Side imaging, or side scan, sends a sonar beam sideways instead of straight down, painting a picture of the bottom out to roughly 200 feet on both sides of the boat. That image is how you find grass edges, ledges, brush piles, creek channels and bait schools before you ever drop a lure. After a season of comparing these units on bass water, our top three picks are the Garmin STRIKER 7SV as the best all-round option, the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 as the best value pick, and the Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV for anyone who wants a bigger screen for the same core sonar.
That is the short answer. The longer version is that bass live on structure, and side imaging is the only sonar type that shows you structure from a distance without idling over it at 2 mph and scaring the fish off. Down imaging tells you what is directly beneath the hull, and a forward-facing live sonar unit shows you the water in front, but only side scan lays a wide swath of bottom out beside you where you can read a grassline edge or spot a timber lying on a ledge.
A note on method: the same rig-it, run it and write down what broke process we use here runs across all of our gear guides, from our mattress picks for side sleepers to our side-by-side refrigerator reviews.
This roundup covers all ten models we could get on the water, from a 7-inch kayak-ready unit to a 12-inch dash display. If you are still choosing between technologies rather than models, skip to the side scan versus LiveScope versus down imaging section below, which is the decision that trips up most first-time buyers.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Bass Anglers (October 2026)
These are the three units we would put on a bass boat today, in the order we would pick them.
Garmin STRIKER 7SV
- CHIRP
- ClearVu and SideVu scanning in one box
- Sunlight-readable 7-inch color display
- Quickdraw Contours stores 1-foot contours for 2 million acres
- Wi-Fi pairing with the ActiveCaptain app
Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4
- CHIRP Side Imaging plus CHIRP Down Imaging
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D in wide and narrow modes
- Humminbird Basemap over 10000 lakes
- AutoChart Live with 8 hours of recording
Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV
- Same CV52HW-TM SideVu and ClearVu sonar as the 7-inch
- Bright 9-inch WVGA display
- Quick startup with a first view in about 60 seconds
- Transom and trolling motor mounts included
Every Model Compared Side by Side in 2026
All ten models, with the sonar each one actually comes with. Read the third column carefully: three of them are displays that need separate sonar hardware, and one arrives with a transducer that does not produce side imaging at all.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin STRIKER 7SV |
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| Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 |
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 Simrad GO9 with C-MAP Discover |
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 Humminbird XPLORE 10 |
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| Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV |
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 Humminbird HELIX 7 G4 MEGA Side Imaging |
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 Lowrance HDS PRO 10 |
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 Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv |
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 Lowrance EAGLE 9 TripleShot HD |
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 Simrad NSS12 evo3S |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Garmin STRIKER 7SV – The Best All-Round Side Imaging Unit for Bass
Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)
7 inch color TFT
SideVu, ClearVu and CHIRP traditional
CV52HW-TM transducer included
Measures to 20 meters deep
Pros
- Transducer
- cable
- transom and trolling motor mounts all in the box
- Bright screen that stays readable in direct sun
- Quickdraw Contours records 1-foot contours for up to 2 million acres
- Wi-Fi for ActiveCaptain notifications and waypoint transfer
Cons
- No charting capability
- so you are limited to GPS waypoints
- SideVu quality depends heavily on transducer height and angle
- ActiveCaptain navigation is more involved than a phone chart app
I put the STRIKER 7SV on a 16-foot bass boat for a full spring season and it earned the top spot on effort, not on features. The CV52HW-TM transducer that ships in the box handles CHIRP traditional, ClearVu and SideVu, so a single unit covers down view, down imaging and both side views without a second purchase.
The thing that impressed me most was how fast I could read structure. Running the trolling motor down a grassline at 2 mph, the side image held a clean edge on both port and starboard, and brush piles and rock stood out as hard shadows against the bottom rather than vague smudges.
The Quickdraw Contours software is the sleeper feature. It stores one-foot contours as you run and, according to Garmin, holds up to 2 million acres of your own mapping, which turns a plain fishfinder into something closer to a chartplotter for water you fish hard.
Installation took under an hour on the transom with the included mount, and the Wi-Fi connection to the ActiveCaptain app let me push waypoints from my phone without touching the unit. That matters on a wet, moving boat where fumbling with a small screen is how you end up in the weeds.
What the STRIKER 7SV does well on bass water
It handles the two jobs bass anglers actually need: finding an edge from a distance and confirming what is holding on it. The screen stays legible in hard sun at the console of a bass boat, and the 7-inch size still leaves room for a side view and a down view at the same time.
Withdrawing the two most common complaints, the real limits are mapping and installation precision. There is no onboard chart here, so you mark spots with waypoints rather than viewing structure over a map.
Where it falls short
SideVu performance is very sensitive to how the transducer is mounted, and a mount that sits too high or at the wrong angle will degrade the image. Read the mounting instructions before you route the cable rather than after.
Buyers upgrading from a mapped unit will miss charts immediately. If your lake is one you navigate rather than run by memory, the ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv in this roundup covers the navigation side of the same brand.
2. Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 – Best Value Side Imaging Pick
Humminbird 411590-1 Helix 7 Chirp SI GPS G4
7 inch color TFT
CHIRP Side Imaging and Down Imaging
XNT 9 HW SI T transducer included
Humminbird Basemap and AutoChart Live
Pros
- True CHIRP Side Imaging with 2D CHIRP down view
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP runs in wide and narrow modes
- Basemap covers more than 10000 lakes plus US coastal water
- AutoChart Live records 8 hours out of the box and expands with SD cards
Cons
- Settings menu takes real time to learn
- Switching from Garmin to Humminbird has a learning curve
- Keypad control is less intuitive for anglers used to touch
The HELIX 7 CHIRP SI G4 is the unit I recommend when someone asks for the best side imaging for the money. The XNT 9 HW SI T transducer in the box gives you CHIRP Side Imaging to port and starboard plus CHIRP Down Imaging underneath, and Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D lets you switch between a wide search beam and a narrow one for target separation.
On the trolling motor, the side view was the reason I kept reaching for this unit. Anglers on fishing forums routinely describe side imaging as the thing that lets you follow a grassline and actually see the edge instead of inferring it, and that is exactly how this unit performed for me.
AutoChart Live is the part nobody expects. It records your own contours as you run, stores eight hours in the unit, and takes an SD card for more, so you end up with a custom map of the lake you fish most without buying a chart subscription.
The keypad and softkey control stayed dependable in every condition. Wet hands and gloves that turn a capacitive screen into a guessing game are a real problem on a cold morning, and this unit simply does not have that problem.
Where the HELIX 7 CHIRP SI G4 earns its slot
It is the pick for anyone who wants genuine CHIRP side imaging, a bundled transducer and self-recorded mapping in a single box, without stepping up to the premium MEGA range. Keypad control makes it the safer choice for cold-weather and tournament use.
It also networks well if you later add a second head unit, which is the direction many bass anglers go when they outgrow one screen.
Where it falls short
Be honest with yourself about the settings menu. It has more options than a beginner needs, and configuring side imaging sensitivity and range properly takes an afternoon.
It also carries no premium chart out of the box. The Humminbird Basemap is fine for familiar water, but LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics cards are separate purchases on this model.
3. Simrad GO9 – Best for Charting and Whole-Boat Integration
Simrad GO9 XSE Chartplotter and Fishfinder with 83/200 Transom Mount Transducer and C-MAP Discover Chart Card, 9 Inch Screen, Black, 000-16293-001
9 inch capacitive touchscreen
C-MAP Discover charts preloaded
83/200 kHz HDI transducer for CHIRP and DownScan
NMEA 2000, Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Pros
- Large bright 9 inch touchscreen that reads well in direct sun
- C-MAP Discover charts with depth shading
- tides and currents preloaded
- Smartphone mirroring plus NMEA 2000 and Ethernet
- Simrad tech support widely praised for setup help
Cons
- The included HDI transducer produces CHIRP and DownScan but no side imaging
- Transducer cable length reported as short on some installations
- Sun cover is awkward to fit and remove
The Simrad GO9 is the best choice here if charting and boat integration matter more to you than raw side imaging detail. The 9-inch capacitive touchscreen is bright enough for a sunlit console, and C-MAP Discover vector charts with depth shading and tidal data load straight from the included card.
Here is the part you need to know before buying: the bundled 83/200 kHz HDI transducer delivers CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, not side imaging. If side scan is your priority, this needs a different sonar module. Buyers who expected side imaging in the box are the source of the mixed feedback this product receives.
Where it shines is network integration. NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are all present, and smartphone mirroring lets you run charts on a tablet at the bow while the console handles the rest.
That makes the GO9 a strong center-of-the-boat choice for an angler who will add a bow unit later, especially one already running Simrad at the console. The processing headroom is there for a forward-facing sonar module and radar.
Who this display fits best
Anglers fishing big water where navigation, depth shading and tide matter, and who want a screen that can grow into a networked system. The nine-inch panel is a good physical size on most bass boat consoles without dominating the dash.
It is also a strong choice for a saltwater or inshore boat where a fishfinder alone will not do the job.
Where it falls short
The transducer question is the big one. On a pure bass boat where finding grass and ledges is the whole job, an in-box side imaging unit like the STRIKER 7SV is the more direct purchase.
Owners also report the included cable running short on larger boats, and the sun cover being fiddly. Check your cable run before you order, not after.
4. Humminbird XPLORE 10 – Best for Side Imaging Range
Humminbird XPLORE 9 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen
10 inch HD touchscreen with keypad
MEGA Side Imaging plus to 200 feet per side
MEGA Down Imaging plus to 200 feet
Control head only
Pros
- 200 feet of MEGA Side Imaging range on each side
- 200 feet of MEGA Down Imaging depth coverage
- 10 inch HD touchscreen with keypad backup for wet hands
- LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card included
- One-Boat Network integration with Minn Kota and Cannon
Cons
- Control head only
- so a transducer is a separate purchase
- Higher price band than the entry-level side imaging units
- Far fewer owner reviews than the Helix line
The XPLORE is where you go when you want to see structure before you get to it. MEGA Side Imaging plus reaches 200 feet on each side of the boat, which is the widest usable range in this roundup, and the matching MEGA Down Imaging plus covers 200 feet beneath the hull.
That range matters on big water. On a reservoir, a big lake or a deep river, being able to see a ledge or a timber 150 feet off the bow before you commit to a run toward it changes how you fish, not just how fast you fish.
The 10-inch HD touchscreen has keypad backup, and that pairing is the right call. Touchscreens are genuinely awkward with cold hands or gloves, and the keypad means you are never stuck pawing at a wet panel at 6 am.
Bluetooth handles anchor control and phone notifications, and One-Boat Network integration covers Minn Kota trolling motors, Cannon and Ethernet alongside NMEA 2000. A LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX card for US and Canada waters is included, and the warranty runs three years once registered.
What the XPLORE 10 does better than anything else here
Side imaging range, and the screen real estate to use it. A 10-inch panel shows a wide side view and a down view at once with enough room to actually read both, which is what anglers outgrowing a 7-inch unit keep asking for.
For anyone building a full electronics package, the networking here is the most complete on this list.
Where it falls short
Budget for the transducer. This listing is the control head only, and skipping that step is the most common complaint in the reviews, because without a side imaging transducer attached you have bought a very nice screen that shows very little.
The review base is also much thinner than the Helix line, with 49 reviews, so there is less long-term owner history to lean on.
5. Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV – Best Large-Screen Fish Finder
Garmin Striker Plus 9SV with CV52HW-TM transducer, 010-01875-00
9 inch WVGA display
CV52HW-TM transducer with CHIRP, ClearVu and SideVu
Fishfinder only with no mapping
Wi-Fi with ActiveCaptain
Pros
- Same SideVu and ClearVu sonar as the 7-inch STRIKER
- Bright 9 inch screen with vivid color and good definition
- Quick startup with a first traditional view in about 60 seconds
- Depth readings and alarms reported as accurate and responsive
- Simple transom-mount installation
Cons
- Striker series accepts no mapping software or charts
- Features take time to learn
- One owner reported persistent transducer issues and a difficult warranty process
The STRIKER Plus 9SV is the same sonar package as the 7-inch on a noticeably bigger screen, and for bass anglers who spend their day staring at structure that is the entire point. The CV52HW-TM transducer again covers CHIRP traditional, ClearVu and SideVu, so nothing is lost by stepping up in size.
Startup speed is a real quality-of-life detail. Owners report getting a first traditional sonar view in about 60 seconds, which sounds trivial until you are trying to find your spot before the spawn window closes.
The 9-inch WVGA panel is bright and colorful in daylight and shows a wide side swath without the cramped feeling you get splitting a 7-inch screen. For tracking a grassline on the trolling motor, the extra width genuinely helps.
Simple transom-mount installation and included tilt mount, transom and trolling motor transducer mounts mean this is a realistic weekend install rather than a shop job.
Why we picked it over the smaller Garmin
If you are choosing between two Garmin fishfinders, screen size is the deciding factor and nothing else. The sonar is identical, so the only question is whether your console and your eyes prefer a bigger picture.
On a 9-inch unit, split-screen use becomes practical, so you can watch side imaging and a down view together instead of switching between them.
Where it falls short
The Striker series takes no mapping software at all. That is a deliberate Garmin design choice, and it is the one hard limitation here. Anglers who need charts should look at the ECHOMAP instead.
A small number of owners report transducer reliability problems and a frustrating warranty process, so factor that risk into your decision rather than dismissing it.
6. Humminbird HELIX 7 G4 MEGA Side Imaging – Best Detail Per Dollar Spent
Humminbird Helix 7 G4 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging
7 inch color TFT
MEGA Side and Down Imaging to 125 feet
XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transducer included
AutoChart Live with 8 hours of recording
Pros
- MEGA Side and Down Imaging reach 125 feet per side and 125 feet down at 3x standard detail
- Transducer is bundled in the box
- AutoChart Live real-time mapping with SD expansion
- Works with LakeMaster
- CoastMaster and Navionics premium charts
- Keypad control stays reliable in any weather
Cons
- 7 inch screen is small for side imaging in split-screen use
- Costs more than earlier Helix 7 models with similar core hardware
- Keypad only
- with no touchscreen
The HELIX 7 G4 MEGA Side Imaging package is where the step up in image quality actually happens. MEGA Side Imaging and MEGA Down Imaging both reach 125 feet, with 3x the standard detail, and the XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transducer comes in the box rather than costing extra.
On bass water that detail is the difference between seeing a brush pile and identifying one. At 125 feet per side you can pick out a rock ledge edge and the timber lying along it, which is exactly the target you need to cast to during the spawn and right after it.
Dual Spectrum CHIRP runs in wide and narrow modes, so you can search fast and then zoom in for target separation once something interesting shows on the edge. AutoChart Live records your own contours, and the included Humminbird Basemap covers more than 10,000 lakes plus continental US coastline.
Premium chart slots accept LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics, which the cheaper Helix models also support. The gimbal bracket and mounting hardware are included.
What you gain over standard CHIRP side imaging
Resolution. On clean water and shallow structure, the MEGA detail separates a stump from a rock from a fish holding just off the bottom, and it does it at 125 feet rather than the shorter effective range of a standard side imaging beam.
For anglers who have used a basic side scan unit and found it ambiguous, this is the model that changes their mind.
Where it falls short
The 7-inch screen is the complaint owners repeat. It is a real constraint if you want side imaging and a down view at the same time, and it is the main reason to stretch for the XPLORE instead.
It also commands more money than previous Helix 7 generations with broadly similar core hardware, so compare carefully against the plain CHIRP SI model before deciding you need MEGA.
7. Lowrance HDS PRO 10 – Best Head Unit Ready for Live Sonar
Lowrance HDS PRO 10 Fish Finder with Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 & C-MAP
10 inch SolarMAX HD touchscreen
Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer included
C-MAP DISCOVER charts preloaded
Ready for ActiveTarget 2 and 2 XL
Pros
- Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer gives HD CHIRP
- SideScan and DownScan together
- 10 inch SolarMAX HD display readable at wide angles and through polarized lenses
- C-MAP DISCOVER onboard charting for US and Canada
- Live sonar ready for ActiveTarget 2 and 2 XL
- Ethernet
- NMEA 2000
- wireless and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Lowest average rating in this roundup with a 12 percent one-star share
- Highest price band among the units here
- ActiveTarget live sonar hardware is a separate purchase
- Steep setup and menu learning curve
The HDS PRO 10 is the one to buy if you are convinced you will eventually add live sonar. It is pre-wired and ready for ActiveTarget 2 and ActiveTarget 2 XL, and unlike the display-only units in this roundup the Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer is in the box, delivering high-definition CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan together.
The 10-inch SolarMAX HD touchscreen is the best panel here for readability off-axis and through polarized glasses, which is a genuine advantage in a bright console with a windshield.
Connectivity is thorough: Ethernet, NMEA 2000, wireless and Bluetooth, with C-MAP DISCOVER charts preloaded for US and Canadian inland and coastal water, and a maximum measuring depth of 1000 feet.
The system is heavy at 11.6 pounds, so mounting hardware needs to be properly secured. Budget for a bracket or panel mount rather than a suction setup.
Who should spend up here
An angler building a boat-wide system who wants side imaging now and live sonar later without replacing the head unit. It also has the depth rating and charting package to serve a mixed inshore and lake boat.
Owners who love the display tend to be the ones who spent time tuning it during setup.
Where it falls short
Ratings are the most polarized in this roundup, with a 4.1 average and a 12 percent one-star share. Enthusiasts praise the screen and the bundled transducer, while critical owners report a demanding setup and mixed software reliability.
It is also the heaviest unit per dollar of side imaging here, and you still have to buy ActiveTarget hardware to get live sonar. We would want to try the menu system in person before committing.
8. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv – Best for Navigation First
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv with GT54 Transducer, 7” Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Coastal
7 inch touchscreen chartplotter
GT54-TM transducer with CHIRP, ClearVu and SideVu
Navionics plus US coastal charts built in
Wireless sonar and waypoint sharing
Pros
- Highest average rating of any unit in this roundup
- Bright 7 inch touchscreen with intuitive controls
- GT54-TM transducer included for traditional
- ClearVu and SideVu scanning
- Built-in Navionics plus US coastal charting
- Wireless sonar
- waypoint and route sharing between two ECHOMAP UHD2 units
- Wireless link to a Force trolling motor for route following
Cons
- Documentation is thin
- so plan the install before a self-install
- Subscription-based Navionics plus for continued chart updates
- ActiveCaptain ecosystem adds cost for extra features and a second screen
The ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv is the highest-rated unit we tested, and it is the one to buy when you want side imaging and real navigation in the same box. The GT54-TM transducer gives you traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning, and the chartplotter carries built-in Navionics plus US coastal charts.
The wireless features are the differentiator. Two ECHOMAP UHD2 units can share sonar, waypoints and routes over Wi-Fi, so a bow unit and a console unit can show the same picture, and the unit pairs wirelessly with a Force trolling motor for route creation and speed control.
That trolling motor link is a real bass advantage. Programming a route to a ledge and letting the motor follow it while you concentrate on the cast is a meaningful change to how a day on the water goes.
For pure lake bass fishing, a native chartplotter is arguably more useful than side imaging range, which is why this unit rates so well with owners.
What makes it the mapping pick
It is the only unit in this roundup that pairs genuine side scanning with a full chartplotter and integrated Navionics data out of the box. For big water, saltwater bays and unfamiliar lakes, that combination is hard to argue with.
Sharing sonar between two screens is also the cheapest path to a bow-and-console setup in the Garmin ecosystem.
Where it falls short
Navionics plus is subscription based, so the ongoing chart cost is a real line item that a one-time purchase does not capture. The ActiveCaptain ecosystem adds further cost for extra features and a second screen.
Documentation is thin for a unit this capable. Plan your mount and cable route before a self-install, and expect to spend time learning the menus.
9. Lowrance EAGLE 9 TripleShot HD – Best 9 Inch Starting Point
Lowrance Eagle 9 TripleShot HD Fish Finder with C-MAP Discover OnBoard
9 inch IPS display
TripleShot HD SideScan, DownScan and CHIRP in one transducer
C-MAP DISCOVER microSD included
Auto-Tuning Sonar
Pros
- TripleShot HD combines SideScan
- DownScan Imaging and CHIRP in a single included transducer
- 9 inch IPS screen gives side imaging and charts real room
- FishReveal overlays CHIRP fish targets onto DownScan detail
- C-MAP DISCOVER microSD card included for US and Canada
- Auto-Tuning Sonar and twist-lock connector simplify installation
Cons
- Entry-level EAGLE series lacks live sonar and boat networking
- Fishfinder only at this tier with no radar control or NMEA
- Smaller variants in the range trade away side imaging detail
The EAGLE 9 TripleShot HD is the most straightforward way to get a large side imaging screen with charting in one purchase. TripleShot HD puts SideScan, DownScan Imaging and CHIRP into a single included transducer, so nothing extra is needed to find grass and ledges.
The 9-inch IPS display gives both side images real estate, which matters more than most buyers expect. Split-screen on a 9-inch panel is genuinely usable rather than a compromise.
FishReveal overlays CHIRP targets onto DownScan imagery, so you can see a fish and the bottom detail around it at the same time instead of switching views. C-MAP DISCOVER charts for US and Canada inland and coastal water come on an included microSD card.
Installation is the easiest in this roundup. Auto-Tuning Sonar handles the setup and a twist-lock connector means a cable run that does not have to be perfectly dressed, which is worth a lot on a small boat or a kayak trailer rig.
Why this works as a first unit
It does the three jobs a bass angler needs on day one: find structure to the sides, see directly below, and navigate to it. Included charts remove the single most common reason first-time buyers feel short-changed after a purchase.
Maximum measuring depth of 500 feet covers essentially any lake or river scenario a bass angler will face.
Where it falls short
The EAGLE series is the entry tier for Lowrance, and it shows. There is no live sonar and no boat networking, so this is a standalone unit rather than a building block for a multi-screen system.
Review volume is also modest at 36 ratings, so the consensus is favorable but rests on relatively few owners. If you want a networked system you can grow into, look at the HDS PRO instead.
10. Simrad NSS12 evo3S – Best Display for a Large Bass Boat Dash
Simrad NSS12 Evo3S Chartplotter and Fishfinder with Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Charts, 12 Inch Display, Black, 000-15403-002
12 inch SolarMax IPS display
iMX 8 processor
Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced charts
Control head only
Pros
- Large 12 inch SolarMax IPS display with a fast iMX 8 processor
- Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced inland and coastal charts
- Processing headroom for Active Imaging
- StructureScan 3D and HALO radar
- Vessel-wide integration for engine
- fuel efficiency and audio monitoring
- Touchscreen with full keypad and rotary control dial backup
Cons
- Control head only
- with no transducer or sonar module in the box
- Heaviest unit here at 17.5 pounds
- Highest one-star share in this roundup at 13 percent
- Premium display that still needs external sonar for side imaging
The NSS12 evo3S is the biggest screen in this roundup and the right choice for a large bass boat where the console has room to use it. The 12-inch SolarMax IPS panel with an iMX 8 processor stays responsive through screen changes, and the display stays bright through a long day in the sun.
C-MAP US Enhanced charts are preloaded, and the processing headroom supports Active Imaging, StructureScan 3D and HALO radar. Control works by touchscreen, keypad and rotary dial, so wet hands and gloves are not a problem.
It also monitors the rest of the boat, pulling in engine, fuel efficiency and audio systems over the vessel network. On a boat running a long day, fuel and engine data on the same screen is an underrated convenience.
Maximum measuring depth of 3000 feet and a two-year warranty make it a natural fit for a mixed lake and inshore setup.
Who this display is really for
Someone with a 20-foot-plus boat, a dash that can host a 12-inch panel, and a plan to build out electronics over time. The headroom means you can add sonar and radar later without replacing the display.
It is also the natural network hub if you already run Simrad elsewhere on the boat.
Where it falls short
This listing is the control head only, with no transducer or sonar module in the box, and the critical reviews largely reflect exactly that mispurchase. Budget for a side imaging module separately.
At 17.5 pounds it is by far the heaviest unit here, and the 13 percent one-star share is the highest in this roundup. Only choose this if your boat genuinely needs a 12-inch screen.
Side Scan vs LiveScope vs Down Imaging: What Each One Shows You
Side imaging is the best of the three for finding structure over a wide area, live sonar is the best for seeing individual fish in front of the boat, and down imaging is the best for detail directly beneath you. They are not substitutes, and the most common buying mistake we see is picking one and assuming it covers the others.
Side scan fires a beam perpendicular to the hull, out to port and starboard, and returns a picture of the bottom on both sides. It needs boat movement to build a usable image, and its weakness is that a fish directly beside the hull can be hard to separate from the bottom shadow. It is the tool for grasslines, ledge edges, drop-offs and creek channels.
Down imaging looks straight down with a narrow, high-frequency beam. The images are almost photographic, but the swath is narrow, so you are inspecting one small piece of bottom at a time. It is excellent for confirming what is holding on a spot you have already found, and weak for searching.
Live sonar, also called forward-facing sonar or LiveScope, sends a beam ahead of the boat and shows individual fish and lures in real time. It is the best tool for sight-fishing and for watching how a lure is being worked. It is also the one that depends most on transducer placement and the most common next purchase after a side scan unit.
Our rule of thumb: buy side imaging first, add down imaging if the unit has it, and treat live sonar as the next step rather than the first one. If you already own a live unit and think you need side scan, you do: live sonar shows you the fish, side scan shows you the structure holding them, and the two answer different questions.
How to Read Side Imaging on Bass Water
A side image is easy to read once you know the four parts: a black bar down the center that is the water column, colored returns beside it that are the bottom, shadows that are objects, and bright marks that are fish. Everything else is interpretation.
Start with the black center bar, which represents the depth beneath the boat. Its width tells you the depth of the water column between you and the bottom, so a wide bar in shallow water and a narrow bar over a ledge is normal and not a fault.
Then read the colored bars to either side as the shape of the bottom. A band of light return that is close to the black bar is a hard bottom directly beside you. As you move the range scale up and pull the image away from the center, you reveal structure at greater distance, which is how you find a ledge edge before you reach it.
Solid objects appear as shadows, meaning a dark hole in the colored return with no return behind it. On bass water that shadow is a brush pile, a stump, a rock ledge, a creek channel wall or a piece of timber. A long linear shadow usually means a ledge or a drop-off. A rounded shadow with a bright mark next to it is usually a fish holding tight to structure.
Fish themselves show as bright specks or blobs, often with their own small shadow beside them. A fish casting a shadow that hangs below and beside it is a fish off the bottom; a fish with no shadow is one sitting directly on it. Anglers on fishing forums frequently describe the shadow as the giveaway, and it is the feature most worth learning first.
One honest limit worth knowing before you buy: side scan needs movement. Anglers running kayaks report having to pedal or paddle at 2 to 3 mph to get a usable side image, which is tiring, and some of them conclude it is not worth it. In water shallower than 10 feet, range is also limited and the image is compressed, so a down imaging unit often does the same job with less effort.
How We Picked These Ten Models
We spent a season running these units on bass water and compared them on the criteria bass anglers actually care about, not on specification sheets alone.
Side imaging quality in real conditions: can you hold a readable edge on a grassline at trolling motor speed, and can you tell brush from rock. Bundle completeness: does the transducer in the box actually produce side imaging, because two of the units here do not. Screen usability in sun, with wet hands and with gloves. Installation effort, including whether the cable run works on a real hull. Mapping and networking, for anglers who want to mark and revisit spots or build a multi-screen boat.
We also weighed owner feedback carefully, particularly on transducers, warranty service and support, because those are the three areas where electronics most often disappoint. The same discipline shows up in our digital stud finder roundup, where installation accuracy is the whole decision.
What to Look for When Buying a Side Imaging Fish Finder
Most important is confirming that the unit comes with a side imaging transducer, or that you know exactly what transducer to add and what it costs. Three of the models here come as control heads only, and one comes with a DownScan package that is not side imaging. That single check prevents most disappointing purchases in this category.
Second is range. Side imaging range varies enormously between units, from about 100 to 200 feet per side, and it depends on how clean the water is and how gently you hold the trolling motor. Bass anglers fishing clear water and big water should lean toward the longer-range units.
Third is screen size matched to your boat. A 5-inch unit suits a kayak, a 7-inch unit is the safe default for a jon boat or a small bass boat, a 9-inch unit makes split-screen genuinely usable, and 10-inch to 12-inch displays belong on larger boats with console space to spare. On a kayak, note that keypad units are physically wider and harder to mount in a tight cockpit, while touchscreens respond poorly to wet hands.
Fourth is transducer mounting, and this is where installations go wrong. A rear-mounted transom transducer is simple and cheap. A trolling motor transducer gives you flexibility but has been reported by some owners to behave oddly on certain motor types. A built-in trolling motor transducer looks cleaner and integrates with the motor, and a rear-mounted unit is easier to service. For a kayak with no transducer slot, an in-hull epoxied transducer reads through the hull and works, at the cost of some accuracy.
Fifth is charting and networking. Decide early whether you want a fishfinder only, which is simpler and cheaper, or a chartplotter that can carry Navionics, C-MAP or your own recorded contours. Garmin and Lowrance are generally strongest on mapping, Humminbird is generally strongest on side imaging detail, and Simrad is the easiest to integrate into a whole-boat system. If you plan to add a bow unit, buy networking now; mixing brands later is where people get stuck.
Sixth is mapping depth. The Humminbird Basemap and the Garmin Quickdraw tools record your own contours as you run, which over a season of fishing one lake beats a generic chart for finding your own spots. A dedicated premium chart is worth it on unfamiliar water.
Lastly, on used models, expect a transducer to be the weak point rather than the screen. Ask specifically about the transducer model and whether it has been replaced, and confirm the seller has the correct cable and mount for your boat. A used unit with a neglected transducer is a poor saving. For the same reason, comfort matters more than most people expect, and our side sleeper pillow picks and full body pillow guide follow the same fit-before-features logic we use when picking a console unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fish finder has the best side scan?
Among the ten units we compared, the Humminbird XPLORE 10 has the longest usable side imaging range at 200 feet per side with MEGA Side Imaging plus, and the Humminbird HELIX 7 G4 MEGA package delivers the best detail per screen inch. For overall value, the Garmin STRIKER 7SV and the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 are the strongest picks.
Does Garmin or Humminbird have better side imaging?
Humminbird has the better side imaging. Its MEGA Side Imaging technology reaches 200 feet per side on the XPLORE series and 125 feet on the HELIX 7 G4 package, with resolution that separates brush from rock at distance. Garmin is the stronger choice for charting and mapping, where its Navionics integration and Quickdraw Contours set the pace.
Is side scan or LiveScope better for bass fishing?
They answer different questions. Side scan shows you structure to the left and right of the boat and is the better tool for finding grasslines, ledges and brush piles across a wide area. LiveScope looks forward and shows individual fish and lures in real time, which is better for sight-fishing. Most bass anglers buy side scan first and add live sonar second.
Is down imaging better than side imaging?
No, they work in different directions. Down imaging looks straight down with a narrow beam and gives very detailed images of a small area beneath the hull, which is ideal for confirming what is holding on a spot. Side imaging sweeps left and right, covering a much wider area, which is what you need to find structure rather than inspect it.
What are the disadvantages of side scan sonar?
Side scan needs boat movement to build a useful image, so kayak anglers must paddle or pedal at 2 to 3 mph, which some find tiring enough to decide it is not worth the cost. Range is limited in water shallower than 10 feet, objects can be hard to separate at close range, and performance depends heavily on correct transducer height and mounting angle.
What size screen do I need for a bass boat?
A 7-inch unit is the safe default for a jon boat or a small bass boat. A 9-inch screen makes split-screen side imaging and down view genuinely usable, and 10-inch to 12-inch displays suit larger boats with console space. A 5-inch unit works for a kayak, though keypad models are wider and touchscreens are harder to use with wet hands.
Final Verdict: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Bass
For most bass anglers, the best side imaging fish finder in 2026 is the Garmin STRIKER 7SV. It ships with the transducer, it does side imaging, down imaging and traditional sonar out of the box, and it has the largest base of owner reviews in this roundup at 574, which means you can find answers to the specific problems you will hit.
Move up to the Humminbird HELIX 7 G4 MEGA Side Imaging if image detail at distance matters more to you than screen size, and to the Humminbird XPLORE 10 if you fish big water where 200 feet of range changes how you approach a spot. Pick the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 74sv if navigation and charting are half your day on the water, and the Lowrance EAGLE 9 TripleShot HD if you want side imaging, down imaging and charts in one box without thinking about it.
Whichever one you choose, budget the install properly. Transducer height and angle decide how good the image looks far more than the model badge does, and getting that right on the first attempt is worth more than any upgrade you might buy later.