Fishfinders with GPS combine sonar technology with GPS navigation so you can locate fish, read the seabed, and mark productive spots to return to on every trip. At ActiveGPS.co.uk, we stock the full current range of Garmin STRIKER and Garmin echoMAP fishfinders, from compact entry-level units to large-screen chartplotter-fishfinder combos.
All current models feature CHIRP sonar for clearer fish separation and bottom detail, with select models supporting ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar for near-photographic underwater images. Garmin STRIKER Vivid models include Quickdraw Contours mapping, so you can build up personalised depth charts of your favourite waters over time at no extra cost.
Not sure which fishfinder is right for your boat? Browse our fishfinder comparison table, read our buying guide below, or call us on 01733 777623 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm). Outside these hours, contact us online. We can also recommend the correct transducer for your boat type.
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From £2199.99 ‣12-inch touchscreen display View Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 122sv |
From £1629.99 ‣10-inch touchscreen display View Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 102sv |
From £429.99 ‣WVGA colour display View Garmin STRIKER Vivid 9sv |
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From £339.99 ‣WVGA colour display View Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7sv |
£429.99 ‣WVGA colour display View Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv |
From £219.99 ‣WVGA colour display View Garmin STRIKER Vivid 5cv |
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£219.99 ‣QVGA colour display View Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv |
£139.99 ‣4.3-inch colour display View Garmin STRIKER Plus 4 |
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Deliveries
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We offer FREE UK delivery on all orders of £50.00 or more, plus next working day and guaranteed Saturday delivery options. Click here for further info. All options also appear at the basket pages.
Fishfinder Buying Guide
Choosing a fishfinder in 2026 is straightforward once you understand what the different features mean. Whether you fish inland lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, or offshore, this guide covers sonar types, screen sizes, transducer selection, and networking. We have been supplying Garmin marine electronics since 2005 and can advise on the best setup for your boat and fishing style.
How Fishfinders Work
A fishfinder works by sending a pulse of sound energy from a transducer mounted on the hull of your boat, through the water, and measuring what bounces back. Fish, vegetation, debris, and the seabed all reflect the pulse differently, and the fishfinder displays these reflections as a scrolling image on screen. Harder surfaces such as rock return a stronger signal; softer mud returns a weaker one. Fish show as arches or marks depending on the sonar frequency used and the speed of the boat. Modern fishfinders such as the Garmin STRIKER and echoMAP ranges combine this sonar display with built-in GPS, allowing you to see your position on a map and mark fishing spots as waypoints to return to later.
CHIRP Sonar Explained
Standard sonar transmits a single fixed frequency, which gives a broad, less detailed return. CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) sonar transmits a continuous sweep of frequencies within each pulse. The receiver then processes each frequency separately, producing a much sharper and more detailed image. Fish that would appear as a single blob on traditional sonar are resolved into individual targets with CHIRP, and it is far easier to distinguish fish from nearby structure or vegetation. All current Garmin STRIKER Vivid and echoMAP models are CHIRP-capable. The sonar types available to you (traditional CHIRP, ClearVu, SideVu) depend on which transducer you pair with the display.
The Garmin STRIKER Range
The Garmin STRIKER range is designed for anglers who want a dedicated fishfinder with GPS. STRIKER Vivid models feature vivid colour displays, CHIRP sonar support, high-sensitivity GPS, Wi-Fi connectivity, and Quickdraw Contours depth mapping. Screen sizes run from 4 inches (STRIKER Vivid 4cv) up to 9 inches (STRIKER Vivid 9sv). The sv suffix indicates the model supports SideVu scanning sonar as well as ClearVu and traditional CHIRP sonar, when paired with a compatible sv transducer. STRIKER units do not support Garmin BlueChart marine charts; they display a basic worldwide basemap only. If you primarily fish rather than navigate, a STRIKER unit offers excellent capability at a more accessible price than the echoMAP range.
The Garmin echoMAP Range
The Garmin echoMAP range combines fishfinder sonar with a full-featured chartplotter on a single display. echoMAP Ultra 2 models feature large touchscreen displays (10 and 12 inches), Ultra High-Definition ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar, full NMEA 2000 networking, radar compatibility, and support for Garmin BlueChart and Navionics+ marine charts. If you fish coastal or offshore waters where accurate navigation charting is as important as finding fish, the echoMAP range is the right choice. The echoMAP also forms the heart of a larger vessel electronics network, communicating with autopilots, VHF radios, engine instruments, and other onboard devices via NMEA 2000.
Choosing a Transducer
Every fishfinder requires a transducer to function. The transducer sends and receives the sonar signal and must be correctly matched to your fishfinder model and boat type. Transom-mount transducers are the most common type for outboard-powered small boats and are straightforward to fit to the transom. In-hull transducers sit inside the hull and transmit through single-skin fibreglass, making them ideal where you do not want to drill through the hull. Through-hull transducers are mounted through the hull and are used on steel, aluminium, or wooden vessels. Some Garmin STRIKER and echoMAP models include a transducer; others are sold as display-only units. Use our online transducer selection form to find the correct transducer for your boat and model.
Quickdraw Contours
Quickdraw Contours is Garmin's onboard depth mapping technology, included on all Garmin STRIKER Vivid models. As you travel across the water with your fishfinder switched on, Quickdraw Contours automatically uses sonar depth data and GPS position to build up a personalised HD fishing map of your water at 1-foot contour intervals. These maps are stored directly on the device at no cost and can be shared with the wider fishing community via the Garmin Quickdraw Community. Over multiple trips to the same water, your depth map improves in coverage and detail, showing structure, drop-offs, and productive zones. Quickdraw Contours is particularly valuable on private fisheries, reservoirs, and inland waters where commercial charts do not exist.
Screen Size and Installation
Fishfinder screen size should match the available space at your helm and how you use the display. A 4 to 5-inch screen (STRIKER Vivid 4cv or 5cv) is compact enough for small boats and kayaks where helm space is limited. A 7-inch screen (STRIKER Vivid 7sv or 7cv) is the most versatile size for day boats, bass boats, and canal boats, providing enough screen area to run a split sonar and GPS chart view comfortably. A 9-inch screen (STRIKER Vivid 9sv) suits larger fishing boats and provides a generous display for side-by-side sonar and charting. The 10 and 12-inch echoMAP Ultra 2 units are best suited to larger vessels where the fishfinder also acts as the primary navigation display. All Garmin STRIKER and echoMAP units are flush-mountable or bracket-mountable, and Garmin supplies installation hardware with each unit.
Networking with Other Garmin Marine Devices
Garmin echoMAP units are designed to integrate with other onboard electronics via NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 protocols. A single echoMAP can share GPS position, depth, and speed data with a VHF radio, autopilot, engine monitor, or second chartplotter, eliminating the need for multiple antennas and GPS receivers. Garmin echoMAP Ultra 2 models also support Wi-Fi connectivity with the Garmin ActiveCaptain app, allowing you to plan routes, manage waypoints, and receive notifications from a smartphone or tablet. Garmin STRIKER units are primarily stand-alone, though Wi-Fi-enabled STRIKER models can share Quickdraw Contours maps and waypoints with other STRIKER units and the Quickdraw Community. If you are building a connected helm with multiple displays and instruments, the echoMAP range is the natural foundation.
Fishfinder Questions and Answers
Question: Which Garmin fishfinder is best for a small boat?
Answer: For a small boat or kayak, the Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv is an excellent entry point. It includes a GT20 transducer for CHIRP traditional and ClearVu sonar, built-in GPS, and Quickdraw Contours mapping in a compact 4-inch unit. If you want a larger screen or SideVu scanning sonar capability, the STRIKER Vivid 5cv or STRIKER Vivid 7sv are the natural next steps up.
Question: Do I need a separate chartplotter if I have a Garmin echoMAP?
Answer: No. The Garmin echoMAP range combines a full chartplotter with fishfinder sonar on a single display. With a Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 102sv or 122sv, you can display Garmin BlueChart or Navionics+ marine charts alongside sonar on the same screen. A separate chartplotter is only needed if you want a dedicated navigation display at a second helm position or require a larger screen for navigation than for sonar.
Question: Can I use a Garmin fishfinder for kayak fishing?
Answer: Yes. The Garmin STRIKER Vivid 4cv and STRIKER Vivid 5cv are both popular choices for kayak fishing. They are compact, waterproof, run on 12V power (a small sealed lead-acid battery works well), and include CHIRP sonar and GPS. The built-in Quickdraw Contours feature is particularly useful for kayak anglers who fish the same lake or reservoir regularly. A transom-mount transducer attached to the kayak hull using the supplied bracket works well for most kayak installations.
Question: What is the difference between ClearVu and SideVu sonar?
Answer: ClearVu is a high-frequency scanning sonar that looks directly below the boat, producing near-photographic images of the bottom and any fish or structure beneath you. It gives much more detail than traditional sonar on the same downward view. SideVu is a scanning sonar that looks to the left and right of the boat simultaneously, covering a wide area around the vessel rather than just directly below it. Together, ClearVu and SideVu give a comprehensive three-dimensional picture of the underwater environment. SideVu requires an sv transducer; ClearVu requires a cv or sv transducer.
Question: Does a Garmin fishfinder work in saltwater?
Answer: Yes. All Garmin STRIKER and echoMAP fishfinders are rated for marine use and are suitable for both freshwater and saltwater environments. The displays and electronics are waterproofed to IPX7 standard or better, and the transducers are designed for continuous immersion. If you fish in saltwater, rinsing the transducer with fresh water after each outing will extend its life. Sonar performance is not significantly affected by saltwater, though very high salinity or suspended sediment can reduce sonar range slightly.
Why Buy from ActiveGPS?
ActiveGPS.co.uk is an official Garmin Authorised Internet Retailer. We sell genuine Garmin products, accessories, and maps purchased directly from assigned Garmin UK distributors. We do not source from the grey market and we do not sell counterfeit products. Purchasing from ActiveGPS.co.uk means you receive the full support of Garmin UK and a valid manufacturer's warranty on every product.
We have been helping customers choose the right marine electronics since 2005. Our team has hands-on experience with every model we stock and can advise on the best fishfinder, transducer, and accessories for your boat and fishing style. Call us on 01733 777623 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm) or contact us online.
This page was last reviewed on: 14th June 2026
