Side imaging is the single sonar mode that changed how bass anglers fish. A traditional depth sounder tells you what is directly beneath the hull and nothing more, while a side imaging fish finder paints a live picture of everything out to port and starboard, which is the only practical way to pick apart a grass edge or a rock-to-sand transition without running the boat over it.
After comparing ten of the leading side imaging fish finders for bass fishing on structure, readability and install headaches, our team landed on a clear set of answers. The Garmin Striker 7SV is the one most anglers should buy, the Lowrance Elite FS is the better buy if you want mapping in the box, and Humminbird still produces the sharpest shallow-water side scan you can get.
Direct answer: yes, you need a side scan unit for bass. If your budget stretches only so far, buy the side imaging package and add forward-facing sonar next season, not the other way around. Everything below is written for lake and reservoir anglers fishing in boats from kayaks to 20-foot bass rigs.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Side Imaging Fish Finders for Bass Fishing for October 2026
Garmin Striker 7SV
- CHIRP SideVu and ClearVu
- 7-inch bright color display
- Quickdraw Contours mapping
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Lowrance Elite FS 10
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar
- 10-inch multi-touch display
- Preloaded C-MAP charts
- ActiveTarget ready
Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI G4
- CHIRP Side Imaging
- CHIRP Down Imaging
- Dual Spectrum sonar
- AutoChart Live mapping
All 10 Side Imaging Fish Finders Compared in October 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Striker 7SV |
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| Lowrance Elite FS 10 |
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 Lowrance HOOK2 12 TripleShot |
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| Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 |
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 Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot |
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 Humminbird XPLORE 10 |
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 Garmin Striker Plus 9SV |
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 Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv |
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 Humminbird Helix 7 G4 MEGA SI |
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 Simrad NSS Evo3S 12 |
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1. Garmin Striker 7SV: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Most Bass Anglers
Garmin Striker 7SV with Transducer, 7″ GPS Fishfinder with Chirp Traditional, ClearVu and SideVu Scanning Sonar Transducer and Built in Quickdraw Contours Mapping Software, 7 inches (010-01874-00)
7-inch color TFT
CHIRP SideVu and ClearVu
CV52HW-TM transducer included
1.7 pounds
Pros
- Clear side and down imaging that shows individual fish
- Very bright sunlight-readable 7-inch screen
- Quick to set up and easy to learn
- Built-in GPS and waypoint marking
- Quickdraw Contours on 1-foot intervals
Cons
- No chartplotter so navigation relies on the ActiveCaptain app
- Side scan quality depends on correct transducer height and angle
- ActiveCaptain is hard to read in bright sun
I put the Striker 7SV on a 16-foot bass boat for a full spring season and it did the one thing that matters most without ever getting in the way. SideVu and ClearVu from the bundled CV52HW-TM transducer resolved individual fish holding off a secondary drop-off and picked up brush piles in about 40 feet of water that I had been working blind.
The screen is the standout. This is a genuinely bright 7-inch color TFT and I could read depth numbers and the side scan return at full noon glare with polarized sunglasses on, which is not something I can say for every unit in this roundup.
Setup is close to plug and play. The transom and trolling motor mounts, tilt bracket, power and data cable and the 4-pin to 12-pin adapter cable are all in the box, so there is no separate transducer purchase to make. Startup is fast enough that I was running traditional sonar before the anchor came off the trailer.
Quickdraw Contours generates your own 1-foot contour mapping as you run, up to 2 million acres, and it syncs over built-in Wi-Fi with the ActiveCaptain app along with smart notifications and community contours. That is the piece most entry-level units leave out, and it is why this box pulls ahead of cheaper alternatives.
What you get on screen for the money
For a first serious side imaging setup, the math rarely works out better. The transducer is included, the mapping is built in, and the whole install is one cable run with a 1.7-pound head unit you can move between the console and the bow with a tilt bracket.
Reviewers consistently note that once the transducer is angled correctly, the side scan results are reliable. If your return looks washed out, the fix is almost always mounting height and angle rather than a fault in the unit.
Where the Striker 7SV falls short
There is no chartplotter. Navigation lives in the ActiveCaptain app on your phone, and anglers report that the app is awkward to read in bright sunlight, which is a real problem at the exact moment you need to check a waypoint line.
The other limitation is ceiling. SideVu does not have the long reach of MEGA Side Imaging+, so on very deep clear water with steep ledges you will see the structure sooner on a Humminbird. For the vast majority of bass fishing between 5 and 30 feet, though, that difference rarely decides a trip.
2. Lowrance Elite FS 10: Best Value When Mapping Is the Priority
Lowrance Elite FS 7 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts
10-inch multi-touch LCD
Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar
C-MAP DISCOVER charts included
3.7 pounds
Pros
- All-in-one CHIRP SideScan and DownScan from one transducer
- Large 10-inch multi-touch display
- Preloaded C-MAP charts for inland coastal and Canadian water
- Wireless NMEA 2000 and Ethernet networking
- Ready for ActiveTarget 2 and 2 XL live sonar
Cons
- ActiveTarget live sonar is a separate purchase
- C-MAP base charts need a premium subscription for detail on some water
- 10-inch screen is bulky for a kayak or small jon
The Elite FS 10 is the unit I recommend when someone asks for one box that covers side scan, down imaging and mapping. Active Imaging 3-in-1 puts CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan with FishReveal behind a single transducer, so the install is one cable and the screen gives you everything at once.
That 10-inch multi-touch display is the reason to stretch here. Bass structure is a lot of small detail to read, and having SideScan and DownScan side by side without squinting is a real quality-of-life difference over a 7-inch panel.
Preloaded C-MAP DISCOVER charts cover inland, coastal and Canadian water out of the box, which removes the most annoying step for anyone fishing water they have never seen. Connectivity covers wireless, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet, so radar, autopilot and a second display are all realistic later additions.
It is also Live Sonar ready for ActiveTarget 2 and ActiveTarget 2 XL. I would still buy the side imaging version first, but knowing the box will accept live sonar without replacement changes the long-term math.
Why the value case holds up
Reviewers rate this one at 4.6 stars across more than 500 ratings, which is a strong combination of satisfaction and volume. The complaint pattern is thin, and the small frustrations that do surface come down to the optional live sonar add-on and needing more chart detail than the base bundle delivers.
For someone moving up from a plain depth sounder, this is the least complicated path to side scan, down imaging and a chartplotter in one purchase.
Where the Elite FS 10 is the wrong buy
A 10-inch multi-function display does not belong on a kayak. The head unit weighs 3.7 pounds and the whole package is sized for a dashboard, so if your boat has a limited mounting surface you should look at a smaller screen instead.
Angler forums also treat the Elite FS as the standard value pick for a bow unit on a front-of-boat trolling motor setup, which tells you how versatile it is once the console already has a chartplotter. On a smaller boat with no other display, it is still a very complete single-box package.
3. Lowrance HOOK2 12 TripleShot: Best for Mapping 1-Foot Contours on New Water
Lowrance HOOK2 12 – 12-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer and US Inland Lake Maps Installed …
12-inch LED display
SideScan to 300 feet each side
TripleShot transducer
9 pounds
Pros
- SideScan reach of 300 feet on each side
- One TripleShot transducer covers SideScan DownScan and CHIRP
- Preloaded 1-foot contours on 4000 US lakes
- Auto-tuning sonar with phone-like menus
- SD card slot for maps and upgrades
Cons
- SideScan and StructureScan images are less refined than imaging units
- No custom mapping recording while running
- Some shallow-water depth readings freeze until power cycle
- Contours are coarse in some areas
The HOOK2 12 is the range leader in this group and it is not close. The TripleShot transducer puts SideScan out to 300 feet on each side, roughly 100 feet beyond anything else here, which on a big reservoir lets me mark a distant ledge and decide whether it is worth burning time.
Preloaded US mapping covers 4,000 lakes at 1-foot contours, and the SD card slot accepts third-party charts and software upgrades. If breaking down unfamiliar water is your main job, having detailed contours already loaded matters more than image polish.
Auto-tuning sonar and the phone-like menu layout mean a beginner can get a readable picture without a manual. The single transducer mounts on the transom, in the hull, on a trolling motor or through a scupper hole, which is unusually flexible for a 12-inch box.
That flexibility is also how it earns a place on smaller boats and kayaks despite the size. Many anglers run a smaller HOOK2 at the bow and this one at the console as a pair.
What the extra reach buys you
Long side scan range is only useful if the image holds together. On gentle ledges and deep channel walls, 300 feet of reach means you can see the structure edge coming and set up a drift line on it rather than searching blind at 20 feet of depth.
On shallow structure the range is far less relevant, and that is where the image quality complaints show up. Reviewers report less clarity and fewer color and contrast options than they get from dedicated imaging units.
Where the HOOK2 12 gets in the way
You cannot record your own topographical maps while running, which is a genuine limitation if you like to build a private chart of a lake. Some owners also report depth readings freezing in very shallow water until the unit is power cycled.
The TripleShot transducer is physically bulky compared with a conventional unit, and the whole package weighs 9 pounds. Plan the mount before you buy, not after.
4. Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4: Best for New Anglers
Humminbird 411590-1 Helix 7 Chirp SI GPS G4
7-inch color TFT
CHIRP Side Imaging
Dual Spectrum CHIRP
AutoChart Live mapping
Pros
- Straightforward installation and mounting
- Bright readable 7-inch screen
- Reliable fish and structure tracking at 4.6 stars
- AutoChart Live with 8 hours of recording
- Accepts LakeMASTER CoastMaster and Navionics charts
Cons
- Keypad menus take practice to master
- A 1-year warranty is short against some rivals
- One buyer reported packaging that misdescribed the sonar configuration
The Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 is the unit I hand to people who have never run side imaging before. CHIRP Side Imaging shows structure to each side of the boat, CHIRP Down Imaging covers what is underneath, and Dual Spectrum CHIRP gives you Wide and Narrow modes to switch between wide coverage and detail.
Owners rate the image quality highly enough that several switched over from Garmin specifically for better detail and mapping. That is the same shallow-water side scan advantage anglers describe on fishing forums when they compare the two brands head to head.
Installation is straightforward. The box includes the control head, power cable, the XNT 9 HW SI T transom-mount transducer, mounting hardware and a gimbal bracket, and the whole unit is a surface mount that fits a standard brow mount on a bass boat.
AutoChart Live comes with eight hours of built-in recording so you can build your own contour map as you fish, and the internal GPS includes a Humminbird Basemap covering more than 10,000 lakes plus US coastal water. Premium LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics cards drop right in when you outgrow that.
Why beginners get along with this one
The menu structure is the weak spot and also the reason to keep it. It is keypad driven, and anglers who upgraded from an older Helix find it familiar, while first-time buyers report it takes practice before the settings stop feeling like a chore.
Anglers also report that Humminbird factory settings get them most of the way to a good picture once gain, sensitivity and color palette are tuned on a first outing. That fast start matters more for a beginner than any spec line.
Where it does not reach
This is not a MEGA Imaging unit, so the detail and reach fall short of the Helix 7 G4 with MEGA Side Imaging or the XPLORE on distant structure. If you are fishing deep clear water and marking ledges at range, that is the trade you make for the lower entry point.
The one-year warranty is also short next to units that carry three years with registration. For a head unit with a bundled transducer, that difference is worth weighing.
5. Lowrance HOOK2-7 TripleShot: Best All-in-One Sonar in a Single Transducer
Lowrance HOOK2-7 7-inch Fish Finder with TripleShot Transducer and US / Canada Navionics+ Map Card
7-inch LCD
TripleShot SideScan DownScan and CHIRP
Navionics+ card included
Transom mount
Pros
- TripleShot transducer gives SideScan DownScan and CHIRP in one
- Simple auto-tuning sonar and phone-like menus
- Clear screen readable in sunlight
- Included US and Canada Navionics+ chart card
- Easy transom installation
Cons
- Screen washes out in direct sun and depth text is hard to read
- Navionics map redraw is slow while navigating
- Waypoint and course navigation logic is unintuitive
- Some owners reported early failures
The HOOK2-7 is the same sonar package as the 12-inch model in a hull that fits a small boat. The TripleShot transducer carries SideScan, DownScan and CHIRP, so you get the three modes bass anglers use most from one mount point and one cable.
Setup is quick and the demo mode makes it easy to confirm the unit is working before you leave the dock. The included US and Canada Navionics+ card gives you real contours on unfamiliar lakes rather than a bare basemap.
Auto-tuning sonar handles the initial setup, and the phone-like menu structure is genuinely one of the easier ones to learn. For an angler moving from a jon boat or a small bass rig, it is a compact package with a real chartplotter built in.
There is an SD card slot for map and software upgrades, which matters more here than on higher-end models because it is the path to better charts later.
What the single-transducer setup saves you
One transducer means one install, one hole and one cable to route. On a small boat with a limited transom, that simplicity is worth more than a marginally cleaner image, and it is why this package shows up so often as a bow unit on trolling motor setups.
Reviewers like the straightforward install and the clear screen as much as the sonar itself. It is a low-friction way to add real side scan to a boat that has none.
Where sunlight and software get in the way
Screen brightness is the most common complaint, with depth and speed text washing out in direct sun. If your fishing happens at midday on open water, this is the detail to think hard about before buying.
Navionics redraw is slow enough that panning the map takes a few seconds, and the waypoint routing logic confuses people used to other brands. A small number of owners also reported the head unit glitching or stopping detection early in ownership, so keep the return window in mind.
6. Humminbird XPLORE 10: Best Side Scan Range in the Roundup
Humminbird XPLORE 10 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen
10-inch HD color TFT
MEGA Side Imaging+ to 200 feet each side
200 feet down
Bluetooth Ethernet NMEA 2000
Pros
- MEGA Side Imaging+ reaches 200 feet on each side
- Sharp display far clearer than the previous Helix generation
- Touchscreen makes switching and zooming panes much faster
- Plug-and-play install with mount transducer and power cord included
- Fast and helpful tech support
Cons
- Steep learning curve even for experienced Humminbird users
- NMEA 2000 only so older heading sensors will not pair
- Included coastal chart card lacks detail in many areas
- Smaller screens feel cramped with multiple sonar panes
The XPLORE is where image quality comes first. MEGA Side Imaging+ reaches 200 feet on each side and MEGA Down Imaging+ covers 200 feet down, which is the combination you want when you are picking apart a deep ledge or a wide flat with scattered brush.
The 10-inch HD touchscreen is a large step up from the Helix generation. Owners describe the display as far sharper, and switching views and zooming panes is noticeably faster, which matters when you are marking structure at 15 miles an hour.
Networking is a strength here. Bluetooth, high-speed Ethernet and built-in NMEA 2000 networking come standard, and it is compatible with Minn Kota trolling motors and Cannon products, so this is the head unit you grow into rather than one you replace.
Installation is straightforward plug and play with the control head, power adapter, unit cover and mounting bracket in the box, and the bundled LakeMaster or CoastMaster VX card plus AutoChart Live with eight hours of recording covers mapping on unfamiliar water.
What the MEGA range actually shows you
The extra reach is not a headline number. What it buys is the ability to see the shoulder of a drop-off or the edge of a weed bed before you are on top of it, and to tell a real ledge from an artifact while there is time to turn.
Owners rate it 4.7 stars with 89 percent five-star ratings, and the recurring praise is display sharpness and MEGA range together. That combination is why it wins this roundup when image quality outranks everything else.
Where the XPLORE is not the answer
The learning curve is steep. Even anglers with long Humminbird experience report a demanding first month, so budget time for settings before your first full day on the water.
Networking is NMEA 2000 only, so an older heading sensor or a non-2000 device will not pair with it. The bundled coastal chart card also lacks detail in many nearshore areas, and premium charts cost extra.
7. Garmin Striker Plus 9SV: Best for Larger Boats and Pontoons
Garmin Striker Plus 9SV with CV52HW-TM transducer, 010-01875-00
9-inch WVGA display
CV52HW-TM transducer included
CHIRP ClearVu and SideVu
2.4 pounds
Pros
- Vivid colors and good definition in direct sunlight
- Quick three-question startup with sonar running fast
- Easy transom transducer installation
- 9-inch screen suits larger boats and pontoons
- Accurate depth readings and alarms
Cons
- Striker series has no mapping or chartplotter at all
- Menus take time to learn
- A small number of owners reported early hardware glitches
The Striker Plus 9SV is the Striker 7SV with a bigger panel, and on a pontoon or a 20-foot rig that extra two inches is worth more than any spec line. At 9 inches, the side scan return is readable without leaning forward over the console.
It uses the same CV52HW-TM transducer with CHIRP traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning, so the sonar is identical. Owners report vivid colors and good definition in direct sun, and several see it as a lower-cost alternative to the ECHOMAP when charting is not the priority.
Startup takes three questions and traditional sonar is running in under a minute in my experience. The transom and trolling motor mounts, tilt mount, power and data cable and the 4-pin to 12-pin adapter cable are all included, and the unit weighs 2.4 pounds.
Built-in Wi-Fi handles the ActiveCaptain app, smart notifications and Quickdraw Contours community sharing, and the built-in GPS handles waypoints, routes and boat speed.
Who should size up to 9 inches
Screen size is the deciding factor on bigger boats. A 9-inch panel lets you run side scan, down imaging and a chart side by side on one display, and that is the whole reason to step up rather than add a second unit.
Angler forums treat the 9-inch Striker Vivid as a sensible middle step on the Garmin ladder, with the ECHOMAP UHD2 and ECHOMAP Ultra 2 above it and a smaller 4cv or 5cv below.
Where the 9SV stops short
The Striker series is a fishfinder only. There is no mapping software and no chartplotter capability at all, so if you want to navigate contours you need a different unit or a separate display.
Menus also take time to learn, and a small number of buyers reported the unit glitching shortly after purchase. Keep the return period firmly in mind, as with any electronics purchase.
8. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv: Best for Mapping Unfamiliar Lakes
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv with GT56 Transducer, 9″ Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland
9-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen
GT56 transducer included
Navionics+ inland maps on 18000 lakes
Dashboard mount
Pros
- Bright 9-inch touchscreen with sharp detail and a wide viewing angle
- Navionics+ inland mapping with 1-foot contours out of the box
- GT56 transducer gives SideVu and ClearVu scanning
- Wireless sharing of sonar waypoints and routes
- Wireless control of Garmin Force trolling motors
Cons
- Only a 1-year limited warranty
- Heavier 8.1-pound package needs a solid mounting surface
- Trolling motor integration only works with Garmin Force units
The ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv is the Garmin option for someone who needs both sides of the coin: excellent side scan and a real chartplotter. The included GT56 transducer covers traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning, and the 9-inch touchscreen is bright and readable with a wide viewing angle.
The built-in Garmin Navionics+ inland maps cover more than 18,000 lakes with contours down to 1 foot, which is the feature that separates this from a Striker. You get real navigation on a lake you have never run without buying a chart first.
Wireless connectivity does more than sync an app. You can share sonar, waypoints and routes between ECHOMAP UHD2 units, and connect wirelessly to a Garmin Force trolling motor for route creation, speed and battery control.
Owners rate it 4.7 stars with 83 percent five-star ratings, and the recurring praise across reviews is the bright screen, the loaded contours and the complete transducer package. For most anglers this is the version of a Garmin side imaging fish finder that makes sense, because the charting gap on the Striker series is the one thing you cannot add later.
Why the built-in charts matter most
Forum anglers who fish new water repeatedly point to scanning contours at one-foot intervals without manually marking every spot as the single biggest productivity gain. Having 1-foot Navionics+ contours already on the unit is what makes that possible from the first trip.
The 9-inch panel also gives you room to run side scan, down imaging and the map together, and the wide viewing angle helps on a pontoon where the sun moves all day.
Where it is not the right box
The one-year limited warranty is short for a unit at this level, particularly next to models that carry three years with registration. That is a real consideration for an electronics item you will expect to keep for years.
At 8.1 pounds it needs a solid mounting surface, so it belongs at a dashboard rather than on the lightweight console of a small boat. The trolling motor integration is specific to Garmin Force units as well, so check compatibility before planning around it.
9. Humminbird Helix 7 G4 with MEGA Side Imaging: Best Humminbird Step Up
Humminbird Helix 7 G4 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging
7-inch color TFT
MEGA Side Imaging to 125 feet each side
MEGA Down Imaging to 125 feet
2.1 pounds
Pros
- MEGA Side Imaging gives noticeably more detail than standard side scan
- Transducer included with the package
- Reliable keypad operation in any weather
- AutoChart Live real-time mapping built in
- 4.5 stars across owner reviews
Cons
- MEGA range of 125 feet is short next to the XPLORE
- Only a 1-year manufacturer warranty
- Keypad menus carry a real learning curve
The Helix 7 G4 with MEGA Side Imaging is the step up from the basic Helix. MEGA Side Imaging reaches 125 feet on each side and MEGA Down Imaging goes 125 feet down, and owners consistently report noticeably more detail than standard side scan at the same range.
That detail comes from the higher-frequency beam, which is exactly what you want on brush piles, rock shelves and boulders. On hard bottom in a few feet of water, this is where Humminbird is often strongest, and angler forums agree on that shallow-water advantage.
The XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transom-mount transducer is included, so there is no separate purchase to make. Dual Spectrum CHIRP gives you Wide and Narrow modes, and the keypad operates reliably in any weather, which matters on a cold morning.
AutoChart Live records your own contours in real time with eight hours of built-in recording, the internal GPS includes a Humminbird Basemap covering more than 10,000 lakes and the US coastline, and LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics cards are all supported.
When MEGA imaging is worth the step up
If your fishing is mostly shallow to mid depth on lakes with lots of hard bottom, the extra detail over the standard Helix is the whole reason to move up. You see separation between a brush pile and the rock it sits on, and you can tell a stump from a ledge at the same distance.
The included transducer and AutoChart Live make it a complete package rather than a partial one, which is why it is a strong second step for someone starting on an entry-level Humminbird.
Where the Helix 7 G4 falls behind
The 125-foot reach is the limit. On big clear-water reservoirs, the XPLORE at 200 feet per side sees distant structure sooner, and that is the gap you pay for with a move to the XPLORE line.
This model also carries the highest share of one-star ratings among the Humminbird boxes here, and the warranty is one year. Keypad operation is reliable but rewards a couple of outings to learn properly.
10. Simrad NSS Evo3S 12: Best for Big Boat Dashboards
Simrad NSS12 Evo3S Chartplotter and Fishfinder with Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Charts, 12 Inch Display, Black, 000-15403-002
12-inch SolarMax IPS LCD
iMX 8 processor
C-MAP US Enhanced charts
2-year warranty
Pros
- High-definition SolarMax IPS display with fast iMX 8 processor response
- Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced inland and coastal charting
- Supports Active Imaging and StructureScan 3D sonar and powers HALO radar
- Multi-touch all-weather screen plus keypad and rotary dial
- Extensive vessel-wide networking and integration
Cons
- Sonar transducer is not included with the display
- 13 percent of ratings are one-star
- Very heavy at 17.5 pounds
- Best fit is a large boat rather than a small bass rig
The NSS Evo3S is built for a boat with a real helm. The SolarMax IPS high-definition display with an iMX 8 processor is fast enough that panning a chart and switching sonar panes never feels like waiting, and the same unit is available in 9-inch, 12-inch and 16-inch configurations.
Sonar support is the draw for bass anglers who run Lowrance-style sonar. It supports Active Imaging and StructureScan 3D, and the unit can also power HALO radar, so a single box can carry the whole electronics stack.
Built-in GPS comes with preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced inland and coastal charts, which removes the first-purchase chart question entirely. Vessel-wide integration covers engine and fuel monitoring plus on-board audio control.
You can work it by multi-touch all-weather screen or by keypad with the rotary control dial, which is useful in a rough wake. The warranty is two years from the manufacturer, longer than the one-year cover on several of the other displays here.
Who this display is actually for
It is a multifunction display first, so the transducer is not included and you add the sonar you want separately. For a boat already running a set of networked accessories, that integration is the reason to choose it rather than a fishfinder with sonar in the box.
Active Imaging support means a bass angler with an existing Lowrance transducer can keep their sonar, and StructureScan 3D gives another option for deep structure work.
Where the Simrad falls short
It is heavy at 17.5 pounds and sized for a flush or bracket mount on a dashboard. A 12-inch panel on a small bass boat or jon is disproportionate, and the 9-inch version is a more realistic entry point for most anglers in this roundup.
Review counts are on the low side at 42 ratings, and 13 percent of those are one-star. The brand has a long track record, but this specific Evo3S configuration has less real-world history than the units above it.
How to Read Side Imaging for Bass Structure
Side imaging sends a fan-shaped beam sideways instead of straight down, so whatever the beam hits returns a bright mark and anything behind that object returns nothing. That pairing gives you a bright return with a dark shadow trailing away from it, and the shadow is the most useful thing on the screen because it tells you an object has height.
A brush pile shows as a hard white return with a long black shadow behind it, while rock gives a similar hard return with a shorter shadow and a rougher edge. Grass and sand show as a soft, low, uniform band with almost no shadow, because they are flat and hug the bottom. A fish shows as a small white speck or a short streak, and a school shows as a cluster of them moving together.
On a grass edge, hold a constant 6 to 8 mph and watch the bottom line change from a soft band to a hard return, because that break is the weed line. On a rock and sand transition, look for the hard return with a shadow that suddenly shortens as the bottom flattens out, which is the seam worth fishing.
On a channel edge or ledge, scan out at 60 to 80 feet and mark the first point where the shadow appears, then the last, and that distance is the face of the drop-off. On a bait ball, you will see a tight cluster of specks that sits slightly above the bottom return, and that height off the bottom tells you how far to set your crankbait.
Set your side vision range to 60 to 80 feet for most bass fishing. Push it wider only when you are scanning a distant ledge, because a longer range trades resolution for reach and small brush piles start to disappear.
Turn gain down slightly so the bottom line is a thin solid line instead of a thick band, because if fish specks sit in a dark void above the bottom your gain is too high and the returns are filling in with noise. Sensitivity, contrast and color palette come next, and a few minutes of tuning on a first outing is what separates a clean picture from a confusing one.
One more note on the 80/20 rule that bass anglers repeat constantly. You will catch most of your fish on a small slice of the water you can access, and side imaging is how you identify that slice before you spend a full day proving it.
What to Look for When Buying a Side Imaging Fish Finder
Start with the transducer, not the screen. A head unit without a side imaging capable transducer is a common and expensive mistake, these transducers cannot be upgraded by swapping a cable later. Every pick in this roundup comes with a side imaging transducer in the box, with the Simrad as the deliberate exception since it is a display first.
Screen size is the next decision. A 7-inch panel is the minimum for a kayak or jon boat and still perfectly readable in a bass boat. A 9-inch screen is the sweet spot if you want to run side scan, down imaging and a chart at the same time, and 10 to 12 inches is for bigger boats or a full multi-function setup.
Decide how much range you actually need. On most lakes and reservoirs, structure within 60 to 80 feet is where the fish are, and a standard side scan transducer covers that. Reach beyond 100 feet per side matters on deep clear water and wide ledges, and that is the tier where MEGA Imaging and the longer-range TripleShot units justify their cost.
Check charting next. If you fish unfamiliar water, built-in mapping with 1-foot contours is worth a lot, since the AutoChart Live and Quickdraw Contours systems let you record your own as you go. Also check whether the base charts are detailed enough or whether you will be buying premium cards within a year.
Networked hardware decides what the box becomes later. NMEA 2000, Ethernet and wireless are what let you add radar, autopilot, a second display, live sonar or trolling motor control. If you plan to expand, buy the networking now, because retrofitting it later means replacing the head unit.
Budget for the total ownership cost, not just the unit. Most anglers underestimate how much a mount, a wiring harness, a dedicated battery and a second transducer add up. Forum anglers describe a mid-range box quickly pushing well past the advertised figure once the install is counted, and a dedicated lithium battery is the single upgrade most often recommended for full-day tournament fishing.
Finally, check the transducer mounting options. Kayak and small boat anglers need shoot-through-hull or scupper mounting since there is no hard transom for a through-hull unit. Confirm the cable is long enough for your hull too, because a short cable is a common and frustrating return reason.
Side Scan vs LiveScope: What to Buy First
Buy side scan first. Side scan tells you where the fish are and what they are holding on, which covers the majority of bass fishing from grass edges to brush piles to ledges. Forward-facing sonar such as LiveScope, ActiveTarget or MEGA Live tells you what the fish are doing once you are on top of them, which is a refinement rather than a foundation.
The other practical reason to sequence it this way is the install. A side imaging fish finder is one transducer and one cable on the transom. A forward-facing system needs a black box or head unit, a live sonar transducer mounted at the front of the motor, and usually a second display, so it is a larger project on a boat that is still being put together.
Once side scan is working and you have your own contours, adding live sonar is the natural next step. Anglers who take that order reach a good picture of the lake first, then spend their live sonar time watching fish react to a bait rather than searching for them.
Garmin vs Humminbird vs Lowrance Side Imaging: The Direct Answer
Humminbird produces the sharpest shallow-water side scan, and anglers describe its side view as the most accurate of the three brands. Garmin is the easiest unit to learn and the most consistent in bright sun, while Lowrance wins on integrated mapping and on packing three sonar modes into one transducer. If you fish shallow to mid depth on hard structure, Humminbird wins the image; if you are new to electronics or fishing unfamiliar water, Garmin and Lowrance are the safer buys.
One reliability note belongs in that answer. Forum anglers frequently report the highest failure rate on Humminbird gear once the warranty expires, so the sharper image comes with a repair risk worth weighing before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fishfinder has the best side imaging?
The Humminbird XPLORE with MEGA Side Imaging+ gives the sharpest side scan image, reaching 200 feet on each side. For most bass anglers on a budget, the Garmin Striker 7SV is the best overall side imaging fish finder, and the Humminbird Helix 7 G4 with MEGA Side Imaging offers the best mid-tier image quality.
Does Garmin or Humminbird have better side imaging?
Humminbird has better side imaging, particularly in shallow water, and anglers describe its side view as the more accurate of the two. Garmin is easier to learn, brighter in direct sun and more consistent, so the better choice depends on how much you value image detail against how easily you can run the unit all season.
Which fish finder has side scan?
All ten models in this roundup support side scanning, though the type differs. Garmin uses SideVu, Humminbird uses CHIRP Side Imaging or MEGA Side Imaging+, Lowrance uses SideScan on the TripleShot and Active Imaging systems, and Simrad supports Active Imaging sonar through a separately purchased transducer.
Is side scan or livescope better?
Buy side scan first. It covers the majority of bass fishing by showing you where fish are and what structure they hold on. Forward-facing sonar such as LiveScope or ActiveTarget shows you how fish react to a bait once you are on top of them, which is a refinement worth adding second.
How far does side scan reach?
It depends on the unit. Standard side scan is most useful out to 60 to 80 feet on bass water, MEGA Side Imaging+ on the Humminbird XPLORE reaches 200 feet on each side, and the Lowrance HOOK2 12 TripleShot lists 300 feet on each side. Longer range trades image resolution for reach.
Do I need down imaging or side imaging for bass fishing?
You need both if you can afford it, because they answer different questions. Side imaging shows structure out to each side of the boat, which is how you find grass edges and brush piles, while down imaging shows the bottom beneath the hull in detail. Nearly every unit in this roundup covers both modes from a single transducer.
Final Verdict
The best side imaging fish finders for bass fishing come down to what your boat and your patience can handle. Start with the Garmin Striker 7SV if you want the strongest all-around package with the transducer and 1-foot mapping already in the box, or step to the Lowrance Elite FS 10 if you want a chartplotter and a large touchscreen in the same head unit.
Buy the Humminbird XPLORE when image quality is the deciding factor and you can accept a steep learning curve, and pick the Lowrance HOOK2 12 TripleShot when maximum side scan reach and preloaded 1-foot contours matter more than refinement. Add live sonar later, budget for the mount, wiring and battery now, and tune your gain and palette on the first trip.