10 Best Depth Finders For Boats 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is a user-friendly fish finder with a 7-inch color LCD display. One of its main strengths is the vivid scanning sonar color palettes that help users easily distinguish fish and underwater structures. It includes a GT20 transducer, offering CHIRP traditional sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar, which provides high-detail images of what's below your boat. This makes it easier to locate and identify fish and structures beneath the water surface.

Additionally, the high-sensitivity GPS allows for marking waypoints, creating routes, and viewing boat speed, making navigation straightforward and efficient. The built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping feature is handy as it lets you create personalized fishing maps with 1’ contours, which can be very useful for frequent fishing spots. Wi-Fi connectivity is another perk, enabling connection to the ActiveCaptain app for easy transfer of waypoints, smart notifications, and access to the Garmin Quickdraw Community for sharing maps.

However, it's worth noting that the device is operated through buttons, which might not appeal to users who prefer touchscreen interfaces. The unit is also relatively heavy at 4.4 pounds, which might be a consideration for some. Despite these drawbacks, the Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv's comprehensive features, especially in sonar technology and GPS integration, make it a solid choice for recreational and serious anglers looking for a reliable depth finder.

The Humminbird XPLORE 9 GPS Fish Finder stands out with its advanced sonar technology and comprehensive mapping capabilities. It features MEGA Side Imaging+ and MEGA Down Imaging+, which provide detailed underwater views up to 200 feet on each side and below your boat. The Dual Spectrum CHIRP technology enhances fish detection accuracy, offering both wide and narrow modes for different fishing needs. The built-in GPS and extensive map coverage, including LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map cards, make navigation and location tracking straightforward, suitable for users who fish in varied water bodies across the US and Canada.

AutoChart Live allows you to create real-time maps of your fishing spots, capturing depth contours, bottom hardness, and vegetation, which is excellent for identifying productive fishing areas. The 9-inch HD touchscreen display with dual control options (touchscreen and keypad) ensures clear visibility and ease of use even in bright conditions. Connectivity features like high-speed Ethernet and Bluetooth, and compatibility with NMEA 2000 network, Minn Kota, and Cannon products, make it versatile and easy to integrate into your existing boat systems.

However, at 9 pounds and with a relatively high price point, it may not be ideal for smaller boats or casual anglers. Its advanced features and comprehensive integration options are best suited for avid anglers or professionals who require detailed underwater imaging and extensive mapping capabilities. The two-year warranty provides some assurance of its durability and performance.

The Simrad NSS12 Evo3S is a robust depth finder designed for boat enthusiasts who demand high performance and advanced features. With a large 12-inch high-definition display and an advanced iMX 8 processor, it offers fast response times and smooth navigation through its intuitive touchscreen interface. The built-in GPS navigation with preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced charts is a significant advantage for those navigating inland and coastal waters, making it easy to plan routes and identify key landmarks.

In terms of fish-finding capabilities, the NSS12 Evo3S excels with features like Active Imaging sonar and StructureScan 3D, allowing users to locate fish more effectively. The vessel-wide integration also stands out, providing real-time monitoring of various systems onboard, such as fuel efficiency and engine performance, which can enhance the boating experience.

It is important to consider a few drawbacks. The size of the device may be cumbersome for smaller boats, and installation could require some technical know-how. Additionally, while the unit is packed with features, those new to depth finders might find the array of options overwhelming at first. Lastly, the price point is on the higher side, potentially limiting it for recreational users or beginners who may not require such advanced capabilities.