10 Best Handheld Fish Finder 2025 in the United States

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder is a powerful tool for fishing enthusiasts. One of its standout features is the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, which includes CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan, providing detailed images of underwater structures and fish. This device also supports high-resolution ActiveTarget Live Sonar, allowing you to see fish in real-time as they react to your lure.

The 9-inch multi-touch screen offers a clear and user-friendly interface, which is a significant advantage for easy navigation and setup. Additionally, the preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts cover 8,900 U.S. lakes with high-resolution contours, aiding in locating fishing spots and precise navigation. Another strength is its full networking capabilities, including wireless, NMEA 2000, and Ethernet connectivity, which allow integration with various accessories and sharing of data between displays.

However, the device is quite substantial in size and weight (10 pounds), which may affect its portability. It operates on a 12-volt DC power source, so ensure compatibility with your boat's setup. On the downside, the high-resolution Active Imaging HD requires an additional S3100 module, which means extra cost. The Lowrance Elite FS 9 is a feature-rich fish finder ideal for serious anglers who value detailed underwater imaging and comprehensive network connectivity, though its size and the need for additional modules are considerations to keep in mind.

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is a 7-inch color fish finder that is user-friendly and designed to help you easily locate fish and underwater structures. Its vivid scanning sonar color palettes make distinguishing between fish and other objects more intuitive. It comes with a GT20 transducer which provides both traditional CHIRP sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar, ensuring high-quality imaging and reliable performance in various conditions.

Additionally, the high-sensitivity GPS feature allows you to mark waypoints, create routes, and monitor your boat’s speed, which is very useful for navigation and tracking your fishing spots. The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping feature lets you create custom fishing maps with 1-foot contours which can be very helpful for detailed exploration of fishing areas. The inclusion of Wi-Fi connectivity is a nice touch, allowing you to connect to the ActiveCaptain app on a compatible smartphone to transfer waypoints, receive notifications, and access community maps.

There are some potential drawbacks to consider. The screen resolution, while sufficient for many, may not be as high as some other advanced models which could impact clarity under certain lighting conditions. Also, being battery-powered, you need to ensure you have an adequate power source for extended trips. At 4.4 pounds, it is relatively portable but might feel a bit bulky for some users who need something lighter. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is a solid choice for fishing enthusiasts looking for a reliable and feature-rich fish finder.

The Garmin STRIKER 5CV is a solid choice for anglers needing a portable and easy-to-use fish finder. Its 5-inch sunlight-readable color display offers clear images, making it convenient to see underwater details even in bright conditions. The included CHIRP traditional sonar and ClearVu scanning sonar transducer provide detailed fish and structure views, which helps in locating fish more accurately.

One of its standout features is the built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software, allowing you to create personalized maps with 1-foot depth contours over large areas—great for exploring new fishing spots or tracking familiar ones. The integrated GPS lets you mark waypoints, create routes, and track your boat's speed, adding useful navigation support. It’s battery-powered, which adds to its portability. The device has a rugged design suitable for various fishing environments, which adds to its reliability outdoors.

While it covers the essentials well, more advanced users might find the screen size and resolution limiting compared to larger or higher-resolution units. For casual and semi-serious anglers looking for an all-in-one, user-friendly fish finder with GPS mapping, the Garmin STRIKER 5CV is a dependable and practical option.