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Best Garmin Handheld Gps For Fishing 2024: Buyer's Guide And Recommendations

Are you one of those underwater explorers looking for a handheld GPS unit with a built-in fish finder? Anyone serious about boat fishing knows that only two digital devices come in handy when you're fishing: a GPS locator to show you the lake's contours and a finder. Fishing based on sonar can tell you not only about the number of fish in the area but also the depth of the water you are sailing. Now, these two great devices have been combined into one, as some of the leading manufacturers in the industry have decided to add some basic fish-finding technology to their portable GPS devices. If you're looking for the best garmin handheld gps for fishing, the products listed below will not let you down.


OUR TOP PICKS

 

1. BEST OVERALL: Garmin GPSMAP 78 Handheld GPS 

 

  View price on Amazon  

  • battery: 2 aa batteries (not included); nimh or lithium recommended
  • memory: 1. 7 gb
  • display resolution: 160 x 240 pixels
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Garmin GPSMAP is not only IPX7 waterproof but also floats in water, which is not something you can say about many GPS units. It also has a compass, altimeter, personal calendar, and other features. The Garmin GPSMAP 78 has a longer battery life than the Garmin GPSMAP 64 when powered by two AA batteries. While everything works, it's not the most advanced GPS device on the market and instead harkens back to a simpler time when electronics weren't as complicated.

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2. BEST BUDGET: Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 with Transducer

 

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  • Clear Vu scanning Sonar shows you more of what is in the water around your boat; This high frequency sonar gives near photographic images with detailed representations of objects, structure and fish
  • The power of simple offers a keyed interface with dedicated buttons; The device is easy to use and easy to install; Available in 3.5, 5 and 7 inch display sizes; Water rating IPX7
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While the Garmin Striker 4 uses GPS-enhanced sonar to show you what objects (such as fish) are nearby your boat, it is not a GPS unit in the traditional sense. Terminology tradition lacks a mapping function, making it more of a fish finder than a GPS. But, with a maximum depth of 750 feet in salt water and 1500-1600 feet in freshwater, the Striker 4 excels at that task. Furthermore, this device is completely waterproof and comes at an affordable price for a GPS fishfinder.

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3. TOP RATED: Garmin GPSMAP 86S, Floating Handheld GPS with Button Operation

 

 View price on Amazon  

  • Water-resistant, floating design, sunlight-visible 3” display and button operation provide ease of use on the water
  • Stream boat data from compatible chartplotters and instruments to consolidate your marine system information
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The GPSMAP 86s has more internal storage, battery life, and more features than most other models in its class. When you upgrade to one of these "professional" GPS devices, you get a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with GPS device average battery life of up to 10 hours or even up to about 50 hours. This means you won't have to recharge or change batteries during weekend fishing trips. Furthermore, smartphone compatibility allows users to receive GPS alerts directly from the device, another advanced feature that makes the 86s even more worthwhile.

 

OTHER CHOICES:

*The prices of the products are just right at the moment when we check. They are subject to changes by the Seller, so some may be slightly different from those found on Amazon when you see them. Please note that they are just for reference. If you want to know the exact price, don't hesitate to check Amazon.


BUYING GUIDE

1. Display 

GPS handhelds are critical for our trail safety, and their ability to withstand the abuse we dish out in the backcountry is a must. Garmin handhelds have always been known for their durability, and each handheld they offer provides reliability and toughness.

2. Battery Life & Type 

A handheld GPS device designed for use in the middle of nowhere constantly running out of battery isn't very useful. The best fishing handheld GPS devices have a battery life of 20 hours or more before needing to be recharged, which is more than enough for a full day of fishing. Fortunately, most handheld GPS devices use AAA or AA batteries, so you should never be caught short as long as you remember to bring extras.

3. Satellite Networks & Accuracy

We all want our handheld GPS device to be as accurate as possible, especially when marking fishing spots to find later. Even the best handheld GPS devices for fishing are only as accurate as the number of satellites they can connect to globally. Several satellite networks exist, such as GPS, GLONASS, and others.


FAQs

1. What role does GPS technology play in fishing?

If your GPS unit includes a fish finder, it will likely use an onboard sonar transducer. The GPS technology is not what tells you whether or not there are fish beneath your boat. However, GPS units can be extremely useful for navigating bodies of water on a boat because they can provide detailed topo maps and boating maps that you can follow along with on-screen.

2. How do fish finders function?

Most fish finders use fairly basic transducer technology. Sonar is made possible by transducers. Some transducers are sensitive enough to take sonar readings using only onboard technology, while others, such as the Venterior VT-FF001, require you to drop the transducer into the water via an electric cable. The sonar reflects off anything in the water as well as the lake bottom to determine how deep it is.

3. Which Garmin GPS provides the longest battery life?

If you're looking for a GPS unit with long battery life, the first thing you should look for is the type of battery installed in the unit you're considering. If AA batteries power the GPS unit, don't expect more than 8 or 9 hours of continuous operation.


WARRANTY

We are all about product reviews. We do not sell items or receive funding from any manufacturer or retailer. 

Your purchase may come with a particular warranty policy that the manufacturer offers. In case you encounter any problems with your product during the warranty period, the Seller will be held responsible for it. 

For further information, please visit "here."


SOURCE

To provide you with a more objective and trustworthy article, we have researched and made use of the following sources:
Amazon.com
Wikipedia.com
Nytimes.com
Thenewyorker.com
Consumerreports.org
Productreview.com


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Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

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