Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder Review

The Striker 4 by Garmin is a fish finder that’s beginner-friendly, highly accurate, and offers a better depth rate than even higher priced models. It comes loaded with some nice extras and the intuitive controls and design allow for fast and simple setup. The device’s high res screen combined with its other top features makes it one of the top models for anglers in need of a reliable device that won’t break the bank.

Our Verdict: Featuring a durable, waterproof, compact design, intuitive controls, and a better than average depth range, this one model you won’t ever want to fish without. The Striker 4 is an affordable, accurate, beginner-friendly fish finder that has a pretty basic design, as far as extra features go. Its high waterproof rating makes it a great choice for ocean angling, while the built-in GPS will allow you to keep track of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. A great buy for the angler on a budget, I’d recommend this model to anyone in need of an easy to use device that’s budget friendly.

Overview and Features

Garmin is a popular manufacturer who has produced an extensive line of fish finders that are known for their simple designs, accuracy, and innovative features. Their latest model, the Striker 4 offers a bigger and better display, allowing you to see and capture even the tiniest details, so you can get busy focusing on learning how to reel a fish, practice your casting techniques, and just drop anchor and enjoy your time out on the water. Basically, this is a device that will take all the guesswork out of whether you’re in a good fishing spot of not. If you have a limited amount of time you can spend out on the water, then this device will save you plenty of hours wasted floating around and looking for the right spot. Despite the fact that this model is considered an entry-level device, it comes with some top of the line features that will surprise you, and all for a price that’s affordable.

Waterproof Rating

Just like higher-priced fish finders, this model comes with an IPX7 rating. This means that the device can handle being submerged in water up to ten feet for a period of thirty minutes, however, I don’t recommend doing so. It’s enough to know that if you accidentally drop the device in the water you can rescue it and not have to worry about any damage. However, I wouldn’t put it to the test. This type of high waterproof rating will make it safe for use on rapid rivers and in choppy water conditions at sea.

Depth

The device has a max depth of seven hundred and fifty feet in saltwater and sixteen hundred feet in freshwater.

GPS

This model comes with built-in GPS that will allow you to keep track of fishing hot spots and launch sites. This feature is a must-have if you love heading out to rural areas or checking out new fishing spots that are hard to access.

Transducer

It also features the popular CHIRP sonar transducer, which provides the smoothest and clearest images possible. It will also display the boat’s speed and the water temperature.

Waypoint Map

This feature allows you to navigate and view maps based on the waypoints you marked. You can use it in the future to make your way back to a particular spot or you can mark areas on the map you want to avoid the next time you’re out on the water. This model is able to store up to five hundred waypoints.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros

Cons

Striker Vs. Lowrance HOOK2 7 – 7-inch Fish Finder

Lowrance is another manufacturer that’s popular in the angling world. Their extensive line of fish finders are often high priced but packed with impressive features and often have a better than average accuracy rating, which is what makes them best-sellers.

But if you’re on a tight budget and an affordable price is a priority, then you may want to pass the Hook2 on by. But if you’re looking for a fish finder that has an excellent reputation for accuracy, then the Hook2 is a great investment. It also provides almost twice the amount of sonar coverage thanks to the wide-angle CHIRP sonar cone. Additionally, the device’s triple shot transducer provides side scan and down scan views. The preloaded maps include over four thousand inland lakes, so you can explore any local body of water safely, add your own waypoints, or follow trails. This Garmin model is much more basic in terms of what it can do, however, it’s high waterproof rating, accuracy on the water, and the simple design make it a perfect choice for the angler in search of a basic fish finder that can help locate a fishing hot spot within minutes. If you’re looking for a device that comes loaded with all the bells and whistles you could want, then take a closer look at the competing model by Lowrance. If basic functions are all you need out on the water, and accuracy is what really matters, then stick with the Striker.

Conclusion and Rating

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Garmin is one of those companies that has made a name for itself over the years by producing quality fish finders that anglers can really rely on, in any type of water or weather condition. The Striker 4 may not be the best fish finder around, but it is one of the easiest to use, features intuitive controls, has a reputation for accuracy, and offers an impressive depth range that you won’t find on other models in this price bracket. Overall, what it lacks in flash it makes up for in quality. I gave this model a rating of four and a half stars out of five.