Garmin Striker Vivid 9sv is like that eligible bachelor that everyone wants to have as a partner. It’s a top-of-the-line model that includes features like multiple Chirp views, a high-resolution large display, internal GPS, custom contour mapping and Wi-Fi connectivity. Yet, the price isn’t as high as other premium models. The unit neither has built-in maps nor space for SDcard. In my opinion, these are its major drawbacks. But, they also keep the price within the affordability spectrum. Therefore, I would call it both a strength and a weakness. So, if you want a high-end fishfinder for large vessels with good value, Striker Vivid 9sv is the best-est option.
We will talk in more detail about its key benefits in the review below. So, let’s not waste any more time and begin.
Table of Contents
What Makes It Stand Apart?
Despite having limited mapping and networking features, Vivid 9sv still gets higher scores and ratings. The unit has a bigger coloured screen complemented with an incredibly sharp sonar imaging to make it stand apart.
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Our Review
Striker Vivid 9sv is among those wizardly units that hold an angler’s interest in the initial moments of inspection. The unit entails a GT52 transducer with built-in support for traditional Chirp plus ClearVu and SideVu. These multiple Chirp views give you a good idea about the position of fish, structure, vegetation and other hard objects.
You can see photographic-like crisp images of fish and bottom structures on either side of your watercraft through SideVu.
Moreover, its 9-inch colour display offers you an attractive picture of the underwater world around you. The addition of 7 striking colour palettes for sonar scans is a source of relief for anglers with vision deficiencies. Also, you can arrange multiple pieces of information simultaneously on the home screen through the split-screen option. As for the control interface, I have yet to meet an angler complaining about the learning curve. In other words, the keypad setup is super, super easy, having a negligible learning curve.
You will not find any pre-installed maps here. Plus, there’s no storage space for additional maps. I know it’s disappointing but try not to panic or get judgemental for a minute. The unit has a GPS to keep you on the right track. The Quickdraw Contours is another boon as it lets you sketch your own charts. Greatest of all, it has Wi-Fi connectivity through which you can get into both the Active Captain app and Contours Community and observe charts of other anglers. You can share your creations and receive notifications as well.
In short, this unit is an excellent choice for all those anglers who don’t mind paying a little over half a grand to get a larger screen space, impressive sonars and charting features.
Chirp Sonars
Striker Vivid 9sv earns stellar ratings for its sonar functions. There’s a GT52 transducer in the package which can shoot sonar beams in traditional Chirp mode, Chirp ClearVu and SideVu. No brainer, its fish-finding skills surpass your expectations.
You can use the ClearVu sonar to get the finest possible image of the underwater terrain. As the name suggests, the SideVu sonar extends to a couple of hundred feet on both sides of the boat to locate fish and structures with sharp target separation.
Thus, the unit can sense the presence of fish in pretty much any type of fishing except deepsea fishing.
Bigger Display
Striker Vivid 9sv is a perfect partner for anglers willing to pay extra bucks for larger screen space. The 9-inch colour display with decent resolutions offers you incredible pictures of the on-goings of the realm below. Best of all, Garmin has added a 7-colours palette to ensure vivid imagery. You can use any colour from the given sonar palette to distinguish one target from the other. This feature is a blessing for those anglers who have vision problems.
It’s not a touchscreen, but I love that it lets me watch tons of information at once by splitting the screen. The touchscreen can become a massive pain if it gets wet.
Its keypad interface is quite easy to understand. Therefore, you won’t face any complications when navigating through it.
Navigation
As I said in the introductory paragraph, the biggest con of Vivid 9sv is the lack of innate maps. Also, there’s no way available for you to add external maps since the unit doesn’t have SDcard storage space. Still, it can keep you on the right trail. How so? That it does through its internal GPS. You can use it to check your boat’s speed as well.
The lack of built-in charts is compensated through the Quickdraw Contours app. The app allows you to make charts, draw routes and add waypoints. Even better is that you can access the Active Captain app to observe charts drawn by other anglers. You can share personal charts as well. The unit has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity to reduce mapping problems.
Pros
- Transducer supports Chirp traditional sonar, ClearVu & SideVu for improved tracking.
- Sharp imaging of fish and bottom structure with sonar colour palette.
- Quality display with an easy mechanism.
- Built-in GPS.
- Customized chart plotting with Quickdraw Contours.
- Wi-Fi connectivity for connecting to Active Captain and Contour Community.
- Less expensive.
Cons
- Limited networking.
- No pre-loaded maps.
- No way to add maps or expand the unit’s memory.
Why Should You Buy It?
As you can see, its pros outnumber the cons.
First of all, it has an excellent display with a pretty basic and simple operating mechanism.
Secondly, the shortcoming in cartography and connectivity areas is a blessing in disguise – it makes the unit less expensive without lessening its overall value.
Thirdly and finally, it has GPS, personal contour mapping and a couple of connectivity features to shore up its weaknesses and help you find fish in the right place.
Bottom Line
Considering all its pros and cons, it’s not easy to decide whether the unit is a complete success or a total failure. In the light of my personal experience, I would give it higher ratings for several reasons. Incredible sonar imaging and an excellent quality, bigger display are among the most prominent ones. The limited charting and networking features might not sit well with many, but others find it a blessing in disguise due to the drop in the cost. Besides, you can make your own maps or access charts drawn by others to reduce mapping-related issues.
All said, if you’re hunting for a unit with a larger screen and impressive imaging at a value price, Garmin Striker Vivid 9sv is the most eligible candidate for you to consider.
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