Anyone using Garmin fishfinders

A search turned up a little (mostly positive) but I see a lot more posted about Lowrance.  I stopped at west marine and looked at these today. I like the size and the menus etc seem pretty simple and straightforward to me.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--echomap-chirp-54cv-fishfinder-chartplotter-combo-with-clearv-transducer-and-bluechart-g2-coastal-charts--17984493?recordNum=3

This'll be my first fishfinder.

If you're willing to share, I'd be glad to hear any thoughts on which way to go for a newb. to FF's.

Thanks.

That is basically what I use.  I have the echomap 43dv. I love it. I must disclose that I work for Garmin though. I think lowrance does a good job marketing to the kayak market.

I’m on my second garmin - a 51dv, I think. Has been fine for me, and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another garmin. Also, I don’t work for garmin.

Using Garmin Striker 4dv. It's smaller screen, but works very well for me on Revo 11. Not sure if I would like to have bigger screen. With two rod holder get's quite clustered already. Deepest I tried was ~230ft - no problem with picture.

Wow. Great replies.

So, to drill down a bit more, how much do you use the sonar mode vs. traditional? From what I can see in demo modes, you actually get less information on sonar (bait/targets). Not sure if I need the cv/dv bells and whistles or just go with the 4" $119.00 striker4? I do like the size of the 54 cv, I like the base on that one too, I think it'll fit with how I plan to mount my downrigger/rod holders etc...

Again, thanks for your answers. It's hard to know this stuff without first-hand experience.

Tried both modes: sonar and traditional. Somehow I like traditional mode more. Right now I probably would buy just striker 4 (not a 4DV/CV).
To be honest - I think all you need to know is a depth and locate fish - and traditional mode will give you that. ClearView will give you nice picture of a stump or a tree on the bottom, but that's not why we using fishfinder, right :-)
And funny enough - I realized, that I used to catch more trouts on the lake just by observing surface. After installing fishfinder I think I spend too much time just by looking at the screen :-)

just go with the 4" $119.00 striker4?

If you're going that way pay the extra $20 and get the STRIKER Plus 4 W/Quickdraw.  Best Jackson you will spend all year.

just go with the 4" $119.00 striker4?

If you're going that way pay the extra $20 and get the STRIKER Plus 4 W/Quickdraw.  Best Jackson you will spend all year.

^^ This!