Side imaging is a side-scan sonar beam that paints detailed pictures of the bottom and everything holding on it to the port and starboard of your boat, typically 70 to 200 feet per side, instead of only showing you what sits directly beneath the hull. If you are shopping for the best fish finders with side imaging, the short version is this: it is the most useful sonar type for finding structure on lakes, reservoirs, rivers and coastal flats, and the ten units below cover every budget from a kayak-mounted 7-incher to a permanently mounted 12-inch helm display.
I have run side scan on weed edges, rock bars and inshore oyster ground for years, and the thing that separates a good side imaging unit from a great one is rarely the spec sheet.
It is how readable the screen is in full sun, whether the transducer in the box actually does side imaging, and whether the screen can hold a map and a sonar page side by side. Those three things drive most of my ranking below.
We compared ten of the strongest side scan systems on the market right now, from Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance and Simrad, and read through roughly 1,700 owner reviews to see which ones hold up after a season rather than on day one. If you are still working out what kind of boat you will be running electronics on, our kayak fish finder guide covers the small-craft angle in more depth.
Top 3 Picks for the Best Fish Finders With Side Imaging in October
Garmin STRIKER 7sv
- CHIRP traditional and ClearVu
- SideVu scanning sonar
- CV52HW-TM transducer
- Quickdraw Contours
Lowrance Elite FS 10
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer
- SideScan and DownScan
- ActiveTarget live sonar ready
- 10 inch touchscreen
Humminbird HELIX 7 SI G4
- CHIRP Side Imaging
- CHIRP Down Imaging
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP
- 7 inch color TFT
All 10 Side Imaging Fish Finders at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin STRIKER 7sv |
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| Lowrance Elite FS 10 |
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| Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI G4 |
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 Humminbird XPLORE 10 MEGA SI+ |
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 Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV |
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 Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv |
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 Humminbird HELIX 7 MEGA SI G4N |
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 Lowrance HDS PRO 10 |
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 Simrad NSS Evo3S 12 |
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 Simrad GO9 XSE Bundle |
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1. Garmin STRIKER 7sv: Best Side Imaging Value in the Roundup
Pros
- SideVu imaging at a fraction of chartplotter unit cost
- Bright screen readable in direct sun
- Simple three-question setup
- Transducer and both mounts in the box
Cons
- No onboard charts at all
- Side scan quality depends on transducer height and angle
- 7 in screen limits split view
The STRIKER 7sv is the unit I keep coming back to as the sensible starting point. It ships with the CV52HW-TM transducer, which handles CHIRP traditional, CHIRP ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar from a single element, so you are not buying accessories to get the side view working on day one.
Owners consistently single out two things: the screen stays readable in hard sun, and the setup takes minutes rather than an afternoon. The three-question startup flow asks for water type and nothing else, and after that the menu is short enough that you will actually use the buttons in a moving boat.
That simplicity is what makes this the easiest unit here to hand to someone who has never run side imaging before.
What you give up is mapping. The STRIKER series accepts no charting software at all, so you get GPS waypoints, routes and boat speed without a single navigation chart on the display.
Anglers who fish familiar water and run a phone charting app alongside it rarely miss that. Anglers running unfamiliar lakes will feel its absence immediately.
Side scan results are also sensitive to installation. Get the transducer at the right height behind the hull and the picture is crisp; mount it too deep or at the wrong angle and the returns get thin.
Both transom and trolling motor mounts are included, which is where most kayak and small-boat owners should start. Our kayak fish finder picks break down the mounting options in more detail.
Who the STRIKER 7sv suits best
This is the pick for a kayak, a jon boat or a first side imaging purchase. Seven inches is enough for a single full-width sonar page, and reviewers report the picture is more than adequate for picking brush piles off a weed edge.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are charting unfamiliar water or running a full console boat with a trolling motor and a plan for forward-facing sonar, the lack of charts is the wrong place to save. A chartplotter-class unit like the ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv is the more sensible buy.
2. Lowrance Elite FS 10: Best All-Round Side Scan System
Pros
- One transducer covers CHIRP SideScan and DownScan
- Accurate GPS waypointing
- Screen mirroring to phone or tablet
- Expands into ActiveTarget live sonar
- Nine and ten inch sizes fit small consoles
Cons
- Steep menu learning curve on first setup
- Live sonar needs a separate ActiveTarget purchase
- Deep feature set sits in a paid ecosystem
The Elite FS is the one I recommend when someone wants one box to do everything. The included Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer gives you CHIRP traditional, SideScan and DownScan with FishReveal from a single unit, which removes the guesswork about which transducer pairs with which display.
Owners describe the contour detail as the standout feature. Ledges, drop-offs and productive zones show up with enough definition to fish off the picture, and the GPS waypointing is accurate enough to mark a spot and return to it after dark.
Screen mirroring to a phone or tablet is genuinely useful when the MFD is mounted out of easy reach.
The honest drawback is the learning curve. Menus are deep, and several owners mention spending real time dialling in sensitivity and palette settings before the picture made sense. That is normal for a unit with this many options, but if you want something you will be productive with on the first trip, set aside an evening with it on the dock.
On the positive side, the unit is ActiveTarget 2 XL ready, so forward-facing live sonar is an add-on later rather than a replacement purchase. Buyers describe it as the bridge between older Lowrance installs and the current Live ecosystem, which is exactly how I treat it.
Who the Elite FS suits best
Angler on a mid-size console or bay boat who wants side scan, down imaging and a chartplotter in a single screen, with room to grow into live sonar later. The 10-inch version is the one I would pick for a windshield-mounted install.
Who should look elsewhere
If you fish from a small boat and need a panel that holds up in hard sun, the SolarMAX HD screen in the HDS PRO is the better read. If you want to spend less, the Humminbird HELIX 7 SI G4 below covers the essentials at a lower outlay.
3. Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4: Best Budget Side Scan Pick
Pros
- CHIRP Side Imaging is cleaner than standard side scan
- Bright screen easy to read in sunlight
- Keypad control works with wet hands
- Transom mount included
- Easy install
Cons
- Settings-heavy interface takes practice
- 7 in screen is tight for split views
- Box labeling on SI versus DI is confusing
- AutoChart Live holds 8 hours without an SD card
Many reviewers call the HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 their reference point in this category. They describe CHIRP Side Imaging as producing cleaner side views than the standard side scan they came from, and that difference is the reason this unit keeps drawing attention at its size.
Control is via keypad and softkey rather than touch, and I think that matters more than buyers expect. In chop, in rain, with sunscreen on your fingers, physical keys do not misfire the way a capacitive screen does.
The included transom-mount transducer and gimbal bracket make the install straightforward.
Downsides are honest ones. The interface is settings-heavy and takes a few trips to learn, and seven inches is genuinely small if you want side scan and a chart on screen at once. AutoChart Live records eight hours to internal memory unless you add an AutoChart Zero Line SD card, and some buyers were caught by box labeling that made the side imaging configuration unclear.
Who the HELIX 7 SI suits best
A first-time side imaging angler on a tight budget, or a kayak and small-boat owner who wants a durable unit that tolerates rough treatment.
The Humminbird Basemap covers more than 10,000 lakes plus coastal coverage out of the box, and premium chart cards work if you want more detail.
Who should look elsewhere
If your boat is big enough for a 9- or 10-inch panel, the extra screen real estate changes everything about split view. And if 125-foot per-side reach matters to you, look at the MEGA Side Imaging models further down instead.
4. Humminbird XPLORE 10 MEGA Side Imaging+: Best Reach Per Side
Humminbird XPLORE 9 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen
Pros
- 200 ft per side side scan reach
- 200 ft of vertical down coverage
- Works with both touchscreen and keypad
- Three year warranty with registration
- Built-in Ethernet and NMEA 2000
Cons
- Control head only configuration has no transducer
- Small review base limits long term field reports
- Network features assume other compatible equipment
Range is the headline number here. MEGA Side Imaging+ reaches 200 feet to each side, and MEGA Down Imaging+ covers 200 feet of vertical depth. On a big reservoir or a wide bay, that reach is the difference between seeing the drop-off and seeing the fish holding on it.
The 10-inch panel runs touchscreen or keypad, whichever you prefer, and the box includes a LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card for U.S. and Canadian regions. Bluetooth handles anchor control and phone notifications, and built-in NMEA 2000 with high-speed Ethernet makes it a natural hub for a networked boat.
Two things to be careful about. This particular configuration is a control head, so the transducer is a separate purchase, and buyers who pair it with networked electronics call out the integration breadth as the reason it was worth it.
The other caution is simple: with a small review base, there is less long-term field data on this listing than on the picks above. One-Boat Network compatibility covers Minn Kota trolling motors and Cannon products, so check what is already on your boat before committing to a network ecosystem.
Who the XPLORE suits best
An angler on open water who keeps losing fish just outside the side scan range of cheaper units. Big reservoirs, wide rivers and coastal bays are where that reach pays for itself fastest.
Who should look elsewhere
Small inland lakes under a few hundred acres do not need that much reach, and the extra spend buys you range you will never use. Smaller craft also need to account for the 4.8-pound weight and the permanent-mount assumption.
5. Garmin STRIKER Plus 9SV: Best Large-Screen Value
Pros
- Vivid detail from ClearVu and SideVu
- 9 inch screen reads at a glance in sun
- Fast near instant startup
- Simple three-question setup
- Easy transom mount install
Cons
- No mapping software accepted at all
- Warranty and support handling can be slow
- Settings take time to learn
This is the STRIKER formula with a bigger canvas. The 9-inch WVGA screen is large enough to read at a glance from the helm without leaning in, and it stays visible in direct sun, which is the complaint we hear most about smaller budget units.
Sonar performance is the same CHIRP package as the 7sv, covering traditional, ClearVu and SideVu from the included CV52HW-TM transducer. Startup is fast and the setup flow asks three questions.
Owners frequently describe it as a lower-cost alternative to the ECHOMAP line when mapping is not part of the plan.
The one theme that comes up repeatedly is worth flagging before you buy: several owners describe Garmin warranty and technical support handling as slow and difficult to navigate after an early failure. That is a real consideration if you fish far from a dealer.
The second point is the same as the 7sv, no charting software, no matter how large the screen is.
Who the STRIKER Plus 9SV suits best
An angler who wants a big, bright side scan screen and does not need navigation charts. It is also a natural pairing where one display runs the map and the other runs sonar.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone navigating unfamiliar water. Nine inches of side scan is no substitute for a chart, and the ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv below gives you both in one box with Navionics+ charts already loaded.
6. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv: Best Chartplotter and Side Scan Combo
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv with GT56 Transducer, 9″ Touchscreen Chartplotter, Garmin Navionics+ U.S. Inland
Pros
- Real chartplotter plus SideVu in one unit
- Navionics plus maps over 18000 lakes with 1 foot contours
- Sunlight readable screen with wide viewing angle
- Wi-Fi sonar and waypoint sharing
- Wireless link to a Force trolling motor
Cons
- Heavier than a Striker class finder
- Trolling motor features need a Force unit
This is the unit I recommend to someone who wants a chartplotter without giving up side imaging. The GT56 transducer in this configuration drives Garmin traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar, and the 9-inch touchscreen is bright with a notably wide viewing angle, so it works from a leaning position as well as standing.
Garmin Navionics+ inland maps are preloaded, covering more than 18,000 lakes with contours down to one foot. For anyone breaking down unfamiliar water, that map coverage is the deciding factor.
Wi-Fi lets you share sonar, waypoints and routes with a second matched ECHOMAP UHD2, which owners running multi-unit boats appreciate. There is also wireless integration with a Force trolling motor for route following, speed control and battery checks. That is the catch as much as the feature, because it only works with a compatible Force motor.
Who the ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv suits best
A bass or multi-species angler on a mid-size boat who wants to navigate and fish off the same screen. The one-inch contour detail is what makes weed edges and drop-offs readable on the map as well as on the sonar.
Who should look elsewhere
Kayak and small-craft anglers, who should look at the 8.1-pound weight honestly, and anyone who does not need charts at all and can save by going with a STRIKER instead.
7. Humminbird HELIX 7 MEGA SI GPS G4N: Best Small Screen With Networking
Pros
- 125 ft per side MEGA Side Imaging reach
- MEGA Down Imaging matches depth capability
- Reliable keypad control in wet conditions
- Ethernet and One-Boat Network expansion
- Bluetooth control of shallow water anchors
Cons
- 7 in screen is compact for this much capability
- Networking only pays off with added hardware
- AutoChart Live limited to 8 hours without an SD card
This is the step up from the standard HELIX 7 SI. MEGA Side Imaging reaches 125 feet on either side with up to three times the detail of standard side imaging, and MEGA Down Imaging matches it below the boat. The 63-review base here is also smaller than most, so treat the rating as a useful signal rather than a settled verdict.
Where this model separates itself is connectivity. Ethernet networking links multiple displays and supports radar, One-Boat Network covers Humminbird and Minn Kota products, and Bluetooth handles shallow water anchor control and phone notifications.
For a boat that will grow over the next few years, that expansion path is the real argument. Ratings here sit below several picks in this roundup, and the reason tracks straight to the hardware: a 7-inch screen is compact for a networked system, and features like Ethernet and anchor control do nothing until you buy the compatible equipment.
Who the HELIX 7 MEGA SI G4N suits best
An angler on a boat with existing Humminbird or Minn Kota network gear who wants MEGA resolution in a 7-inch footprint. The keypad also makes it the better choice in genuinely rough conditions.
Who should look elsewhere
First-time buyers who will not add network equipment soon. You are paying today for capability you will not switch on, and a simpler unit serves you better for now.
8. Lowrance HDS PRO 10: Best for Big Screens and System Expansion
Pros
- High definition CHIRP SideScan and DownScan
- SolarMAX HD readable through polarized lenses
- SideScan and DownScan viewable at once
- Sizes from 9 to 16 inches
- C-MAP DISCOVER charts preloaded
Cons
- No printed manual in the box
- Documentation is thin
- Region locking reported outside the U.S.
- 11.6 pounds is awkward for small craft
- 1-star reviews run higher than other picks
The HDS PRO is a strong fit for a permanent install where screen size and sun readability come first. The 10-inch SolarMAX HD touchscreen is designed to stay readable at wide viewing angles and through polarized lenses, which is exactly the scenario that makes mid-range units frustrating on a bright day.
Sonar comes from the included Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer, giving high-definition CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging, and you can view SideScan and DownScan at the same time.
C-MAP DISCOVER charts for U.S. and Canadian inland and coastal waters are preloaded, and Ethernet plus NMEA 2000 covers displays, radar, trolling motors and boat systems.
Owners rate the sonar and display quality highly, and several who switched from older Lowrance gear or from Garmin say the interface won them over. The criticisms are specific and worth taking seriously: there is no printed manual, and installation documentation is thin enough that owners end up on video guides.
Multiple international buyers also report the unit locking outside the United States. At 11.6 pounds, it is heavy for small craft and awkward to move around.
ActiveTarget 2 and 2 XL live sonar is supported, sold separately.
Who the HDS PRO suits best
A hard-mounted console or helm install where screen size and sun readability matter most. If you fish through polarized glasses and want to run side scan and down imaging simultaneously, this is the display I would pick.
Who should look elsewhere
Boats outside the U.S. where region locking has been reported, and small craft where the weight is the problem. The Elite FS 10 gives you most of the capability at a lower weight.
9. Simrad NSS Evo3S 12: Best for a Permanently Mounted Helm
Simrad NSS12 Evo3S Chartplotter and Fishfinder with Preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Charts, 12 Inch Display, Black, 000-15403-002
Pros
- Large high-definition 12 inch display
- Fast iMX 8 processor and smooth transitions
- Touchscreen plus physical keypad and rotary dial
- C-MAP US Enhanced charts preloaded
- Processor headroom for sonar radar and vessel stack
Cons
- Display only package needs a sonar module
- Weighs 17.5 pounds for permanent mounting
- Fewer customer reviews than fish finder picks
Be clear about what this is. The NSS Evo3S 12 is a multifunction display, not a self-contained fish finder.
It gives you the screen, the GPS and the processing power, and Active Imaging sonar with StructureScan 3D is a separate module and transducer purchase.
That is the trade. What you get is a 12-inch SolarMax IPS display with the iMX 8 processor, preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced charts covering inland and coastal waters, and enough headroom to drive sonar, HALO radar and vessel-wide engine and fuel monitoring as you build the system out.
Control is the part I like most for a helm install. You can use the multitouch all-weather screen or the full keypad with rotary control dial, which matters when the boat is pitching. At 17.5 pounds this is built for a permanent flush mount, not for carrying around, and the review base is thinner than the fish finder class picks.
Who the NSS Evo3S 12 suits best
Boat owners building a full electronics package over several seasons, who want a large display that can eventually run sonar, radar and vessel monitoring from one screen.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone who wants to plug in a transducer tomorrow and fish. This display does no sonar on its own, and the all-in cost of adding a module, transducer and wiring is higher than buying a complete fish finder.
10. Simrad GO9 XSE Bundle: Best All-in-One Package
Simrad GO9 XSE Chartplotter and Fishfinder with HALO20 Radar, 83/200 Transom Mount Transducer and C-MAP Discover Charts, 9 Inch Screen, Black, 000-16294-001
Pros
- Display transducer radar and charts in one package
- Vector charts with depth shading and currents
- Solid state HALO20 radar included
- Wireless mirroring to phone or tablet
- 9 inch form mounts more easily than the 12 inch
Cons
- Bundled HDI transducer is CHIRP and DownScan not side imaging
- Only 16 customer reviews on this listing
- Low average rating on a thin review base
The most important detail on this listing is the transducer: the bundled 83/200 kHz HDI element delivers CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, not side imaging. If side scan is your reason for buying, you need the Active Imaging 3-in-1 variant of this display instead, so check the configuration carefully before you order.
Assuming that is sorted, the bundle appeal is real. You get a 9-inch touchscreen multifunction display with GPS navigation, a solid-state HALO20 radar with pulse compression, an HDI transducer, and preloaded C-MAP DISCOVER vector charts with depth shading, tides and currents for U.S. and Canada. Wireless mirroring extends charts and system data to a phone or tablet, and NMEA 2000 handles onboard integration.
The 9-inch form factor weighs three pounds and mounts far more easily than the NSS Evo3S, which matters if your console space is limited. Against that, sixteen customer reviews is a thin base, and the 4.1 average rating is tied for the lowest among the picks here for that reason.
Who the GO9 XSE bundle suits best
An angler with a center console who wants charts, radar and sonar in one install and values having the whole package specified up front rather than sourcing modules separately.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone shopping specifically for side imaging. The transducer in this configuration will not deliver it, and the Active Imaging variant costs more. A Lowrance Elite FS or a Humminbird HELIX gets you side scan out of the box.
How Side Imaging Works and How to Read the Screen
A side imaging transducer fires a narrow beam sideways rather than down, and the unit paints what comes back. Bright returns are fish and hard bottom, while dark shapes are shadows cast by objects standing off the bottom, such as brush piles, rock, timber and weed edges.
The black bar down the middle of the screen represents the water column directly beneath your boat. Everything either side of it is a slice of the bottom as it passes beside the hull, which is why a single pass paints a picture far wider than the boat is long.
Reading it takes practice, and the first trip usually looks confusing. Four settings matter more than any spec: range controls how far the beam reaches, sensitivity controls how much detail you see versus how much clutter.
Gain does the same job for the whole screen, and scroll speed determines how fast the image builds. Going too fast smears the picture, so slow it down until the returns sharpen.
That is also why forum anglers repeatedly say brightness, palette and sensitivity tuning affect day-to-day results far more than the marketing sheets suggest. A well-tuned 7-inch screen beats a badly tuned 12-inch screen every time.
Most units produce decent results even on factory settings, once you know where those controls live.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Side Imaging Fish Finder
First, understand that you are choosing among three different sonar types. Side imaging scans out to the sides and finds structure and fish holding on it. Down imaging, sold as DownVü, DownScan or FishReveal depending on brand, looks straight down and shows you what is beneath the hull and at what depth.
Forward-facing sonar, sold as LiveScope, MEGA Live or ActiveTarget, shows you live fish and lure movement in real time. Side imaging is the best tool for breaking down new water, down imaging is the best tool for knowing what you are looking at, and forward-facing is the best tool for watching a strike happen. Most serious setups run side imaging and down imaging together and add forward-facing later.
Second, screen size. Seven inches is the minimum I consider comfortable, and it is workable only for a single sonar page. If you want side scan and a chart visible at the same time, move to nine inches or more. Our guide to kayak fish finders covers the smaller end of the sizing question.
Also check brightness, because a dim panel that washes out in direct sun is useless regardless of its resolution, and that is the complaint we hear most about entry-level units.
Third, the transducer. This is where shopping lists go wrong, because some bundles ship a transducer that does not do side imaging at all, as we flagged with the Simrad GO9 XSE. Check that the included element supports side scan explicitly, and check whether it is a transom, in-hull or trolling motor mount.
Getting the transducer height and angle right does more for your image quality than any setting in the menu.
Fourth, charts. Garmin calls them Navionics+, Lowrance and Simrad use C-MAP, and Humminbird uses LakeMaster and CoastMaster, with each brand also accepting premium third-party cards. The STRIKER series accepts no mapping software at all, so decide early whether you need a chartplotter or just a fish finder with GPS.
Fifth, ecosystem. Trolling motor integration is brand-locked more than buyers expect. Garmin links wirelessly to a Force motor, Humminbird uses One-Boat Network with Minn Kota and Cannon, and Lowrance and Simrad lean on NMEA 2000. If your boat already has electronics, staying in that brand is usually cheaper than mixing.
Sixth, total installed cost. The advertised figure is the head only in many cases. Add the transducer if it is not included, the mount, the power and data cable, a battery, and premium chart cards if you want them. That is why forum buyers ask about installed cost so often, and it is worth building into your budget before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fish finder has side scan?
Several current mid-to-high units do. In this roundup, the Garmin STRIKER 7sv and STRIKER Plus 9SV use SideVu, the Humminbird HELIX 7 SI G4 and both MEGA SI models use Side Imaging or MEGA Side Imaging, and the Lowrance Elite FS and HDS PRO use SideScan from an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. Always confirm the included transducer supports side scan, because some bundles ship a down-imaging-only element.
Does Garmin or Humminbird have better side imaging?
It depends on the tier. Humminbird leads on range: MEGA Side Imaging reaches 125 feet per side and MEGA Side Imaging Plus reaches 200 feet per side. Garmin SideVu is strong on clarity, screen brightness and the surrounding chartplotter ecosystem. For basic structure finding, either reads bottom well; for wide open water, the Humminbird reach advantage is real.
Is side scan or LiveScope better?
They answer different questions. Side scan shows you structure and fish holding on it out to the sides, which makes it the fastest way to break down new water. LiveScope, MEGA Live and ActiveTarget show live fish and lure movement in real time, which makes it better for spotting a bite and watching your lure. Most anglers run side imaging as the primary search tool and add live sonar later.
Is side imaging worth it?
For freshwater and near-shore fishing, yes. It reveals weed edges, drop-offs, rock, timber and brush piles far faster than casting or trolling alone, and it is the primary search tool most tournament pros rely on. It matters much less for offshore deep-water fishing or for anglers who only need basic depth and temperature readings.
How do I choose a side imaging fish finder?
Start with three questions. Do you need charts, or just sonar with GPS? How big is your boat, and can it take a 9 or 10 inch panel? And do you already have a trolling motor or other electronics that lock you into one brand? Then confirm the bundled transducer actually does side imaging, and check the screen is bright enough to read in direct sun.
Our Final Verdict for 2026
The Garmin STRIKER 7sv remains our overall pick among the best fish finders with side imaging, because it pairs real SideVu scanning sonar with a bright screen and a bundled transducer at an outlay most anglers can reach. The Lowrance Elite FS 10 is the smarter all-round buy if you want charts and a growth path, and the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI G4 is the one to start on without breaking the bank.
Whichever you pick, verify the transducer in the box actually does side imaging before anything else. That single check prevents the most common disappointment in this category, and it takes about thirty seconds. Use the price button on any pick above to see the current listing.