
This device is specially designed to boost the number of fish that you are likely to catch. We can attribute this to the various useful features that it possesses, such as built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, Charts, etc.
It utilizes the Chirp Downvision to give you a clear underwater view so that you can make the necessary plans for a successful catch.
The 7” display plus the optical LCD bonding technology all combine to give you clearer images.
Pros
- Sleek
- Easy to operate
- Chirp Downvision gives you clearer underwater images
Cons
- Can be difficult to secure on your vessel
2. Lowrance Hook2 5 Fish Finder
Just like most of the other Lowrance products in the market, the Hook2 5 is very easy to use. The intuitive user interface allows for easy setup of the gadget.
It comes preloaded with US inland mapping, including 4000 lakes with 1ft contours.
This fish finder is ideal for small vessels and can be mounted on the trolling motor, inside the hull, on the transom, or through a scupper hole.
The TripleShot Transducer aims to give you more sonar views, and it offers Sidescan sonar, Chirp Sonar, and DownScan Sonar.
You should also appreciate the USB slot that makes it possible for you to make software and mapping upgrades.
Pros
- Well-priced
- Easy to set up and use
- Preloaded with US inland maps
Cons
- You will have to buy the cover separately
Also read: 10 Best Baitcaster Combos – Reviewed and Compared & The 12 Best Fishing Headlamps: Reviews
3. Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam Transducer
One thing that makes this fish finder appealing to many anglers is the rugged design that makes it suited to all types of fishing environments.
It features a 4.3” display that is bright and sunlight-readable for an intuitive user interface.
The dual-beam transducer with the Garmin chirp sonar offers you vivid images and allows you to focus more on your target.
Another handy feature is the built-in GPS that would enable you to mark waypoints, plus you can also use it to view your boat’s speed.
Pros
- Ideal for all types of fishing environments
- Excellent battery life
- Clear images
Cons
- The display could be bigger
4. Garmin EchoMAP Chirp 53cv with Transducer
For the anglers with small and medium-sized boats, Garmin has a device for you. It has a powerful Chirp, which makes it ideal for both fresh and saltwater fishing.
The 5-inch color display aims to give you clear and high-quality images, and this should boost your chances of a successful hunt.
It comes preloaded with maps, and this should help you narrow down your search for the best spots.
Pros
- Works in both fresh and saltwater bodies
- Has built-in GPS
- Preloaded with maps
Cons
- A user manual could make things easier
5. Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ Wireless Fish Finder
The Deeper brand may not be that popular, but the Smart Sonar wireless fish finder can change your perception about the firm.
For instance, it has a ball shape and built-in GPS that allows for it to connect to your device from up to 100 meters away.
The dual-beam transducer (the 90kHz wide beam and the 290kHz narrow beam) allows for accurate scanning and can cover a depth of up to 260ft.
This device is suited for land-based, ice, and kayak fishing plus is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Has built-in GPS
- Does not need the internet to function
Cons
- It is not a stand-alone unit and needs to be connected to another device
6. Hummingbird 409620-1 Helix 5 DI Fish Finder
To start with, this device has a 5-inch color display with advanced features such as freeze frame, split-screen zoom, large digits view, instant image updates, among others.
The dual-beam transducer aims to give you a broader view of the underwater to boost your chances of a successful catch.
Then, the selective fish ID+ allows for accurate detection of the fish underwater. When it detects fish, there are fish icons that should pop up on the screen.
There is also the down imaging feature that aims to give you a clearer view of the underwater.
The built-in GPS adds to its effectiveness while the Micro SD card reader enables you to save vital details plus offers you a way of upgrading your device’s software.
Pros
- Large and clear display
- SD card reader offers an easy mode of updating your software
- Has built-in GPS
Cons
- The cover is not waterproof
7. Hummingbird Helix 5 Fish Finder
There are several reasons why we believe the Helix 5 fish finder would be a worthy investment. First, the sonar technology, coupled with the Chirp dual-beam, aims to provide you with more data to boost your chances of success.
Then, the 5-inch color display gives you clearer images. What’s more, is the LED backlighting that would enable you to read the information on the screen when it is dark or in direct sunlight.
Lastly, the SD card slot offers you more storage options and also gives you an avenue for making software updates.
Pros
- Features a 5-inch color display
- Has built-in GPS
- Micro SD slot for storage of data
Cons
- Has a habit of turning off abruptly
The Buying Guide
To narrow down your search, there are several factors which you need to focus on.
Frequency
The first aspect is the frequency, and this varies with the depth of the water in which you would be fishing. For shallow waters, a frequency of 200 kHz would do, while in deeper waters, 50kHz would be ideal.
The Display
This is an essential determinant of your user experience. Therefore, we advise that you go for a device with a bigger and colored screen for clearer images.
Additionally, it should be backlit for easier viewing in the dark or under direct sunlight.
Transducer
A high-quality transducer should capture the Sonar wave signals more easily and, therefore, boost your numbers even higher.
Water Resistance
When it comes to water resistance, always check out the IPX ratings.
An IPX 4 rating means safety from splashing water, while IPX 6 implies decent resistance against high pressure water jets.
IPX 7 can stay up to 10ft deep for 30 minutes while IPX 8 rated device can stay underwater for a long duration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The following questions should help you understand fish finders even more.
Would a Fish Finder Boost your safety in the Waters?
Yes, it would, as it could also detect potential hazards such as logs and rocks. This will help you steer your kayak away from such areas.
Do I have to install the Fish Finder on my Vessel?
Well, it depends on the device that you have. For a portable fish finder, only software adjustments are required.
When it comes to the fixed units, you need to mount the transducer on the vessel. This can be transom mount, In-hull mount, or Through-hull mount.
The Best Overall
In the end, we have rated the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ Wireless Fish Finder as the best fish finder under $400. This is because it has a combination of all the right and unique features that give it an edge over the other items on our list.
In Conclusion
With the ideal fish finder, you can always look forward to the next fishing trip with the confidence that you would be headed for a successful expedition.
We hope that our list of reviewed products will provide you with an affordable solution in your quest to land the best fish finder.
Do not hesitate to read the buying guide too, as it would help you narrow down your search to save you time and money.