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
In order to concentrate on fish-finding characteristics, the Striker 4cv is missing charts and other navigational aids. As a result of the fact that it only provides rudimentary navigation capabilities, you may find yourself requiring the assistance of other gadgets when on fishing excursions, particularly if you are a novice at the sport.
That’s important to keep in mind, especially if you’re looking for a comprehensive answer to your problems. However, because this is an upgraded model that includes increased Quickdraw Contours functions as well as a larger display, its fish-finding capabilities are absolutely not to be overlooked.
Main features explained
Enhanced usability
Because this dependable Garmin model is, first and foremost, a straightforward selection, you should have no difficulty installing and getting started with it right away. When compared to other options available on the market, this is also a more cheap option that offers many of the same features found in higher-end devices. As a result, you shouldn’t be hesitant to give it a shot.
Also included is a route and track recording feature, as well as a tilt-swivel mount, which makes it much easier to use securely. Since we’re talking about usability, it’s crucial to point out that the unit comes with a generous 4.3″ display, which was an advance from a 3.5″ display previously available.
So you won’t have to be concerned about not being able to swiftly and precisely comprehend the information shown when you’re in the thick of things on your fishing excursion if you have a smartphone. With the built-in classic CHIRP and the ClearVu scanning sonars that come with it, accuracy is ensured as well, allowing the user to have complete confidence in the performance and results that are produced.
Also worth noting is that you will be able to build and then store maps with 1′ contours that span as much as 2 million acres and have contours as small as 1 inch. As you might guess, this provides the user with greater flexibility in terms of route and choice selection, as well as increased variety overall.
We understand that durability is frequently a concern for consumers, which is why it’s crucial to point out that this unit has a durable build that is capable of withstanding all types of fishing settings.
Sonar and transducer
As we’ve already mentioned, the Garmin Striker 4cv is a ClearVü unit that has a CV20-TM transducer in addition to the other features. This particular component of the device is composed of plastic and has a metallic transom mounting bracket attached to it. Also included is a transducer with a frequency of 77/200 kHz, which is compatible with the device’s 2D CHIRP sonar as well as 455/800 kHz for ClearVü.
When employed in 2D sonar mode, this particular piece allows the fish finder to utilize both Mid and High CHIRP features, while ClearVü allows it to modulate sonar pulses depending on a CHIRP interval that runs between 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz to accomplish its task.
With this sonar pulse modulation technique, it is simple to achieve better target separation and definition while also obtaining sharper images that, when projected on a wide screen, will undoubtedly be very useful in the detection and identification of fish. Because the unit is extremely powerful, you can rest assured that it will complete even the most challenging jobs with flying colors.
Regarding depth scanning, it’s important to note that this fish detector employs conical beams in 2D sonar mode and can reach a maximum depth of 2,300 feet when utilized in freshwater and under exceptionally clear conditions. In the case of saltwater, this depth can reach 1,100 feet, however when ClearVü is employed, the maximum depth indicators are much lower. This device is most effective for freshwater fishing in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water.
Navigation features
Because this machine is not a chartplotter, there are no charts that can be modified, which is something that must be kept in mind at all times. Although it does not include a GPS plotter, it does include a very accurate GPS plotter, which allows you to easily identify your location. In addition, it has the capability of marking up to 5,000 waypoints during its construction.
The benefit of this is that you may construct your own routes, and each waypoint can be marked with a suggestive image to make things a whole lot easier when it comes to identifying various spots along your journey. Because of this feature, you may enjoy the freedom of making your own fishing experience, but you can also stick to well-established paths if you are new to the whole fishing experience and want to stay safe.
It all relies on your particular preferences, given that this is a highly adaptable gadget that can be used in a variety of settings and situations. The Quickdraw Contours functionality is also quite handy, and it’s a new addition to this model as well as the rest of the model. The strength of sonar data can be harnessed with its assistance to draw various contours of the river, lake, or canal you are fishing in, ensuring that you don’t encounter any surprises when fishing.
With the use of customised maps that include 1′ depth contours, you can figure out which direction you should proceed. Furthermore, because the unit has the capability of recording up to 2 million acres of such data, there is no need to be concerned that you will not be able to cover everything you require within a single fishing trip in order to achieve successful results and have a positive overall experience.
Unit control features
We’ve already talked about the larger and more advanced display, which has increased in size from 3.5″ on prior versions to 4.3″ on this one. In addition, it is important to note that the pixel resolution is 480 x 272, which indicates that the user will be able to enjoy reasonably sharp visuals in order to obtain accurate readings.
In addition, the display supports QSVGA colors, and the LED illumination that is built in ensures that the display is more visible when used in direct sunlight. This fish detector is waterproof to IPX7 standards, which is exactly what a decent fish finder should be. Its use is made simple by the keypad unit that comes with it.
Because of its waterproof structure, it will not only withstand the occasional splashes, but it will also be able to withstand being submerged in freshwater for up to 3 feet. However, in order to extend the life of the plant as much as possible, it is desirable to avoid this situation if at all possible.
The one issue that needs to be mentioned is that it does not come with a microSD card reader, which means that if you need to transfer any data, you’ll have to look for alternative solutions to this problem. Because it is powered by normal 12V 7Ah batteries, it is extremely simple to set up and operate in terms of operation.
Furthermore, the battery has a lengthy life span, allowing you to use the gadget for up to 24 hours with the brightness set to its maximum setting. Furthermore, the unit is equipped with an internal temperature sensor, which allows you to monitor the temperature and conditions of the water at any given time.