If you’re on the lookout for new marine-grade GPS Chartplotters, made by reliable brands, and need a great deal also, there are a few suggestions. In this article, we’ll discuss our recommendations for your vessel.

Top Marine GPS Chartplotters For 2020

1. Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 54cv

The Garmin chartplotter is very good for both bluewater and inland sailing and produced by the best-known brand for marine navigation in the world.

You’ll get the premium functionalities you would expect from an advanced navigation system, such as sonar, depth charts, and GPS plotting echo. However, you will just have to pay a fraction of the price tag.

It also has Loads of positive customer testimonials (it is currently Amazon’s Choice), making a choice to purchase easy.  It’s not the Newest and version, not the version. I like that. This means you get great value for the money.

Pros:

• Excellent value for money – the device itself is worth more than the price tag.
• Accurate and reliable – The GPS updates 5 times per second. The technology of Garmin is one of the most reliable in the world.
• Easy-to-read Chartplotter – Garmin’s Chartplotter is simpler to read than most other brands.
• Effortless to set up – Just mount the GPS unit into the center console.
• IPX7 waterproof – Can survive 30 minutes submersion up to 1 meter.
• Great maps – Garmin has a fantastic library of maps. All the coastal waters, inland waters, and the world’s oceans.
• With transducer – After installing the transducer on the stern, your Chartplotter will have the ability to use echo and sonar (which is terrific!).
• Supports Auto-Pilot – If you would like to, you can hook this up to your auto-pilot.

Cons:

• You’ll receive maps for U.S. coastal waters. You may need to obtain additional maps, which can get pricey (think 100s of bucks). For instance: if you wish to get the U.S. Lakes, expect to pay approximately $150.
• You receive a 1-year guarantee, which is not great, but not awful either.
• It is an older version, which can be replaced by the echoMAP Plus Series.
• The transducer is extremely big. You can use the GPS without the transducers. In my opinion, the GPS without the transducer is still worth the purchase price.

2. Lowrance Live 3-in-1 Transom Mount Review

This device has a multi-touch screen and a user-friendly interface and available in four sizes. More than this, it utilizes the most advanced technology developed on locating fish in fish finders, such as the CHIRP Sonar and StructureScan HD. This means it reveals what is on the side of the ship and bottom surfaces. Both touchscreen and keypad operation is provided by it.

This device has a very automatic processor. Its attributes like the snap-to-setting markers, the cursor assist one, scrolling menus, and advanced preview panes can be driven using the quick-touch slider bars. As it’s made for wireless connectivity, it remains attached to any device that has wireless and may be operated or seen without needing to connect any cable. What is also great about it is that it includes many mapping choices and background reference maps.

The Lowrance Live 3in1 Transom Mount enables its user to create maps using the accumulated data as well as the sonar logs, which have been recorded with that. Additionally, it offers a GPS antenna that supports WAAS, MSAS, and EGNO connections. It allows the user to look at 2 maps at the same time.

Pros

• Quick
• Responsive
• Effortless to use
• Strong processor
• Colored display
• High-frequency CHIRP pulse radar
• Wireless connectivity
• Shows two maps at the same time
• StructureScan HD
• Multitouch screen

Cons

• Expensive
• Very bright screen colors
• Difficult to learn features

3. Humminbird Helix 5 Fish Finder Review

Having a 5 inches (12.7 cm) color screen at the 800×480 pixels resolution, this Fish Finder indicates the fish and what is on the bottom of the water quite clearly. It includes a 500 watts power output and manages CHIRP imaging together with a CHIRP 2D sonar. Hence, it covers many frequencies and can determine where the targets are positioned easily. What is also great about it is that it structures the separation between fish greater than other finders in precisely the same section.

The interface Humminbird Helix 5 Fish Finder is user-friendly. This device may be used to take snapshots by pressing a button. More than this, it may make customized maps with the AutoChart Live app. It may be used to locate vegetation. This sonar has the 1500 ft (457 m) thickness capacity and utilizes a Transom XNT 9 20 transducer. Besides, it integrates a GPS and covers two frequencies, as well as it comes with an SD card slot, which can be quite useful when needing to save more maps.

Compact and Sturdy, the Humminbird Helix 5 Fish Finder has all of the functionalities and features of a bigger model. It can lead anglers on nearly any water location in the US or Canada. Being of high quality, it does not break at the first sign of abuse.

Pros

• GPS
• Compact
• CHIRP 2D sonar
• CHIRP imaging
• It takes snapshots
• User-friendly interface
• Makes personalized maps
• Increased depth capability
• Can map out vegetation
• SD card slot

Cons

• Expensive
• Plastic boat mounting clips
• Flimsy memory card slot cover

4. Raymarine Dragonfly Fish Finder Sonar Review

Those who are searching for a compact fish finder with 5.7 inches (14.4 cm) screen should definitely opt to get this Fish Finder Sonar for their fishing experiences. This device can be used whatever the weather, and of course, it displays the information on an HD LED-backlit display. Over this, the sonar is optically bonded to provide bright colored pictures and broad viewing angles without the issue of internal fogging.

This Fish Finder Sonar includes double-channeled sonar. It quickly targets fish and takes pictures that look just the same as photos. What’s also exciting about it is that it includes a 50-channel internal GPS. Its screen can be seen both in sunlight and in the dark. Very simple to use, this fish finder is the best choice for people who want basic features and to put their device to operate without any complications. It’s compact and utilizes a standing base, so it can be located anywhere on the boat.

The accessories incorporated in the Dragonfly Fish Finder device packaging are a transom mount transducer, a fast-release swivel, and a power cable. The model is waterproof, so it can be used even if it is raining heavily.

Pros

• Dual-channel sonar
• HD LED-backlit screen
• Internal GPS
• Optically bonded
• Effortless to use
• Includes attachments
• Durable
• Sturdy
• Cheap
• Waterproof

Cons

• Basic features
• Difficult to see
• Doesn’t show individual fish

5. Garmin Waterproof Marine Gps And Chartplotter Review

Those who want an affordable and compact fish finder that can transfer actual data should surely choose to purchase the Garmin Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter. This sonar fits in even, and any tackle box in the pocket of a coat.

After being dropped in the water, and of course, it’s been designed to float durable. With an IPX rating of 7, it may still work after being deposited in the water, not to explain it has been created to float. While its screen measures only 2.6 inches (6.6 cm), this sonar has the display divided into two for seeing the marine chart as well as the GPS map at precisely the same time.

Having 160 X 240 pixels resolution, the Garmin Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter send clear pictures. Its color display can be observed in the sunlight as it is trans-reflective.

This device has a preloaded worldwide base chart, so it can be utilized to explore waters as soon as unpacked. More than this, it includes an SD card slot for saving supplementary maps. It may be connected to a computer or a laptop to save the collected data and share it with other anglers.

The Garmin Waterproof Marine GPS and Chartplotter are perfect for smaller ships and rafting. It has precise GPS and works in intense weather situations. It uses any sort of batteries, which last for 20 hours of use.

Pros

• Great price
• Floatable
• Divided display
• Clear pictures
• Accurate
• Color display
• SD card slot
• GPS
• Compact
• Can be used with both classic and alkaline batteries

Cons

• Fundamental features
• Small screen
• No directions

6. Lowrance Mark 4 Fish Finder And Chartplotter

The Lowrance Mark 4 Fish Chartplotter and Finder is precisely what its title says: a chart plotter and a fish finder. This device can help anglers locate the ideal place for fishing. It has a CHIRP sonar that features Down imaging technology that quickly recognizes game fish and baits and transmits exact info on what is in the water. This transducer is also simple to attach to the ship, with a transom mount as it comes.

The 4.3 Inches (10.9 cm) screen of the Lowrance Mark 4 Fish Finder and Chartplotter sends sonar images just in monochrome. This device has high-resolution capabilities, so it clearly shows bottom contours, the fish in the surroundings, and the objects that happen to be underwater. Besides, it can display the water’s depth and the boat’s speed too. The internal GPS antenna is ideal for giving accurate information regarding positioning.

The Lowrance Mark 4 Fish Finder and Chartplotter arrive pre-loaded with maps of 3,000 lakes, rivers, and coastlines. What is also great about it is the fact that it has the choice to upgrade these maps, the ones showing local hot spots included.

Pros

• Dual-beam transducer
• CHIRP sonar
• Down imaging technologies
• Effortless to use
• High resolution
• Shows the boat’s speed
• Pre-loaded US maps
• Durable
• Low price
• 2-in-1 fish finder and chart plotter

Cons

• Small screen
• Monochrome
• Basic features

7. EchoMAP CHIRP 53cv US Lakes Xdcr

This compact alternative can help you find what’s around the ship and in the water. The high-frequency sonar can give you images that are close in detail to the fact that they resemble photographs.

The CHIRP chartplotter can send a continuous sweep of so that you are provided with live-streamed new information. The maps that it comes stacked with cover no less than 17,000 total lakes, 13,000 of which are in HD.

Its internal GPS can update your position in real-time, and it may help you return to positions quickly. The model includes two sonars, the ClearVü CHIRP, which has a maximum depth capability of 1,100 feet, and the 2D CHIRP that can enter as long as 2,300 feet.

This choice comes equipped with a CV22HW-TM, a four-pin transducer, and its two distinct power outputs of 500 and 600 Watts. The device may also deliver functions like rewind, data charts, sonar recording, bottom lock, and much more.

For the sonars to provide the angler with optimum reads, the boat that you are using has to travel at no more than 30 MPH. If the speed of the boat is higher, the readings might not be correct.

Pros

• Featuring among the most extensive internal libraries of lakes with over 17,000 highly accurate maps, this fish finder can be a lifesaver for someone who goes fishing in a new location.
• Beginners will find it particularly helpful for fishing and navigation because it is very user-friendly.
• Few real-time sonars can match the definition provided by the CHIRP technologies, so, with this excellent sonar, it is possible to detect both small and big fish schools easily.
• This excellent quality GPS will help you navigate with ease and will keep you on the designated course independent of the weather conditions, helping you get the most of your fishing trip.

Cons

• A few of their concerns were raised by customers concerning the working speed of the transducer while this does not affect in any way detection, it might pose some problems for high-speed boats that need accurate real-time transducer readings.

8. Garmin 010-00864-01 GPSMAP 78s with Built-In Basemap

If the size is a problem, but you still wish to get loads of actual data to the GPSMAP 78S Chartplotter might be exactly what you’re searching for. Due to its compact size, it can easily fit in a box or even in your pocket when you’re out on the water. It includes a durable construction and IPX rating of 7 so that it can also survive being dropped in water. To make it simple to retrieve, Garmin composed the GPSMAP 78S to float.

The small display might only measure 2.6 inches, but as it’s divided into two, you can easily view the GPS map and marine chart at the same time without losing any of the necessary data. The 160 x 240-pixel resolution helps pictures to appear clear and crisp, and as the color display is transflective, even intense sunlight won’t create a glare. With a global base map preloaded, you can start investigating waterways right out of the box, and the SD card slot makes it easy to add more as go. You can also connect the GPSMAP 78S to your computer or laptop so you can share and save data with fellow anglers.

Pros

• Fantastic for small boats, fishing, and rafting, this accurate navigation equipment allows accurate GPS readings under any climatic conditions.
• Using any batteries, such as alkaline or classic, this GPS reader may last for nearly 20 hours.
• Its low battery consumption makes the Garmin GPSMAP 78S the ideal selection for long trips where recharging it would be an issue.
• Because of its best GPS satellite readings, it is on standard with more significant and far more models and will supply data to you each time you use it.
• Furthermore, its actual compass will retain your boat on track, supporting you to concentrate on your fishing and not on navigation.

Cons

• For its low power consumption and compact size, this model may lack some of the features available of larger models.
• Other people may prefer a classic, easy to use handheld GPS navigator, for additional convenience.