I bought one of these units a couple days ago, I took it ice fishing today and had some problems. Anyway I will try to explain this the best I can. So I dropped the transducer and float down hole, the ducer was just below the ice pointed straight down. I identified the red hard bottom, but then above that were 3 -4 yellow/orange lines suspended a few inches off bottom. So I thought "that's great looks like fish". So i started to drop my lure down, ( was using a fairly big sized jig) and I saw nothing on the screen, so I turned up the gain so that I could see my lure. All was good there, but then the marks near bottom got really big and took up a good 4 feet of water on the screen. Also the marks didn't move at all, they do change color quite often. I would have thought maybe the fish would have moved to check out the lure, I'm thinking maybe they were not fish?? Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong??? P.S. I was fishing 10 ft of water Thanks.
@@justincammidge Were you fishing in weeds? My guess is there was some sort of cover (logs, sticks, weeds) on the bottom. Weeds will definitely make things look very cluttered and make it hard to use sonar. Especially if you're in 10 feet of water... that is the weed zone where they like to grow. It is also a good area for fish :) Fish marks do not sit completely still... they will move. I have fished in weeds with the sonar... to be successful get used to what is not moving and then look for anything that moves. That is likely the fish in the weeds. Play with the gain to minimize the return from the weeds but still be able to identify your moving jig (and therefore moving fish). Good luck!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Thank you, now that you mention it, I did pull up a couple weeds, I didn't think that's what they would look like. Thanks again. Keep up the great work on the videos.
In general, the TI units are faster in response to inputs. This is seen when quickly switching between sonar, downscan, chart, and split screens th-cam.com/users/postUgkxeAxH15LxhjGlg5-CRYqjTGTEH0tbY4vk recommend The Hook units will show some lag on button pushes and screen switching. The big ticket item though is maps. If you install a mapping card such as Navionics or the free C-Map Genesis which has a lot of map detail, then moving around the map with the cursor or when running down the lake can lag significantly on the Hook units, but is seamless with the TI units.
Great video, thank you! Got one of these from my son for Christmas and just now unpacking it because we are leaving in 6 days to head north to go fishing. We take our kids and grandkids every year. Being disabled and have younger grandchildren we always rent a pontoon to make it easier for all. They normally come with a depth finder but usually not the best but wouldn’t expect anything great on a rental. After watching your video I believe I can half assed figure it out. Thanks again great video!!
Just assembled my 4, from basspro, and literally, you just walked me thru the ENTIRE setup,,,doing it this way, hands on, in real time,,in sync, with your vid, is way more comprehensive,, and is much more effective, than reading the manual, over and over,,,I totally recommend this, to anyone new to this unit,,,and you sir, COMPLETELY nailed the instructional aspect, in relating the many, many, subtle features of this unit, in such a comprehensive manner,,,, your communication, and teaching skills, breaking this stuff down, in layman's terms, are EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!,,,by far, MILES ahead, of any vid, on the 4, to date!!!,,,,REALLY A GREAT, GREAT VID!!!!,,,,explaining the potential, of this sonar,,,,,,THANKS SO MUCH!!!!TIGHT LINES!!!!😎
Thank you! A big reason I made it is that I didn't see a video that covered more than just a few things (including my old ones). It is such a popular device (rightfully so).
Great video. I've used the 4+ for three years. Two points I will make. The 4+ has a bigger screen than the 4 and includes quickdraw for mapping. The bigger screen is actually taller than many larger finders. The height with A-scope is more important than width of the screen. I prefer the 4+ screen to the Echomap 7cv I use with livescope. Second, fish appear to come up from the bottom may be coming in from the side. They are shown as depth, but in reality, it is the distance from the transducer. This fact was apparent using the livescope. Livescope always shows the depth of the target. Regular transducers show only the distance from the transducer. With the 4+ I use the quickdraw feature on my boat in the summer to map my favorite lakes that aren't included in lake chips. This allows me to image the bottom as I move across the ice.
By far the best tutorial about this unit that I've been able to find. This is my first fish finder and I'm just starting to get into ice fishing. This answered all the questions I had.
Wow man. You single handedly made the other 50 hours of "fish finders for dummies" videos I've watched with your video. You explained it perfectly and showed live images which were so helpful. Thanks
Excellent video on this unit. I don’t use it for ice fishing but most of this information applies to jigging Kokanee and Trout from my kayak in the deep lakes near me in California. I appreciate the content.
Good tutorial on the Striker 4. One useful thing I can ad: With your A scope on, at the bottom of the A scope graph is a number. This is the diameter of the cone at that depth...
Really looking forward to using mine! Got it originally for my kayak and came across this video right when my friends wanted to start getting into ice fishing this year.
Absolutely the best video I have seen on this unit so far! I have two of these because I love them so much, and after watching your video and learning things I had no clue it was capable of, I love it even more!
Unreal video, just got my unit yesterday fished 8 hrs today you have taught me more than l would have learned in a week fishing wow thanks again may GOD bless you
Fantastic video! We've done extensive bottom work to our 15 acre lake, mucked out the bottom, added a ton of humps, channels and ridges, new shorelines (you've got to do something with all of that dirt!), etc. Our bass are now reaching the 5lb range and it's time to get back after them! I've just recently purchased this unit and look forward to learning our lake all over again, with your help! I have 2 units on my big boat but wanted this portable for the small lake. Thanks so much for taking the time to do a thorough demonstration/explanation video! Truly one of the best I've ever seen!
I wanted a fish finder for awhile now but they are all expensive and I thought the cheaper ones were no good. This video changed my mind. Awesome video thank you!
Thank you for the info ! I was so confused on if I needed a ice transducer for this or not to ice fish and finally someone explained it all in English instead of mumble jumble
This is a fantastic video on exactly how to use all the functions of the Garmin Striker. I go to this video when I go out fishing to figure out how I want to set it up. So I want to thank you very much for your awesome review.
Let me start out by saying Garmin should hire you as a Garmin Striker 4 or Garmin fish finder instructor . This is by far the best Garmin Striker 4 video I have seen and believe me, I have watched dozens and I mean literally dozens of individuals trying to explain the setup and how to use the garmin Striker 4. You went through each setup step by step, and performed on the water live setup which was extremely useful. The simulator shows the fish in the shape of an arc, I rarely see arcs. You taught me through your video that the fish could be just a straight line coming off the bottom or straight line in the water column, and not necessarily have any color to it at all. It might be a white line. Before seeing that, I didn't know whether I was seeing fish or not, because there were no arcs too let me know as shown in the simulator. ill repeat that, there are not always arcs to show the fish unless it's a very large fish. Thank you so much for educating me on how to use the Garmin Striker 4 fishfinder. I will strongly recommend this video to anyone purchasing or who has purchased the Garmin Striker 4 fish finder.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this. Helped me decide to get this as my first sonar. I used it up in the BWCA this past summer and am using for ice fishing this season and don’t regret purchasing.
I picked up the striker 4 plus ice unit a few years ago and I absolutely love it. I live up in Canada and it was a little more than 200 bucks. It's such a great unit for being cheaper than an ice-35 with way more features
This is clearly the best best review/tutorial on this unit in all of youtube land. Thank you kind sir. I have had my Garmin for over two years and have just now learned tons of extra info on it!
I had my unit for 4 years now, I have been using it for years and barely scratched the surface of what the unit can do. I used to use dual screen mode all the time because I had no idea what the settings did or how to use them. I jigged over 60 fish this weekend, which isnt abnormal for me, but I watched so many fish eat my spoon, great video. I like chirp 77, ulstrascoll mode, and the A scope. I got my transducer to lay flat with a couple zip ties in the screw hole and wrapped on the cord too.
I’ve been looking at the Striker Plus 4 as my first fish finder for ice fishing and this is by far the best video out there on the Striker series. Thank you for making such a detailed video, you’re great at explaining things too.
Without a doubt the most in depth video on this finder, packed full of information and straight to the point. Awesome man, definitely appreciated. Really helpful to figure some things out before I get out on the ice
I came here knowing nothing about fish finders but wanting to buy one for my kayak. That was absolutely everything I needed to know about this product and will be buying it. Thanks, subscribed!
Awesome! It is really a great device for both ice and kayak. I have another video you might like where I set it up on my Solo Canoe. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you! So happy you made this video! I bought my unit a couple of seasons and have had good but not spectacular results. I tried to figure things out myself but found it hard to obtain good info. You provided everything I needed and more! I followed along with my unit as you “taught.” The A Scope is a game changer. You made my day!
I use this unit all the time for ice fishing. The best value out there bar none. Really liked your video. You explained everything really well. You sir have earned a sub.
I completely agree and thank you for subscribing! We try to share as much information through our videos as we can! There are a lot of "How To" videos on the channel.
10/10 super helpful video I just bought this unit and the instruction manuals were not all that helpful so thank you for explaining it, can’t wait to catch some monsters
Picked the ice kit version up on Boxing Day, used it for the first time last night, this video cleared up a TON of questions I had with it. Thanks for all the fantastic in-depth information
Just got the striker ice bundle for Christmas, thanks for the in depth review! Couldn’t seem to find a good one. Now we just need Lake George to freeze haha.
Awesome! Good Christmas then :) The lack of ice is killing me right now. I had 2 weeks off and had no ice to fish... was really frustrating. Now I'm back to work and the cold is coming... bad timing. gonna have to be a weekend warrior.
200 khz frequency and fast scroll for deep jigging, ice or summer. Got it! Sometimes the 77khz shows my spoon or jig deep with good clarity, but it's erratic. I can't always count on the 77khz for deeper water if I want to see the lure.
Thanks! It actually took a few takes and edits to get there. After watching things back I realized there was soooo much to cover that it had to be quick and to the point for each section. You can see by the time displayed on the sonar that the final take was actually around 1am-2am. ugh...
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany So the one I watched was for ice fishing. I want to take the device out on a kayak and fishing raft soon. What video should i watch for that?
@@mikeleemon I use a lightweight solo canoe.. It would basically be the same or similar setup. This video may help. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
The most detailed informative video for Garmin I had ever came across… although I am looking for Garmin striker 7cv, I still stay on and watch the whole video…
Going to buy one for my kayak and man u helped me decide on it before i buy it!! Definitely coming back to this video when i get it to set it up! Very helpful!
That's awesome! I have a video where I set it up on my solo canoe. There is a good mount you can get for it that you can attach to your kayak too. Check out this video... th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html The mounts I used are linked in the description of that video.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany i just ordered it online no more than 10 mins ago and i can pick it up tomorrow at cabelas!! And will be sure to check that video out now!!
Great video!! My good friend got this same exact unit and today after striking out at both Sportsman’s Warehouse and Cabelas in Albuquerque, I’m ordering this exact unit this week. In the words of my friend Francisco, this is a game changer for ice fishing!!Best review vid on TH-cam, thanks for taking the time.
Amazing overview thanks so much! I actually encountered the exact 2 glitches you pointed out in your last section (braid and steep drop). Love your videos
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! There are a lot of things that people can run into on the ice that can be confusing.. I know because they've confused me until I figured them out. Hopefully it helps people.
I’m getting this thing in the mail tomorrow and this is the best video I have seen and I’ve lost all these they’re showing the actual fishing on it awesome awesome video you’re great
Wow you killed this review. Thank you explaining this in a way that someone who is new to fishing electronics can understand!! Been fishing a long time but thinking I’d benefit from a fish finder. This really helps me out as I didn’t want something that would cost me a lot of money that I wouldn’t understand. This would be good for me! Thank you!
The Split Zoom with A-Scope is a lot of information on a small screen, but I love running it this way! One reason is we have a healthy rainbow population in my home lake, and have been able to cruise up into a few passers by, same with some, albeit, smaller lakers. The other is I can see fish that chase above the zoom area, or those that start up on my bait as I am dropping it. Great videos, too. Have added a lot to my Laker knowledge from them in the last year! Now we just need some ice.
YES! I totally agree! I bought the Humminbird Helix 7 this year and had it out for the first time this weekend and I settled on that split zoom with A- Scope and really liked it... although that was a much bigger screen which made it awesome!!! Glad to hear the videos are helping.. that's what it's all about! 😊
Thankyou ,thankyou ,thankyou . I have a Garmin Striker Plus 5cv, on my kayak that I have set up to do some kayak fishing .I have looked at a few Utube videos and while helpful they lacked in detail , I live in nth Queensland Australia and have just come across your videos and they have answered many questions that I had trouble with .thanks again I will be using some of your suggestions
I bought one of these for 99 bucks a couple years ago, but it was just the summer bundle .I works great . It was on sale at Cabelas . I wish I bought 5 of them . I had to buy the ice transducer separate , but you can use the summer one for ice . Great lesson on the settings you did on this unit . I am pretty sure I understand , but its a lot to take in . I had to re watch the A scope part afew times because there is o much there so fast . GOT IT ! Thank you
Yeah... there is a ton of information in there. I put timestamps in the top comment so you can just click the time for the section you want to watch and it will jump you right there. I did that because you may want to pick out certain sections or watch certain sections over and over until you're comfortable with it. Good luck!
You helped me with my unit. I have the DV7 and the split screen is awesome. My son has a Hummingbird and I sure liked the Ascope feature he has and now I have it .Thanks
I ended up buying the Striker plus 4 ice package because of this video. I used it a handful of times and I already love it. The plus 4 ice package actually comes with a dual beam ice transducer. I think if you buy the 4 in the ice package, you need to buy that separately. All depends on use though. I plan on using this in I'm kayak or in my boat with my Down Imagining, so I'll need to buy the other ducer anyway. But just an FYI if you are going to just use it for ice fishing. Great video, great product, thank you for the in-depth lesson!
Excellent review! I've had mine for almost a year, and this was extremely helpful (This is literally my first fish finder for fly fishing for tiger muskies out here in Washington). I've played with some of the settings while on the water, but it's tough when all I want to do is keep my fly moving. I don't know that it's really helped with specific fish (I never jig for them), but for structure and baitfish schools, it's been great. Also, it should come in handy this Spring when I try to get after some lake trout in Oregon with flies. Cheers!
Thank you! I usually only use my sonar for depth and structure when I'm in a boat although it will certainly show you fish and bait. But when I'm on the ice and I'm jigging they are sooooo important!
I did a video where I set it up on my solo canoe as well. There is a good RAM Mount for the unit you might like. That video is here th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html and there are links in the description of that video for the mounts.
Wonderful review/tutorial, i noticed youre at 42 degrees north, im at 42 degrees south here in southern Tasmania, no ice fishing here though but plenty of trout, sea runner season is not far away.
Definitely the best informative video i've seen on this. It's explained some things i've seen or dealt with while fishing a slope. Learned some new tricks as well.
If you get the "Plus" version, you can map the lakes yourself and store it, so that's nice, especially for the small water guys who are fishing small lakes and ponds that are not mapped. It's something.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Oh, I imagine it isn't great at all, especially in deeper water, even with perfect transducer placement. I think that feature is aimed more at kayak guys fishing in smaller, generally un-mapped water bodies. That's why I got it, for ice fishing and to put on my canoe(that never happened). Now I just use the CMAP app to get me close to where I want to be for ice fishing.
@@nathaniellarson8 Yeah... I did set mine up on my canoe (Hornbeck). I do really like it for that. I also just got a Humminbird Helix 7 for ice fishing :) I need ice to try it out though! I do use an app on my phone for pointing me to general places on lakes. I don't know the CMAP app. I use the Boat USA app.
@@nathaniellarson8 I know... I have wanted it for a year. Another guide I know had it out on the ice last year with me. Loved it and wanted it ever since!
I can’t thank you enough for this amazing and informative video on the Garmin Striker4. Now finally I’m able to understand and make use of the many features you’ve explained in clear easy to understand detail. Even an old fart that has trouble with the tv remote can now work the unit successfully. I also loved the live videos of the unit working and seeing how the fish appeared and followed the lures. Brilliant. Once again many thanks and happy days 👍
Thank you! I though it was important to show the setting and modes but that the live action would show people what they would see in real life situations. Thanks for your comment!
Woooooooooow the best review on this unit hands down. Not even the Garmin company themselves were able to demonstrate the unit as well as you did my friend. Amazing work. @garmin send this man all your stuff #garmin
Well I love this comment!! 😂 Thank you! I am not in anyway getting anything from Garmin.. just knew it would be useful for people to see the options and show what the different modes look like while actually on the water! Thank you so much for your comment! 😀
Wow! I have fished with no fishfinder/sonar, but absolute novice at using such a device. This video was GOLD! Thank you and subscribed. Just bought inflatable 4 passenger boat with transom and 30 ft/lb motor. I also have a trip to a North Ontario lake this fall. My Garmin Striker 4 Plus is to be used both with my boat and their rental boat. Any suggestions about allowing Garmin to be used for both? It looks like you keep your garmin in a pack (maybe to shield sun light?) Is that what you recommend? Your video of fish chasing the lure was so helpful. One is to have the equipment, but more important is knowing how to use it. You have done me a great service; THANK YOU!
The pack I have is what I use for ice fishing. When I'm not on the ice I use it in a small solo canoe and I don't use the portable kit bag. I rig it with Ram Mounts and mount it to my canoe. I do have a video where I set it up a bit. Check it out here. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for creating this video. I purchased the Striker 4 package and an ice transducer from Cabela's (Bass Pro), for $10 cheaper than the Striker Plus 4 package, which only has the ice transducer. I really don't need to live map any lakes I'm on in the summer, so it was a pretty good deal that I couldn't pass up. I knew it was fairly feature rich but not in a way that you show. Should be arriving any day and can't wait to see if it makes me say "How have I fished for the last 42 years without one of these!?". Regardless if it does or not, I figure it is a good entry level unit for me to see if using a fish finder is for me or not. Tight lines!
Best Vid on this Unit, HANDS DOWN ! The Concise Info of this Vid - is Exactly why I Purchased this unit for My Girlfriend ! Great Job & Keep them Vidz Coming. Fish On !....
Thank you! It actually took me several takes over a couple of days. I just wasn't happy with it (mostly my camera settings). You'll notice the time on the Garmin said 1am or 2am... that was accurate. I did my best take on this in the wee hours of the morning lol. I'm glad to hear it was helpful. :)
Wow, without a doubt the best review and intro to a device that I have ever seen not on just TH-cam but anywhere. I just ordered this Garmin for my Kayak and now wish I was back up north to use it ice-fishing. Well, maybe not,,LOL Anyhow thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge not only on this one but on the whole aspect of these units.
OUTLINE and TIMESTAMPS
Quick Overview - Best Budget Sonar? - 0:40
Basic Settings - 2:58
Range (Depth) - 3:49
Gain - 4:11
Overlay Numbers - 5:24
Scroll Speed - 6:04
Fish Symbols (Turn Off) - 6:40
Color Schemes - 7:10
Noise Rejection - 7:21
Fishing Modes - 8:37
Flasher - Shallow Water (LIVE DEMO) - 9:29
Flasher - Deep Water (LIVE DEMO) - 11:14
Basic Graph - 12:30
Basic Graph - Shallow Water - (LIVE DEMO) - 12:47
Basic Graph - Deep Water - (LIVE DEMO) - 13:11
Zoom Mode - Settings - 14:19
Zoom Mode - Deep Water - (LIVE DEMO) - 16:10
A-Scope Mode (USE THIS) - Settings - 17:22
A-Scope Mode - Deep Water - (LIVE DEMO) - 18:18
Split Frequency - Settings - 20:39
Split Zoom - Settings - 22:15
Transducer Options and Setup - 23:11
Transducer Settings - 26:26
Transducer Frequency Settings and CHIRP - 29:25
GPS-Waypoints - 31:13
Advanced Tips & Tricks - 32:57
Battery Options (Lithium Ion) - 33:03
Sonar near Drop-offs - 33:57
Reasons to Change Beam Width - 35:09
Braided Line Disturbance - 36:18
Wrap Up - 36:56
Thank you so much for this.
I bought one of these units a couple days ago, I took it ice fishing today and had some problems. Anyway I will try to explain this the best I can. So I dropped the transducer and float down hole, the ducer was just below the ice pointed straight down. I identified the red hard bottom, but then above that were 3 -4 yellow/orange lines suspended a few inches off bottom. So I thought "that's great looks like fish". So i started to drop my lure down, ( was using a fairly big sized jig) and I saw nothing on the screen, so I turned up the gain so that I could see my lure. All was good there, but then the marks near bottom got really big and took up a good 4 feet of water on the screen. Also the marks didn't move at all, they do change color quite often. I would have thought maybe the fish would have moved to check out the lure, I'm thinking maybe they were not fish?? Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong??? P.S. I was fishing 10 ft of water
Thanks.
@@justincammidge Were you fishing in weeds? My guess is there was some sort of cover (logs, sticks, weeds) on the bottom. Weeds will definitely make things look very cluttered and make it hard to use sonar. Especially if you're in 10 feet of water... that is the weed zone where they like to grow. It is also a good area for fish :) Fish marks do not sit completely still... they will move. I have fished in weeds with the sonar... to be successful get used to what is not moving and then look for anything that moves. That is likely the fish in the weeds. Play with the gain to minimize the return from the weeds but still be able to identify your moving jig (and therefore moving fish). Good luck!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Thank you, now that you mention it, I did pull up a couple weeds, I didn't think that's what they would look like. Thanks again. Keep up the great work on the videos.
Hi! I have a new Garmin Striker 4 plus. Is the setting for transducer are the same. I used Dual Beam am I right or I need to used the GT8HW?
Garmin should hire you my friend. This has been the most useful video/info that I have found for this unit. Thanks so much.
LOL... Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!
Not playing around white dog you have the best review on this unit on youtube. Believe me I've been looking for a review like yours for months.
@@JuanJDumeP That's awesome! Thank you!
I just bought a Stryker 4 and I agree, best review and reason I ordered mine....plus the sale price! 😆
@@gscfishingoutdoors That's awesome! I love to hear that it is helping people! Thank you for letting me know!
In general, the TI units are faster in response to inputs. This is seen when quickly switching between sonar, downscan, chart, and split screens th-cam.com/users/postUgkxeAxH15LxhjGlg5-CRYqjTGTEH0tbY4vk recommend The Hook units will show some lag on button pushes and screen switching. The big ticket item though is maps. If you install a mapping card such as Navionics or the free C-Map Genesis which has a lot of map detail, then moving around the map with the cursor or when running down the lake can lag significantly on the Hook units, but is seamless with the TI units.
Great video, thank you! Got one of these from my son for Christmas and just now unpacking it because we are leaving in 6 days to head north to go fishing.
We take our kids and grandkids every year. Being disabled and have younger grandchildren we always rent a pontoon to make it easier for all. They normally come with a depth finder but usually not the best but wouldn’t expect anything great on a rental.
After watching your video I believe I can half assed figure it out. Thanks again great video!!
Just assembled my 4, from basspro, and literally, you just walked me thru the ENTIRE setup,,,doing it this way, hands on, in real time,,in sync, with your vid, is way more comprehensive,, and is much more effective, than reading the manual, over and over,,,I totally recommend this, to anyone new to this unit,,,and you sir, COMPLETELY nailed the instructional aspect, in relating the many, many, subtle features of this unit, in such a comprehensive manner,,,, your communication, and teaching skills, breaking this stuff down, in layman's terms, are EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!,,,by far, MILES ahead, of any vid, on the 4, to date!!!,,,,REALLY A GREAT, GREAT VID!!!!,,,,explaining the potential, of this sonar,,,,,,THANKS SO MUCH!!!!TIGHT LINES!!!!😎
Wow! Thank you so much! 😀 Definitely appreciate it and glad it helped you out!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany YW,,,,,,,NOW,,,on to some TACKLE BUSTIN' FISH!!!!!,,,,,,,,BRING IT!!!!!😎
I have been looking for a video about this sonar that would teach me everything. Found it! Thank you! Love all the content.
Thank you! A big reason I made it is that I didn't see a video that covered more than just a few things (including my old ones). It is such a popular device (rightfully so).
Awesome information! I hope Garmin is supporting you for this! Thank you for taking the time to do this.
LOL... No support from Garmin. Just really like this device for the price. :)
Great video. I've used the 4+ for three years. Two points I will make. The 4+ has a bigger screen than the 4 and includes quickdraw for mapping. The bigger screen is actually taller than many larger finders. The height with A-scope is more important than width of the screen. I prefer the 4+ screen to the Echomap 7cv I use with livescope. Second, fish appear to come up from the bottom may be coming in from the side. They are shown as depth, but in reality, it is the distance from the transducer. This fact was apparent using the livescope. Livescope always shows the depth of the target. Regular transducers show only the distance from the transducer. With the 4+ I use the quickdraw feature on my boat in the summer to map my favorite lakes that aren't included in lake chips. This allows me to image the bottom as I move across the ice.
Agree with everything you said! I have a buddy with a 4+ and he used it to map the water outside his bay.
I don’t leave comments much but this is one of the best, most well thought out, and detailed video on anything. Cudos my friend
Thank you! I really appreciate that! :)
I just pulled the trigger buying this guy, with both transducers for Ice Fishing and for my Kayak. I am pumped!
Sweet! Enjoy!
By far the best tutorial about this unit that I've been able to find. This is my first fish finder and I'm just starting to get into ice fishing. This answered all the questions I had.
Glad I could help
Best video for beginners. Truly educational video.
Thank you!
Wow man. You single handedly made the other 50 hours of "fish finders for dummies" videos I've watched with your video. You explained it perfectly and showed live images which were so helpful. Thanks
Thanks!
Excellent video on this unit. I don’t use it for ice fishing but most of this information applies to jigging Kokanee and Trout from my kayak in the deep lakes near me in California. I appreciate the content.
Yeah... I use this unit in my solo canoe for both trolling and jigging! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Good tutorial on the Striker 4. One useful thing I can ad: With your A scope on, at the bottom of the A scope graph is a number. This is the diameter of the cone at that depth...
I will have to check that out... I never noticed it!
Really looking forward to using mine! Got it originally for my kayak and came across this video right when my friends wanted to start getting into ice fishing this year.
They're great for both! I have a video where I set it up on my solo canoe. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
Absolutely the best video I have seen on this unit so far! I have two of these because I love them so much, and after watching your video and learning things I had no clue it was capable of, I love it even more!
LOL! That's awesome! Glad it helped! :)
Really awesome tutorial! I just bought the ice fishing bundle and watching your video really got me excited - so happy I purchased this now!
Yeah... you made a good choice for sure!!! Enjoy it!
Unreal video, just got my unit yesterday fished 8 hrs today you have taught me more than l would have learned in a week fishing wow thanks again may GOD bless you
Perfect! Exactly why I made the video!
I’m pretty sure I just bought this because of your wicked review I hope I’m as satisfied as the rest of the people that talk the world about this
It will be money well spent!
Fantastic video! We've done extensive bottom work to our 15 acre lake, mucked out the bottom, added a ton of humps, channels and ridges, new shorelines (you've got to do something with all of that dirt!), etc. Our bass are now reaching the 5lb range and it's time to get back after them! I've just recently purchased this unit and look forward to learning our lake all over again, with your help! I have 2 units on my big boat but wanted this portable for the small lake. Thanks so much for taking the time to do a thorough demonstration/explanation video! Truly one of the best I've ever seen!
Wow... it's always been my dream to have some private water like that and manage it. Sounds soooo cool!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Well.......if you get down around Eastaboga Alabama, holler! You're welcome anytime!
I wanted a fish finder for awhile now but they are all expensive and I thought the cheaper ones were no good. This video changed my mind. Awesome video thank you!
Yeah... I know your pain. I had the same problem until I found this device!
Thank you for the info ! I was so confused on if I needed a ice transducer for this or not to ice fish and finally someone explained it all in English instead of mumble jumble
No problem! Glad it was helpful!
This is a fantastic video on exactly how to use all the functions of the Garmin Striker. I go to this video when I go out fishing to figure out how I want to set it up. So I want to thank you very much for your awesome review.
Let me start out by saying Garmin should hire you as a Garmin Striker 4 or Garmin fish finder instructor . This is by far the best Garmin Striker 4 video I have seen and believe me, I have watched dozens and I mean literally dozens of individuals trying to explain the setup and how to use the garmin Striker 4. You went through each setup step by step, and performed on the water live setup which was extremely useful. The simulator shows the fish in the shape of an arc, I rarely see arcs. You taught me through your video that the fish could be just a straight line coming off the bottom or straight line in the water column, and not necessarily have any color to it at all. It might be a white line. Before seeing that, I didn't know whether I was seeing fish or not, because there were no arcs too let me know as shown in the simulator. ill repeat that, there are not always arcs to show the fish unless it's a very large fish. Thank you so much for educating me on how to use the Garmin Striker 4 fishfinder. I will strongly recommend this video to anyone purchasing or who has purchased the Garmin Striker 4 fish finder.
Thank you so much! I'm glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this. Helped me decide to get this as my first sonar. I used it up in the BWCA this past summer and am using for ice fishing this season and don’t regret purchasing.
Yeah... great device for the price! I don't think any one has ever regretted buying it 😂
I picked up the striker 4 plus ice unit a few years ago and I absolutely love it. I live up in Canada and it was a little more than 200 bucks. It's such a great unit for being cheaper than an ice-35 with way more features
Best bang for the buck for sure!
This is clearly the best best review/tutorial on this unit in all of youtube land. Thank you kind sir. I have had my Garmin for over two years and have just now learned tons of extra info on it!
Thanks! It is an awesome little unit packed with functionality and at great price! I'm glad the video helped! :)
Great overview. I've used the GS4 lots but the advanced tips like dual screen and manual zoom are definitely helpful.
Glad it was helpful for even an experienced fisherman!
I had my unit for 4 years now, I have been using it for years and barely scratched the surface of what the unit can do. I used to use dual screen mode all the time because I had no idea what the settings did or how to use them. I jigged over 60 fish this weekend, which isnt abnormal for me, but I watched so many fish eat my spoon, great video. I like chirp 77, ulstrascoll mode, and the A scope. I got my transducer to lay flat with a couple zip ties in the screw hole and wrapped on the cord too.
Perfect! LOVE the A Scope for jigging!!!
This is the only video people need to watch. Thank you for making this. Excellent
Glad it was helpful!
I'm saving this incase I need to make adjustments on the water. Thank you
That's what it's there for :)
I’ve been looking at the Striker Plus 4 as my first fish finder for ice fishing and this is by far the best video out there on the Striker series. Thank you for making such a detailed video, you’re great at explaining things too.
Thank you! You can't go wrong with this device as a starter device! Good luck!
Without a doubt the most in depth video on this finder, packed full of information and straight to the point. Awesome man, definitely appreciated. Really helpful to figure some things out before I get out on the ice
Thank you for the comment :) Hope you have a good ice season!
Top notch video!!! just pulled out mine after a couple years of not using it and found everything I needed answers to in this video..
That's great! Good luck with it!
Awesome job. Just bought my Striker 4 and feel like I'm ready go go. Thank you.
Awesome! Good Luck!
I am really excited to use this device after this video. I just got mine in the mail yesterday. OMG😁
That's awesome! You will definitely like it!
I came here knowing nothing about fish finders but wanting to buy one for my kayak. That was absolutely everything I needed to know about this product and will be buying it. Thanks, subscribed!
Awesome! It is really a great device for both ice and kayak. I have another video you might like where I set it up on my Solo Canoe. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany My Striker 4 arrived today, I watched this again while sitting in the kayak going through the settings with you. Thanks again.
@@MikeMike-eq7ic No better way to do it! :)
This video is about to change my whole fishing life, thank you!
😂😂😂 What a great comment! I hope it does change your fishing life!
Thank you! So happy you made this video! I bought my unit a couple of seasons and have had good but not spectacular results. I tried to figure things out myself but found it hard to obtain good info. You provided everything I needed and more! I followed along with my unit as you “taught.” The A Scope is a game changer. You made my day!
That's awesome! I'm glad it helped! A Scope is the bomb!
I use this unit all the time for ice fishing. The best value out there bar none. Really liked your video. You explained everything really well. You sir have earned a sub.
I completely agree and thank you for subscribing! We try to share as much information through our videos as we can! There are a lot of "How To" videos on the channel.
10/10 super helpful video
I just bought this unit and the instruction manuals were not all that helpful so thank you for explaining it, can’t wait to catch some monsters
Picked the ice kit version up on Boxing Day, used it for the first time last night, this video cleared up a TON of questions I had with it. Thanks for all the fantastic in-depth information
Absolutely! Glad it was helpful! One little thing can make a big difference sometimes with these devices!
To know how to be able to read the screen is to look at it for hours and hours. Great review btw. Awesome explanation on the menu and setup.
Just got the striker ice bundle for Christmas, thanks for the in depth review! Couldn’t seem to find a good one. Now we just need Lake George to freeze haha.
Awesome! Good Christmas then :) The lack of ice is killing me right now. I had 2 weeks off and had no ice to fish... was really frustrating. Now I'm back to work and the cold is coming... bad timing. gonna have to be a weekend warrior.
By far the best review on this unit! Nicely done!
Thank you! :)
I just got this unit and can not wait to get out on the ice with it. Great video, very informative & very well done! Thank you very much
Sweet! Good luck on the ice this winter! You won't be disappointed with it.
200 khz frequency and fast scroll for deep jigging, ice or summer. Got it! Sometimes the 77khz shows my spoon or jig deep with good clarity, but it's erratic. I can't always count on the 77khz for deeper water if I want to see the lure.
Good job. You really have a gift for explaining this without a lot of extra noise. Thank you for the video.
Thanks! It actually took a few takes and edits to get there. After watching things back I realized there was soooo much to cover that it had to be quick and to the point for each section. You can see by the time displayed on the sonar that the final take was actually around 1am-2am. ugh...
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany So the one I watched was for ice fishing. I want to take the device out on a kayak and fishing raft soon. What video should i watch for that?
@@mikeleemon I use a lightweight solo canoe.. It would basically be the same or similar setup. This video may help. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Thank you.
The most detailed informative video for Garmin I had ever came across… although I am looking for Garmin striker 7cv, I still stay on and watch the whole video…
Thank you! I haven't used the 7cv but I believe much of the interface and options will be similar.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany yap i guess it should be more or less the same as its a bigger version of 4
Just picked up the ice bundle for my first sonar unit and I'll be trying it out tomorrow. This was super helpful, thank you!
Awesome! This is the perfect device for your first! Good luck!
Best video I’ve seen so far great job man!
Thank you! :)
Going to buy one for my kayak and man u helped me decide on it before i buy it!! Definitely coming back to this video when i get it to set it up! Very helpful!
That's awesome! I have a video where I set it up on my solo canoe. There is a good mount you can get for it that you can attach to your kayak too. Check out this video... th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html The mounts I used are linked in the description of that video.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany i just ordered it online no more than 10 mins ago and i can pick it up tomorrow at cabelas!! And will be sure to check that video out now!!
great review! This probably the most comprehensive review I watched so far about garmin striker 4 😎👍
By far most complete tutorial. I own the garmin and this is very very helpful! Thx
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video!! My good friend got this same exact unit and today after striking out at both Sportsman’s Warehouse and Cabelas in Albuquerque, I’m ordering this exact unit this week. In the words of my friend Francisco, this is a game changer for ice fishing!!Best review vid on TH-cam, thanks for taking the time.
I agree with your friend... it is a game changer for ice fishing! Thanks for the kind words. Happy to help people!
Just received one of these for xmas and this video saved me tons of learning pains. Thanks for the excellent info!
You are very welcome! Enjoy the device!
Amazing overview thanks so much! I actually encountered the exact 2 glitches you pointed out in your last section (braid and steep drop). Love your videos
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it! There are a lot of things that people can run into on the ice that can be confusing.. I know because they've confused me until I figured them out. Hopefully it helps people.
I’m getting this thing in the mail tomorrow and this is the best video I have seen and I’ve lost all these they’re showing the actual fishing on it awesome awesome video you’re great
Thank you! Glad it was helpful!
It has a nice simulation mode to help you tune in off the water
Thank you for taking the time to make this video!
Thanks! By far the most comprehensive review and how to. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and passion.
You hit it on the head... it is a passion! Thank you!
Wow you killed this review. Thank you explaining this in a way that someone who is new to fishing electronics can understand!! Been fishing a long time but thinking I’d benefit from a fish finder. This really helps me out as I didn’t want something that would cost me a lot of money that I wouldn’t understand. This would be good for me! Thank you!
It is the perfect entry sonar. Great for use in all situations (boat or ice). Good luck!
Good review! I purchased one after I watched this. Thank you
Awesome! You'll like it!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany I have one on my boat and kayak and you showed me a lot of stuff I didn’t know. awesome video
Love mine! Had it for two seasons as well. open and hard water.
Love mine too! I use it for both ice and open water too. Had mine probably 3 years at least... maybe longer?
The Split Zoom with A-Scope is a lot of information on a small screen, but I love running it this way! One reason is we have a healthy rainbow population in my home lake, and have been able to cruise up into a few passers by, same with some, albeit, smaller lakers. The other is I can see fish that chase above the zoom area, or those that start up on my bait as I am dropping it.
Great videos, too. Have added a lot to my Laker knowledge from them in the last year! Now we just need some ice.
YES! I totally agree! I bought the Humminbird Helix 7 this year and had it out for the first time this weekend and I settled on that split zoom with A- Scope and really liked it... although that was a much bigger screen which made it awesome!!! Glad to hear the videos are helping.. that's what it's all about! 😊
Thankyou ,thankyou ,thankyou . I have a Garmin Striker Plus 5cv, on my kayak that I have set up to do some kayak fishing .I have looked at a few Utube videos and while helpful they lacked in detail , I live in nth Queensland Australia and have just come across your videos and they have answered many questions that I had trouble with .thanks again I will be using some of your suggestions
Awesome! Glad the video helped! Good luck!
I bought one of these for 99 bucks a couple years ago, but it was just the summer bundle .I works great . It was on sale at Cabelas . I wish I bought 5 of them . I had to buy the ice transducer separate , but you can use the summer one for ice . Great lesson on the settings you did on this unit . I am pretty sure I understand , but its a lot to take in . I had to re watch the A scope part afew times because there is o much there so fast . GOT IT ! Thank you
Yeah... there is a ton of information in there. I put timestamps in the top comment so you can just click the time for the section you want to watch and it will jump you right there. I did that because you may want to pick out certain sections or watch certain sections over and over until you're comfortable with it. Good luck!
You helped me with my unit. I have the DV7 and the split screen is awesome. My son has a Hummingbird and I sure liked the Ascope feature he has and now I have it .Thanks
A-Scope is awesome!
Excellent guide just what I needed can't wait to get out on the ice this weekend
Glad it helped! Good luck and stay safe!
I ended up buying the Striker plus 4 ice package because of this video. I used it a handful of times and I already love it. The plus 4 ice package actually comes with a dual beam ice transducer. I think if you buy the 4 in the ice package, you need to buy that separately. All depends on use though. I plan on using this in I'm kayak or in my boat with my Down Imagining, so I'll need to buy the other ducer anyway. But just an FYI if you are going to just use it for ice fishing. Great video, great product, thank you for the in-depth lesson!
You're welcome... Glad it is useful!
You sold me it. Just got it at Bass Pro today for this ice season. I'm really hoping Lake Champlain freezes well for those Lakers!
Great devices for the price! You'll be happy with it! Good luck this year!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Thank you, you too
Excellent review! I've had mine for almost a year, and this was extremely helpful (This is literally my first fish finder for fly fishing for tiger muskies out here in Washington). I've played with some of the settings while on the water, but it's tough when all I want to do is keep my fly moving. I don't know that it's really helped with specific fish (I never jig for them), but for structure and baitfish schools, it's been great. Also, it should come in handy this Spring when I try to get after some lake trout in Oregon with flies. Cheers!
Thank you! I usually only use my sonar for depth and structure when I'm in a boat although it will certainly show you fish and bait. But when I'm on the ice and I'm jigging they are sooooo important!
An excellent video. It's helping me figure out if I can do what I want to do on my kayak and on the ice with a smaller budget.
I did a video where I set it up on my solo canoe as well. There is a good RAM Mount for the unit you might like. That video is here th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html and there are links in the description of that video for the mounts.
Thank you for such great info! It really helped me understand the settings and what this sonar is really capable of.
Awesome! Glad to hear it! That's why I create videos :) Hope it helps out on the water!
Thank You , This is by far the Best video on the Garmin Striker 4, very helpful and informative, love the on water Tips 👍👍👍
Best Hands on Video on Utube 👍
Awesome, thank you!
Just put my Striker 4 Plus together so this video was excellent.
Awesome! Good luck!
Wonderful review/tutorial, i noticed youre at 42 degrees north, im at 42 degrees south here in southern Tasmania, no ice fishing here though but plenty of trout, sea runner season is not far away.
Great video!! You explained things about my unit I had no idea existed! The A-scope is great and will come in very handy jigging for crappie!
A-Scope is awesome for any jigging! You will love it for crappie!
Definitely the best informative video i've seen on this. It's explained some things i've seen or dealt with while fishing a slope. Learned some new tricks as well.
That's awesome! Glad to hear it :)
Very good instructions that allowed me to set up my Striker quickly! Great work
Thanks, I was looking for 3 other videos before and you explained just everything right this is a very useful video thank you so much!
Glad it helped!
If you get the "Plus" version, you can map the lakes yourself and store it, so that's nice, especially for the small water guys who are fishing small lakes and ponds that are not mapped. It's something.
Yeah... my buddy bought the plus and mapped the bay and outside his bay on Lake George. He was somewhat less than happy with it though.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany Oh, I imagine it isn't great at all, especially in deeper water, even with perfect transducer placement. I think that feature is aimed more at kayak guys fishing in smaller, generally un-mapped water bodies. That's why I got it, for ice fishing and to put on my canoe(that never happened). Now I just use the CMAP app to get me close to where I want to be for ice fishing.
@@nathaniellarson8 Yeah... I did set mine up on my canoe (Hornbeck). I do really like it for that. I also just got a Humminbird Helix 7 for ice fishing :) I need ice to try it out though! I do use an app on my phone for pointing me to general places on lakes. I don't know the CMAP app. I use the Boat USA app.
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany jealous of the Hummingbird!
@@nathaniellarson8 I know... I have wanted it for a year. Another guide I know had it out on the ice last year with me. Loved it and wanted it ever since!
I can’t thank you enough for this amazing and informative video on the Garmin Striker4. Now finally I’m able to understand and make use of the many features you’ve explained in clear easy to understand detail. Even an old fart that has trouble with the tv remote can now work the unit successfully. I also loved the live videos of the unit working and seeing how the fish appeared and followed the lures. Brilliant. Once again many thanks and happy days 👍
Thank you! I though it was important to show the setting and modes but that the live action would show people what they would see in real life situations. Thanks for your comment!
Thanks. Got one of these for this season. I love it but you’ve shown me some cool things to switch up on it. Awesome job.
Cool! Thanks! :)
Woooooooooow the best review on this unit hands down. Not even the Garmin company themselves were able to demonstrate the unit as well as you did my friend. Amazing work. @garmin send this man all your stuff #garmin
Well I love this comment!! 😂 Thank you! I am not in anyway getting anything from Garmin.. just knew it would be useful for people to see the options and show what the different modes look like while actually on the water! Thank you so much for your comment! 😀
Exceptionally helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to do this. It's educates on so much more than just the Striker 4.
Thank you! That's the idea!
Awesome video man!! I've had one for a few years and have been only using it to half of its potential.
Thanks! I'm glad it is helpful!
Great review! You covered a lot and quickly. Well done. I appreciate it
Glad it was helpful!
THANK YOU! I have this unit and this has been very helpful.
Awesome! That's why I made it!
Thank you for the wondeful details how to set up my stiker 4
You are so welcome!
Best review on TH-cam . Thanks so much for the review and setup help!
Thank you so much! I'm glad it is helping a lot of people! :)
Wow! I have fished with no fishfinder/sonar, but absolute novice at using such a device. This video was GOLD! Thank you and subscribed. Just bought inflatable 4 passenger boat with transom and 30 ft/lb motor. I also have a trip to a North Ontario lake this fall. My Garmin Striker 4 Plus is to be used both with my boat and their rental boat. Any suggestions about allowing Garmin to be used for both? It looks like you keep your garmin in a pack (maybe to shield sun light?) Is that what you recommend? Your video of fish chasing the lure was so helpful. One is to have the equipment, but more important is knowing how to use it. You have done me a great service; THANK YOU!
The pack I have is what I use for ice fishing. When I'm not on the ice I use it in a small solo canoe and I don't use the portable kit bag. I rig it with Ram Mounts and mount it to my canoe. I do have a video where I set it up a bit. Check it out here. th-cam.com/video/uzn2ASWRX5M/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for creating this video. I purchased the Striker 4 package and an ice transducer from Cabela's (Bass Pro), for $10 cheaper than the Striker Plus 4 package, which only has the ice transducer. I really don't need to live map any lakes I'm on in the summer, so it was a pretty good deal that I couldn't pass up. I knew it was fairly feature rich but not in a way that you show. Should be arriving any day and can't wait to see if it makes me say "How have I fished for the last 42 years without one of these!?". Regardless if it does or not, I figure it is a good entry level unit for me to see if using a fish finder is for me or not. Tight lines!
Great entry level unit. You will not regret your purchase!
Awesome setup.and how to use video, you beat me too it! Was going to film a how to use the garmin video tomorrow for walleye.
People love to see videos of the devices being used.... you should still do it!
@@WhiteDogTrailCompany I think I will tomorrow morning, if it's not to windy out!!
your the man best video for beginners ever
Best Vid on this Unit, HANDS DOWN ! The Concise Info of this Vid - is Exactly why I Purchased this unit for My Girlfriend ! Great Job & Keep them Vidz Coming. Fish On !....
Awesome! Thank you!
Wow I just bought this and u showed me so much more than I knew it could do? Do u have videos using it trolling in a boat?
I just watched your review on Garmin Stiker 4. It was very helpful. Thank you so much for taking your time to make this vdo. God bless!
Thank you! It actually took me several takes over a couple of days. I just wasn't happy with it (mostly my camera settings). You'll notice the time on the Garmin said 1am or 2am... that was accurate. I did my best take on this in the wee hours of the morning lol. I'm glad to hear it was helpful. :)
Wow, without a doubt the best review and intro to a device that I have ever seen not on just TH-cam but anywhere. I just ordered this Garmin for my Kayak and now wish I was back up north to use it ice-fishing. Well, maybe not,,LOL Anyhow thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge not only on this one but on the whole aspect of these units.
Haha.. Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful! It is great on a kayak too! I have a video where I set up my solo canoe with it.
Awesome video. So informative, I'm glad I came across it!!
Thanks. It just launched last night. Hope it helps you out this season.