Main advantage
Lowrance is a company known for the high-quality products it offers to users, but one of the areas in which it shines is sonar frequency. Luckily, the Hook 4x model is no exception to this rule, so knowing that this brand is one of those that contributed to making CHIRP sonar technology a must-have for top-rated fish finders, should be a very good piece of news.
Even those models that come with specific settings that are able to isolate various frequency channels still use the CHIRP sonar technology to get better results when it comes to general use. The fact that this is a reliable system means that, even if you are still new to using a fish finder, you are still going to be able to get the results that you want.
What makes CHIRP technology such a popular choice is that it doesn’t use a single frequency to locate the target, instead of employing a range of frequencies to get this done. These are used in ascending order, and the most common ones include 50, 83, as well as 192 and 200 kHz.
This actually means that the CHIRP sonar technology identifies various levels of detail and range which are then put together by the unit’s software to render an accurate representation of what is going on underneath the boat.
Therefore, you can be sure that you won’t have any trouble reading and using the data that is shown in order to turn your fishing trips into great experiences. It’s true that frequencies cannot be altered, so if you are looking for professional purposes, this might be a bit of a drawback, but for the average user who wants to enjoy his or her time outdoors, this is a pretty great unit to add to the fishing gear.
Another aspect definitely worth mentioning when it comes to this fish finder is the fact that it’s very easy to use. You won’t spend too much time dealing with settings, which means that you can use it to enjoy your trip more.
Plus, the unit also comes with an auto-tuning sonar functionality, as well as with phone-like menus, so more than one person can use it, in case you are going fishing with some friends as well. Therefore, it’s definitely an option to keep in mind if you are looking for a reliable fish finder that is going to make your life easier.
Main disadvantage
Even though this unit is very easy to use, the instructions it comes with could be a lot clearer. For those who are not familiar with using a fish finder, this can be a problem. Of course, there are many ways in which you can get the information that you need in order to use the device, from asking the manufacturer for details to looking everything up online.
The good part is that the internet is a vast source of information, so you won’t have a hard time finding the details that you need, but this could be an improvement that the manufacturer could take into account for future units.
Buy from Amazon.com
Main features explained
SolarMAX Display
When it comes to finding fish and enjoying outdoor adventures using various devices, having a unit that can clearly display the information that you need is crucial. In the end, when you go fishing there are many situations in which you have to act fast and not waste valuable seconds trying to figure out what the next step should be.
That’s why Lowrance added the Solarmax Display to this unit, which is a generous piece of equipment that ensures both daylight visibility as well as clarity during use. Plus, given that it’s a high-resolution one, you’ll be able to read the information in a matter of seconds and thus be ready to act when the time is right.
Furthermore, given that weather conditions can change right away when you are out on a lake or river, you won’t be hindered by any direct sun or other types of weather when using this fish finder. Given its performance and size, this display is comparable to those usually found in high-end models, and given the affordable price of the Hook 4x, this is a great thing.
If you are a fan of sunny days, the SolarMAX technology the display comes with will definitely prove to be very helpful. In fact, this means that the screen is able to automatically adjust its level of brightness and the corresponding settings, depending on the amount of light that shines on it. Plus, various viewing angles are ensured as well, so you won’t have to stand over its top to read it.
Ease of use
We all know that some units come with plenty of features, but these are hidden under multiple options, headings, and subheadings so when it comes to navigating the menu, things get pretty complicated. This can actually be somewhat unpleasant, especially if you are new to using such devices, or if you don’t actually want a complex device, but one that simply gets the job done.
The great part about the Hook 4x is that it checks all of these boxes, so it makes your life easier, instead of unnecessarily complicating it. This is also one of the main selling points, so it’s definitely a characteristic that many users actually prefer. With this being said, you can understand right away that thanks to the simple menu, you’ll spend more time fishing.
Given that we’ve mentioned the simple menu layout, it’s a good moment to go a little bit in-depth and see what this means. If you are going to test this unit you’ll see that the menu features distinct and large options that you can tell apart right away. Therefore, you won’t waste your time looking for a particular setting and not being sure where you can find it.
Furthermore, besides an excellent interface, this user-friendly device also keeps all of the important functionalities easily accessible. This means that you can perform the primary functions any fisherman uses all the time by simply touching one of these buttons.
Keypad
This is a budget-friendly alternative, so it doesn’t come with a touchscreen option that other high-end fish finders include. However, depending on your preferences, this can definitely be a benefit instead of a downgrade. Not all of us are familiar with using cutting-edge technology all the time, and if that’s the case, then you’ll surely appreciate the traditional keyboard construction.
Thanks to it, you don’t need to worry that one setting might not be done right or that you might change one as you are using the fish finder. Plus, the buttons are easily accessible, as well as labeled, so you won’t have a hard time figuring out what each one does in a very short amount of time.
For settings that you can find on a deep level, you can always use the trackpad option that renders any selection much easier to make using only one hand, which means that you can use the other one to be prepared for any immediate action that needs to be taken in order to catch the fish you are after.
Besides the easy-to-use trackpad navigation system, you should also know that the buttons have a nice as well as solid feel, so you won’t find them to be too stiff or squishy. Plus, for those users who don’t want to worry about anything other than enjoying their time out on the water, the easy-to-use menu and keypad might just be part of the solution to achieve this goal.
Installation & features
When it comes to installing a fish finder, finding one that comes with versatile mounting options is important, especially if you are planning to use it on more than one type of boat. Therefore, you might be glad to know that this Lowrance model fits the bill in this matter. The unit comes with both quick-release bracket mounts, as well as with a front dash gimbal.
What this means is that, no matter what are the best positions on your boat to place a fish finder, the Hook 4x is going to be able to accommodate it. Another aspect worth noting is that this device can work with plenty of trolling motors accessories, so you might not have to purchase entirely new equipment, as long as the previous mounts are still usable.
We’ve been talking about features a lot, but there’s one more you may want to be aware of, in case you are a fan of night fishing. We mentioned that the display comes with a backlight that renders the images clear, but it’s very important to know that it’s not bright enough for fish to see it, which could otherwise scare them away.
Furthermore, this unit also comes with very good detection capability, so when you combine this with a user-friendly construction, as well as with the affordable cost, you get a unit that should not be missing from any fisherman’s gear. Plus, the autotuning sonar settings are also going to make your life easier by making all the necessary adjustments for you to simply start using the fish finder.
Buy from Amazon.com
Leave a comment
0 Comments