Carolina Sportsman Outfitters stocks the complete Garmin, Humminbird, and Lowrance fish finder and chartplotter lineup, from compact 5-inch units for tiller-steer boats up to 24-inch multifunction displays for offshore rigs. Prices range from approximately $150 for entry-level castable sonar to over $15,000 for flagship networked systems. Nationwide shipping and in-store pickup available.
Fish Finders and Chartplotters by Brand
All three major marine electronics manufacturers build systems at every price point and for every boat size. Which brand is right for you usually comes down to your existing ecosystem, preferred live sonar technology, and mapping preferences.
Garmin: ECHOMAP UHD2, ECHOMAP Ultra 2, GPSMAP x3, and GPSMAP 9000 series. Known for the intuitive operating system, Garmin Navionics+ charts, LiveScope Plus and LiveScope XR forward-facing sonar, and wireless integration with Garmin Force and Force Kraken trolling motors.
Humminbird: HELIX, XPLORE, and APEX series. Known for MEGA Side Imaging, MEGA Down Imaging, and MEGA Live 2 forward-facing sonar. Strong integration with Minn Kota trolling motors through i-Pilot Link.
Lowrance: HDS PRO, Elite FS, and Eagle series. Known for Active Imaging HD, ActiveTarget 2 live sonar, C-MAP charts, and integration with Ghost and Recon trolling motors.
For most bass boats and multispecies rigs, a 7 to 9-inch screen offers the best balance of visibility, dashboard real estate, and price. Kayaks and jon boats usually work best with 5 to 7-inch units. Offshore center consoles and large bay boats typically run 12-inch units or larger, often networked as dual displays.
Do I need forward-facing sonar for bass fishing?
Forward-facing sonar (Garmin LiveScope, Humminbird MEGA Live 2, Lowrance ActiveTarget 2) has transformed tournament bass fishing and is now standard equipment on most competitive rigs. It shows fish and your lure in real time so you can see strikes before they happen. For weekend anglers, forward-facing sonar is optional but increasingly popular.
Can I mix brands between fish finder and trolling motor?
Each brand works best within its own ecosystem. Garmin chartplotters pair with Garmin Force trolling motors for features like route-following and spot-lock integration. Humminbird units pair with Minn Kota through i-Pilot Link. Lowrance pairs with Ghost and Recon. Mixing brands usually means losing some integration features.
What is the difference between a fish finder and a chartplotter?
A fish finder uses sonar to show what is below your boat. A chartplotter uses GPS to show your position on a map. Most modern marine units are combination fish finder and chartplotter systems that do both, though you can still buy dedicated chartplotters without sonar.
About Carolina Sportsman Outfitters
Carolina Sportsman Outfitters is a full-service fishing and outdoor retailer offering nationwide shipping and in-store pickup at 7630 NC HWY 39 N, Henderson, NC. Call 252-431-6001 for pricing, stock availability, or product advice from our team.
Financing options include 0% for 24 months for qualified buyers, plus a No Credit Needed option with All Credit Welcome.
