There is no question Lowrance make quality fish finders - but which one to buy?
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced fisherman, you’re better off without having to fish blindly. A quality fish finder will be easy to use for navigation, easy to interpret, and easy to adjust. When it comes to quality, Lowrance fish finders are world-renowned for their sophisticated and advanced technologies that take the guesswork out of fishing.
From backwoods ponds to the lakes that play host to championship tournaments, you can find Lowrance fish finders in just about every stage of the fishing world. Without them, you might as well be fishing in the dark. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best fish finders that the brand has to offer.
Anyway, let’s get straight into our Lowrance fish finder comparison and reviews. In our opinion, the best Lowrance fish finders for 2024 are:
Lowrance Fish Finder Reviews 2024
Lowrance HDS-7 Gen-3 / LSS-2 Bundle 000-11788-001
The brand new Lowrance High Definition System may be the most advanced fish finder on the market. It is a marvel that so many technological advantages can be packaged into an easy-to-use design.
The HDS-7 Gen3 allows the user to access both CHIRP Sonar and StructureScan HD at the same time, giving you the most in-depth view of your prospects. The Lowrance sounder technology allows you to make the most of any day on the water, helping you to interpret your surroundings and make key adjustments. This model enables you to stay in touch with all your comings and goings by showcasing wireless technology that can be synced with the Lowrance GoFree app on every possible mobile device.
Even better, you’ll still be able to synchronize it with programs like SiriusXM and SmartSteer control for Motorguide PinpointGPS. Its internal GPS and advanced mapping programs enable you to navigate coastal and inland waters within the United States, giving you the freedom to follow wherever your boat may lead you. You can also view multiple charts at once, even while you are using it for sonar and navigation.
Summary
As you can tell, we really like this model, which is why it’s the #1 on our list. Pretty much a no-brainer in our book! With multiple sizes to choose from, you should have no issues picking one to suit your fishing style.
Product Specifications
- 7″ Screen size
- Chirp sonar and StructureScan
What we like
- GPS included
- Great for all levels of experience
- Looks great, and easily mountable
- User-friendly interface
- Reliable and recognisable brand
What we don't like
Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar, W/ 83/200 XDCR
If you’re looking for a compact, affordable fish finder that’s still going to send you home with a catch you can be proud of, the Hook-3x is an excellent option. As the most cost-efficient color fishfinder ever released, it is a fantastic finder that won’t break the bank. It’s not just some cheap piece of plastic either: the Hook-3x comes with a sophisticated LED backlight with 320 x 240 resolution that displays color in an easy-to-use format. Whether you’re trying to identify the contours of the bottom, the structure of the lake floor, or a target group of fish, the broadband sounder lets the fisherman be in control of his own destiny – as much as possible for a day on the water.
With the Hook-3x, there is no shortage of nifty gadgets to make your life easier. There are options for both day and night fishing, giving you the flexibility you need to view your finder on the go. The advanced signal processing enables you to locate your target without manually adjusting your settings. By giving you a clear vision of the bottom, you’ll be able to see your target fish, the general structure and composition of the lake floor, and other necessary details all in real-time — no matter how fast you’re going.
With Fish ID, you’ll be able to identify, track, and set alarms for particular species of fish. Further, the dual-frequency 83 or 200kHz operation helps maximize your view of what’s going on beneath the boat, giving you the insights you need to give yourself the best possible chance for a catch. Not to be outdone, the 83kHz sonar operation provides up to 60 degrees of coverage, making the Elite-3x the ideal option for displaying large schools of fish while still allowing you to search large areas.
Summary
If you are looking for a small unit for your kayak, canoe or small boat then the Hook-3X is a great option. It is small but utilises quality sonar technology to help you identify fish in any situation.
Product Specifications
- Screen: 3″ diagonal
- Sonar:
- Depth Capability
What we like
What we don't like
Lowrance Elite-5 Ti 000-12421-001 Fishfinder Chartplotter with Downscan Xdcr
The Lowrance Elite-5 is a great option to make your fishing trip easier. As the item was recently discontinued, it may be hard to get your hands on one. If you can obtain one from a third-party seller, you won’t regret the trouble. The Elite-5 provides a high-resolution screen with a sophisticated LED-backlight that makes it easy to use no matter what time of day. Part of what makes a great fish finder is ease of use, and this model has that in spades. With touchscreen functionality, it is a cinch to navigate the menus to find the best equipment for the task at hand.
No matter what body of water you’re fishing in, this model allows you to view your surroundings with chirp sonar. This revolutionary technology has been helping fishers all over the world get to their catches in the most efficient way possible. Whether you’re trying to figure out the terrain under your boat or trying to find the best place to drop to catch a specific type of fish, the Elite-5 puts the control back in your hands.
Summary
Excellent fish finder for the money. With lots of great features including downscan and sidescan the fish won’t have anywhere to hide!
Product Specifications
- Screen: 5″ diagonal display
What we like
- GPS built-in
- Downscan + Sidescan
What we don't like
- Does not come with a cover;
Lowrance HOOK2 7 – 7-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer and US Inland Lake Maps Installed
If you’re in the market for a more durable and reliable fish finder, the Lowrance HOOK2 7x may be the model for you.
You don’t have to seek out the bulkiest and most clunky option to have a fish finder you can count on. The Hook2 proves that you don’t need to sacrifice sleekness for convenience, and it’s effortless to use and maintain. Although it is a bit pricier than its HOOK-3x counterpart, this model should definitely still be on your radar. While neither model is going to break the bank, the Hook2 is going to show you exactly where that money went.
Even though it is compact and easy-to-handle, it is chock full of valuable programs to make the entire fishing process easier from start to finish. It boasts TripleShot Transducer and GPS Plotting programs but is still easy to view and navigate. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to go on a fishing trip with the boys or you’re gearing up to take on a national tournament. This sound, compact, and surprisingly advanced model is a great option.
Summary
We really like the castable wifi fishfinders and this one is certainly up there with the best.
Product Specifications
- 7″ screen for maximum viewing
- Weight: 3 pound
- Integrated GPS
- US Inland Maps installed
- MicroSD Slot
What we like
- Downscan + SideScan + Traditional sonar
- SD Slot so you can upgrade maps and software
- Large screen enables multiple views
- Easily mounted externally or internally
- Good price for all the features!
What we don't like
What to look for when buying a Lowrance Fish Finder
Lowrance products are world-renowned for being some of the best, and their fish finders are not at all a departure from this norm.
With reasonable pricing, especially when compared to their quality of product, an angler- professional or hobbyist would be hard-pressed to find a better deal than a Lowrance fish finder. With a lot of different options on the market, there is a Lowrance fish finder available to suit everyone’s needs. With their low pricing and consistent high-ratings, it’s not hard to see why Lowrance remains one of the most popular brands of top fish finders to this day.
In addition to their low price-points, Lowrance products are so beloved because they are relatively universal. They can be used in both fresh and saltwater, and they have 3,000 of the best bodies of water for fishing in the US pre-programmed into their systems.
Additionally, new and customized maps of bodies of water around the world can be loaded into Lowrance fish finders, so they are fully customizable. This makes them a great option for every angler because they can be personalized to each person’s preference.
History of Lowrance
Lowrance has been an innovative company since the beginning. Starting in 1957 with the first ever consumer sonar device, The Little Green Box, and leading up to the present day, they have continually provided professionals and hobbyists alike with the most state-of-the-art sonar technologies available on the market.
Lowrance is never without a new technology that pushes the envelope and advances the ways by which anglers find and catch fish. With over 60 years in the business of fishing technology, Lowrance has stayed on top of the trends and innovations in sonar every step of the way.
In the years since their inception, Lowrance has introduced some of the very best technology to their Lowrance fish finders. Their CHIRP sonar provides the best, highest quality underwater imaging and reaches both downwards and to the side, unlike other sonar technologies that are only capable of pointing downwards. They have also introduced highly accurate GPS systems, touch-screen technology, and LED backlighting for easy viewing (even with your best fishing sunglasses on), among other things.
The constant desire to stay on top of technology and help customers be the best anglers possible are the pinnacle of what Lowrance is and has always been. With their most recent technological advances, such as a High Definition Multifunction Display and low-definition/high-definition 4G Broadband Radar, they continue to work towards the future while keeping their roots at the forefront of their mission.
Lowrance has, and always will be, for anglers who love what they do.
The Best Lowrance Fish Finders
Lowrance has done a great job at developing a wide variety of fish finders for every type of angler. They have varieties that are more heavy-duty and designed for use on larger boats, varieties designed for use on smaller boats like portable fish finders and kayak fish finders, and varieties for various types of fishing conditions. As mentioned before, you’ve got lightweight portable ones to use in your best fishing kayak, they’ve got some great ice fishing fish finders as well.
However, the best part about Lowrance fish finders is that they are reasonably priced, no matter what type of fishing anglers need them for. This makes Lowrance one of the most widely accessible brands of fish finders on the market.
Although all of the Lowrance fish finders stand out for their own reasons, there are a few that have proved to be the best in their categories.
There is the Lowrance HOOK 3x—the best bargain fish finder for the casual angler; the Lowrance HOOK2 7x—the mid-range fish finder that comes equipped with SplitShot; and the Lowrance combination and Chartplotter devices—the heavy-duty fish finder for the serious angler.
These products offer a wide range of prices, but all come equipped with the promise that Lowrance provides with all of their products—to help anglers find and catch the best fish.
Lowrance Combination and Chartplotter Devices
The most sleek and sophisticated devices that are offered by Lowrance are the combination and Chartplotter Lowrance fish finders.
These models range in price from very affordable to more of a splurge. These models, such as the HOOK-4 (affordable) or the HDS Carbon (splurge) have large, have high definition screens and feature technology such as the ability to create custom maps for areas that are not already uploaded into the devices’ GPS.
Conclusion
Since they first invented the fish finder in 1957, Lowrance has consistently strived to ensure that their technology is innovative and always one step ahead of the competition. They also aim to keep their products affordable and durable. It is these factors, plus Lowrance’s outstanding customer service that has kept anglers coming back year after year for the newest and best Lowrance fish finders.