New affordable Garmin sounders

Combining CHIRP traditional sonar, CHIRP DownVü and SideVü technology, along with a built-in high-sensitivity GPS receiver, Garmin's new Striker fishfinders are pitched as powerful tools for freshwater, estuary and inshore anglers fishing from kayaks and smaller boats up to around 5m in length.

The Striker fishfinder series is available in bright, sunlight-readable 3.5in (Striker 4 / 4dv), 5in (Striker 5dv) and 7in (Striker 7dv / 7sv) colour displays that feature a new rugged design and keyed interface that’s built to withstand the harsh marine environment.

Bringing Garmin’s true CHIRP sonar to the entry-level market, this technology is designed to create crisper fish arches with better target separation than traditional sonar by sending a continuous sweep of frequencies that are interpreted individually on their return. Even when fish are stacked up, CHIRP sonar helps anglers better determine how many fish there are and which are the largest, says Garmin.

For anglers who want to see greater detail below the boat, the Striker dv units feature built-in CHIRP DownVü scanning sonar, which provides a nearly photographic image with detailed representation of objects, structure and fish in both freshwater and saltwater. The larger Striker 7sv also adds SideVü scanning sonar for those who want to see fish and structure up to 200m each side of the boat.

As well as the built-in GPS antenna, all models incorporate a waypoint map, so marking fish or bait and navigating to favourite fishing spots and other areas of interest is quick and easy. When trolling, the GPS provides an update once per second, giving anglers the precision needed to dial in the exact trolling speed and optimise lure presentation. Users can also share waypoint data across multiple Striker units, as well as Garmin echoMAP series units.

All Striker fishfinders come as a complete package – including transducer, and transom-mount and trolling motor mounting brackets – to make getting on the water fast and easy. The five new Striker models offer flexible mounting options, so the units can tilt and swivel for an optimum-viewing angle. An optional flush-mount kit is also available for in-dash installation, as is an in-hull transducer mount for kayaks.

The Striker series is also compatible with a wide-range of optional Garmin scanning transducers to customise sonar performance and installation options. RRP from AU$199/NZ$229 for the Striker 4, and rounds out at AU$799/NZ$899 for the Striker 7sv. Further information, visit www.garmin.com/en-AU/explore/onthewater/.