Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder

Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 1
Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 2
Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 3
Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 4
Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 5
Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder — image 6
80%
20%
88%
Sonar Performance
91%
Display Quality
84%
GPS Accuracy
89%
Ease of Setup
82%
Build & Durability
79%
Mapping & Contours
77%
Value for Money
38%
Connectivity & Networking
81%
Transducer Quality
86%
Menu & Interface
85%
Portability
78%
Long-Term Reliability
More

Overview

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder sits squarely in the mid-range of Garmin's STRIKER lineup, built for freshwater anglers who want real capability without overcomplicating their setup. The box includes the CV20-TM transducer and a protective cover — both genuinely useful inclusions, not just padding. One thing worth setting straight: this is a GPS-integrated sonar unit, not a chartplotter. It won't replace a dedicated navigation device, and it was never meant to. What it offers is a 5-inch sunlight-readable display paired with reliable sonar, which is exactly what most anglers fishing lakes and rivers actually need.

Features & Benefits

The STRIKER Plus 5cv runs two sonar modes that serve different purposes on the water. CHIRP traditional sonar gives you the classic fish arc returns and depth readings you'd expect, while CHIRP ClearVü scans below the boat with sharp, photo-like imaging — ideal for reading structure, submerged timber, or rocky bottoms. The built-in GPS handles waypoint marking and speed tracking without needing a second device. Garmin's Quickdraw Contours software lets you build your own depth maps with one-foot contour detail as you fish, saving them for future trips. The interface is clean and approachable, even if you've never touched a sonar unit before.

Best For

This fish finder makes the most sense for freshwater anglers fishing out of kayaks, jon boats, or smaller aluminum rigs where a compact, battery-powered unit fits naturally. Bass, crappie, and walleye anglers will get real value from ClearVü's ability to reveal what's holding fish along structure. If you return to the same lakes regularly, Quickdraw Contours becomes genuinely useful over time as your personal depth maps grow more detailed trip by trip. It's also a strong pick for anyone stepping up from a basic flasher or entry-level depth finder who wants GPS capability baked in without crossing into chartplotter territory.

User Feedback

Across roughly 160 owner ratings, this Garmin unit holds a 4.2-star average — a reasonable score reflecting genuine satisfaction alongside some honest caveats. Buyers consistently praise the ease of setup and how readable the screen is in harsh afternoon sunlight. The included protective cover earns specific appreciation, which says something about how often that accessory gets skipped on competing units. On the downside, owners on larger boats sometimes find the transducer cable length falls short and requires an extension. Others flag the lack of networking or memory card support, which matters if you're comparing against higher-tier units. Battery draw during long sessions is also worth planning around.

#Fish Finders & Depth Finders
#Marine Electronics
#Car & Vehicle Electronics
#Electronics

Pros

  • Dual CHIRP sonar modes give you both traditional fish arcs and sharp ClearVü structure imaging in one unit.
  • Built-in GPS means you can mark productive spots and track boat speed without carrying a second device.
  • Quickdraw Contours lets you build personal depth maps with one-foot detail over time — a genuinely useful long-term feature.
  • The 5-inch LCD holds up well in direct sunlight, which matters more on the water than most buyers expect.
  • Setup is straightforward enough that first-time sonar users can be up and running within minutes of unboxing.
  • The included CV20-TM transducer and protective cover add real value right out of the box.
  • Rugged construction handles rain, spray, and general outdoor abuse without issue.
  • Battery-powered operation makes this fish finder a natural fit for kayaks and portable fishing rigs.
  • The interface is clean and logically organized, keeping the learning curve low for anglers new to sonar.

Cons

  • Transducer cable length can fall short on larger boats, requiring an aftermarket extension for a clean install.
  • No networking support means it cannot communicate with other onboard electronics or share data across devices.
  • Memory card slot is absent, so there is no option to load third-party maps or export your Quickdraw data externally.
  • No pre-loaded charts are included, so navigating unfamiliar waters depends entirely on maps you build yourself.
  • Battery consumption during long sessions needs active planning, especially on kayaks without a dedicated power source.
  • The tabletop mounting design is not ideal for every boat configuration and may require adapter solutions.
  • No touchscreen — all navigation is button-based, which some users find slower to operate while actively fishing.
  • Lacks the sonar frequency flexibility or transducer upgrade path available on higher-tier Garmin units.

Ratings

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder earns a well-rounded but nuanced score based on AI analysis of verified owner reviews collected globally, with spam, bot-submitted, and incentivized feedback actively filtered out. The scores below reflect honest patterns from real anglers — covering everything from on-water display performance to the unit's notable connectivity limitations. Both the genuine strengths and the recurring frustrations are represented transparently so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Sonar Performance
88%
Anglers consistently report that the dual CHIRP sonar setup delivers reliable, well-defined returns in freshwater conditions. ClearVü imaging in particular draws strong praise for its ability to reveal bottom composition, submerged timber, and fish holding near structure with a level of detail that surprises first-time users of this unit.
In very shallow water or in heavy vegetation, ClearVü performance can degrade noticeably, and some users find target separation less precise compared to higher-frequency dedicated units. Traditional CHIRP sonar, while solid, does not offer the frequency range customization found on premium fish finders.
Display Quality
91%
The sunlight-readable 5-inch LCD consistently ranks among the most praised aspects of this fish finder across owner feedback. Anglers fishing open water during peak afternoon light report that the screen holds up far better than competing units in a similar price bracket, making it genuinely usable rather than just technically adequate.
At night or in low-light conditions, some users note that brightness calibration options are limited, and the display can feel overly bright without finer control. The 5-inch size, while practical for small boats, leaves experienced anglers occasionally wishing for a larger viewing area when interpreting complex bottom structure.
GPS Accuracy
84%
The built-in GPS locks on quickly and provides reliable waypoint accuracy that anglers trust for marking productive spots and returning to them consistently. Boat speed readings are considered accurate enough for practical use without needing a separate paddlewheel or speed sensor.
A minority of users report occasional GPS drift in heavy canopy or near steep terrain, which is a hardware limitation shared across most consumer GPS units rather than a specific flaw. The unit does not support differential GPS correction, so absolute precision in challenging environments may fall short of dedicated navigation devices.
Ease of Setup
89%
One of the most frequently cited strengths in user feedback is how quickly and painlessly the unit comes out of the box ready to use. The included transducer, hardware, and mount mean most anglers are fishing within an hour of purchase, and the menu structure is logical enough that first-time fish finder users rarely need to consult the manual.
Transducer cable management on larger boats requires planning, and some owners report that the cable length forces compromises in routing. The tabletop mount works well on flat surfaces but can feel limiting on gunwale or console installations that would benefit from an adjustable bracket.
Build & Durability
82%
18%
Owners who fish in rain, spray, and rough conditions report that the unit holds up without complaint over multiple seasons. The rugged housing feels solid and purposeful rather than plastic-cheap, and the included protective cover adds a layer of peace of mind during transport and storage.
While water-resistant, the unit is not fully submersible, so accidental dunking remains a concern for kayak anglers who fish in tippy conditions. A small number of owners report button wear and connector corrosion after extended saltwater exposure, reinforcing that this unit is primarily engineered for freshwater use.
Mapping & Contours
79%
21%
Quickdraw Contours is a genuinely useful feature for anglers who fish the same lakes repeatedly, allowing them to build accurate 1-foot contour maps over time that become more valuable with each trip. The ability to store maps for up to 2 million acres means most freshwater anglers will never hit a storage ceiling.
Because there is no memory card slot, all saved maps live on the unit itself with no external backup option — losing or replacing the unit means losing every map you have built. The absence of any pre-loaded cartography also means the unit offers zero navigational value on first use in unfamiliar water until you have personally mapped it.
Value for Money
77%
23%
For anglers who specifically need GPS-integrated sonar without chartplotter complexity, the STRIKER Plus 5cv delivers a focused, capable package at a price that feels justified given Garmin's reliability and the quality of the included accessories. The bundled transducer and cover make the out-of-pocket cost feel more complete than many competing options.
Buyers who later discover they need networking, chart support, or larger display options often find themselves needing to upgrade sooner than expected, which undercuts the long-term value proposition. Compared to some newer competitors entering the mid-range space, the feature set has aged modestly since the unit launched in 2018.
Connectivity & Networking
38%
62%
The unit's standalone nature is not entirely a drawback for anglers who simply want sonar and GPS without dealing with network configuration or app pairing. For those users, the lack of connectivity keeps operation simple and free of dependency on a phone or secondary device.
The complete absence of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NMEA networking, and memory card support is the most common source of buyer disappointment, particularly among those comparing this unit to competitors or higher-tier Garmin models. Anglers who want to sync data, share maps, or connect to a trolling motor will find this unit entirely incapable of meeting those needs.
Transducer Quality
81%
19%
The CV20-TM transducer performs well in its intended freshwater depth range, providing clean signal returns and consistent ClearVü imaging without requiring calibration adjustments in most standard installations. Owners appreciate receiving a quality transducer in the box rather than a basic entry-level puck.
Cable length has generated repeated criticism from owners on larger boats, where routing from stern to helm can fall short without an aftermarket extension. The transducer is also not rated for high-speed trolling, limiting its performance usefulness for anglers who cover water quickly.
Menu & Interface
86%
The button-based interface is straightforward to navigate even for anglers who have never owned a sonar unit, and Garmin has done a commendable job keeping menu depth manageable for the feature set on offer. Key functions like sensitivity adjustment, display brightness, and waypoint marking are easy to access without digging through sub-menus.
There is no touchscreen, which experienced marine electronics users sometimes find slow compared to newer displays. The interface also lacks advanced customization options, meaning power users who want to configure multiple split-screen views or fine-tune sonar frequency ranges will run into the unit's ceiling fairly quickly.
Portability
85%
At just over 4 pounds and with battery-powered operation, this fish finder is one of the more practical options for kayak anglers and those who move between multiple boats or fishing spots. The compact form factor does not compromise the quality of the display or sonar output in any meaningful way.
The tabletop mount design is not ideal for every portable use case, and anglers who want a truly tool-free install and removal system may need aftermarket mounting solutions. Power cable management can also get cluttered on small kayak decks where space is at a premium.
Long-Term Reliability
78%
22%
Garmin's reputation for producing electronics that hold up over multi-year use carries weight with buyers, and the STRIKER Plus 5cv largely lives up to that expectation in freshwater environments. Most owners who have used the unit for two or more seasons report no significant hardware failures or software degradation.
Some units show early display dimming or connector wear after two or three seasons of heavy use, particularly when exposed to temperature extremes or UV. Garmin's warranty and support experience is rated positively overall, but replacement parts and repair options for an aging unit can be limited.

Suitable for:

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder is a strong match for freshwater anglers who want a single, capable unit that handles both sonar and GPS without the complexity or cost of a full chartplotter. Kayak fishermen and small boat owners will appreciate the compact 5-inch display and battery-powered operation, which fit naturally into tight setups where space and power are limited. Bass, crappie, and walleye anglers stand to benefit most from ClearVü's detailed bottom imaging, which makes reading submerged structure and locating holding spots considerably easier than with a basic depth finder. If you tend to fish the same lakes season after season, the Quickdraw Contours feature adds long-term value by letting you build and refine your own depth maps over time. It also suits anglers who are stepping up from an entry-level unit and want something meaningfully more capable without a steep learning curve.

Not suitable for:

The Garmin STRIKER Plus 5cv Fish Finder is not the right tool for saltwater or offshore anglers who need networking capability, radar integration, or chart card support — this unit offers none of those. Boaters on larger vessels may find the transducer cable falls short without purchasing an extension, which adds friction to an otherwise straightforward install. Buyers who want pre-loaded charts or the ability to share data across a multi-unit network should look higher in Garmin's lineup toward the ECHOMAP series instead. If you regularly fish unfamiliar large bodies of water and rely on detailed navigational charts rather than self-built maps, the lack of cartography support will feel like a genuine gap. It is also worth noting that the tabletop mount design may not suit every installation scenario, particularly on boats where a flush or bracket mount would be preferred.

Specifications

  • Display Size: The unit features a 5-inch LCD screen sized to balance visibility and compact installation on small boats and kayaks.
  • Display Type: The sunlight-readable LCD panel maintains clear image quality in direct outdoor light, reducing glare-related visibility issues on the water.
  • Sonar Technology: Dual CHIRP sonar includes both traditional sonar for fish arcs and depth readings, and CHIRP ClearVü for detailed scanning sonar imagery below the boat.
  • Transducer: The CV20-TM transducer is included in the box and supports both CHIRP traditional and CHIRP ClearVü sonar modes.
  • GPS: A built-in GPS receiver enables waypoint marking, route creation, and real-time boat speed display without any external device.
  • Mapping Software: Garmin Quickdraw Contours is built in, allowing users to generate and store personal depth maps with 1-foot contour detail covering up to 2 million acres.
  • Map Card Support: This unit does not include a memory card slot and does not support loading third-party or pre-loaded chart cards.
  • Networking: The STRIKER Plus 5cv has no networking capability and cannot share data with or connect to other onboard electronics.
  • Power Source: The unit is battery powered, making it compatible with portable setups including kayaks and small vessels without onboard electrical systems.
  • Mounting Type: The included mount is a tabletop-style bracket; flush mounting is not natively supported without aftermarket hardware.
  • Protective Cover: A protective cover is included in the package to shield the display and unit body when not in use.
  • Item Weight: The unit weighs 4.13 pounds, keeping it manageable for portable and lightweight vessel installations.
  • Package Dimensions: The retail package measures 11.61 x 8.31 x 6.73 inches, accommodating the unit, transducer, mount hardware, and protective cover.
  • Water Resistance: The unit is built with a rugged, water-resistant design rated to handle rain, splash, and general outdoor fishing conditions.
  • Manufacturer: The STRIKER Plus 5cv is designed and manufactured by Garmin, a company with an established track record in GPS and marine electronics.
  • First Available: This product was first made available in January 2018 and has not been discontinued by the manufacturer as of the latest available data.
  • UPC: The product UPC is 755702997836, corresponding to the bundle configuration that includes the CV20-TM transducer and protective cover.
  • ASIN: The Amazon Standard Identification Number for this product is B07985FLYZ.

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FAQ

Everything you need for a basic install is in the box. The CV20-TM transducer, mounting hardware, and a protective cover are all included, so you are not left hunting for accessories just to get on the water.

Technically the unit will function in saltwater, but it was designed with freshwater fishing in mind. The transducer and sonar settings are optimized for inland lakes and rivers, and the unit lacks the corrosion-resistant build and chart support that serious saltwater anglers typically need.

Yes, and this is genuinely one of the stronger points of this fish finder. The 5-inch LCD is specifically engineered for sunlight readability, and real-world user feedback consistently confirms that the image stays clear even during harsh midday light on open water.

Traditional sonar sends a cone-shaped pulse and returns the classic arched fish symbols and depth numbers most anglers are familiar with. ClearVü scans with a much narrower, fan-shaped beam that produces a near-photographic image of what is directly below the boat — making it far easier to identify structure, bottom composition, and fish holding near cover.

No. The STRIKER Plus 5cv does not have a memory card slot and does not support loading any external charts or maps. Navigation relies entirely on maps you build yourself using the Quickdraw Contours feature as you fish.

It is a natural fit for kayaks. The battery-powered operation means you do not need a boat with an onboard electrical system, and the compact 5-inch display works well in tight cockpit spaces. Many kayak anglers run it off a small sealed lead-acid or lithium battery without any issues.

Battery life depends on the capacity of the power source you connect, since the unit draws from an external battery rather than internal cells. At typical operating draw, a 7Ah sealed lead-acid battery will generally last a full day of fishing, though running GPS and sonar simultaneously increases consumption.

No. This unit has no Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NMEA networking capability. It operates as a standalone device and cannot share data with your phone, other fish finders, or onboard electronics. If multi-device integration matters to you, you would need to look at Garmin's ECHOMAP series instead.

Yes, and the maps are stored internally on the unit itself. There is no memory card slot for external backup or transfer, so your maps live on the device. It is worth knowing this if you ever need to replace the unit, as there is no easy way to export saved map data.

Some owners on larger vessels have found the cable just a bit short for a clean run from the bow or stern to the head unit. It is not a universal problem, but if you are installing on a boat over 16 feet or routing cable through a console, it is worth measuring your run before you commit to the installation.