Best Side Imaging Fish Finder – Top 10 Side Imaging Fish Finder Reviews

To become a great fisherman, it is required to possess quality tools. With your fishing rods, lines and lures, you may still miss out on getting an ideal fish finder. This tool will provide you with effective use particularly when fishing in open water. There is so much reason why this tool is an excellent choice. Making use of the exact tools provides you with better success rate and also you can observe the significance when making use of the best one. Below is a review of the best side imaging fish finders you can find in the market.

Selecting a Right Side Imaging Fish Finder

Display

The fish finder has to have a broad display so that everything under water can be seen clearly. The screen has to be wide for a better display. Though the pixel size is also another factor to consider. The fish finder mustn’t be foggy because it won’t help you differentiate a fish from a fragment.

When looking for a fish finder with the best side imaging, make sure you get one that provides a clearer display. The clarity you’ll have on display depends on the number of pixels, in other words, the higher the pixel, the better the clarity. Discover how big the display is so that you can place it in a comfortable place on your boat.

Frequency

The frequency is very important whenever you want to fish. Fishing in shallow waters will require a fish locator that has a higher frequency. While deeper water requires a lower one. There are fish finders that give you the ability to switch between shallow and deep water. Whichever choice you prefer, using the right frequency will assure you a profitable outcome. Better still, you could throw your line over the boat, and wait for something to take the bait.

Transducer

This is what allows the fish finder to send corresponding information to the display. You must make sure the transducer will work for the type of fishing expedition you want to undertake. If it isn’t powerful enough, you will not get an accurate reading on the display. The transducer must be properly fitted on the boat to make sure it is able to pick up the sonar’s signal. Don’t put the transducer next to the blades on your boat; it will affect the accuracy of your reading. Survey where you plan on putting the fish locator to certify that it is the appropriate place.

Features

Every feature on the fish finder is what makes it easily accessible. For those who haven’t used a fish finder before, you must learn to understand the features on it before putting it to use. The LED lights, settings, and the maps are two features that are mostly used when fishing. Having a lot of features to access is good; so long the price is affordable. Having a costly fish finder that eats up your budget or is too complex won’t help you become a better at fishing.

Price tag

The fish finder shouldn’t be a costly commodity for you. Make a plan and find a fish finder that best suits your budget. Spending at least $300 is highly recommendable. You’ll have to make do without certain features to ensure the fish finder will be part of your budget. Making sure you get what you need for the right price, and staying within your budget will create more options for you. You’ll end up getting a Fish finder that works for you, and also suitable for your budget plan.

Improved Detection

Sonar of this nature is capable of detecting a lot more fish than any other traditional fish sonar could. If you’re in possession of a split-screen fish finder and run a check of a specified area, make sure you observe both the side view and the conventional sonar view on the screen, it will help you find out a lot of fish detected by the side imaging wouldn’t be displayed on the standard sonar. Since SI models can scan the water on each side of the boat, you’ll be able to determine instantly and accurately where certain fishes are in connection to your boat, this will make it simpler to place baits which more than offers result in a bite.

Coverage

SI sonars are popular and preferred for it’s ability to cover a rather large scale of water, not only the portion of water that underneath the boat. This is why many fishes are not seen when using traditional sonar, when placed outside the radius. The Side Imaging technology assists us to make reaching out for an easy task, making it possible for off-radius fishes to be detected accurately. 180 degrees on all sides, against 20 to 60 degrees of former models is like surpassing a-hundred-to-one.

Differentiating Between Fish and Structures

A Side-Imaging fish finder lets you to distinguish rather accurately between a fish and a structure. Assuming we use a traditional sonar imaging, the sunken branches of a tree might look like a fish and will look puzzling to you. Making use of the SI model, vivid images of the precise location of the tree branches will be displayed, making you know where fishes are and where they are not.

Outstanding Accuracy

Better still, easy accuracy. Side imaging models contain a user-friendly point-and-click feature which makes it easy for you to mark the location and connected analytical calculation of those underwater objects you’re interested in. In case you intend coming back.

How the Side Imaging Sonars are used

These sonars are found in nearly all brands and capacities of fish finders in the market. Although, many people who buy this type of depth finders don’t know how they work or how to make use of a side-scan fish finder. This is the reason for this side-imaging tutorial. It doesn’t really matter if it is Down Scan Imaging, Vu or Side Imaging, the basics are similar, and this manual will prepare you and help you become an expert in using the fish finder you purchased.

Down imaging and side imaging

Step 1 – Installation

When using any fish finder, installation is essential in order to avoid needless annoyance and embarrassment. Getting the appropriate basics right will make you experience an awesome fishing experience. The very first thing one must envisage is the transducer placement. Thus, there is the availability of several mounting options, with all of them being operational. You can also elect to use the hardware that came with your unit or you can also buy replacement mounts for alternative installments.

The view of the transducer must be absolutely clear from side-to-side. It is most likely for you to mount your transducer by drilling holes through your aluminum or fiberglass hull in order to mount the brackets. It can also be mounted on the jack plate side; a few holes will have to be drilled through the plate.

You can also mount it underneath the jack plate, beneath the step or with the method of the trolling motor. After the installation of your transducer, re-wire it neatly to be sure that you get a pure, active power to your unit, making it a neat noiseless performance.

Step 2 – Use of Default Settings

There is a reason to believe that one might start messing around with the sensitivity and contrast when on water, but it is better to leave everything at default until your spare time at the wheel beneath your belt. Driving over clear objects such as bridge docks, rocks, boat ramps and grass bed will help you learn what the under surface objects look like in the side view.

It is better to run side imaging while speeding between 3-6 mph for better outcomes. The range has to be set at 75-100 feet, to start with, it’ll be easy for you to get the right information to analyse your former scans. After taking the information on display, start experimenting with the settings on the control.

With the help of the responsiveness and contrast you can adjust the degree of brightness between the colors that are dark and those that are light. Also, speed at which the side images scroll should be left at its default when drifting in-between 3 and 5 mph.

Perform an up-or-down alteration to make sure you match the speed of your boat. There is also the range which sets the distance of the both sides; the curve mode which clears away the column of water from the side image display also stitches the left-and-right image together for a more pragmatic and lofty-style description of the bottom. The use of the Left side/right side is to display only the left or right-side picture in the open screen.

Step 3 – Enhance Sonar Recordings

Whenever objects at the bottom of the structure are found with fish and bait surrounding it, record down in both 455 and 800 kHz, so that it can help you go over the information and evaluate whatever your findings are at the end of the fishing day. The faster you make these records around areas you have had catches, the faster you will be in getting skilled with the technology to find fish in familiar and unfamiliar water channels.

Always test the sharpness, speed, contrast, and responsiveness. Do not increase the responsiveness too much to avoid cleaned out or low quality images. It is better it stays in default until you start recording and experimenting with different types of compositions.

When contrasting, the higher the contrast, the higher the colors, and when the color is too high, the analysis gets cleaned out. Also take note that when a contrast is too low, it dims out almost everything. The Sharpness helps improve objects’ edges, make them exceptional and more precise. A higher sharpness will lead to grain like images, which helps in exposing hugging-at-the-bottom fishes.

Lastly, your scroll speed must remain even; as a slower momentum can cause blurry images, then faster ones often produce mediocre images due to the sonar on the screen not being refreshed. SI used at the trolling motor will mean it has to be lowered downwards to 1 or 2 because the movement is slow. 360 imaging over SI at the bow is supported. Make it a habit to always utilize your range function, and try attempting other color palettes.

Best Side Imaging Fish Finder Reviews

1. Garmin Striker 7SV

Clean Sonar Scanning

This tool is easy and plain to utilize, allowing it perfect for people to utilize. These interfaces also include devoted buttons to allow control via instructions given. It’s quite simple to utilize and setup with any boat of your choice.

Point Maps

This makes you discover the places you will be visiting and the location you are. Controlling your location via brush and several impediments. When you have plans for fishing excursion. It assists in knowing the location you are visiting.

CHIRP Sonar

This usually sends constant traverse water with various frequencies in locating a point. You will get a sharp image when making use of CHIRP sonar.

It consists of an in-built flash with preferable customer relationship. This fish finder is very simple for interface, although it can be very costly.

2. Humminbird 409640-1 Helix 5 SI Fish Finder with Side-Imaging and GPS

Big Display

This tool provides a 5 inch display which provides easy to visualise the things happenings inside the water. It is possible to divide the screen in assisting you to know the exact place the fish is.

Side Image

This makes you select what’s best within the boat. Rather than trying to get the line below, you will target the fish which is exactly close to the boat.

Double Beam Sonar

This double beam provides you with utilizing the equipment inside voluminous or close water. You will be required to modify settings if you are altering depths but this is present in a device.

Global Positioning System

This tools provides you in tracking the place you are presently, it does not matter the place you will be going. It is applicable for people that will go out in open water.

It has a great sounder and simple to utilize. It is ideal for starters, but the price could put off some anglers.

3. Garmin Echomap Chirp 74SV

Clear browsing

The fish finder has the ability to browse through things clearly, helps you identify your location by dispatching out signals. It produces clear pictures for you, and has broad details about the hindrances in your area.

CHIRP Sonar

The CHIRP sonar helps you locate the fish. You’ll have a broader extent of information coming into your array, making it excellent for several fishermen.

Maps

The fish finder is equipped with specified maps and US lakes, this allows you survey your journey before setting out. It gives you a guide along route over any water body without any complexity.

Internal GPS

This GPS helps you keep track of your locations and your whereabouts. This GPS is used for navigation through different water channels. It is fitting if you want to stay longer on your fishing trip.

4. Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 Fish Finder

Color Expo

The fish finder is able to display colors that make it easy to find what you’re looking at. You can clearly see and differentiate what and what isn’t a fish when using the Fish Finder.

CHIRP Sonar

The CHIRP sonar helps provides a lot of information whenever turned on. You can easily detect a fish and any other thing that isn’t a fish. It is fitting for any fisherman to have and use the CHIRP sonar.

Internal GPS

The internal GPS will help you pinpoint the exact location of your boat. You can easily map out your expedition, and also be able to keep track of your preferred location.

SD Card Slot

The SD card slot helps you save extra memory. You can retain your preferred points. The SD Card also provides you with the best routes to use.

5. Humminbird 698ci HD SI KVD Combo

5-Inch Display

The five-inch display makes it possible for you to see all around. The display also contains different you to zoom in on various areas in your area. The colorful display helps you tell the difference between land and water.

SD Card Slot

This allows you to store extra memory. You can point out your preferred locations, and save them on the SD card. If you’re vast in technology, you can make use of the SD slot to keep track of anything you want.

Powerful

The fish finder works on 4000 watts, even when it is being used at a very large capacity. If you’re planning a large-scale fishing trip, the fish finder can be used to locate any type of species of fish you want to catch.

GPS

The internal GPS fish finder helps you know and understand your environment. It helps you locate recent channels, and gives you the best route to these channels. It’s efficient for those that are trying to locate a new fishing area.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed our top 5 side imaging fish finders and we believe that you will find one that appeals to you among our list. Also, ensure you go over the things you should look out for when choosing a good side imagining fish finder. On our list, the Garmin Striker 7SV comes out top for its amazing features and very simple to use interface.

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