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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
A fish finder is one of the most basic devices that anglers like to take along when they plan a fishing trip. However, it is not easy for everyone to purchase an expensive fish finder. Fret no more because we decided to find some of the most economical options for you. You will not have to go looking for the best fish finder under $200 because we put them all together for you to select!
Best For Smart Phone Users
- Quick setup
- Connectivity with various mobile devices
- You can select 2-D or ice fishing flasher
- Casting of up to 200 meters means getting the mapping for a large area
Best For Deep Water
- Covers a large area in one cast
- Can work in deep water
- Works with your phone so you do not have to worry about screen resolution
User Oriented Fish Finder
- Excellent transducer and chirp technology
- Waypoint hotspots mark fish locations within seconds
- Clear colors and many options to suit individuals
- Quick connectivity and ease of use
- Garmin Striker Cast – Best Fish Finder Under $200 For Smartphone Users
- Deeper Fish Finder Start – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Humminbird Piranhamax 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Deeper Sonar PRO+ – Fish Finder Under $200
Quick Overview - Best Fish Finders For Under 200
We picked out the best fish finders under $200 for all readers, and angling enthusiasts. You will find some of the best models here. We reviewed these devices carefully, and whichever fish finder you select will be an excellent choice. Make sure to pick out the one that suits you most.
1. Garmin Striker Cast - Best Fish Finder Under $200 For Smartphon Users
- Dimension 3”x2.97”x2.27”
- Built-in Receiver: Yes
- Waterproof: Yes
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Fish Symbol ID: Yes
- Depth Range Shading: Yes
- Water Temperature Sensor: Yes
Pros
- Casting of up to 200 meters means getting the mapping for a large area
- Quick setup
- Connectivity with various mobile devices
- You can select 2-D or ice fishing flasher
Cons
- No GPS
- Anglers may feel time is wasted in setting up the fish finder with the phone and then waiting for it to map
- Not touchscreen
2. Deeper Fish Finder Start Fish Finder Under $200
Sonar Type: Single beam frequency
- Depth Range: 165 feet
- Temperature Range: Wide
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Battery Life: Six hours
Pros
- Covers a large area in one cast
- Can work in deep water
- Works with your phone so you do not have to worry about screen resolution
Cons
- The Wi-Fi does not work sometimes
- Water can leak into the fish finder when cast over long distances and time is consumed to retrieve it
BUYING ADVICE: The Deeper Fish finder START is one of the best fish finders under $200, and that is not the only reason you should try it out. It is good for sea fishing, and if you want to start the trip and begin catching big fish, this device will be a great choice. This castable fish finder is a good option for all those who want to cover more area in a shorter time.
3. Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV Fish Finder Under $200
- Dimension: 3.9”x6.9”x1.8”
- Waterproof: Yes
- Built-in Reciever: Yes
- GPS Capabilities: Yes
- Quickdraw Contours: Yes
- Fish Symbol ID: Yes
- Depth Range Shading: Yes
Pros
- Excellent transducer and chirp technology
- Waypoint hotspots mark fish locations within seconds and you can find your way easily
- Clear colors and many options to suit individuals
- Quick connectivity and ease of use
Cons
- Some anglers think the interface is not easy
- Accuracy is low when compared to other Garmin fish finders
- Plotting points requires too many button functions
4. Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder
- Dimensions: 3.6”x5.9”x1.6”
- Built-in Receiver: Yes
- GPS Capabilities: Yes
- Water Temperature Log: Yes
- Fish Symbol ID: Yes
- Depth Range Shading: Yes
- Support WAAS: Yes
Pros
- Easy installation and functions
- Works best for anglers who want to know depth along with fish finder features
- Lots of features in an affordable price
Cons
- Screen brightness reduces with time
- The buttons can be overwhelming while using to save time
BUYING ADVICE: If you do not want to spend time setting up a device, this is the right fish finder for you! When you are looking for the best fish finder under $200, you would be ready to give up on some high-end features, although qualities such as sonar capabilities, or GPS capability would still be essential.
5. Humminbird Piranhamax 4 Fish Finder
- Interface Keypad Control: Yes
- Depth-Down Imaging: Yes
- GPS Chart Potting: No
- Temperature Detector: Yes
- Mountable: Yes
- Display: Less than 5 inches
Pros
- Sharper Imaging and bigger screen for clarity
- Mountable quality adds convenience
- Good GPS capabilities, and Sonar capabilities
Cons
- Not 100% waterproof
- Anglers have to assemble the unit
6. Deeper Sonar PRO+ Fish Finder
- GPS Mapping: Yes
- Deep Scan: Yes
- Shore Fishing: Yes
- Ice Fishing: Yes
- Connectivity: High
- Sonar Type: Dual beam sonar
Pros
- Solid connectivity and compatibility with android and Apple devices
- Built-in GPS and two beam frequencies with 15 scans per second
- Rechargeable battery means you can keep fishing for long
Cons
- The fish imaging can be wrong sometimes
- The fish finder is bulky and cannot be cast far from the boat
FEATURES: The Scan Deeper feature allows anglers to get the picture of where the fish is in deep water. GPS onshore mapping is an excellent feature to see the most accurate picture of what is beneath the boat. It is one of the best fish finders under $200, and the price is justified. The connectivity is great, and this device is easy to use.
- Garmin Striker Cast – Best Fish Finder Under $200 For Smartphon Users
- Deeper Fish Finder Start – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Humminbird Piranhamax 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Deeper Sonar PRO+ – Fish Finder Under $200
Things to Consider while Buying a Fish Finder under 200
There are numerous factors that anglers have to consider when they look for the best affordable fish finder. First of all, you will have to pick one that suits your fishing requirements. Are you a professional angler? Or do you like to catch fish for sports? Whatever the reason may be, some of the following factors have to be taken into account.
GPS Integrated
GPS integrated fish finders are a great choice because this feature helps anglers locate the area on a map, and secondly they get to see everything through a satellite imaging process. This means that you will get to see accurate imaging on your fish finder.
Cone Angle
The cone angle determines the area that the fish finder will cover through the transducer. If a fish finder device has lower cone angle, it will mean that it covers less area. When going sea fishing, you would need the right fish finder with a large cone angle to cover a larger area. Some fish finders have adjustable cone angles as well. You can decide which one to buy. The best fish finders under $200 might not have an adjustable cone angle as it is an advanced feature.
Side Scan vs. Down Scan
Side scanning allows anglers to see the scans of water bodies horizontally. On the contrary, deep scan means a vertical scan of the lake or any other water body where you are. The advantage of side scan is that you can see fish at a particular depth at two different places. However, the deep scan allows you to see through the water column. This factor can be a personal choice, however, many fish finders here have deep scan. Learn more: Down Imaging Vs. Side Imaging: What’s the Difference?
Screen resolution
Imagine you are on water and you need to take a close look at the mapping on the screen. If the display is too small, or the screen resolution is too weak, some anglers might need time to concentrate on the image. If the screen is a decent size, you would be able to see it clearly without spending more time on it! Moreover, you will not be able to distinguish fish if the screen is too small. For good picture quality and excellent image quality, the screen resolution and size matter.
- Garmin Striker Cast – Best Fish Finder Under $200 For Smartphon Users
- Deeper Fish Finder Start – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV – Fish Finder Under $200
- Garmin Striker 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Humminbird Piranhamax 4 – Fish Finder Under $200
- Deeper Sonar PRO+ – Fish Finder Under $200
Types of Fish Finder for Under $200
- Mountable
- Fixed
- Portable fish finders
- Handheld fish finders
- Castable