Garmin STRIKER Transducers: Dual-Beam vs ClearVü vs SideVü

Garmin STRIKER 4, 5 and 7: Dual-Beam, ClearVü and SideVü Explained

Whether you fish from a kayak, an estuary boat, a jet ski or a small offshore boat, choosing a Garmin STRIKER involves more than picking a screen size. The transducer and the fishfinder’s sonar capabilities determine what you can see beneath—and beside—your vessel.

The three main options covered here are dual-beam traditional sonar, ClearVü with traditional sonar, and SideVü with ClearVü and traditional CHIRP. Each helps answer a different question: what is below me, what does that structure look like, and what am I passing on either side?

This guide compares those options and the included transducers across the original STRIKER 4, STRIKER Plus and STRIKER Vivid models.

What does a transducer do?

The transducer sends sound pulses into the water and receives the returning echoes. Your fishfinder uses those echoes to display depth, fish and underwater structure.

Traditional sonar looks down using a cone-shaped beam. ClearVü produces a more detailed scanning view beneath the vessel, while SideVü scans to the left and right. 

Dual-beam: a practical starting point

The dual-beam transducer gives you the familiar traditional sonar display, showing the bottom contour and returns from fish and other objects in the water.

Its 77 kHz setting provides a wider beam, while 200 kHz provides a narrower view. Garmin specifies beam widths of 45° and 15° respectively for its 77/200 kHz dual-beam transducer. Both look beneath the vessel; “dual-beam” does not mean left-and-right scanning. 

This is a useful starting point for anglers who want to follow depth changes, locate bait and watch for fish below them. Those tasks matter whether you are drifting an estuary channel, fishing from a kayak or working a familiar offshore spot.

Dual-beam and CHIRP are not opposites. Garmin describes the STRIKER 4’s included transducer as supporting CHIRP at 77/200 kHz. CHIRP sends a sweep of frequencies, helping the system distinguish targets more clearly.

ClearVü: understand the structure beneath you

The GT20-TM adds ClearVü scanning to a compatible fishfinder’s traditional sonar view.

Traditional sonar remains useful for watching fish and bait in the water column. ClearVü provides a more picture-like representation of the structure you pass over, helping you interpret submerged objects and bottom features. It is a sonar image rather than an underwater camera feed. 

In an estuary, that extra detail can help you investigate submerged timber and changes along a channel edge. When fishing coastal reefs, it provides another view of the bottom beneath your vessel.

We would favour this combination for anglers who regularly fish around structure and want more information about what they are passing over.

The GT20-TM’s traditional element is specified at 77/200 kHz, with ClearVü at 455/800 kHz. Garmin markets the compatible STRIKER packages as providing traditional CHIRP and ClearVü, but this transducer should not be confused with the GT52HW-TM’s dedicated 150–240 kHz high-wide CHIRP specification. 

SideVü: find what you are passing on either side

The GT52HW-TM combines traditional high-wide CHIRP with ClearVü and SideVü.

SideVü shows fish and structure to the left and right of the vessel. This makes it a useful search tool: you can investigate an area without having to pass directly over every feature.

For an estuary angler, that might mean finding structure beside a channel. For a kayak, jet ski or small-boat angler, it could mean spotting an interesting feature off to one side and changing course to investigate.

We would recommend considering SideVü if exploring unfamiliar water and finding new fishing spots are a major part of your fishing.

Which STRIKER models support each option?

The table below compares transducer-inclusive packages across the original STRIKER 4, STRIKER Plus and STRIKER Vivid ranges.

Pay attention to the letters after the screen size. The Vivid 7cv includes ClearVü, while the Vivid 7sv adds SideVü. The Vivid 4cv and 5cv offer traditional CHIRP and ClearVü; they do not provide SideVü.

These are transducer-inclusive packages. Some models are also sold without a transducer, and bundles can vary by region and part number. Always confirm the box contents before ordering.

Can you upgrade by changing the transducer?

A transducer swap cannot add a sonar mode that the fishfinder does not support.

Garmin confirms that a GT20-TM can provide traditional sonar on a base STRIKER 4, but that does not turn it into a ClearVü model. Likewise, adding a SideVü transducer does not turn a 7cv into a 7sv. Check the fishfinder’s capabilities, transducer compatibility and any required adapter before ordering. 

How to choose for your vessel

The following are our suggested starting points. Your fishing style and usual depth should guide the decision alongside the type of vessel you use.

For offshore use, additional scanning modes do not automatically mean better deep-water performance. Lower frequencies generally penetrate deeper, while higher frequencies favour detail. Match the complete fishfinder and transducer combination to your intended depths. 

Installation matters as much as the feature list

Every transducer needs a suitable mounting position. Air bubbles and turbulent water can weaken the signal, interrupt depth readings and reduce image quality—particularly as vessel speed increases.

SideVü also needs unobstructed coverage to both sides. The hull, propulsion equipment or other fittings must not block its scanning beams. These considerations apply across kayaks, estuary boats, jet skis and offshore boats. 

For scanning views, Garmin recommends the Auto scroll-speed setting, which matches the image’s scrolling speed to the vessel’s speed over ground and helps reduce distortion.

Which option should you choose?

• Choose dual-beam for straightforward depth, bait and fish detection beneath your vessel.

• Choose ClearVü with traditional sonar if understanding the structure below you is a priority.

• Choose SideVü, ClearVü and traditional CHIRP if you want to search beside your vessel and explore more ground.

Need help choosing a Garmin STRIKER setup? Speak to Wild Coast Kayaks about your vessel, usual fishing depths and the type of fishing you enjoy. Contact us HERE