Best Fishfinder for Ice Fishing in 2021 - Practice, Garmin or Dipper?

The most important parameter for a winter echo sounder. It shows at what temperature the device will function without failure. It is very important to look at it, since devices with a low level of protection when freezing begin to freeze and may even fail. Note that the manufacturer indicates a general value that is relevant for both the transducer and the head receiver. It should also always be understood that the device has a margin, that is, if the characteristics indicate -15⁰, then a decrease in the thermometer to -20 is quite acceptable. As for our nominees, their values ​​are as follows:

In principle, the first place in the nomination could be given to three nominees at once: Fisherman, Praktik and Lucky. Their lower threshold was set at -20 degrees. But Praktik loses a little on the upper threshold, so we give him only the second place. But the third position is shared by Dipper and Garmin. This is due to the large amount of thin electronics in their filling. The devices are overly sophisticated, but compact, so the protection against freezing is lower.

Unlike an underwater camera, an echo sounder is a more complex device. He does not shoot what is happening under water, but scans the space using echolocation. The functionality of such devices is much wider. For example, they can:

• measure temperature;
• calculate the flow rate;
• determine the bottom topography;
• distinguish the found objects.

The most sophisticated fish finder in our comparison is the Garmin. It is not surprising, since the manufacturer produces professional equipment with the maximum configuration. This echo sounder can not only determine the speed of the current and scan space. He even sees the structure of the bottom and what it consists of. In addition, this model is equipped with a built-in navigation module and an option that allows you to draw maps and remember the route. For a summer device, this may be relevant, but winter most often chains a fisherman to one place, and it makes no sense for him to plot a route. However, situations are different, and if you plan to drive long distances, and even being in an unfamiliar area, then the best option is a Garmin echo sounder.

The rest of the nominees look more modest. We send the dipper to the second position, as it has many useful functions. Almost the same set as Garmin, but without a navigator and drawing maps. The rest of the devices are much simpler. They scan the water column and bottom topography. Distinguish objects and calculate the speed of their movement, if any.They can calculate the depth of a body of water and measure its temperature. In principle, this is all that is needed for ice fishing, but since we have a comparison, they all go to an honorable third place.

The principle of operation of the echo sounder is to send a beam into space and receive its reflection. By analyzing this data, the device draws conclusions about what is happening under water. Of course, the more rays, the better. Not only the scanning range in the horizontal plane depends on this parameter, but also the clarity of the image. Often the beams are inside each other and have different frequencies. For example, the first beam is very narrow and gives the most clear picture. The second is wider, not as clear, but sees more. And the third is as wide as possible. An analogue of human lateral vision. There is no clarity, but movement can be seen.

But whatever it was, the number of rays determines the quality of the entire device, which means that the one who has the most of them wins the nomination. In our case, this is Dipper, using three beams in one direction. Second place goes to Garmin, which has two beams, but their total and personal frequencies are higher than Dipper's. But since the nomination affects the quantity, we give Garmin second place. And the rest of the participants share the third position. All of them are single-beam and with approximately the same scanning frequency.

Screen size and resolution is a factor that affects only convenience. Of course, the higher these indicators, the easier it is to read the information received, but at the same time they affect the size of the echo sounder itself. If it is winter outside and you are fishing from ice, the best device is one that has compact dimensions, but the display itself must be clear and with maximum resolution. Our nominees are as follows:

And again we have three nominees in the same position. These are Praktik, Lucky and Fisherman. Only in this case they go to the second place. The third is Dipper. It doesn't have its own monitor at all. The transducer of this fish finder interfaces with a smartphone and gives a picture to it. That is, the size and resolution of the screen depends on what gadget you have. In principle, this could be called a plus, but winter imposes its limitations. In the cold, many smartphones refuse to work correctly, and it is inconvenient to handle them. The sensor does not work when wearing gloves, and so on. Simply put, this is not the most convenient option.

And the winner is Garmin. The fish finder itself is large and has a large HD display.Note that this is necessary here, since the device not only schematically displays what is happening, but also displays a picture with a detailed description, and the echo sounder can draw maps, and this requires a large and clear screen. But Garmin has a split screen feature. On the first part you can put one information, and on the second - another. In terms of convenience, this is the best option, although the most cumbersome.

Many fishermen primarily look at this parameter. It determines how far the echo sounder can scan the area. In our case, this is precisely the depth, since echo sounders are winter and look through the thickness in the lower direction, and not in the lateral direction.

The undisputed winner is the echo sounder from Garmin. It is unconditional, since its parameters are far ahead of competitors. The device can view the water column at a distance of 480 meters. A huge figure, and, of course, you are unlikely to ever encounter such depth. That is, the power of the device is excessive, but it is, therefore, the model deserves the first place in the nomination.

The second position belongs to Dipper. The device is designed for 100 meters of scanning. Too many and often redundant. The remaining nominees are more relevant, since winter fishing on a river or lake does not require a high range. The Praktik can be called optimal, which has a range of 50 meters. Lucky is slightly inferior - 40 meters, and the weakest is Fisherman with 30 meters. That is, we give Practice the second position, which he shares with Dipper, and the rest of the participants go to the third line.

Winter fishing already provides for a large amount of luggage, and you don’t want to make it heavier with another device. In our case, the best device is the one with the smallest size and weight. Let's compare our members:

So, the Praktik echo sounder becomes the most compact one. This is the best option in terms of convenience. It won't take up much room in your luggage and will even fit in a small breast pocket. In addition, it is the lightest.

The second position is shared by Fisherman, Lucky and Garmin. Moreover, Garmin is much heavier and larger than its competitors, but it also has more extensive functionality. And the heaviest and most cumbersome is Dipper. Its weight is 600 grams, and this is taking into account that there is no receiver in the kit, and all information is transmitted to your smartphone. Very heavy and uncomfortable device.

Another factor affecting the usability of the echo sounder. Wires always get in the way and get confused. They create restrictions and are very inconvenient. Accordingly, the best option is a wireless device. We have three of them at once: Dipper, Lucky and Fisherman. The first pairs via a wireless Wi-Fi network, and the other two via radio frequency. In any case, these are the most comfortable models, unlike the other two nominees.

Garmin and Practitioner wired. The Garmin cable is 5 meters long.It can be used when fishing from a boat when the transducer is attached to the transom. Practice has a cable of only two meters. In principle, ice fishing allows such equipment, but it is still a limitation. Both participants go to the second position.

Viewing angle and scanning frequency are two factors that are inextricably linked to each other. High scanning frequency improves image quality and data content. The higher this indicator, the more complete data you will receive. As the angle increases, the frequency decreases, that is, the view becomes wider, but the information content decreases. This is analogous to side vision. But all this is relevant for devices that use several scanning beams. For example, in the Dipper echo sounder, the first beam has only 7⁰ of view and a frequency of 675 kHz, the second - 16⁰ and 290, and the third - 47⁰ and 100 kHz. Simply put, the maximum viewing angle of this device is 47 degrees. But at the same time, he will have a very clear and detailed picture. Garmin has the same thing, where there are two beams, and the maximum angle is 60 degrees with a frequency of 800 kilohertz. Both participants go to the first position.

Second place is shared by Fisherman and Lucky, they have the same parameters: 90⁰ viewing angle and 125 kHz scanning frequency. That is, with them you will receive a picture from a great distance, but with minimal detail. Such an echo sounder will not be able to determine the type of fish and its quantity, but it will detect movement in a large radius, which is more important for winter fishing when you have to catch holes.

And the third place belongs to Praktik. The device has a frequency of 250 kilohertz, which is quite a lot, but at the same time it sees the water area only at 35 degrees. That is, he will be able to clearly determine the number of fish, and sometimes its size, but in a very small range. Simply put, you will see what is happening directly under the transducer, but what is a little to the side will remain hidden from you.

The price of an echo sounder directly depends on its capabilities, functionality and content. The most expensive models missing in our comparison are Garmin and Dipper. The price of the first is approaching the mark of 30 thousand rubles, and the second - to 25 thousand. These are expensive devices that not every fisherman can afford.

The rest of the participants are more budgetary. We send Practitioner to the second place with 17 thousand. It’s also an expensive device, and given that it loses a lot in content to Dipper and Garmin, it becomes generally incomprehensible where such a price comes from. But Lucky and Fisherman are the cheapest. They both cost in the range of 6 to 8 thousand. Content, functionality and Chinese origin do their job.

The winner is the Garmin STRIKER PLUS 4CV echo sounder, which, however, is not surprising. The manufacturer specializes in the development of top-end equipment, and there are not many brands on the market that can compete with it in terms of content and quality. The device definitely deserves attention, but before buying, consider whether you are ready to pay for options that you most likely will not need. Do you need to scan space for almost half a kilometer, analyze the composition of the bottom and draw a route on a satellite map? All this is relevant for the summer, but if for you winter is still fishing boats, then there is simply no alternative to this device. At least from those models that were in our comparison.

The second-place nominees look more attractive. These are LUCKY FFW718 and Fisherman Wireless 2. Devices that are simple in content and functionality, cost adequate money, but lack stars from the sky. If you just want to know what's going on under the hole you've drilled, then this is definitely the best option and the most affordable. Practitioner 7 BWF station wagon has similar characteristics. In addition, it is more compact and lightweight. But the price leaves much to be desired.

And the DEEPER SMART SONAR CHIRP + Winter Bundle echo sounder is the most dubious. Yes, it has a lot of working beams with a high scan rate and a large viewing angle. He is able to scan the space and the bottom, and also analyzes a lot of useful information. But it has an important drawback - pairing with a smartphone.Not having your own monitor would be an advantage in the summer, but winter is winter, and many smartphones are simply not adapted to it.