I have a black and white fish finder that I modified to use 10 AA batteries. It does not have a GPS feature. I am looking at devices like the Garmin Striker 4 which have color screens and GPS mapping. I know they would use more energy, and maybe the transducer and color screen provide me with better visibility. But my main question is whether the GPS mapping would provide an accurate indication of my location in regard to lake contour lines, or if GPS signal/positioning is inconsistent and I would not benefit.

Currently, I go back and forth between fish finder depth, paper map in front of me, back to finder, etc.

Does anyone use a GPS-enabled fish finder to show your location in relation to contour/features? How has this feature worked for you?

I use a Garmin Echomap when I fish. It works! If I find a mid-lake hump, I can mark it and come back to it anytime, even a year or more later if I don't erase the mark. It does show the contour lines on the GPS mapping but the data for BWCA often is old data so things might have been missed.

I use mine with a split screen so it shows where I am on the map plus the other part shows what the depth really is. In one of my favorite lakes I discovered a hump that was not on the map. I now fish that hump regularly.

I don't currently own a fish finder, but from my research the striker doesn't have any base maps. You will be creating your own with the GPS function. You have to move up to the echomap series to have base maps.

We use a GPS-enabled locator when motor fishing around Ely. My cousin is owner-operator.

When we are in 20 feet of water, the screen will show 10 feet. His comment is "these contour lines are never right".

When he wants to go somewhere, "It shows a nice contour over there..."

My reply in all cases is "Some guy in an office in Chicago gets paid to draw those lines on lake maps".

Sometimes, the map gives you an idea.

One nice feature is tracking so that if you travel the same route you're not likely to hit a reef.

The GPS portion is not where you'll see inconsistencies. The quality of the contour maps loaded into your unit is where the incorrect stuff might appear. Your dot or track will be correct for where you've been and left waypoints. But it might not be a perfect map. I prefer H'bird Helix units, a Helix 5 with GPS/Sonar/DI would be awesome up there and not take a ton of battery life. I've got a few Helix 7's with mega side imaging but probably a bit much for canoe camping and recharging.


I also have Garmin w/ livescope but that'll likely never make it into a canoe.

a Helix 5 "would be" awesome -- is that a device you've used canoeing in the BWCA (or on long trips without a marine battery)? What sort of battery life do you get, and from what source (12V Li-Ion)?

newguy: "a Helix 5 "would be" awesome -- is that a device you've used canoeing in the BWCA (or on long trips without a marine battery)? What sort of battery life do you get, and from what source (12V Li-Ion)?"

Good info from a forum member in this thread

As ZaSquatch says, the Striker series is going to give you a blank base map, no contour lines on the map.

thegildedgopher: "

newguy: "a Helix 5 "would be" awesome -- is that a device you've used canoeing in the BWCA (or on long trips without a marine battery)? What sort of battery life do you get, and from what source (12V Li-Ion)?"

Good info from a forum member in this thread"

Thanks! I did stumble upon that, and saved it. Great insight into a really good build. I found and ordered a Helix 5 G2 (which I may return after completing research), but at $150 at Best Buy, I thought the price was too good to pass up.

I have started to do ice fishing, too, so perhaps I need to find a unit with dual capability (even if that means also buying another transducer).