The Best Side Scan Fish Finder: Top Rated Models Compared

Mark Baker
  Jun 8, 2023 10:13 PM

A side scan fish finder is a device that is used to detect fish and other objects in the water. It is a type of sonar technology that sends sound waves out in a fan-shaped pattern, allowing the user to scan wide areas in a short amount of time. The sound waves return with information about the location, size, and shape of objects in the water. Side scan fish finders are ideal for locating schools of fish, as well as other submerged objects such as rocks, wrecks, and vegetation.

Side scan fish finders are typically used by anglers, commercial fishermen, and marine biologists. They allow the user to quickly locate fish and determine the best areas for fishing. The devices are also used by researchers to locate underwater objects of interest, such as shipwrecks and archaeological artifacts.

Side scan fish finders come in a variety of styles and sizes. Some models are handheld, while others are mounted on boats or buoys. Most models are equipped with a color display, allowing the user to view the data in real-time. Advanced models also include GPS navigation and mapping capabilities.

The Best Side Scan Fish Finder: Top Rated Models Compared
Best Side Scan Fish Finder for 2023 - Reviews & Buyer's Guide. Image source: Amazon.com

Quick Comparison

NoImageProductScoreCheck
1Lowrance HOOK2 4X - 4-inch Fish Finder with Bullet Skimmer TransducerLowrance HOOK2 4X9.9Check Price
2LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder Sonar Castable Kayak Boat Fishfinder Transducer Fishing LCD Display FFC1108LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder9.8Check Price
3HawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan AdapterHawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan Adapter9.5Check Price
4Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7" GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software (Renewed)Garmin Striker 7SV9.3Check Price
5Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv9.1Check Price

#1:Lowrance HOOK2 4X

. The Lowrance HOOK2 4X Fish Finder offers a simple and easy way to find and catch more fish. This 4-inch fish finder features an easy-to-use, automatic setup with included Bullet Skimmer transducer, so you can quickly and accurately locate fish in both fresh and saltwater. It features an LED-backlit display for easy viewing in all light conditions and includes a detailed map for navigating and fishing in known areas. It also has a wide range of built-in sonar settings to help you customize your fish finding experience. With its easy to use interface and reliable performance, the Lowrance HOOK2 4X Fish Finder is the perfect tool to help you find and catch more fish.

#2:LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder

CP LUCKY FFC1108CP Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder is an essential tool for any angler who wants to find fish in any water body. This handheld fish finder is designed to be compact and lightweight, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. It features a bright LCD display that shows you your current depth and the location of the fish in the water. It also has a sonar transducer that sends out a signal to detect the size and location of fish in the water. With its easy-to-use design, you can easily set up and operate this fish finder in no time. Whether you’re fishing from a boat, kayak, or shore, the LUCKY FFC1108CP will make sure you get the most out of your fishing trip.

#3:HawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan Adapter

is the perfect addition to your fishing gear. This adapter easily attaches to your FishTrax Fish Finder and allows you to view the bottom contour of the lake with crystal clear clarity. With a built-in temperature sensor, this device is ideal for navigating around hidden structures and locating the best spots to cast your line. The high frequency transducer and side scan adapter help you to easily identify fish and track their movements in real-time. This adapter is sure to give you an extra edge when it comes to catching your limit.

#4:Garmin Striker 7SV

The Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer is the perfect tool for any angler. The 7-inch screen provides a vivid and bright display of your sonar returns in traditional CHIRP, ClearVu, and SideVu scanning sonars. The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software allows you to create your own maps with 1-foot contours, and the high-sensitivity GPS receiver will make sure you never lose your way. With the Garmin Striker 7SV, you can find the perfect spot for fishing and make sure you never miss a bite.

#5:Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv is an easy-to-use, 7-inch color fishfinder and sonar transducer. This fishfinder features Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes to give you a more detailed and accurate view of what's below the surface. Its built-in GPS and CHIRP sonar make it easy to find and mark your favorite fishing spots. It also has a built-in flasher, so you can see your lure's action in real-time. With its quickdraw contours, you can instantly create maps of your favorite fishing spots. The clear and simple menus make it easy to use and set up. The Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv is the perfect device for anglers looking to get the most out of their fishing trip.
1
Lowrance HOOK2 4X - 4-inch Fish Finder with Bullet Skimmer Transducer
Lowrance HOOK2 4X - 4-inch Fish Finder with Bullet Skimmer
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.9
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • EASY SETUP: A single transducer can be mounted on the transom, inside the hull, on the trolling motor or through a scupper hole.
  • EASY TO USE: The Lowrance HOOK2 4x Fish Finder features auto-tuning sonar and phone-like menus giving you more time to spend fishing and less time dealing with settings.  more
2
LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder Sonar Castable Kayak Boat Fishfinder Transducer Fishing LCD Display FFC1108
LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.8
  • Brand
    LUCKY
  • ✦ Helpful Data Display : Besides fish depth and water depth, the handheld fish finder will also display short & tall weeds, sand & rocks on the bottom. Meanwhile, the measurement unit of the depth can be freely switched by feet or meter. The display is also visible in sunshine or darkness by turning on the back light.
  • ✦ Fish Finder and Depth Finder : It is a portable fish finder that could display approximate fish location and water depth. The sonar transducer can be attached to the hull of kayak or boat in order to understand the changing of water depth when you are moving by. The water depth detection range is between 3ft(1m) and 328ft (100m) when the transducer is completely immersed in the water.  more
3
HawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan Adapter
HawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan Adapter
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.5
  • Brand
    Hawkeye
4
Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7" GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software (Renewed)
Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7" GPS Fishfinder with Chirp
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.3
  • Brand
    Garmin
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for access to ActiveCaptain app so you can receive smart notifications, access Quickdraw Contours Community and transfer waypoints and software update notifications
  • Built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software lets you create and store maps with 1’ contours for up to 2 million acres. Resolution : 800 x 480  more
5
Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02553-00)
Garmin Striker Vivid 7sv, Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    9.1
  • Brand
    Garmin
  • high-sensitivity gps to mark waypoints, create routes and view your boat's speed
  • includes built-in quickdraw contours mapping  more
6
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.8
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • AUTOTUNING SONAR: Spend more time fishing and less time reworking your sonar settings with HOOK Reveal autotuning sonar, which ensures you get the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change.
  • FISHREVEAL: Fish are easier to find and easier to identify. FishReveal combines the target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of structure from DownScan Imaging to makes fish light up on your display.  more
7
Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot - 7-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, C-MAP Contour+ Chart Card
Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 SplitShot - 7-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.6
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • C-MAP CONTOUR+: With high-resolution 1-foot contours on 8,900 U.S. lakes, spend more time trying to catch fish and less time trying to find them with the high-resolution detail of C-MAP Contour+ US/CAN inland and coastal charts.
  • SPLITSHOT TRANSDUCER: Perfect for anglers who want the best views below the boat, SplitShot features the fish finding capability of wide-angle high CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of fish-holding structure from DownScan Imaging.  more
8
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer, C-MAP Contour+ Chart Card
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.4
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • FISHREVEAL: Fish are easier to find and easier to identify. FishReveal combines the target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of structure from DownScan Imaging to makes fish light up on your display.
  • AUTOTUNING SONAR: Spend more time fishing and less time reworking your sonar settings with HOOK Reveal autotuning sonar, which ensures you get the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change.  more
9
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, C-MAP Contour+ Chart Card
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.2
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • AUTOTUNING SONAR: Spend more time fishing and less time reworking your sonar settings with HOOK Reveal autotuning sonar, which ensures you get the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change.
  • 5-INCH DISPLAY: Enjoy crisp and clear views of your display no matter the conditions – even in direct sunlight – with excellent clarity and daylight visibility of HOOK Reveal’s SolarMAX display.  more
10
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with SplitShot Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP US Inland Mapping
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot - 5-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    8.1
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • AUTOTUNING SONAR: Spend more time fishing and less time reworking your sonar settings with HOOK Reveal autotuning sonar, which ensures you get the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change.
  • FISHREVEAL: Fish are easier to find and easier to identify. FishReveal combines the target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of structure from DownScan Imaging to makes fish light up on your display.  more
11
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer, C-MAP Contour+ Chart Card
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 TripleShot - 9-inch Fish Finder with
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    7.9
  • Brand
    Lowrance
  • 9-INCH DISPLAY: Enjoy crisp and clear views of your display no matter the conditions – even in direct sunlight – with excellent clarity and daylight visibility of HOOK Reveal’s SolarMAX display.
  • AUTOTUNING SONAR: Spend more time fishing and less time reworking your sonar settings with HOOK Reveal autotuning sonar, which ensures you get the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change.  more
12
Humminbird 411590-1 Helix 7 Chirp SI GPS G4 Fish Finder
Humminbird 411590-1 Helix 7 Chirp SI GPS G4 Fish Finder
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  • AFFCMS Score

    PSB Score is a ranking system developed by PolarSteelBuildings.com. PSB score has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more

    7.7
  • Brand
    Humminbird
  • SwitchFire Sonar: Take command of how your sonar returns appear. With two display modes, you can add or remove detail, account for water depth, temperature and turbulence, even watch lure presentations - all at the push of a button.
  • Ethernet Networking: High-speed Ethernet allows you to build a powerful, professional-grade fishing system. Easily connect multiple fish finders, or upgrade to add-on technologies like Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, 360 Imaging and CHIRP Radar  more

Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Saltwater Fish Finder of 2023 - Reviews & Buyer's Guide: Discover the Best Saltwater Fish Finder for Your Needs.

FAQs

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder Water Handheld Fish Finder Sonar Castable Kayak Boat Fishfinder Transducer Fishing LCD Display FFC1108

Best Side Scan Fish Finder - Uncover Fish Fast with Our Top Picks!. Image source: Amazon.com

What is a Side Scan Fish Finder?

A side scan fish finder is an electronic sonar device used to detect fish and other objects in the water. It works by emitting sound waves and then detecting the reflected sound waves to create an image of what is beneath the surface of the water. This type of fish finder is often used by anglers and commercial fishermen to find schools of fish, reefs, and other underwater structures.

How Does a Side Scan Fish Finder Work?

A side scan fish finder works by emitting sound waves from two transducers, one on either side of the boat. The sound waves bounce off of objects in the water and the reflected sound waves are detected by the transducers and used to create an image of what is beneath the surface. This image is then displayed on the screen of the fish finder.

What is the Advantage of Using a Side Scan Fish Finder?

The advantage of using a side scan fish finder is that it can detect objects that are outside the range of a traditional fish finder. This allows anglers to search a wider area and find more fish and other objects in the water. It also provides an image of the underwater terrain, which can help anglers identify potential fishing spots.

What are the Disadvantages of Using a Side Scan Fish Finder?

The main disadvantage of using a side scan fish finder is that it can be more expensive than traditional fish finders. Additionally, this type of fish finder can be affected by water currents, so it may not be as accurate as a traditional fish finder in certain conditions. Finally, it can be difficult to interpret the images created by a side scan fish finder, so anglers may need some practice to become proficient in reading the images.

Best Chirp Fishfinder: The Ultimate Buyer's Guide: The Best CHIRP Fishfinder of 2023 - Reviews & Buyer's Guide.

Summary

HawkEye ACC-FF-1642 FishTrax Fish Finder Side Scan Adapter

Best Side Scan Fish Finder of 2023 - Features and Benefits. Image source: Amazon.com

I strongly believe that Lowrance HOOK2 4X is one of the best side scan fish finders available in the market. It is equipped with the latest advanced technology and features to ensure accurate and reliable readings. It is also very user friendly and easy to use, making it the ideal choice for any angler. With its superior features and performance, I can confidently say that it is the best side scan fish finder for any angler.