The 8 Best Touchscreen Fish Finders
This wiki has been updated 9 times since it was first published in January of 2019. If you want to increase your chances of pulling a big catch into the boat, a high-quality fish finder is one of the best ways to do it. They allow you to identify and differentiate between structures, schooling bait fish, and something worth throwing your lure into the water for. These touchscreen models offer easier navigation and advanced functionality that older units can't match. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki. If you'd like to contribute your own research to the Wiki, please get started by reviewing this introductory video.
Editor's Notes
February 12, 2019:
When you need to see a graphic representation of what's underneath your boat, a fish finder is the way to go. Many fish finders are capable of connecting to external GPS units, but the Lowrance HDS Live and Garmin 1242xsv, our number one and three picks respectively, actually have GPS built right into the unit, so there is one less piece of equipment you'll have to buy for your boat. The majority of the models we have included on our list can operate at a range of different frequencies, oftentimes simultaneously, so you'll get high-resolution views when in shallower areas, and the ability to penetrate to the murkiest depths when fishing far off shore. For example, our number two and three picks, the Garmin Echomap Plus 74Cv and Garmin 1242xsv respectively, can both operate at either 50 and 200 kHz frequencies. They also feature CHIRP sonar, which sweeps a continuous range of frequencies, from low to high, in a single transmission. The larger the display, the easier it is to navigate the on-screen menu, especially for touchscreen models. Of course, it is still important to match the unit to the size of your boat, since you don't want something so big it takes over your entire dashboard. On our list, you'll find options like the Lowrance HDS Live, Raymarine Axiom, and Garmin 1242xsv, which are available with screens as large as 12 or 16 inches for larger vessels, as well as units like the Garmin Echomap Plus 74Cv, Lowrance HDS-7 Carbon, and Simrad Go7 XSE, which have a seven-inch display that is more suitable for smaller crafts.