Striker 4 Fish Finder Review

Fish finders have come a long way over the years. Now we enjoy things that were unheard of a few years ago, as standard on even the most basic units. The base model Garmin Striker 4 fish finder is a great example of that. This unit is packed with great features. For instance you can save up to 5000 waypoints, the built in GPS will to bring you back to the ramp, find your hot fishing spot and navigate you via routes to your final destination. It also provide great graphics that are clear and crisp. Did you get distracted and miss something on the screen. No worries the Striker 4 can rewind allowing you to scroll back and see what you missed. CHIRP transducer technology provides the highest performance on the market and you can mount it to the transom, trolling motor and in your kayak.

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Highlights of the 3.5-inch Fishfinder with High Sensitivity GPS and CHIRP Technology.

• Easy-to-use 3.5-inch color fishfinder with built-in, high-sensitivity GPS
• Waypoint mapping allows you to locate fish, tag and return to marked locations
• Keypad operation that is convenient to use
• Includes CHIRP sonar transducer (77/200 kHz)
• Want more performance, upgrade to CHIRP with a GT8 or GT15 transducer
• Great value for all these features and just over $100 price point.

Why is the Garmin Striker 4 is one of the most popular fish finders. Here are a few reasons.

• Garmin has been making reliable and feature rich fish finders for decades, they are pros
• The Striker 4 is tough and made to last under demanding conditions
• Easy to use features for beginners but also possesses advanced options found on more expensive models.
• Most BANG for the buck of most any fish finder on the market today

Garmin Striker 4 Review Video

Garmin Striker 4 CHIRP – What is it?

A Garmin CHIRP 77/200 kHz transducer is included with your Striker 4 fish finder. While standard transducers provide adequate resolution the Striker 4 CHIRP transducer delivers a much higher level of detail when displaying fish, structure and other underwater features.

Standard transducers send out just 1 frequency to scan the bottom, Garmin Striker 4 CHIRP technology sends a continuous sweep of frequencies. These frequencies are repeated from high to low and are individually deciphered by the computer to produce crystal clear images. Since there is more data available  from the multiple frequencies the Striker 4 produces clear fish representations with distinct target separation making for a cleaner looking picture.

‘X’ Marks The Spot With Highly Accurate GPS

The Garmin Striker 4 has high sensitivity GPS which will quickly and accurately locate your present position. Your position is then constantly updated anywhere you go. This feature allows you to target locations where fish are biting so you can return to this ‘hot spot’ again and again. You can also mark landings, boat ramps, underwater structure or anything else. Once stored they will display on your gps for easy navigation to and from.

Waypoint Map Navigation Made Easy

High sensitivity GPS built into the Garmin Striker 4 allow you to view  your location in relation to previously stored waypoints on your waypoint map. This allows you to observe , tag and navigate, using the waypoint map to prior fishing spots, structure and launch locations.

Convenient and Accurate Speed Indicator

The Garmin Striker 4 enables you to easily at a glance see your speed right on the main screen. This is important for situation where speed limits are enforced. It can also be critical for knowing if you are trolling at the correct speed and determining your time of arrival to your destination.

Built-in Flasher For Vertical Fishing

The Striker 4 also provide a built in flasher in addition to the traditional depth finder screen. Using a Flasher can be beneficial when stationary fishing below the boat or kayak with jigs. A flasher can help determine bottom firmness , the depth, and will show your jig and fish depth in relation to the bottom. This combination of sonar technics can help you be more efficient in locating and catching fish.

The Garmin Striker 4 Goes Where You Go

Need to take your Striker 4 on your kayak, raft or canoe? Do you love ice fishing but wish you could have a sonar unit with you? No problem with the portable kit that can protect and transport  your Garmin Striker 4 where ever you take it. The kit comes with a suction cup attachment transducer and well as a float. You also get a sealed batter that is rechargeable. There is also storage for all this including transducer cable management that is built in.

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The Garmin Striker 4 Pros and Cons

Garmin Striker 4 Pros:

• Accurate display of fish echos, bottom contour using CHIRP technology
• Simple setup and easy to get started
• It’s highly portable with the ice fishing kit add-on
• 5,000 waypoint capacity
• Easily see your kayak speed, depth, water temperature right on the main screen

Garmin Striker 4 Cons:

• Does not have a sim card slot to add map software
• Doesn’t display latitude and longitude information
• The 3.5 inch display is hard on the eyes and limits information to be displayed
• There is no cover included in the box

HERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE BASIC STRIKER 4

STRIKER™ Vivid 4cv
With GT20-TM Transducer

Display Size 4″5″7″9″

ClearVü – Garmin ClearVü scanning sonar gives you a nearly photographic image below your boat. With ClearVü, you clearly see structure, submerged objects, and fish. … The ClearVü feature is available with Garmin CV and GT transducers.

Conclusion

All things said our test prove the Garmin Striker 4 can handle rough conditions on the water and still provide quality, consistent and accurate feedback. With the Striker unit you can do more than just find fish marks and see the depth. High quality GPS and advanced CHIRP sonar functionality provide many options that you don’t see on similar units of this price point, while maintaining a simple and user friendly interface. For all the reasons mentioned above we highly recommend the Striker 4 fish finder.