5 Best Fish Finders with Side Scan (October 2026)
The best fish finders with side scan include the Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA for MEGA Side Imaging+ range, the Simrad GO Chartplotter and Fish Finder for chartplotter and DownScan, and the Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live Sonar Fish for live forward and down views.
On this page (5 sections)
The best fish finder with side scan depends on whether you need the transducer included. The Humminbird XPLORE offers MEGA Side Imaging+ with a stated 200-foot range on each side, while the Lowrance Elite FS includes a transducer with SideScan and DownScan Imaging.
Side scan, also called side imaging, helps you search structure beside the boat. Before comparing screens or charts, check that the sonar mode and transducer match the kind of search you plan to do.
For a quick explanation of what side imaging on a fish finder is, start with the basics. If you want to compare views, this guide to side imaging vs down imaging fishfinder explains how each view supports a different search.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for MEGA Side Imaging+ rangeHumminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for chartplotter and DownScanSimrad GO Chartplotter and Fish Finder
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for live forward and down viewsLowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live Sonar Fish
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itLowrance Elite FS Fish Finder/Chartplotter
Best for included SideScan transducer - 5
Check itHumminbird 411660-1 Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3
Best for keypad-controlled CHIRP
How we chose fish finders with side scan
The strongest match for side scanning is a unit whose described features name SideScan or Side Imaging+ and specify a compatible transducer arrangement. We compared the stated sonar modes, transducer inclusion, display controls and navigation features against the goal of searching beside the boat.
Our score weighs specs and features against what you're shopping for. A unit with live sonar or CHIRP can still be useful, but those features don't mean it has side scan.
Check the transducer details before buying, especially when the unit is sold as a control head only. You can also read about what fish look like on side imaging to understand what the screen may show.
Compare the side-scan fish finders
The Lowrance Elite FS has the clearest match between side scan and an included transducer, while the Humminbird XPLORE states a broad side-imaging range but comes without one. The other picks offer useful sonar and chart features, with side-scan support not specified in their described modes.
| Product | Best for | Side imaging | Display | Included | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA | MEGA Side Imaging+ range | MEGA Side Imaging+; 200-foot range on each side | 10-inch touchscreen and keypad | Control head only; no transducer | 9.5 |
| Simrad GO Chartplotter and Fish Finder | chartplotter and DownScan | 9-inch touchscreen | HDI transducer and C-MAP Discover card | 9.2 | |
| Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live Sonar Fish | live forward and down views | 9-inch IPS | Live transducer pack and inland C-MAP charts | 9.0 | |
| Lowrance Elite FS Fish Finder/Chartplotter | included SideScan transducer | SideScan with included Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer | 10-inch multi-touchscreen | 8.8 | |
| Humminbird 411660-1 Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3 | keypad-controlled CHIRP | 5-inch color TFT | 8.5 |
The best fish finders with side scan
These fish finders cover different needs, from MEGA Side Imaging+ to chartplotting, live sonar and keypad-controlled CHIRP. Check the mode and transducer combination first, then choose the display and navigation features that fit your boat.
Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA: Best for MEGA Side Imaging+ range
- MEGA Side Imaging+ with 200-foot range on each side
- 10-inch touchscreen and keypad
- Built-in GPS and LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card
MEGA Side Imaging+ and a large touchscreen suit anglers who want to scan beside the boat and review a wider display. This control-head-only model does not include a transducer.
Pros
- 200-foot range on each side
- Touchscreen and keypad controls
- Includes LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card
Cons
- Transducer not included
- Confirm transducer compatibility and total system needs
The Humminbird XPLORE is the clearest fit if your priority is a stated side-imaging range. MEGA Side Imaging+ is listed at 200 feet on each side, and the 10-inch interface combines touchscreen and keypad controls.
It also includes built-in GPS, Humminbird Basemap and a LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card for U.S. and Canadian regions. AutoChart Live can map depth contours, bottom hardness and vegetation, with eight hours of built-in recording time.
The important setup detail is that this is a control-head-only model without a transducer. See XPLORE 12 transducer setup options before planning the complete system.
Confirm which compatible transducer you need and budget for it as part of the complete system.
Choose XPLORE if you want the large display and the stated MEGA Side Imaging+ range, and already have a plan for the transducer. For more options from the same brand, see our best Humminbird side imaging fish finders.
Simrad GO Chartplotter and Fish Finder: Best for chartplotter and DownScan
- 9-inch touchscreen display
- Includes 83/200 kHz HDI transducer
- CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging
The GO display combines GPS chartplotting with CHIRP and DownScan Imaging through an included HDI transducer. The provided sonar details don't specify side-scan support.
Pros
- Includes HDI transducer
- C-MAP Discover chart card
- Wi-Fi and NMEA 2000 support
Cons
- Side-scan support is not specified
- Check sonar compatibility for your intended setup
The Simrad GO is a multifunction display for anglers who want GPS chartplotting and sonar on one screen. Its included HDI transducer supports 83/200 kHz CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging, and the C-MAP Discover card provides chart features including custom depth shading and high-resolution bathymetric contours.
The described sonar features don't specify side scan, so this is not the clearest choice if searching to either side of the boat is essential. Its 9-inch touchscreen and built-in GPS may suit a boat where chart use and down-looking sonar are central.
Wi-Fi and NMEA 2000 support help connect the display with compatible equipment. Confirm that the exact sonar configuration you intend to use supports side scan before choosing it for that purpose.
Choose Simrad for a chartplotter-centered setup with CHIRP and DownScan. If side scanning is your main requirement, start with a model that explicitly names SideScan or Side Imaging+.
Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live Sonar Fish: Best for live forward and down views
- Live Forward and Live Down views
- CHIRP and DownScan Imaging with FishReveal
- 9-inch IPS display and inland C-MAP charts
The Eagle Eye is built around live forward and down views, plus CHIRP and DownScan with FishReveal. Its described sonar features do not include side scan.
Pros
- Live Forward and Live Down views
- One transducer supports the listed sonar modes
- C-MAP charts cover more than 17,000 U.S. lakes
Cons
- Side-scan support is not specified
- Focuses on live and down-looking sonar
The Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 is built around live sonar. Its Live Forward and Live Down views let you watch fish movement and observe how they respond to a lure, while the included transducer also supports CHIRP and DownScan Imaging with FishReveal.
This mix can suit anglers who want to follow fish behavior in real time and use down-looking sonar to inspect targets around structure. The 9-inch IPS display and C-MAP charts for more than 17,000 U.S. lakes add screen and mapping functions.
The described modes don't include side scan. If your priority is covering water beside the boat, check a unit with SideScan before choosing the Eagle Eye for that job.
Choose it for live forward and down views, rather than as a confirmed side-scan model. Its feature set targets a different sonar task from the Humminbird and Elite FS picks.
Lowrance Elite FS Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Best for included SideScan transducer
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer included
- CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging
- FishReveal and C-MAP Discover OnBoard charts
The Elite FS includes an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer for CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan. It is the most direct match here if you want side-scan hardware included.
Pros
- SideScan and DownScan transducer included
- 10-inch multi-touchscreen
- Preloaded C-MAP Discover OnBoard charts
Cons
- Screen size in the supplied name range varies; confirm the exact configuration
- Live sonar requires a compatible add-on
The Lowrance Elite FS is the most direct side-scan pick if you want an included transducer. Its Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer supports CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging, with FishReveal included in the described system.
The 10-inch multi-touchscreen gives you room to review sonar and charts. Preloaded C-MAP Discover OnBoard charts cover inland, coastal and Canadian areas, and wireless, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet support connect compatible displays and equipment.
This model is also ready for ActiveTarget 2 or ActiveTarget 2 XL, which are add-ons for live sonar. That option is separate from the included side-scan setup, so choose it only if you also want to expand into live forward- or down-looking views.
Choose Elite FS when confirmed SideScan capability and a transducer in the system matter more than MEGA Side Imaging+ range. Check the exact screen configuration before ordering, since the product name covers a 7–12-inch range.
Humminbird 411660-1 Helix 5 Chirp GPS G3: Best for keypad-controlled CHIRP
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP with Wide and Narrow modes
- 5-inch color TFT display
- AutoChart Live mapping
The Helix 5 offers CHIRP sonar with Wide and Narrow search modes, GPS and AutoChart Live mapping. Its described sonar features do not include side imaging.
Pros
- Wide and Narrow CHIRP modes
- Keypad controls
- AutoChart Live maps contours, bottom hardness and vegetation
Cons
- No side imaging specified
- 5-inch display
The Humminbird Helix 5 is a compact CHIRP GPS fish finder with keypad control. Dual Spectrum CHIRP offers Wide Mode for coverage and Narrow Mode for more detailed scanning, with stated target separation powered by a Low-Q transducer.
It also includes Humminbird Basemap coverage of more than 10,000 lakes and continental U.S. coastlines. AutoChart Live creates maps of depth contours, bottom hardness and vegetation, with eight hours of built-in recording.
The described sonar features don't specify side imaging. Its 5-inch color display and softkey controls suit anglers who prefer buttons and want GPS and CHIRP in a smaller unit, but it isn't a confirmed side-scan choice from the features described here.
Choose the Helix 5 for keypad-controlled CHIRP and mapping rather than a side-imaging setup. If side scanning is a must, compare the XPLORE and Elite FS first.
What should you check before buying a side-scan fish finder?
The transducer and sonar mode are the first things to check. A large screen or advanced chart card won't tell you whether the system can scan beside the boat.
Does the fish finder include a side-scan transducer?
A compatible transducer is needed for side-scan sonar, so check whether the package includes one. Compare Humminbird side imaging transducers when matching a transducer to the display.
The Elite FS includes a 3-in-1 transducer with SideScan, while the XPLORE control head here does not include a transducer.
Confirm compatibility if you're matching a display to equipment you already own. Also check installation guidance for mounting position and clearance, since the transducer needs a usable view of the water.
How much side-imaging range do you need?
Choose range based on how much area you want to scan beside the boat and how you plan to use the display. The XPLORE states a 200-foot range on each side for MEGA Side Imaging+; the other product details here don't provide a comparable side-scan range.
Range alone doesn't tell you how clearly you will interpret every target. Conditions, setup and screen settings affect what appears, so consider whether the interface gives you room to review the view you need.
Is side scan the same as live sonar?
No. Side scan is used to search areas to either side of the boat, while live sonar views show fish and lure activity in real time from supported directions.
The Eagle Eye 9 is described with Live Forward and Live Down views, while the Elite FS can be expanded with compatible ActiveTarget live sonar. Decide whether you want to locate structure at a distance, observe fish movement, or both.
Should you choose side scan or down scan?
Side scan helps cover water beside the boat, while down scan looks below it. Many anglers use the views for different parts of a search, so the better choice depends on where you want to look.
The Elite FS includes both SideScan and DownScan through its Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. Read our guide to side imaging vs down imaging if you're choosing one view or a combination.
Which fish finder with side scan should you choose?
Choose the Lowrance Elite FS if you want SideScan and DownScan with a transducer included. Choose the Humminbird XPLORE if you want the stated 200-foot-per-side MEGA Side Imaging+ range and are prepared to source a transducer separately.
The Simrad GO suits chartplotting with CHIRP and DownScan, while the Eagle Eye 9 focuses on live forward and down views. The Helix 5 offers keypad-controlled CHIRP and mapping in a smaller display, with no side imaging specified in the features described here.
A fish finder can help you locate structure and possible targets, but reading the screen takes practice. For a broader look at the technology, see do fish finders really work?.
About this guide: Fish Finder Critic compares fish finders with side scan by their stated sonar modes, included transducers and navigation features.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for MEGA Side Imaging+ range
Humminbird XPLORE Series GPS Fish Finder MEGA
9.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for chartplotter and DownScan
Simrad GO Chartplotter and Fish Finder
9.2/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for live forward and down views
Lowrance Eagle Eye 9 Live Sonar Fish
9.0/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What does side scan show on a fish finder?
Side scan shows a view of the bottom and structure to the left and right of the boat. It can help you search a wider area for cover, edges and potential fish targets.
Use it to locate areas worth checking, then change your position or sonar view to investigate details.
Does every fish finder with imaging include side scan?
No. Imaging can refer to different sonar views, including side scan and down scan.
Check the specific sonar modes and transducer included with a unit before buying.
For example, the Simrad GO details here describe CHIRP and DownScan, while the Lowrance Elite FS describes SideScan and DownScan.
Can side imaging see fish?
Yes, side imaging can show fish targets, but reading them takes practice and results depend on conditions and settings. Use the screen to spot possible targets and nearby structure, then verify with another pass or sonar view.
Our guide explains whether side imaging can see fish.
Do you need a transducer for side scan?
Yes, side-scan sonar needs a compatible transducer to send and receive the signal. Check whether one is included and whether it supports the imaging mode you want.
The Humminbird XPLORE model here is control head only, while the Lowrance Elite FS includes an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer.
