Main advantage
This Garmin unit comes with many features that you will surely find very useful when it comes to identifying fish and having great adventures out on the water. If you are wondering what is the main advantage for which you should give it a try, then the answer is its versatile construction and capabilities that are doing a great job in various conditions.
The unit comes with a CHIRP 2D sonar that ensures a clear view of underwater structures, so you won’t be taken by surprise of what is going on underneath your boat. Furthermore, the unit can use 50/77/83/200 kHz base frequencies which means that it works very well in a wide range of situations, thus ensuring the necessary functionalities for pretty much any fisherman.
Since we’ve mentioned frequencies, it’s a good moment to let you know that the Striker 4cv can also work with 260/455/800 kHz ones, and that it includes a ClearVu transducer. Moreover, thanks to the high-sensitivity GPS that it comes with, the unit can quickly draw contours of what is going on around you, and the GPS can also quickly calibrate to render excellent results.
Therefore, if you decide to give it a try for your own outdoor adventures, there’s a very high chance that not only will you not be disappointed, but that you will be very happy with its overall performance. This particular model can be used to save up to 5,000 waypoints, so you won’t get lost, no matter how remote a location you choose.
Another aspect that you should be aware of is that this Garmin model includes various sonar features, such as Ultrascroll, A-Scope, Fish Symbols, or Flasher. Therefore, you don’t need to worry that you might encounter a situation in which it will not perform the way you need it to.
Given its multiple functionalities, this unit is a highly accurate and versatile one, and you can also use it to create the routes that you like, given that you can track both numerous waypoints and that you can also see the speed you are traveling at in your boat.
In case you like knowing which way you should go and are not necessarily a fan of testing unknown routes out, especially if you are still a beginner when it comes to fish finding, this unit is just the answer you’ve been looking for.
Main disadvantage
The Striker 4cv focuses on fish-finding features, so it doesn’t include charts as well besides the GPS plotter. Given that it only offers basic navigation features, you may need to use other devices as well when you are on fishing adventures, especially if you are still a beginner when it comes to this.
That’s something that is good to know, particularly if you’ve been looking for a complete solution. However, this is an improved model that comes with enhanced Quickdraw Contours features, as well as with a bigger display, so its fish-finding capabilities are definitely not to be missed.
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Main features explained
Enhanced usability
This reliable Garmin model is, first of all, an easy-to-use option, so you won’t have any problems installing and starting to use it right away. Compared to other alternatives on the market, this is also a rather affordable one that comes with many functionalities higher-end units usually feature. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to test it out.
Furthermore, the Striker 4cv comes with recording functions for routes and tracks, while the tilt-swivel mount included makes matters a lot easier in terms of safely handling it. Since we’re talking about usability, it’s important to mention the generous 4.3” display the unit comes with, which was upgraded from a 3.5” one.
Therefore, you don’t need to worry that you won’t be able to quickly and accurately read the information displayed while you are in the middle of the action on your fishing trip. Thanks to the built-in traditional CHIRP and to the ClearVu scanning sonars it comes with, accuracy is ensured as well, which means that the user can enjoy peace of mind in terms of performance and results.
Another thing you may want to know as well is that you will be able to create and then store maps that have 1’ contours and that go as wide as 2 million acres. As you can imagine, this ensures both flexibility in terms of routes and options, as well as added versatility for the user.
We know that durability is many times a question users have as well, so it’s important to mention that this unit features a rugged design that is able to face all types of fishing environments.
Sonar and transducer
As we’ve already mentioned, the Garmin’s Striker 4cv is a ClearVü unit that comes with a CV20-TM transducer. This particular element of the unit is made of plastic and features a metallic transom mount. Moreover, it’s a 77/200 kHz transducer that works with the device’s 2D CHIRP sonar, as well as with 455/800 kHz for ClearVü.
Thanks to this particular piece, the fish finder uses both Mid and High CHIRP functionalities when used in 2D sonar mode to get the job done, while for ClearVü, it can modulate sonar pulse based on a CHIRP interval that ranges between 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz.
This sonar pulse modulation can be easily used to get enhanced target separation and definition, as well as clearer images that, displayed on a large screen, are sure going to be very helpful in detecting fish. The unit is a powerful one, so even if it has to face more difficult tasks, you can be sure that it will do so successfully.
In terms of depth scanning, it’s good to know that this fish finder uses conical beams used in 2D sonar mode, and it can reach a maximum depth of 2,300 ft. when used in freshwater and very clear conditions. In the case of saltwater, this depth goes up to 1,100 ft. while when used for ClearVü these maximum indicators are even lower. This unit works best for rivers, lakes and freshwater fishing, in general.
Navigation features
This unit is not a chartplotter, so there are no charts that can be upgraded, and that’s something that is important to keep in mind. However, it does come with a very accurate GPS plotter, which means that you can determine your position easily. Its construction also includes the option of marking up to 5,000 waypoints.
This means that you can create your own routes and each waypoint can also be marked with a suggestive icon to make matters a lot easier in terms of identifying various points on your route. Thanks to this feature you can enjoy the freedom of creating your own fishing experience, but you can also remain on known paths if you are still new to this entire activity.
It all depends on your personal preferences, given that this is a versatile unit that you can use in multiple ways. The Quickdraw Contours functionality is extremely useful as well, and it’s also a new addition to this model. With its help, you can use the power of sonar data to draw various contours of the river, lake, or canal you are fishing in so that you don’t get any surprises.
This way, you can determine which way you should go, using personalized maps that feature 1’ depth contours. Plus, given that the unit can record up to 2 million acres of such data, there’s no need to worry that you might not be able to cover everything you need during one fishing trip for successful results and a great overall experience.
Unit control features
We’ve already discussed the larger and upgraded display that went from 3.5” on previous models to 4.3” on this one. It’s also good to know that the pixel resolution is of 480 x 272, which means that the user can enjoy pretty sharp images in order to get accurate readings.
The display also renders QSVGA colors, while the LED backlighting it includes ensures better visibility when you are using it in direct sunlight. Just as a good fish finder should be, the Striker 4cv is an IPX7-rated waterproof unit, and operating it is a breeze thanks to the keypad unit it comes with.
The waterproof construction means that occasional splashes are not going to be an issue, but also that it can be immersed in freshwater up to 3 feet. However, in order to preserve its lifespan as much as possible, it’s advisable to prevent this from happening if possible.
The one thing that’s important to be mentioned here is that it doesn’t come with a microSD card reader, so you may have to find other solutions if you need to transfer any data. In terms of powering it up, things are very easy, given that it uses standard 12V 7Ah batteries.
Moreover, the battery also lasts for a long time, as you can use the device for up to 24 hours with the brightness set on the highest level. Furthermore, the unit includes an internal temperature sensor as well, which means that you can see the water’s temperature and conditions at any given point.
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