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Whether you prefer fishing from a boat or fishing through the ice, knowing where to look for fish is essential.
When you’re not catching any fish, there are typically a few common reasons why.
Sure, the fish might not be hungry.
But maybe you are fishing in a spot where there simply aren’t any fish.
Using one of the best fish finders, like the Garmin Striker 4, will let you fish at the very top of your game.
This fish finder has a ton of features and benefits, all of which we’ll explore in our Garmin Striker 4 review.
What to Consider Before Buying a Fish Finder?
The Garmin Striker 4 is considered one of the best fish finders, regardless of whether you’re fishing on a boat or through the ice.
When you’re shopping for a fish finder, there are several features you’ll want to consider. For starters, where and how do you intend to use it? How compact do you need it to be?
Think carefully about the body of water in which you intend to fish, as well as things like boat speed, water temperature, and topographical information.
Also, pay attention to the fishing equipment you already have. Your fishfinder has to be compatible with your current setup – as well as your budget.
Once you’ve made these decisions, you can start comparing the many fish finders out there.
Here’s what the Garmin Striker 4 has to offer.
Specifications of The Garmin Striker 4
Display Type: HVGA Color LCD
Screen Resolution: 480×320 pixels
Screen Size: 3.5” diagonal
Waterproof Rating: IPX7
Transmit Power: 200 W
Frequency: Dual-beam CHIRP ( (77/200kHz) – Quality Dual Beam
Transducer Type: Transom mount
Dimensions: 3 5/8″W x 5 7/8″H x 1 5/8″D
Features and Benefits of The Garmin Striker 4 Reviewed
Navigation
In addition to helping you track fish; this fish finder can also provide navigational services with its built-in GPS.
With these GPS features enabled, you gain access to high-sensitivity mapping which helps to locate your current position quickly and accurately, with the ability to mark and save points where you know fish are, too.
You can even map and save important locations like boat ramps, docks, and obstacles – and share those saved points with other anglers who are using the striker 4, too.
You can save up to 5000 waypoints in the unit, which is likely more than you will ever need.
Design
The Garmin Striker 4 has a modern design that is not only attractive but also easy to use. It is portable and perfect for use on a smaller boat.
If you’ve ever used a fish finder before, you may have become frustrated at the small buttons that make it easy to navigate around the device.
The Garmin Striker 4 has none of this, however. The keypads are large enough for you to control even if you are wearing gloves and are also quite intuitive.
Portable Kit
This fish finder comes with a unique portable kit that helps you take your fish finder anywhere. It comes with a compact bag that protects it from the elements.
This kit also includes a rechargeable battery, a charger, a transducer with a suction cup, swivel or tilt mount, and a method for managing your transducer cable that’s built into the system for easy management.
- The power of simple - offers a keyed interface with dedicated buttons. The device is easy to use and easy to install. Available in 3.5-, 5- and 7-inch display sizes.
- Waypoint map - use the waypoint map to easily view, mark and navigate to locations such as brush piles, stumps and docks.
- Chirp sonar - chirp sends a continuous sweep of frequencies which provides a wider range of information. Chirp sonar is able to create crisper fish arches with better target separation.
- Built-in flasher - view your sonar data in the classic flasher format; Ideal for ice fishing or vertical jigging.
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Display Screen
The Striker 4 has a full-color 3.5” touchscreen. This contains several buttons for navigation with a 200 kHz reading for clear, detailed imaging.
It also offers a separate 77 kHz reading. Though not as detailed, it will let you view a larger area.
CHIRP Technology
The Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder is unique because it uses CHIRP technology to show what lies beneath the surface of the water.
This is a common technology in many fishfinders, but this particular product is one-of-a-kind because you don’t have to pay a fortune to get it.
CHIRP works by using a higher frequency signal to identify small items, like baitfish, and a lower frequency signal to identify things like downed trees or soft bottoms.
CHIRP emits several types of sonar signals at once instead of one. It can provide excellent image quality of anything your boat might float over.
Fish ID
This fish finder has a unique Fish ID feature that helps you interpret 2D sonar returns.
You can activate this feature on the sonar screen by scrolling to sonar setup, then appearance, and then selecting “turn on fish symbols.”
There are several modes you can choose based on your skill level when it comes to reading fish finders.
Battery Life
When fully charged, the Garmin Striker 4 can last for a full day or longer of fishing.
Waterproofing
The Garmin Striker 4 has a waterproof rating of IPX7. This means it can get quite wet without sustaining any water damage.
Speed
A cool feature of the Garmin Striker 4 is its ability to help you track your speed. This way, you can get an idea of what trolling speeds are ideal for catching fish.
After all, the speed at which you are trolling your boat plays a huge role in how effective your lure is, as well as the fish species you ultimately attract.
The Garmin Striker 4 lets you track your speed so you can get an idea of the ideal speed for the best experience.
Built-In Flasher
If you want to be able to use your fish finder for summertime and wintertime fishing, this is the product for you.
The Garmin Striker 4 has a portable kit that allows you to see the bottom while jigging or ice fishing, too.
Modes
Last but certainly not least, the Garmin Striker 4 comes with several modes.
The Traditional Mode gives you an idea of what obstacles are in the water and also shows you the bottom structure.
This is the simplest of all modes and is likely the one you will use the most, as it will show you where the fish are hiding.
The next mode is called the Flasher Mode. this one shows the various depth levels, integrating two sonar systems into one device.
Next up is the SPlit Frequency. This shows you the 70-kilohertz reading and the 200-kilohertz reading side by side.
This way, you can see what’s under the boat in two separate cones, with the narrow reading on one side and the wide on the other.
The Waypoint Map Mode is also one you are likely to use regularly. This lets you view and navigate back to a position you have marked.
The Section Number mode lets you see the speed of your boat.
The final mode is the Waypoints Map and the Sonar Screen. When combined, you will be able to see both of these in vertical and horizontal splits with a layout configuration.
In a nutshell, here are some of the major benefits of the Garmin Striker 4:
Pros
- The backlit screen allows for easy reading even in direct sunlight
- IPX waterproof
- Comes with a portable kit and is easy to install
- Reliable battery life
- Easy to mount on any boat, including a kayak
- Gives you a water temperature log and graph
- Allows you to set and return to waypoints
Cons
Being aware of the disadvantages of the Garmin Striker 4 is also important, as it will give you an idea of how this product stacks up in comparison to other units.
The cons are limited, but here are a few:
- Comes with limited instructions (but fortunately, you will rarely need these)
- Does not have a Micro SD card reader to save your information
- Relatively low pixel count on a smaller-sized screen
- Wire clamps holding the transducer cable are a bit fragile
User Reviews
Users like how easy the Garmin Striker 4 is to install, set up, and use. In fact, most people can use it to find fish in a matter of mere minutes.
With easy-to-access controls and a touch-screen interface, it’s easy to navigate through the scanner’s features.
Users also like that they don’t need to read the manual to get started. This is because the controls are easy to find add the buttons are permanent and dedicated, allowing you to navigate with ease.
The Garmin Striker 4 also has a shallow depth alarm, that can help you protect your prop when you are installing your Striker 4.
Most users report that they can install and use their fishfinder in minutes.
One of the few complaints about the Garmin Striker 4 is that it doesn’t work as well when you’re traveling at high speeds.
This is an issue with many types of fish finders, but it should be noted that other users don’t experience this problem, viewing excellent-quality images even when trolling at higher speeds.
Final Verdict on the Garmin Striker 4
When you don’t know what’s going on under your boat or beneath the ice, you’re not going to be very successful no matter what kind of gear or fishing strategy you are employing.
A good fish finder can help you find the very best fishing spots for a successful day out on the water.
If you want to enhance your fishing experience and spend your day hooking and reeling – instead of waiting – you should consider the Garmin Striker 4.
Also Read: Ice Fishing Fish finder vs Flasher
