A down-imaging fish finder incorporates both high and low frequencies to provide high-quality images of the water beneath your boat.
Many modern fish finders use both down and side imaging to provide versatility in terms of the type of locating you can do.
In this guide, I want to provide you with some of the best down-imaging fish finders on the market. These units offer top-of-the-line down imaging in terms of clarity, accuracy, and performance.
Let’s take a look.
Comparison Table – Best Down Imaging Fish Finders on the Market
Table of Contents
Best Overall
Lowrance Hook Reveal
Specs
- Display: 5, 7, and 9-inches
- DI Frequencies: 445 kHz / 800 kHz
- Mapping: Yes (Live)
Pros
- Industry leading FishReveal technology makes finding fish simple
- Includes downscan with sidescan and tripleshot
- C-map with Genesis Live for ultimate mapping, waypoints, and chartplotting
Cons
- Can be complicated for new fish finder users
Why We Chose It
The Lowrance Hook Reveal is easily one of the best down imaging fish finders on the market today and for good reason.
It features three different display options ranging from 5-7-inches and a relatively easy to user interface that’s packed with a lot of features that can make it a bit more challenging to use.
The device includes a built-in CHIRP sonar that provides excellent fish detection and targeting, as well as DownScan Imaging with FishReveal for a detailed view of the underwater environment.
If you upgrade to the Hook Reveal 9, that’s when you get access to the Tripleshot and HDI transducer which further enhances the quality of your imaging.
The SolarMAX Display is another great Lowrance feature. It utilizes a backlight that helps prevent glare and it automatically adjusts based on external conditions.
All in all, it’s a great down imaging at a price point that won’t break the bank when compared to some of the other options.
Read our complete Lowrance Hook Reveal review here.
Best Mapping
Garmin Echomap UHD
Specs
- Display: 4-9-inches
- DI Frequencies: 455 kHz / 800 kHz
- Mapping: Yes (Live)
Pros
- ClearVu scanning provides some of the best downscanning in the game
- LakeVu and Bluechart mapping
- Great sizing and pricing options
Cons
- Lackluster features
Why We Chose It
The Garmin EchoMap UHD is a high-performance fishfinder and chartplotter that offers a wide range of features for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
The ultra-high-definition display provides clear and detailed sonar images, making it easy to locate fish and structure.
The ClearVu technology further enhances the quality of your down imaging to help with target separation.
This unit comes with GPS and advanced mapping technology through the use of Worldwide Basemap. LakeVu G3 provides high-resolution one-foot contours of over 18,000 lakes in the United States.
If you fish offshore, you also have the option of purchasing a unit that contains BlueChart G3 which focuses on offshore fishing throughout the Southeast and the Gulf.
The Echomap comes in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 4-9-inches so it’s great if you want a high-quality fish finder but don’t have the budget or space for a big unit.
This Garmin down imaging fish finder is one of my all time favorites and one I personally use regularly.
Read our complete Garmin Echomap UHD review here.
Best Dual Spectrum
Humminbird Helix 10
Specs
- Display: 10-inches
- DI Frequencies: 455 kHz / 800 kHz
- Mapping: Yes (No Live)
Pros
- Crystal clear 10-inch display with advanced color palettes for clarity
- MEGA Down Imaging
- 360 degree imaging
Cons
- Price
- Product availability
Why We Chose It
The Humminbird Helix 10 with dual spectrum chirp is LOADED with features that make it one of the best downscan fish finders ever made. Let’s start with the 360 degree imaging.
Mega Live Imaging provides you with a full panoramic view of everything around your boat for as far as 125-feet in each direction.
This helps you anticipate your next move and allows you to scan along the shoreline if you’re trolling along.
SwitchFire Sonar is another great Humminbird feature that allows you to adjust your frequency based on the type of water you’re fishing in.
Of course, this is basically just a fancy name for a feature that a lot of fish finders have but Humminbird provides a simpler user experience by essentially allowing you to flip a switch and change the frequency.
I like the fact that Humminbird does provide a number of options based on your budget. If you’re looking to save some money, you can elect for the basic Helix 10 DI which only provides down imaging.
If you’re looking to take out a second mortgage on the house, you could go for the Humminbird Helix 10 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G4N which offers everything including mapping, Mega Down+Side, chartplotting, and more.
The problem is, there’s a lot of availability issues with Humminbird products so you’re often limited to certain models.
That said, Humminbird has been in the game for a long time and anything from their brand will give you the best down imaging fish finding capabilities.
Read our complete Humminbird Helix 10 review here.
Best Value
Lowrance Elite FS
Specs
- Display: 7 and 9-inches
- DI Frequencies: 455 kHz / 800 kHz
- Mapping: Yes (Live)
Pros
- ActiveTarget Live Sonar provides real time imaging
- Preloaded mapping and contour charts
- Great bang for your buck
- Touchscreen controls for trolling motors
Cons
- Only two sizing options
Why We Chose It
You’re probably saying… wait a second, this is the best value down imaging fish finder? An almost $800 unit is the best value?
Keep in mind, when I say “best value” I’m referring to a fish finder that can provide you with the most features for a price that feels like a bargain.
The Lowrance Elite FS is an amazing fish finder that offers a heck of a lot more than the Humminbird Helix 10 and comes at less than half the price.
That’s what makes this the best value.
One of its best features is its high-resolution, full-color display that provides clear and detailed images of fish and structure.
The built-in GPS and preloaded maps make navigation a breeze and the ability to add additional mapping options through the C-MAP Max-N+ or Navionics+ card expands the functionality even further.
The Elite FS also features advanced sonar technology, including Lowrance’s exclusive StructureScan HD imaging and CHIRP sonar, which provides clear and detailed images of fish and structure.
The ability to customize the sonar settings to match the specific fishing conditions makes it easy to locate and target fish.
Another great feature is the (wi-fi) wireless connectivity options, allowing anglers to connect to a smartphone or tablet through the Lowrance GoFree app to access advanced mapping options, weather data, and more.
This is hands down one of the best units you can get your hands on at a surprisingly affordable price.
Click here to read our complete Lowrance Elite FS review.
Honorable Mention
Lowrance HDS Live
Specs
- Display: 7-16-inches
- DI Frequencies: 455 kHz / 800 kHz
- Mapping: Yes (Live)
Pros
- 6-fold split screen providing multiple viewing capabilities at the same time
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer
- FishReveal technology providing enhanced target separation
- 3D structure scan
Cons
- Price
- Complicated to use for novice anglers
Why We Chose It
Let’s get something out of the way, there is no other fish finder on the market like this one. The Lowrance HDS Live is the cream of the crop when it comes to the best down imaging fish finder.
This unit offers more features than you could ever dream of having and honestly, I don’t know how people get much fishing done when they’re using this because I feel like I’d be staring at the screen the whole time and forgetting that I’m getting a bite.
To start, it features the SolarMAX HD touchscreen with a 6-fold split screen.
This means that you get maximum clarity in terms of image quality and you can split the screen into six different viewpoints as long as you get the 12 or 16-inch screen size.
So, you could be looking at down imaging, side imaging, structure scan, and mapping all at once.
Again, how do you fish when you have all of this to look at?
Anyway, it also comes with the Active Imaging and FishReveal which help you adjust frequencies while also ensuring that you’re able to tell the difference between a bush and a bass.
The 3D structure scan is probably one of the coolest features out there but it requires an additional transducer that’ll run you another grand just to get it.
LiveSight is another transducer you could purchase that will basically provide you with an underwater camera that allows you to scan 135-feet underwater and see what’s happening in real time.
Like I said, there isn’t a fish finder like this one out there but it comes at a cost.
If you want to know more, you’re going to have to read our complete review of the Lowrance HDS Live here.
Buying Guide: Factors to Consider Before Buying a Down Imaging Fish Finder
When you’re looking for the best down imaging fish finder, there are some things you’ll want to consider. Let’s talk about them.
Frequency
Higher frequency transducers provide better resolution and clarity, but they also have a shorter range. Lower frequency transducers provide better range but less clarity.
Why does this matter?
If you notice, all of the fish finders I recommended above, are dual frequency. This is important.
Fish finders used to have a single frequency range and some cheap ones still do. This means that you’re limited to the depth you can fish in based on how accurate you want your reading to be.
A dual frequency fish finder allows you to adjust the frequency based on where you’re fishing.
If you’re fishing in shallow water along the shoreline, you can adjust to the higher frequency to get a better picture of what’s happening because you don’t need as much range.
If you’re fishing in deeper water, you can adjust to the lower frequency to scout more water less accurately.
Fishing Style/Location
The reason your fishing style and location are important is because it will play a role in the types of features you look for.
For example, if you fish canals offshore of Florida and the Southeast, you might want to choose the Garmin Echomap because it provides access to Bluechart offshore mapping.
If you love throwing frogs in backwater ponds throughout inland Florida and Georgia then you may want to go for the Hook Reveal of HDS Live for side and structure scanning.
It’s important to realize that these companies build fish finders with a specific type of angler in mind. Know what kind of angler you are and find the right fish finder for you.
Screen Size/Resolution
The screen size should be large enough to be easily visible from the distance at which you will be using the fish finder.
A larger screen might be appropriate for a bass boat but if you need a fish finder for a kayak or Jon boat, you might need a portable fish finder in the 4-5 inch range.
Ultimately, the choice of screen size and resolution will depend on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your fishing setup. You can check a
Additional Features
There are endless features to choose from in the best down imaging fish finder but you need to realize that not all of them will be useful to you.
It might sound great to have tripshot scanning, down imaging, side imaging, structurescan, C-Map, Genesis Live, and yada yada yada.
But what does all of this mean to you? Does it actually help you catch fish?
I recommend going with a fish finder that contains features that you can actually understand and put into practice.
Some of you might prefer more traditional sonar from the Garmin Striker while some of you will want the bells and whistles of the Mega SI scanning sonar, SI GPS, and Autochart Live.
Down imaging is simple, it’s a down imaging transducer that provides you with images beneath the boat
Side scanning is simple too, a side image picture of everything happening within a certain range around the boat.
I believe that the Lowrance Hook Reveal provides the best and most useful features for the most affordable price. FishReveal is clear and simple to understand.
It essentially just includes fish arcs in a different color than the rest of the structure which makes it easier to identify fish.
Those are the kinds of features that I can understand and as a result, I can put them into practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes the best down imaging fish finder?
Lowrance makes the best down imaging fish finder and this is the reason why you find them featured in so many “best of” reviews like this one.
What is the best down imaging fish finder on the market?
The best down imaging fish finder is currently the Lowrance Hook Reveal because it features FishReveal and the SolarMAX display.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t yet figured out what the best down-imaging fish finder is, let me leave you with one thing.
The best fish finder is the one that makes the most sense for your fishing style, location, and application. Only you can figure out what that means and how you intend to put your wallet where your hook is.
I love the Lowrance Hook Reveal but it’s also well-documented that the Garmin Echomap is one of my favorite units. They’re both great and similar in price.
Any of the units in this guide will get the job done so shop around, think about it, but make sure to leave the wife out of it!
Good luck out there!
