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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
Scouting for good fishing spots requires seeing hundreds of feet under your boat. Side imaging is the way to do it, as you’ll be able to see schools of fish, vegetation, and the structure of the bottom below and sideways your vessel. Check out our list of best side imaging fish finders of 2023.
Best Side Imaging Fish Finder Under 500
- Clear display and strong color contrasts
- QuickDraw Contour maps images within seconds
- Good screen size and Wi-Fi connectivity
Cheapest Side Imaging Fish Finder
- The detailed image on the screen will give all anglers a clear view of where to find fish.
- Precise and clear images are the final step that helps catch more fish.
- The down scan and side scan work well.
High End Portable Side Imaging Fish Finder
- Excellent quality of maps
- Inland maps work efficiently
- The live mapping helps anglers find fish at the right time
Table of Contents
- Buyers Guide Of Best Side Imaging Fish Finder For The Value
- Frequency
- Power
- Screen Resolution
- 6 Best Side Imaging Fish Finders
- Garmin Striker Vivid 7SV Fish Finder
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Fish Finder
- Lowrance HDS 7 Live Fish Finder
- Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV Fish Finder
- What is side imaging on a fish finder?
Buyers Guide Of Best Side Imaging Fish Finder For The Value
There are so many factors that anglers have to consider when they are trying to purchase the best side imaging fish finder. Some of the factors make the side imaging feature more efficient. Be sure that you know how to find the right fish finder by picking out these features.
Frequency
Frequency of the sonar transducer works because the waves go outwards and sideways to reflect with any hindrance and comes back, which causes the mapping. If the frequency of any fish finding device is not right, you might be giving up a good chance of catching more fish.
Any top side imaging fish finder that has a dual beam sonar, or a flexible frequency range would be a good choice because you can lower the frequency for a better scan of more distance, or increase it to scan a shallow and narrow stream or creek.
Power
The power rating of any fish finder is going to determine how deep you can fish. If a fish finder has to map deeper waters, it would need higher power. You will have to choose a high-power fish finding device for side imaging.
Most anglers focus on the manufacturer, and some physical features like the screen or the look of the device. The power rating may not be one of the first things you had on your mind while shortlisting the best side imaging fish finder. However, the power rating means a lot when you want to maximize the explored area.
Screen Resolution
Screen resolution will decide how much of the maps you will understand. Imagine a perfect fish finder with a great transducer, good frequency ranges, excellent power and everything that you would need, but the screen resolution is low. You will not be able to understand the maps or charts. If the screen size is good, and the resolution is not on point, or if the colors are not available for you to distinguish contours, it will all fail!
6 Best Side Imaging Fish Finders
- Garmin Striker Vivid 7SV – Best Side imaging Fish Finder under $500
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 – Cheapest Side Imaging Fish Finder For The Money
- Lowrance HDS 7 Live – Best High-End Side Imaging Fish Finder Option
- Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Garmin
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
Affordability, image quality, high-end features, and other things are considered in my reviews. But in the end, it all boils down to whether these side-image fish finders are maximizing my catches. The six fish finders in this list definitely improved that.
#1
Best Side imaging Fish Finder under $500
Garmin Striker Vivid 7SV Fish Finder
WHY WE LIKE IT: We liked this side imaging fish finder because it gives a clear picture and has all the features that anglers need on water. Moreover, the price is too good for the clarity of picture and the wide view.
- GPS: Yes
- Built-in Receiver: Yes
- Displays Sonar: Yes
- QuickDraw Contours: Yes
Pros
- Clear display and strong color contrasts
- QuickDraw Contour maps images within seconds
- Good screen size and Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons
- The Wi-Fi does not connect to the app sometimes
- No map downloading or sharing available
#1
Cheapest Side Imaging Fish Finder For The Money
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Fish Finder
- GPS: Yes
- SD Card Storage: Yes
- Chirp Sonar: Yes
- Mountable: Yes
- Down scan: Yes
Pros
- The detailed image on the screen will give all anglers a clear view of where to find fish.
- Precise and clear images are the final step that helps catch more fish.
- The down scan and side scan work well.
- Best budget side imaging fish finder
Cons
- The side imaging scanner can be a little technical to read
- The SD card does not come with the fish finder and you have to get it separately
#3
Best High-End Side Imaging Fish Finder
Lowrance HDS 7 Live Fish Finder
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- SC Card Storage: Yes
- Power Rating: Good
Pros
- Excellent quality of maps
- Inland maps work efficiently
- The live mapping helps anglers find fish at the right time
Cons
- The price is extremely high
- The Wi-Fi connection and Bluetooth connection can be unreliable
#4
Side Imaging Fish Finder from Garmin
Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV Fish Finder
- Built-in Sonar: Yes
- GPS: Yes
- Garmin Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- QuickDraw Contours: Yes
- Fish Symbol ID: Yes
Pros
- Excellent screen size
- Good chirp sonar technology to map fish accurately
- Fish symbol ID helps prepare the right tackle
Cons
- Too many buttons to get maps
- The side imaging technology does not produce the right fish identification maps
- Slightly expensive than other side imaging fish finders.
#5
Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 Fish Finder
- GPS: Yes
- Mountable: Yes
- SD Card Storage: Yes
- Inland Maps: Yes
Pros
- Autotuning sonar will enable you to scan various depths
- Inland maps are a big advantage for mapping waypoints and getting the best spots
- The seven-inch display is clear and readable
Cons
- The mount can be improved as it moves and may distract anglers
- The C-Map Genesis maps do not load quickly
#6
Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 Fish Finder
- Autotuning Sonar: Yes
- Down scan: Yes
- Inland Mapping: Yes
- Chirp sonar: Yes
- Tripleshot Transducer: Yes
Pros
- One-touch access to various menu options makes it less time consuming
- Autotuning sonar means fishing in water bodies of varying depths
- Fishreveal features makes it easy to identify the fish
Cons
- The transducer cable is too short
- The C-Maps do not fit on the storage card
BUYING ADVICE: When it comes to top side imaging fish finders, we highly recommend this high-end model for its exceptional resolution of fish holding structures, along with a clear display and the added advantage of the Solarmax display, ensuring easy readability even when the sun is directly overhead.
- Garmin Striker Vivid 7SV – Best Side imaging Fish Finder under $500
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 – Cheapest Side Imaging Fish Finder For The Money
- Lowrance HDS 7 Live – Best High-End Side Imaging Fish Finder Option
- Garmin Striker Vivid 9SV – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Garmin
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
- Lowrance Hook Reveal 9 – Side Imaging Fish Finder from Lowrance
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Side Imaging Fish Finders (Side Scan)
What is side imaging on a fish finder?
A side imaging fish finder allows anglers to see what is on the sides. This means that there will be horizontal scans as well. You can make the most of your fishing adventures when you get a wider view of what is beneath the boat, and also on the sides. Moreover, you get the scans for all depths.
How to read side imaging fish finder?
The side imaging fish finders show a dark screen as they are scanning the horizontal distance under the boat. If you see fish maps on one side of the screen, as well as the other side. The imaging means that fish are right below the boat. Similarly, if you see fish on one side only, and the other side is dark, it means that fish are present only at one side of the boat.
If you set the depth range on your fish finder to see deeper into the water, the cone angle increases so you can see fishing spots horizontally as well and they will be at different depths.
Does side imaging work in deep water?
Yes, side imaging is usually considered a feature for shallow water fish finding. However, it works in deep water as well. These fish finders can read all the way down the water column, however, the maximum depth that these fish finders can scan is 300 feet.
Does side imaging work in saltwater?
Side imaging works in saltwater, although you will have to know how to read the maps because they will not be as clear in deep water as they are in shallow water. Moreover, the speed of the boat will have to be less so that the horizontal scan can create an image on the screen.
The imaging transducer for a side imaging device is working by scanning the water column while it also scans sideways horizontally. This means that a down imaging sonar is at work, but the side imaging signals are also coming in. If the speed of the boat is high, then there is a lesser chance for the scan fish finder to work efficiently.
What is the best speed for side imaging?
The detailed images from your side imaging fish finder will only become a possibility when your boat is at a speed of around 10MPH. This speed will prove to be slow enough for the sonar beam to get all the signals, and the down imaging will also be working so all the underwater structures, side images and fishing spots will be available to you.
If the boat is too fast, by the time the display screen gets images, you would’ve passed the spot already. Catching fish can be challenging if you do not understand the requirements of using the installed fish finder.
How far does side imaging work?
The distance for side imaging varies with models. Some fish finders have a vast range of horizontal maps due to the 180⁰ angle. Some fish finder manufacturers claim that the range of their devices can be up to 400 feet on each side of the boat. You can locate fish in a bigger area with more accuracy if the side imaging range is higher.
My Verdict
Choosing the best side imaging fish finder isn’t a task to be taken lightly. It’s about securing your advantage beneath the water’s surface, revealing the hidden world of fish like a true pro. Don’t rush this decision, consider the factors we’ve explored, from transducer types to display quality. It’s your underwater compass, your angling ally, and your ticket to remarkable catches.
I encourage you to immerse yourself in the knowledge we have imparted, thoroughly assess your options, and embark on your fishing expeditions armed with the confidence that only the perfect side imaging fish finder can bestow. In doing so, you shall be well-equipped to cast your line with precision, navigate the waters with expertise, and ultimately, triumph in the piscine quest.