Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Review

Discover the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv: a budget-friendly fish finder with CHIRP sonar, ClearVü imaging, and GPS. Read our in-depth review for specs, pros, cons, and user insights.

Fishing is as much about skill and patience as it is about having the right tools. For anglers seeking an affordable yet reliable fish finder, the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv stands out as a compelling option. Priced around $319.99, this compact device offers a blend of advanced sonar technology, user-friendly features, and GPS functionality, making it a favorite among recreational anglers. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore the STRIKER Plus 5cv’s features, performance, pros, cons, and user feedback to help you decide if it’s the right tool to elevate your fishing game.

Overview: What Makes the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Stand Out?

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv is designed for anglers who want reliable fish-finding capabilities without breaking the bank. It’s not a chartplotter with preloaded maps or cutting-edge networking features, but it delivers where it counts: clear sonar imaging, intuitive operation, and GPS-based navigation. With a 5-inch color display, CHIRP sonar, ClearVü imaging, and Quickdraw Contours mapping, it’s a versatile tool for small boats, kayaks, and even ice fishing. Its affordability and out-of-the-box GT20-TM transducer make it a strong contender in the sub-$500 fish finder market.

Technical Specifications

Display and Interface: Compact Yet Functional

The STRIKER Plus 5cv’s 5-inch display is a standout feature for its price range. With an 800 x 480 pixel resolution, it’s bright, backlit, and sunlight-readable, ensuring visibility in various conditions—whether it’s a sunny day, foggy morning, or dim evening. The display supports combination screens, allowing you to view up to three panels simultaneously, such as traditional sonar, ClearVü imaging, and Quickdraw Contours maps. This feature, typically found in pricier models, lets you prioritize the most critical view while keeping others accessible.

For example, you can set the traditional sonar as the primary view, with ClearVü and a contour map as secondary panels. Key data like water depth, temperature, and boat speed are overlaid for quick reference. While the screen size limits readability compared to larger units, it’s sufficient for most small-vessel anglers.

The interface, however, is where the STRIKER Plus 5cv shows its budget roots. It relies on physical buttons—arrows for navigation, a waypoint button, a power/menu button, and a select button—rather than a touchscreen or joystick. While the menus are logically organized and responsive, the button-based navigation feels dated compared to modern touch interfaces. However, given the unit’s low cost, this trade-off is understandable, as touchscreens significantly increase production costs.

Sonar Performance: CHIRP and ClearVü Powerhouse

The heart of any fish finder is its sonar, and the STRIKER Plus 5cv delivers impressive performance for its price. The included GT20-TM transducer, valued at approximately $150, is a highlight. It supports traditional sonar at 50/77/200 kHz and ClearVü at 260/455/800 kHz, with CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) technology enhancing both.

CHIRP Sonar Explained

CHIRP sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies, providing sharper, more accurate images than traditional single-frequency sonar. This results in better target separation, allowing you to distinguish fish from structures and the bottom. The STRIKER Plus 5cv’s traditional sonar reaches depths of up to 1,900 feet, though this varies with water salinity and transducer choice. ClearVü, Garmin’s down-imaging technology, offers detailed views of structures and fish up to 750 feet, which is exceptional for a unit in this price range.

Sonar Features

• Split-Zoom View: Zoom in on a specific portion of the water column while maintaining a full view.
• Auto Gain: Adjusts sensitivity to reduce noise and enhance clarity.
• Adjustable Depth Line: Helps track the bottom or specific depths.
• Waypoint Marking: Set waypoints directly from the sonar screen.
• Flasher Mode: Ideal for ice fishing, displaying real-time sonar data.
• Fish Symbols: Simplifies fish identification for beginners.

The Ultrascroll feature is a notable addition, allowing the sonar to update accurately at higher boat speeds. This is particularly useful for pre-fishing or scouting new areas quickly.

Mapping and Navigation: GPS Without Charts

Unlike Garmin’s higher-end chartplotters, the STRIKER Plus 5cv lacks preloaded maps and isn’t compatible with external chart cards. This is a significant limitation for anglers who rely on detailed nautical charts. However, it compensates with a high-sensitivity GPS and Quickdraw Contours, a feature that lets you create custom maps.

Quickdraw Contours

Quickdraw Contours uses sonar data to generate 1-foot contour maps of the underwater environment. You can store up to 2 million acres of maps, sufficient for most recreational anglers. These maps display waypoints, routes, and tracks, which you can navigate using the GPS. While the screen shows a blank background without preloaded charts, the custom contours provide a functional alternative for mapping lakes, rivers, or coastal areas.

GPS Functionality

The built-in GPS allows you to:

• Mark up to 5,000 waypoints for favorite fishing spots.
• Create routes and tracks for navigation.
• Monitor boat speed, which is critical for trolling or scouting.

For anglers who don’t need detailed charts or prefer using their smartphone with the ActiveCaptain app, this setup is adequate. However, the lack of map compatibility is a notable drawback for those fishing unfamiliar waters.

Connectivity: Limited but Functional

The STRIKER Plus 5cv has minimal networking capabilities, lacking Ethernet or NMEA 2000 compatibility. This limits its ability to integrate with other marine electronics, such as radar or autopilots, which is increasingly important in modern boating setups. However, it supports Wi-Fi connectivity through the ActiveCaptain app, allowing you to:

• Share Quickdraw Contours maps with the Garmin community.
• Store maps on your smartphone.
• Access charts on your phone to compensate for the lack of onboard maps.

While this workaround mitigates some limitations, the absence of robust networking is a clear compromise for the price.

Imaging: ClearVü Shines

ClearVü imaging is a highlight of the STRIKER Plus 5cv. With the GT20-TM transducer, it delivers detailed down-imaging at depths up to 750 feet. At 455 kHz, images are clear enough to identify fish, structures, and bottom contours, though switching to 800 kHz sacrifices depth for even sharper visuals. CHIRP technology enhances image quality, making it easier to spot fish near structures or in dense cover.

Compared to more expensive models, the imaging isn’t as crisp, but it’s impressive for the price. Anglers targeting freshwater lakes or shallow coastal waters will find ClearVü highly effective for locating fish-holding structures.

Additional Features

• Compact Design: At 3.8 pounds and 5″L x 7.4″W x 2.1″H, it’s ideal for small boats and kayaks.
• Easy Installation: The tilt/swivel mount and GT20-TM transducer simplify setup.
• Versatility: Suitable for freshwater, saltwater, and ice fishing with flasher mode.
• Durability: Built to withstand harsh marine environments.

User Reviews: What Anglers Are Saying

The STRIKER Plus 5cv has garnered strong praise from users, with an average rating of 4.4 to 4.8 out of 5 across platforms like Amazon, Bass Pro, and fishing forums. Below is a summary of user feedback, highlighting pros and cons.

Pros

• Ease of Use: “Easy to set up and use for beginners. Great for shallow water fishing.” – Rick, Bass Pro
• Display Quality: “The color screen is a nice improvement over B&W models. Shows great detail.” – Scanner, Bass Pro
• Value for Money: “Best bang for the buck. Has all I need at the right price.” – JimmyR, Best Buy
• Functionality: “Helped me navigate the Louisiana waterway system. Up-to-date and easy to use.” – Angela Jones, Amazon
• Versatility: “Great on the yak. Found fish even in strong winds.” – Scanner, Bass Pro

Cons

• No Maps: “This is not a chartplotter. No land/water contours, just a depth finder with waypoint marking.” – Stephen Megargel, Amazon
• Screen Issues: “Sometimes starts in night mode during the day, making it hard to read in sunlight.” – Sykes, Amazon
• Limited Connectivity: “This version won’t connect to your smartphone. Spend $90 more for the #7 if you want that.” – Juan Guirado, Amazon
• Basic Imaging: “Not as high-res as I was hoping. Basic, but does the job.” – Linda I., Amazon

User Ratings Summary

Pricing and Availability

The STRIKER Plus 5cv is priced at $319.99 on Amazon, with bundles including a mount retailing for around $330 at Bass Pro. Prices may vary slightly due to shipping or promotions. For anglers on a budget, the inclusion of the GT20-TM transducer makes this a cost-effective package, as the transducer alone is worth nearly half the unit’s cost.

Comparison with Competitors

To provide context, here’s how the STRIKER Plus 5cv stacks up against two competitors in the same price range:

The Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 offers preloaded maps, but its imaging depth is shallower. The Humminbird Helix 5 includes basic maps and optional networking but is pricier. The STRIKER Plus 5cv excels in imaging depth and custom mapping but lacks preloaded charts.

Who Should Buy the Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv?

The STRIKER Plus 5cv is ideal for:

• Budget-Conscious Anglers: Those seeking a reliable fish finder under $500.
• Small Vessel Users: Kayakers or small boat owners needing a compact unit.
• Freshwater and Shallow-Water Fishers: Its ClearVü imaging excels in lakes and rivers.
• Ice Fishers: Flasher mode makes it versatile for winter fishing.

It’s less suitable for:

• Chartplotter Enthusiasts: No preloaded maps or map compatibility.
• Tech-Savvy Anglers: Limited networking and button-based interface.
• Deep-Sea Fishers: ClearVü’s 750-foot limit may not suffice for offshore fishing.

Conclusion: A Value-Packed Fish Finder

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv isn’t a revolutionary fish finder, but it doesn’t need to be. For under $320, it offers CHIRP sonar, ClearVü imaging, GPS navigation, and Quickdraw Contours, making it a powerful tool for recreational anglers. Its compact design, bright display, and versatile transducer make it a great fit for small boats, kayaks, and ice fishing. While the lack of preloaded maps, touchscreen, and robust networking are drawbacks, the ActiveCaptain app and custom mapping features help bridge the gap.

User reviews consistently praise its ease of use, value, and imaging quality, though some note issues with screen modes and connectivity limitations. If you’re an angler prioritizing affordability and core fish-finding capabilities over advanced charting or networking, the STRIKER Plus 5cv is a top contender. Invest in this unit, and you’ll likely spend less time guessing and more time reeling in the catch of the day.

Happy Boating!

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