Main trade-off
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
SplitShot HD does not provide side imaging.
Head-to-head
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD vs Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv: Eagle fits compact chart navigation, Garmin gives sonar more screen room
The short answer
Choose compact chart support or a larger chart-free sonar display.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD provides about 11 square inches of display area and STRIKER Vivid 7cv about 21.6. This helps judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
What this is based on
Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²), assuming square pixels and the published diagonal. Values are geometric estimates, not active-area measurements.
Main trade-off
Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
The included transducer does not provide SideVu.
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Choose it for
- You need a smaller case and chart cards
- The SplitShot HD sonar setup matches your fishing
- Main trade-off
- SplitShot HD does not provide side imaging.
Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Choose it for
- You want seven-inch viewing area and Quickdraw
- The GT20-TM in the selected US bundle sonar setup matches your fishing
- Main trade-off
- The included transducer does not provide SideVu.
About this comparison
Compare Eagle 5 SplitShot HD and STRIKER Vivid 7cv by included sonar, display workspace, chart support and battery needs for your boat.
Choose compact chart support or a larger chart-free sonar display.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Reading sonar from the normal seated position
Eagle 5 and Vivid 7cv share 800 ×480 pixels. The Garmin spreads that matrix over a larger display, while Eagle keeps the body compact and supports chart cards.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
Choosing a map and small-battery setup
Both supplied bundles offer downward imaging without side imaging. For a kayak that mainly tracks depth and structure below, either sonar scope may be sufficient.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
Reusing hardware or expanding the boat system
Eagle’s182.1mm body is 52.9mm narrower than the Garmin 235mm body. Bracket clearance and the cable route are particularly important on narrow accessory tracks.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
A 200mm mounting span admits only the smaller body
Eagle 5 leaves 17.9mm within 200mm. Vivid 7cv exceeds the same span by 35mm, before knobs or cables.
- Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD provides about 11 square inches of display area and STRIKER Vivid 7cv about 21.6. This helps judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
How we reached this conclusion
Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²), assuming square pixels and the published diagonal. Values are geometric estimates, not active-area measurements.
A 12.8V10Ah battery with 20% held in reserve
The 102.4Wh working allowance gives about 30.5 hours at the Eagle 5 SplitShot HD published electrical point and 15.5 hours at the STRIKER Vivid 7cv point.
How we reached this conclusion
Assume 12.8V ×10Ah ×0.8 =102.4Wh usable for this device alone. Published-point power is 0.28A ×12V =3.4W and 0.55A ×12V =6.6W. HELIX input is assumed 12V because the draw specification omits test voltage. Ignore converter loss, temperature and battery aging. This is not a measured runtime comparison.
A 200mm mounting span admits only the smaller body
Eagle 5 leaves 17.9mm within 200mm. Vivid 7cv exceeds the same span by 35mm, before knobs or cables.
How we reached this conclusion
200 minus 182.1 =17.9mm.200 minus 235 =negative 35mm. Use the installation drawing for final clearance.
Choice A
Lowrance, Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
A five-inch IPS fishfinder and chartplotter with SplitShot HD for CHIRP and downward structure views. Its small case and published 280mA draw suit compact 12V setups.
- Best matched use
- Compact below-boat sonar with chart cards
Checked facts
- 5-inch 800 × 480 IPS display
- SplitShot HD included
- 280mA at 12V with full backlight
- Genesis Live, 0.5ft contours
Choice B
Garmin, STRIKER Vivid 7cv with GT20-TM
Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
The unit has a 7-inch display. The named Amazon configuration includes a transducer.
- Best matched use
- fish from a kayak and map an uncharted lake
Checked facts
- The unit has a 7-inch display.
- The named Amazon configuration includes a transducer.
- Side imaging is not included in the named configuration.
- Charting or live mapping is supported.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD | Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display diagonal | 5 inches | 7 inches | Larger physical views help when the unit sits farther from the seat. |
| Display technology | IPS | WVGA color | Check off-axis visibility and your polarized glasses. |
| Published electrical point | 0.28A at 12V | 0.55A at 12V | Use the stated conditions when sizing a battery. HELIX voltage is a nominal 12V assumption. |
| Included transducer | SplitShot HD | GT20-TM in the selected US bundle | This exact bundle determines the supplied sonar modes and installation hardware. |
| Chart-card path | C-MAP chart-card support | No chart-card support | GPS waypoints and self-recorded depth maps are different from navigation chart cards. |
| Personal mapping | Genesis Live, 0.5ft contours | Quickdraw Contours, 1ft contours | Match the required layers and contour display to the fishing task. |
| Bare body width | 182.1mm | 235mm | Leave additional room for the bracket and cable exits. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
- This selected package is the base transducer bundle. A C-MAP DISCOVER card is a separate named package. Verify included regional charts and the exact lake.
If you choose Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- It lacks a preloaded detailed chart bundle.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You need a smaller case and chart cards
Choose Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD. Eagle 5 and Vivid 7cv share 800 ×480 pixels. The Garmin spreads that matrix over a larger display, while Eagle keeps the body compact and supports chart cards.
You want seven-inch viewing area and Quickdraw
Choose Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv. Both supplied bundles offer downward imaging without side imaging. For a kayak that mainly tracks depth and structure below, either sonar scope may be sufficient.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Separate the screen from the sonar bundle
Eagle 5 and Vivid 7cv share 800 ×480 pixels. The Garmin spreads that matrix over a larger display, while Eagle keeps the body compact and supports chart cards.
Choose the maps and electrical plan
Both supplied bundles offer downward imaging without side imaging. For a kayak that mainly tracks depth and structure below, either sonar scope may be sufficient.
Check the installation and future system
Eagle’s182.1mm body is 52.9mm narrower than the Garmin 235mm body. Bracket clearance and the cable route are particularly important on narrow accessory tracks.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- These are manufacturer-specification comparisons without on-water testing.
- Screen pixels and contour spacing do not establish sonar or depth accuracy.
- Chart cards, mounting accessories and networked live sonar require exact model compatibility checks.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current fish finders comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
8 of 23 models checked match every need here: “Read split screens at a glance” and “See structure directly below”.
8 matching models from 23 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Read split screens at a glance” and “See structure directly below”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD |
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| Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Lowrance Eagle 5 SplitShot HD
You need a smaller case and chart cards
See price & reviews on AmazonGarmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
You want seven-inch viewing area and Quickdraw
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.