Looking for the Best Fish Finder Under 200 Dollars? In this article, I’ll give you some of the best choices for those who want a quality fish finder without spending a lot of money.
Fishing is an art. And catching a fish is the greatest triumph of an angler. There were times in the past when one had to wait for hours to catch a fish. But with wonderful fish finders in the market, finding a fish isn’t so difficult anymore.
There are many fish finders in the market which come in a great variety of price. However, there is no need to blow a hefty budget on fish finders. You can get a cheap fish finder with effectual functioning, long durability, and high accuracy. Here, I will help you in choosing the Best Fish Finder Under 200 Dollars.
With so many fish finders in the market, you might be having some difficulties knowing which fish finders will be perfect for you within this budget.
This is where I will help you out. In this article, I’ll list and review the top 10 best fish finder under $200 so that you can have a delightful time fishing.
10 Best Fish Finder Under 200 Dollars Reviewed in this Guide
1. Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5″ GPS Fishfinder
If you want a fish finder with high frequency and great visibility in the fish finder under $200, Garmin Striker 4 with the transducer is a great option for you. This device uses a high-frequency sonar signal. It shows you detailed photographic images of everything that is inside the water around you.
The Striker 4 by Garmin is a fascinating device that is easy to install and use. This device has a 1.9 x 2.9 inches; 3.5 inches diagonal display size device with advanced keys and buttons for interfacing. Also, you can use the waypoint map that allows you to easily mark and navigate the location of different objects in the water.
Garmin striker 4 with a transducer with water rating IP7X is powerful to give detailed structures of the objects and fishes inside the water. In a freshwater lake or a river, this device can navigate up to the maximum depth of 1600 feet. Whereas in saltwater, you can easily mark the objects down to 750 feet.
The device uses a chirp sonar that radiates regular frequency patterns in all directions. This functionality provides a wider range of information with clarity. This device is also usable at higher speeds. The device is perfect for ice fishing making it one of the best fish finder under $200.
With all these quality traits, it is listed on the top of the Best Fish Finder Under 200 dollars list.
Pros
- Has a rechargeable battery with charger
- A higher level of clarity than the traditional transducers
- High sensitivity GPS
- Better target separation
- Great performance for shallow to deeper depths
- Better visibility in bottom contours
2. Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder with GPS
Next on our list of best fish finder under 200 dollars is Lowrance HOOK2 Fish Finder. This is one of Lowrance’s cheapest fish finders available, in fact, there’s another cheaper version of the Hook2 that has no GPS. But if you have extra bucks, GPS functionality allows you to create waypoints and trails and make your next fishing adventure a breeze.
Some of the best features that I like about the Hook2 is its SolarMax display which creates crisp images and lets you see the screen even in direct sunlight.
In addition, it has wide-angle CHIRP and automated sonar to create the best images and cover more water.
When it comes to controls, it comes with optimized keypads and all of the features are accessible in one-touch of a button!
Pros
- Comes with CHIRP
- Easy to Operate
- Waterproof unit
- Separates the targets down to 2.5 inches.
- Bigger screen
Cons
- Some issues with intereference
3. LUCKY Fish Finder Wired & Wireless Portable Fishing Sonar
As the list of best fish finder under 200 Dollars continues, we have the LUCKY fish finder, which is a dual-mode (wired and wireless) sonar with floating and waterproof designs. In a wired mode 45 degrees beam angle, the sonar coverage is 200Khz. But in a wireless mode with 90 degrees beam angle, the sonar coverage is 125Khz.
The lucky fish finder is a multipurpose professional device that is feasible for shore fishing, kayak fishing, ice fishing, and boat fishing. You can adjust sensitivity and fish alarms in the device. Also, you can customize the color displays (3 colors available: Blue, Orange, and Gray) on the 2.8 inch LCD screen.
Find fish, water depth, water temperature, and bottom contour with the help of Lucky fishfinder. You can also adjust the beams (narrow or wide) depending on the type of fishing. The wide beam frequency covers a larger area. Use the wide beam in the wireless mode. To pinpoint your target, and to see how they move, use the narrow beam frequency in wired mode.
This unit is operable in freshwater and in saltwater. It has a rechargeable battery. On a single charge, the device can operate for a full 10 hours. With the use of a powerful sonar, the device scans deeper to provide precise data. Its depth Capability is different for wired and wireless modes. Using cable, the depth capacity is up to 328 feet and if wireless, it can scan objects down to 147 feet.
Pros
- Better castable sonar for scanning depth.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Automatic power on off.
Cons
- Does not include power adaptor.
- Does not save data.
4. Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4.3 DI Fish Finder
Another best fish finder under 200 dollars list is the Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4.3 DI Fish Finder with Down Imaging. This unit assembles the best stylist features and functionality of the helix series by Humminbird.
This device uses Sonar Technology with dual-frequency sonar standards. Also, the unit has a functionality of down imaging too. This device has a sharper image and target separation. The target separation is 2.5″ with a depth capacity of 320′ (Down imaging model only) and 600′.
The device has modern styling with a 4.3″ color LCD screen. The down imaging feature will give you an idea of what is under the water below your boat. This device is easier to interface. With the tilt and swivel mount, you can easily adjust your viewing area angle.
The device also allows the feature of setting fish alarms and depth alarms. Also, you can zoom your screen. This 3.9″ W x 6.8″ H x 3.6″ D unit has a diagonal display size of 4.3″ with a display pixel matrix 480 V x 272 H. The display color is grayscale with 256 colors.
Due to its specifications and features, it is listed as one of the best fish finder under $200 available on the market.
Pros
- Has transducer with suction cup mount.
- Works perfectly on a Kayak.
Cons
- No GPS
- Does not come with ice transducer.
5. Phiradar Color LCD Boat Fish Finder
Further, in the list of best fish finder under 200 dollars continues, we represent you Phiradar Color LCD Boat Fish Finder.
Are you looking for a fantastic fish finder below $200? Phiradar Color LCD Boat Fish Finder is an amazing fish finder that is perfect to use in the seas, rivers, and lakes. This device helps to locate the fish or clusters of fish deep inside the water. This device also finds the depth and the bottom contour of water.
The device detects the anti-interference from the grasses in the lakes. Also, it displays the sands, rocks, and other objects t the bottom of the seas. The device uses an output power of 800 watts. Also, it has a feature that displays the strength of the battery.
With a dual-beam 200/83 kHz sonar frequency, the device is good and precise for depth reading from 1.8 to 984 feet. The device has a bottom contour and a water temperature indicator. It can operate within a temperature range of -20 to +70°C. Also, it has lots of sensitivity settings.
With multilingual menu settings, the device is more versatile. The device has settings in English, Russian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Finnish, Polish, German, Italian / Spanish, Dutch, Korean, Swedish, Greek, and Danish.
With white front LED lighting, 3.5″ TFT LCD sunlight-readable display, and a resolution of V320 * H240, this device has a big and small fish identification property. Also, the screen has auto zoom button tracking and also allows quick manual zoom.
This fishfinder has a fish depth indicator as well. You can read the data in feet or in meters. Also, the device allows the feature of audible fish and depth alarms.
Pros
- Has a battery strength indicator.
- Has a multilanguage device setting.
Cons
- No GPS.
6. ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder
Screen size is one of the things that anglers are interested in when buying fish finders. The main problem is the bigger the screen, the more expensive the fish finder.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable fish finder that allows you to connect it to a bigger screen, then the ReelSonar Wireless Fish Finder is the best option for you.
The iBobber can be easily connected to any iOs or Android device to help you see your fishing data. Because of its design, you don’t need to install it in your boat, this makes it portable, flexible and easy to use.
In addition to that, it comes with GPS and allows you to map waterbeds and mark spots. It also allows you to save your water temperature and depth and other fishing details like species and photos.
Pros
- Comes with built-in fish attractor
- Compact and easy to use
- Comes with Fish & strike alarms
- Equipped with social media sharing feature
Cons
- Connectivity issues
7. Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder, Black
Another one, in the list of Best Fish Finder Under 200 dollars is Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder. If you are looking for a fish finder under $200 with a two-year warranty, here is a perfect choice for you. This device not only has a guarantee of 2 years but also a battery guarantee of a year.
The Sonar phone turns your smartphone or tablets into a fully functional sonar system using a patented WiFi signal technology. The sonar phone works anywhere in the world. It does not require your cellphone coverage. It creates its own hotspot. You can share your signal with many people.
You can download the software App for free from the App Store. It works with both the Android and IOS systems.
The device has pre-drilled holes for optional accessories. It has a water temperature and the depth indicator. Also, you can get Audible Alarms for Fish, Shallow and Low Battery; Fish Icon; Zoom Bottom Track; Noise Rejection; Surface Clarity; Battery Indicator; One year warranty.
8. Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder
A portable fish finder under $200 in our list is the Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder. This device is a black mode device that detects and displays the depth of water and approximates the fish location. The device displays the images of weeds, sand, and rocks on the seabed.
This device is a smart fishfinder device with a maximum depth range of 100 meters and a minimum of 0.9 meters. Besides, you can use this device for fishing at lakes, rivers, and seas as well. In particular, you can also use this device for offshore fishing, boat fishing, and ice fishing.
The device has a anti UV LCD display with LED backlighting. It uses a 4.6cm diameter round transducer sensor with a sensor beam angle of 45 degrees. The user can configure some frequency settings like sensitivity, battery save mode, backlight mode, fish alarm and the unit of measure for water depth.
The Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder comes with a manual operation mode. It has around transducer with 25 ft cable and a removable transducer float. The transducer is waterproof.
This device works for temperature between -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F). will impact the performance of the product. However, the performance isn’t best at very low temperatures. We advise you to keep the unit in temperatures above 0 degrees while you are using the device.
Pros
- Waterproof transducer.
- Light and easily portable.
Cons
- Doesn’t detect motionless fish and fish smaller than 10cm.
- Doesn’t operate well if the device moves at speed greater than 5 mph.
- Low performance in extremely cold weather
- Low performance in strong waves and muddy water
9. Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv FishFinder
The Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv FishFinder is a great addition to any angler’s toolkit. It’s easy to use and comes with a tilt/swivel bail mount bracket, making it ideal for fishing from a kayak or other small boat.
The Garmin 4cv provides clear, precise fish targeting information, thanks to its CHIRP sonars. This FishFinder also includes built-in GPS so you can keep track of your location, map waypoints, and see your boat’s speed!
In addition to that, the unit is very compact and can be easily mounted on a kayak or canoe. The 4” display is bright and clear, and the vivid color options really make a difference when it comes to viewing fish and underwater structures.
Pros
- Included tilt/swivel mount
- Intuitive Display
- Comes with GPS and CHIRP
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not equipped with maps
Fish Finder Under 200 dollars: Buyer’s Guide
Size And Space
Space is limited during kayak fishing. A fish finder needs space for battery, cables, and screen as well. So, you must get fish finders depending on what size kayaks are you using for fishing.
Remember that you should not add extra gears and unnecessary weights.
Frequencies
Fishfinders operating in higher frequencies have higher performances. Higher the frequency the device uses, you will get more details on the screen. Similarly, we advise you to buy fish finders above 200 kHz if you are fishing in shallow water. For deep waters, frequency around 50 kHz will have the best performances.
Power
While fishing, you must supply power to fish finders via batteries. High wattage fish finders are faster. Likewise, they are good for deep waters. Low wattage fish finders are slower and have good performances for shallow water. So, you must consider the power option based on what type of fishing you are doing.
Screen Resolution and Screen Color
The higher the pixels on your screen, the better will be the details on the screen. With higher screen resolution, the images will be sharper. While buying fish finders, buy units with a screen resolution higher than 240×160 pixels.
If you have a very tight budget, get black and white screens. Else, color screens are best for detailed and understandable images.
Cone Angles
The larger the cone angle, the wider will be the coverage area. If you are a beginner, fish finders with a cone angle of 20 degrees will be enough. 60 degrees cone angle will be great for a professional.
Scan Type and GPS Capability
Most of the fish finders these days use dual beams. But there are some models that can scan only below or towards the side of the device. While buying fish finders, buy one with dual-scan frequencies. They will provide you a complete picture of everything inside the water beneath your boat and the surrounding.
It isn’t mandatory for fish finders to have GPS. However, those with GPS tracking are easier to operate. You will know better about where you are headed.
Mounted And Portable Model
Portable models are easy as you can carry them from place to place. However, if you are fishing in big lakes, or in seas and oceans, mounted models are best. Get the fish finders according to your needs.
My Outlook on Fish Finders
After reviewing the selected fish finder under 200 dollars, I can see that you can easily find compatible fish finders with nice features. You can look out for the models with special functions and features according to your needs.
Before you get any of these fish finders, be clear about what you need. You need to buy them depending on your fishing style, where you are fishing, what kind of boats are you using, and a lot more. Search for the performances and features that you need for fishing.
Among all of these best fish finders under 200 dollars reviewed above, I loved the Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder the most. This is a WiFi-connected app-driven fish finder that connects with your android phones or IOS devices. It also creates its own hotspot and allows sharing the signal with as many people as you like.