When you’re out in the middle of the water in the thick of it, the last thing you want to be worried about is being able to see the fish and where they are around your boat. At times, fishing can be difficult. Why make it more difficult by throwing out a reel and just hoping for the best? A quality fish finder is the key to having a successful fishing trip.
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But with the multitude of options available online, it can be difficult to break it down to the top five products, let alone find the best. Lucky for you, we’ve taken a look at a variety of fish finders on the market and have found that one of the best, most highly-rated fish finders is the Lowrance Hook 3x.
Key Terms to Know
To help compare products in this review, we have included a few key specifications for each. Here is a quick summary of what they mean.
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Dimensions: The length, width, height of the unit.
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Display Size and Resolution: Display size refers to the diagonal measurement of the screen and resolution is the quality of the image represented by the number of pixels it can display.
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Weight: The actual weight of the fish finder unit.
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Scanning Depth Range: The minimum and maximum depth the unit can effectively scan.
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Added Features: These are additional technology or features added to enhance the usefulness or accuracy of the unit. May include added GPS, wayfinding, Sonar, or CHIRP technology.
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Cone Angles: This indicates the angle at which the sound wave or beam is emitted from the transducer.
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Frequency(s): The number and kHz of included frequencies. Higher frequencies are generally more detailed and for shallower depths while low frequencies scan a larger, deeper area but tend to provide less detail.
This fish finder from Lowrance is an affordable, yet highly functional option that features DownScan imaging sonar. Capable of two different frequencies, this fish finder includes a transducer and a backlit color LED screen. Read on to learn more about the Lowrance Hook 3x and why you should consider adding it to your fishing arsenal.
Lowrance Hook 3X Fish Finder
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PROS
- Size
- Mounting
- DownScan
- Functionality
CONS
- No Traditional Sonar
- Only For Shallower Water
- No GPS
Main Features
If you read reviews of fish finders, you’ll note that many anglers mention that high prices don’t necessarily equate to high quality. That is certainly the case with this fish finder. Though it’s affordable, it doesn’t lack any of the key elements of an effective fish finder.
Through the use of DownScan sonar, you’re able to see exactly what’s going on underneath your boat, as well as where the more murky parts of the water are. Seeing where the fish are, is the most important benefit of fish finders, and the Lowrance Hook 3x delivers.
As for the screen itself, you’re provided with a three-inch LED display that’s both colored and backlit. As for the sonar frequency, you can choose to toggle between 83 and 200kHz to optimize the view beneath your boat.
Dedicated buttons make navigating the dashboard of the unit a breeze, whether your hands are wet or not. The portable and light design of this fish finder make it easy for travel, as well as transport to and from the boat.
What is the Lowrance Hook 3X Best For?
Overall, with its compact size and relatively shallow depth capacity, the Lowrance Hook 3X is best-suited for smaller vessel fishing such as canoes, kayaks, and others. The LED-backlit color display makes this a good option for everything from dark early mornings to bright, summer days.
The Lowrance Hook 3X is best-suited for beginning anglers who are looking for a fish finder that is relatively easy to use and doesn’t have a ton of frivolous additions that would make the unit more overwhelming than helpful. Reviewers on Amazon also mention that this unit has a long lasting battery, making this a good option for anglers who are going on long fishing trips where they may not be able to charge the fish finder’s batteries.
Pros
Size
Finally, the easy to manage, smaller size of this fish finder makes it a solid option for both regular-sized boats and smaller vessels such as canoes, kayaks, and non-motor boats.
Mounting
As for mounting the Lowrance Hook 3 to your boat, the quick release bracket makes removing your fish finder a breeze. The free-moving design makes tilting and adjusting the screen effective and efficient.
DownScan
One of the major benefits of this fish finder unit is that it features DownScan sonar to provide you with clear visibility where you need it the most: under your boat. The sonar produces both 83 and 200kHz frequencies, with coverage of 60 and 20 degrees, respectively. The benefit here is that you’re provided with a wide angle of visibility.
Functionality
Another benefit of this unit is that your overall unit is functional without being over-the-top. Many fish finders feature touch screens that are difficult to use when your hands get wet or when you’re trying to manage a few different tasks at once. But with its manageable screen size, dedicated buttons, and a back lit LED color display, you get all the benefits of fancy touch screens without the unresponsive touch from wet fingers.
Cons
No Traditional Sonar
Finally, though the DownScan sonar provides plenty of visibility, this unit is missing traditional 2D sonar, which some anglers may be more familiar with.
Only For Shallower Water
First, if you’re fishing in salt water that’s deeper than 100 feet, you’ll have to go with another unit. The Lowrance Hook 3X is intended for fresh water that’s not too deep. So if you’re fishing off of a kayak, canoe, or other small vessel you’re in luck with this affordable option.
No GPS
Additionally, many other fish finders come equipped with GPS, eliminating the need for a separate unit on your boat’s dashboard. The other benefit with a fish finder GPS combo is that you’ll save money in the long run by combining two units into one. So without GPS in this fish finder, you’re potentially spending a bit more if you’re needing a GPS system too.
Bottom Line
Overall, when you purchase the Lowrance Hook 3X, you’re getting an affordable fish finder that doesn’t lack any important, key benefits that a quality fish finder needs. Though this unit isn’t well-suited for deep saltwater fishing or ice fishing, it is designed for more shallow fishing areas that both the beginner and advanced angler can appreciate.
The DownScan sonar provides you with the visibility you need to navigate to an area where the fish are at. The simple, dedicated button design of the Lowrance Hook 3X makes this unit both functional and easy to use. The bracket attaching the fish finder to the boat is secure, yet adjustable so that you can angle and maneuver the unit as needed.
The Lowrance Hook 3X is a no-frills option that is well-suited for both a beginning and advanced angler. With this fish finder, you’re getting a high-quality, well-designed unit that will provide you with years of efficient, successful fishing.
Product Specs
Dimensions:
5.4″ x 3.71 ” x 1.85″
Display Size and Resolution:
3.5 inches with 320 x 240 pixels
Weight:
1.21 lbs
Scanning Depth Range:
800 ft
Added Features:
Sonar, Fishing modes, Chirp and DownScan Imaging, Broadband sounder
Frequency(s):
83/200 kHZ
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