Main trade-off
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
SplitShot HD does not provide side imaging.
Head-to-head
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD vs Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv: Eagle navigates with chart cards, Garmin builds chart-free Quickdraw contours
The short answer
Choose chart-card navigation or Garmin’s chart-free Quickdraw approach.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD provides about 21.6 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 7 SplitShot HD
- Choose it for
- You need compatible chart cards and Genesis Live
- 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 prefer Garmin Quickdraw and the selected GT20 bundle
- 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 7 SplitShot HD and STRIKER Vivid 7cv by included sonar, display workspace, chart support and battery needs for your boat.
Choose chart-card navigation or Garmin’s chart-free Quickdraw approach.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Reading sonar from the normal seated position
Both have seven-inch 800 ×480 displays and downward scanning sonar. Their screen pixel count and published 12V current point are equal, so those numbers do not choose the system for you.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
Choosing a map and small-battery setup
Eagle accepts compatible chart cards and records Genesis Live contours. STRIKER Vivid 7cv records Quickdraw contours and waypoints but is not a chart-card plotter.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
Reusing hardware or expanding the boat system
Garmin’s Wi-Fi supports its documented phone and Quickdraw functions. It does not turn STRIKER into a LiveScope network display. Eagle also lacks a documented Ethernet live-sonar path here.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
A 2ft contour change has four versus two configured intervals
Genesis Live offers 0.5ft contour increments and Quickdraw 1 ft increments. Across a 2ft depth change, those settings represent four and two intervals.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Physical screen area at the published aspect ratio
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD provides about 21.6 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 15.5 hours at the Eagle 7 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 0.55A ×12V =6.6W 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 2ft contour change has four versus two configured intervals
Genesis Live offers 0.5ft contour increments and Quickdraw 1 ft increments. Across a 2ft depth change, those settings represent four and two intervals.
How we reached this conclusion
2 ÷0.5 =4.2 ÷1 =2. This compares displayed contour spacing, not depth accuracy or survey quality.
Choice A
Lowrance, Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
A seven-inch IPS fishfinder with SplitShot HD, GPS chart support and Genesis Live mapping. It gives more viewing area than Eagle 5 while keeping the same 800 × 480 pixel matrix.
- Best matched use
- Larger chart and downward-sonar views
Checked facts
- 7-inch 800 × 480 IPS display
- SplitShot HD included
- 550mA 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 7 SplitShot HD | Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display technology | IPS | WVGA color | Check off-axis visibility and your polarized glasses. |
| 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 | 225.9mm | 235mm | Leave additional room for the bracket and cable exits. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Lowrance Eagle 7 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 compatible chart cards and Genesis Live
Choose Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD. Both have seven-inch 800 ×480 displays and downward scanning sonar. Their screen pixel count and published 12V current point are equal, so those numbers do not choose the system for you.
You prefer Garmin Quickdraw and the selected GT20 bundle
Choose Garmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv. Eagle accepts compatible chart cards and records Genesis Live contours. STRIKER Vivid 7cv records Quickdraw contours and waypoints but is not a chart-card plotter.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Separate the screen from the sonar bundle
Both have seven-inch 800 ×480 displays and downward scanning sonar. Their screen pixel count and published 12V current point are equal, so those numbers do not choose the system for you.
Choose the maps and electrical plan
Eagle accepts compatible chart cards and records Genesis Live contours. STRIKER Vivid 7cv records Quickdraw contours and waypoints but is not a chart-card plotter.
Check the installation and future system
Garmin’s Wi-Fi supports its documented phone and Quickdraw functions. It does not turn STRIKER into a LiveScope network display. Eagle also lacks a documented Ethernet live-sonar path here.
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 7 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 7 SplitShot HD
You need compatible chart cards and Genesis Live
See price & reviews on AmazonGarmin STRIKER Vivid 7cv
You prefer Garmin Quickdraw and the selected GT20 bundle
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.