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Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv

Curated from 114 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: November 20, 2024

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Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv

Brand: Garmin
Price: $299
Snoop Score:
7.1
Sentiment
5.0
Popularity
6.2
Technical
8.0
Buy on Amazon for $299See All Fish Finders & Depth Finders Reviews
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is an easy-to-use 5-inch color fishfinder that delivers detailed underwater imaging through both traditional CHIRP sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning. It integrates a high-sensitivity GPS with built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping, ensuring anglers get crucial waypoints and routes in real time. Community feedback reveals a mix of high praise and practical grumbling. One enthusiast boldly states, "Go with the striker it is the best unit you are going to find in that price range," yet others caution by advising to "definitely leave the icons off," highlighting tweaks needed for optimal performance. Comments also note the challenging wiring installation, with one user lamenting about drilling holes in an expensive kayak. Overall, the opinions encapsulate both the value and minor niggles of the product. In conclusion, while the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv has its quirks—especially concerning installation—it stands out as a robust, budget-friendly option for determined anglers. Our expert view is that it is recommended for its category, provided users are prepared for some adjustments and hands-on installation.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Fish Finders & Depth Finders

I'd say that the difference between no fishfinder and a cheap one is bigger than between a cheap and an expensive one.

Positive Feedback

Turn the symbols off, learn to interpret the sonar. Once you get the hang of it you can differentiate fish from other stuff pretty easily.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.1
Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
Buy on Amazon for $299
Optimized Fishing Performance
8 / 10
Enhanced Navigation
9 / 10
Versatile Mounting Options
8 / 10
Real-Time Underwater Monitoring
8 / 10
See how this compares to all Fish Finders & Depth Finders

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Solid budget fish finder
“I'd say that the difference between no fishfinder and a cheap one is bigger than between a cheap and an expensive one.”➕
“Adding a battery and cables kinda dampers that for me, I toss my kayak in the truck roll to the nearest bridge, toss it in and go”➕
“Go with the striker it is the best unit you are going to find in that price range.”➕
“The Garmin Striker is a solid pick.”➕
ClearView feature enhances water column clarity
“It’s like digital vs. analog with the fish finder.”➕
“Definitely sounds like the 4cv is my clear choice.”➕
“Cv is a nice touch beyond that there is no huge difference especially if you’re mainly using it on your kayak mate”➕
Extra features for future proofing
“Get the CV. It is better to spend the extra $50 now, it'll give you some bit of future proofing, until everyone moves to livescope.”➕
“I've got the 45CV which has preloaded relief maps for my local waters..”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Unreliable fish icon display
“Turn the symbols off, learn to interpret the sonar. Once you get the hang of it you can differentiate fish from other stuff pretty easily.”➕
Challenging wiring installation
“It does kinda suck drilling holes in an expensive kayak, but it ended up being okay.”➕
“Drill through the hatch lid and use something like a Wilderness Systems Through Hull kit to waterproof it.”➕
“your best option(IMO) is the yakattack cell block with a switchblade arm for your transducer.”➕
“Buy a set of step drill bits and some marine adhesive that flexes (I use goop).”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
Lowrance HOOK2 4X - 4-inch Fish Finder with Bullet Skimmer TransducerLowrance HOOK2 4X - 4-inch Fish Finder with Bullet Skimmer Transducer$107
7.5
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Garmin Striker Vivid 5cvGarmin Striker Vivid 5cv$299
7.1
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Garmin Striker Vivid 4cvGarmin Striker Vivid 4cv$159
6.8
DetailsBuy
Hawkeye FishPod® 5X Bluetooth FishfinderHawkeye FishPod® 5X Bluetooth Fishfinder$54
6.4
DetailsBuy
Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp MDI GPS G4 Fish FinderHumminbird Helix 7 Chirp MDI GPS G4 Fish Finder$549
6.1
DetailsBuy
Humminbird XPLORE 10 GPS Fish FinderHumminbird XPLORE 10 GPS Fish Finder$2136
6.1
DetailsBuy
Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI Fish FinderHumminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI Fish Finder$158
5.9
DetailsBuy
Humminbird HELIX 5 SONAR G2 Fish FinderHumminbird HELIX 5 SONAR G2 Fish Finder$203
5.7
DetailsBuy
Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 Fish Finder BlackHumminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 Fish Finder Black$103
5.5
DetailsBuy
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShotLowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot$387
5.4
DetailsBuy
LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth FinderLUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder$42
3.9
DetailsBuy
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 9 TripleShotLowrance HOOK Reveal 9 TripleShot$484
3.6
DetailsBuy
Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish FinderLowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder$825
2.8
DetailsBuy
Venterior Portable Rechargeable Fish Finder Wireless Sonar SensorVenterior Portable Rechargeable Fish Finder Wireless Sonar Sensor$85
2.4
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ReelSonar Portable Fish Finder Accurate Fish Depth FinderReelSonar Portable Fish Finder Accurate Fish Depth Finder$81
0.8
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Reliable performance for beginners
“Been running mine since 2016 and have seen everything under the sun since then and I don’t see any need to upgrade.”➕
“If your not going crazy with lovescope or sharing screens, and just starting, the 4 is perfect”➕
Livescope compatibility
“Solid unit compatible with live scope.”➕
“It's all you need.”➕
Quickdraw Contours mapping feature
“Hummingbird calls it auto chart and Garmin calls it QuickDraw contours.”➕
“On Garmin units, the feature you're looking for is Quickdraw Contours.”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Versatile and underutilized fish finder techniques
“Everything you see on the screen is history, the most current data is at the very right edge of the screen.”➕
“I mostly troll, and I use I my Garmin 4 to locate schools (usually Kokanee) so I know what depth to target.”➕
“A lot of people here are under-utilizing their fish finders..”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Quickdraw mapping limitations
“For me the screen was WAY too small.”➕
“The lack of maps is tough, and quick draw is pretty terrible.”➕
Affordable, no-frills design
“the Garmin Striker 4 is the best bang for your buck for entry level.”➕
“It's the cheapest, no-frills fish finder that's not actually garbage.”➕
Excellent Garmin customer service
“My advice is to buy a screen protector so you'll never have to worry about it.”➕
“Garmin has taken care of me a few times, above and beyond their warranty.”➕
Garmin fish finders are regarded as budget-friendly options
“It’s not down or side imaging but for what it is it’s mint.”➕
“Garmin Stricker 4 is the best budget sonar, Garmin Stricker 7sv is the best bang for your buck.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Small screen size issues
“My only gripe with mine is I wish I had done the Striker 5 or 7 for the bigger screen when there's a couple of us jigging in the popup.”➕
“If you ever make the switch I'd go for the 7 over the 5.”➕
Satisfaction with older models reduces need to upgrade
“Same here, I’m perfectly happy with my 4 Plus CV. Hadn’t even considered any other ones.”➕
“I’m perfectly content with the Plus in the kayak.”➕
Surface returns are noise due to water turbulence
“The returns at the surface are just noise - turbulence from the wind and waves on the water.”➕
“This is such an in-depth (no applause please, it was purely coincidental) response.”➕

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