Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for the money in 2019. Tried, tested & reviewed

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	1. Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2	Our Favorite	Amazon
	2. Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2	Premium Pick	Amazon
	3. Garmin Striker 7sv	Great Value	Amazon
	4. Humminbird Helix 9 SI GPS		Amazon
	5. Garmin Striker Plus 7sv		Amazon

Pricing of these Side Imaging Fish Finders Range Between $460-$1,030

Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2

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The Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 has a 7-inch display with an 800 x 480 px resolution. It helps you find fish through four of Humminbird’s different imaging technologies: CHIRP Digital Sonar, CHIRP Down Imaging, CHIRP Side Imaging, and DualBeam PLUS.

CHIRP, which stands for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse, offers better and more detailed imaging than the typical single-frequency sonar. In the Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2, you can not only reach greater depths, but you can also see individual fish using the digital sonar. Plus, with the down imaging and side imaging features, you’ll be able to see beneath your boat as well as 480 feet from side to side. Additionally, the Dual Beam PLUS Sonar allows you to use a narrow beam for clarity or a wide beam for greater coverage. 

For both down and side imaging, the Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 has a depth capability of 150 feet and up to 1,500 feet for the Dual Beam PLUS Sonar. It operates at 455 kHz (420-520 kHz) for both down and side imaging. Also, it features an internal GPS with built-in basemap as well as an AutoChart Live feature, which allows you to create maps of your fishing spots in real time.

Pros

• 7-inch display
• 800 x 480 px resolution
• 4 different imaging technologies
• CHIRP Digital Sonar
• CHIRP Down Imaging
• CHIRP Side Imaging
• DualBeam PLUS
• 150-foot depth capability (Side & Down)
• 1,500-foot depth capability (Dual Beam PLUS)
• Operates at 455 kHz (420-520 kHz)
• Internal GPS
• Built-in basemap
• AutoChart Live

Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2

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The Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 boasts everything you’d expect from a Humminbird fish finder but with the additional side imaging features. It has a 5-inch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 px. Its CHIRP technologies, which offers clearer and more precise imaging, operates at 455 kHz (420-520 kHz) and applies to its sonar, down, and side imaging features. 

From side-to-side, the Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 has a range of 200 feet while its down imaging range is 350 feet. This fish finder also features Humminbird’s DualBeam PLUS, which allows you to switch between a narrow and a wide beam for better clarity or wider coverage, respectively. You could also use both beams at the same time in order to give you a complete picture of your fishing grounds.

The Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 has an internal GPS receiver and has built-in chart plotting and track plotting features. It also includes Humminbird’s basemap, which uses data from both NOAA and LakeMaster to give you accurate and detailed maps right out of the box.

Pros

• 5-inch screen 
• 800 x 480 px resolution
• Equipped with CHIRP technologies
• Operates at 455 kHz (420-520 kHz)
• 200-foot side-to-side range
• 350-foot down imaging range
• Features DualBeam PLUS
• Internal GPS receiver
• Built-in chart plotting and track plotting features
• Includes Humminbird’s basemap

Garmin Striker 7sv

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The Garmin Striker 7sv is 7-inch fish finder with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It has a precise GPS with a built-in map that allows you to chart your fishing grounds. Plus, it is equipped not just with CHIRP but also Garmin’s trademark ClearVü and SideVü imaging technologies. 

CHIRP offers clearer imaging by using multiple frequencies rather than just one. ClearVü provides a wide photographic image of the area below your boat while SideVü gives you a good view of the area at each side. The Garmin Striker 7sv also offers dual-beam sonar imaging at 77 and 200 kHz. In 2D mode, you can use both mid and high CHIRP frequencies while in the SideVü and ClearVü modes, supported frequencies include 260/455/800 kHz. In saltwater, the sonar is capable of providing images of up to 1,100 feet deep while it goes up to 2,300 feet deep in freshwater.

The Striker 7sv by Garmin measures 9.3 x 5.5 x 2.3 inches and weighs 24 ounces. It has an IPX7 rating, which means the unit can safely be submerged in water up to 1 meter deep. 

Pros

• 7-inch screen
• 800 x 480 px resolution
• Precise GPS with map
• Includes chart plotting features
• Equipped with CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü
• Equipped with dual-beam sonar imaging
• Mid / High CHIRP frequencies
• 260/455/800kHz ClearVü and SideVü frequencies
• 1,100 ft. depth capability in saltwater
• 2,300 ft. depth capability in freshwater
• IPX7 waterproof rating

Humminbird Helix 9 SI GPS

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The Humminbird Helix 9 SI GPS is a 9-inch fish finder with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It has GPS capabilities with chart plotting and track plotting features. It also has several sonar technologies like down imaging, side imaging, and DualBeam PLUS.

With both down and side imaging, you’ll be able to get a good picture of what’s happening immediately below your boat and to each side of it. Its side-to-side range is up to 150 feet while its maximum downward depth is also 150 feet. Frequencies supported include 50, 83, 200, 455, and 800 kHz. Additionally, Humminbird’s DualBeam PLUS allows you to toggle between a wide beam for a larger coverage area, or a narrow beam for a more detailed view. This fish finder also comes with a Transom XNT 9 SI 180 T transducer.

Though you can get the Helix 9 SI GPS with the Humminbird Basemap, it is also compatible with a number of maps including LakeMaster, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, Navionics Gold/HotMaps, and Navionics Platinum+. Also, it allows you to take screenshots as well as sonar recordings making it great for a fishing boat or a fishing kayak.

Pros

• 9-inch screen
• 800 x 480 px resolution
• GPS with chart plotting and track plotting
• Has down imaging, side imaging, and DualBeam PLUS
• 150-foot side-to-side range
• 150-foot maximum downward depth
• Supports 50, 83, 200, 455, and 800 kHz
• Has Transom XNT 9 SI 180 T transducer
• Compatible with most maps and charts
• Allows screenshots and sonar recordings

Cons

• Not equipped with CHIRP

Garmin Striker Plus 7sv

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The Garmin Striker Plus 7sv is a 7-inch fish finder with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It has integrated GPS that allows you to mark waypoints. It is also equipped with a GT52HW-TM transducer, which combines traditional CHIRP and Garmin’s ClearVü and SideVü technologies to provide a clear and complete view that will help you catch more fish.

With Garmin’s ClearVü and SideVü imaging technologies, the Striker Plus 7sv gives you a good view of what’s off to each side of your boat as well as what’s directly below it. Frequencies supported include 260, 455, and 800 kHz. Traditional CHIRP uses multiple frequencies to ensure a clear and detailed picture. This unit offers both mid and high CHIRP. It also features dual-beam sonar in 77 and 200 kHz.

Apart from GPS and high-quality imaging, the Garmin Striker Plus 7sv has other useful features including a water temperature sensor, which allows you to record and graph data as well. It also has an A-scope, which shows you fish passing through the transducer beam in real time. Additionally, it allows you to measure the depths of various targets underwater. 

Pros

• 7-inch screen
• 700 x 480 resolution
• Equipped with GT52HW-TM transducer
• CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü technologies
• Supports 260, 455, and 800 kHz
• Mid / High CHIRP frequencies
• Equipped with dual-beam sonar imaging
• Water temperature sensor
• Includes A-scope
• Measures depth