This is one of our most common questions when it comes to which one of these entry level units from Garmin a customer should choose for his kayak, jetski, inflatable boat or even offshore small fishing boat.
Here’s a detailed comparison between the Garmin Striker 4 and the Garmin Striker 4 Plus, emphasising their differences across features, display, mapping capabilities, and usability in a way that we hope you will get a better and clearer, well-informed understanding thereof.
Overview: Striker 4 vs. Striker 4 Plus
Display & Resolution
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Striker 4: This unit offers a compact and clear 3.5-inch screen resolution typically of 480 × 320 px.
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Striker 4 Plus: This unit features a larger 4.3-inch QVGA display, but with a slightly lower resolution of 480 × 272 px.
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Our Point of View: The difference in clarity is minimal. The larger screen is nice and you don't notice the resolution difference. At first sight, the 4, is clearer, but the is absolutely nothing wrong with the Plus as the bigger screen is great.
Quickdraw Contours Mapping
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Striker 4 Plus adds Garmin’s Quickdraw Contours feature, letting you create real-time contour maps as you move across the water, storing up to 2 million acres with 1-ft contour accuracy.
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Striker 4 does not include this mapping capability.
- Our Point of View: This is a great feature to have and allows for a nicer user experience especially if you want to explore areas and find reefs for future fishing.
Sonar & GPS Features
Both models share key sonar and GPS functionalities:
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Built-in GPS with waypoint marking, boat speed, and course-over-ground.
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Garmin CHIRP sonar, dual-beam capable, around 200 W transmit power.
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Features like split-screen zoom, A-scope, Fish ID symbols, AutoGain, water-temperature graphing, UltraScroll®, and bottom lock.
Portability & Usage Context
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Striker 4 is compact, making it ideal for portable setups or confined spaces.
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Striker 4 Plus provides a larger display—advantageous for split screens or users needing better visibility.
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Our Point of View: With the slightly larger screen, the Plus is more useful for split screens applications.
Summary Comparison Table
| Feature/Aspect | Striker 4 | Striker 4 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size & resolution | 3.5″; higher pixel density (480×320) | 4.3″; slightly lower resolution (480×272)—but practically similar clarity; better visibility |
| Quickdraw Contours Mapping | Not supported | Built-in—real-time contour mapping (2M acres, 1-ft contours) |
| GPS & Sonar Features | Included (CHIRP, dual-beam, A-scope, Fish ID, etc.) | Included (identical core features) |
| Portability | More compact, easier to mount/transport | Larger, easier readability; better for split-screen and visibility |
| Use Case (Ice Fishing)- Not SA | Fully functional; mapping less relevant | Same—but screen size advantage only—mapping mostly unused |
Our Final Thoughts
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Choose Striker 4 if you want a compact, cost-effective unit with essential sonar and GPS features—and if mapping isn’t a priority
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Choose Striker 4 Plus if you value a larger screen for better visibility, enjoy using Garmin’s Quickdraw Contours for on-the-fly mapping, or frequently fish unmapped areas.
For more information on the above or other fish finder models, feel free to contact us.
