Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro Review 2024 – Best Fish Finder

If you’ve been in the game for long, then you might know something about Raymarine. The brand has a trustworthy reputation on the market.

This means they manufacture the best fish finders along with sonar equipment. And that’s exactly what brings us to the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro Review.

The phenomenal Dragonfly series is proof of something important. The fact that the company is also interested in the freshwater industry! The Dragonfly 7 Pro is equipped with a high-resolution display.

Along with state-of-the-art CHIRP technology! So weekend anglers can enjoy an advanced experience when using the fish finder.

This feature-packed device is an excellent option. One that goes a long way in solving common issues related to the activity.

The unit helps in locating fish alright. But it also teaches you a lot about your marine environment. On top of that, the Raymarine fish finder makes navigation easier too. That’s because it comes with a built-in GPS circuit.

So let’s delve right into the factors and features. This way, you’ll have a better understanding of the product before/if you decide to purchase it.

Table Comparison: Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro & Alternatives

Fish Finder Name	Our rating	Display	Weight
Raymarine Dragonfly 7 ProRaymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro	#1 (Editor choice)	7” LCG	8.8 pounds
Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X SonarLowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar	#2	3.5″ LED	2 pounds
Garmin Striker 4 Bbuilt-in GPS Fish FinderGarmin Striker 4 Bbuilt-in GPS Fish Finder	#3	3.5”	8 ounces

Important Factors to Consider When Buying a Fish Finder

Photo credit: fishfinders.info

I have discussed all crucial points you need to know about the selection process. The only thing you have to do is follow the steps. And you’ll end up making a decision you won’t regret.

1. Frequencies

• Getting any fish locator without taking its frequency range into account is a bad idea. So allow me to point out that there are three different kinds of frequencies. These include multiple, single, and dual. And the values are 200, 192, 83, and 50 kHz.
• Working with higher frequencies like 200 or 192 makes sense for shallow water. On the other hand, a lower range like 83 or 50 is ideal in deep water. As a rule of thumb, the higher the value of frequency, the more screen detail you get.

2. Power

• The power of the fish finder comes in wattage, right? With a larger wattage, the device offers a quicker response time. Plus, it also enables a deeper vision to locate fish. But if you’re shallow water fishing, you don’t need a higher wattage.
• When wattage and frequency range combine, the outcome is a clear underwater picture. The best way to measure something like this is to remember that 50 kHz/100 watts deliver results from 400 feet. That means 240 kHz/100 watts will provide readings up till 100 feet.

Photo credit: thehulltruth.com

3. Screen Resolution

• Everybody likes high resolution, correct? Especially when using a device like the fish locator. In that aspect, nothing less than 240 by 160 pixels is good enough. You can always go higher than that if you find the vision too blocky.
• Combine the screen size and resolution as it offers a clearer view. At such times, it’s our budget that decides the outcome. But I would like to add that as a backup option, a smaller-sized screen is a great idea. Since you won’t be using it each time you decide to indulge in the activity.

4. Transducers

• These receive and emit sonar waves (what are transducers). The ones responsible for locating fish and other nearby objects. Fish finders without transducers are only devices with a colored fancy screen. Minus any data display.
• If the model you want to buy doesn’t have a transducer, you can always purchase one separately. But, fortunately, that’s not the case in this Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro review.

5. Screen Color

• Black/white screens have started to become obsolete, am I right? But that doesn’t mean they’re not useful and practical. As a matter of fact, it all depends on how much you’re willing to spend.

If your budget is tight, then you can opt for a black/white display fish finder. These types of models are perfect for newbies, or as backups too.

• Now let’s talk about colored screens since they are the modern standard options. Comparatively, these are way more reliable in terms of performance. Colored screens are also simpler to read when under the sun. And it only sounds more logical to buy a locator with a glowing display. So it can be more helpful during the activity.

6. Other Considerations

• If you want to go all out, that’s okay too. Because the market consists of many fish finders! Even ones that offer extra benefits! These include high-quality cone angles, transducer material, and beams.

The Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro Review

 

Technology for fish-finding takes a huge leap forward. With the help of the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro Fish Finder! The manufacturer has brought CHIRP technology into the mix. So you know that the sonar signals will transmit through that water. On top of that, it also does an excellent job of interpreting those return signals. Along with greater clarity and detail when it comes to image structuring on the display!

The display of the Raymarine invention features sharper contrasts and brighter colors. With an all-weather design. So it’s even suitable for people who indulge in outdoor activity on cold, foggy mornings. With this thing, you can know what lies under as deep as 600 feet. In both salt and fresh water!

Next in line is the bottom tracking component. The high-speed feature is responsible for avoiding shallow water obstacles. And the integrated GPS maps with the charting of US Navionics. Another built-in advantage presents itself in the form of Wi-Fi connectivity. And who doesn’t love that!

The Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro is a lightweight, compact gadget. One that has a 14-inch/side body! Upon testing, I found the operation to be easy and intuitive. So all you have to do is turn on the locator and start locating.

    Pros

• The interface of the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro is user-friendly and responsive.
• ​CHIRP DownVision technology delivers a crisp, clear view.
• ​The optical bonding, the all-weather LCD display is an excellent addition.
• Integrated Wi-Fi and GPS make the activity more to your liking.

    Cons

• One of the biggestRaymarine Dragonfly problems is that it takes time to fire up.
• ​The buttons lack a backlight. So the device is not suitable for nighttime fishing.
• You cannot upgrade its software.

Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro Review: Features & Benefits

• Design

Photo credit: doctor-catch.com

In the design department, the Dragonfly 7 Pro offers an elegant visual appeal. The finish and fit of the device are quite brilliant. The body is light in weight and compact. With a remarkable feature set.

As an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the weatherproof display. So you can rest assured knowing that the equipment won’t fog up during cold conditions.

It comes with only three buttons along with one rotary dial. That means easy usability, right? So switching between sonar, GPS, and the split-screen settings is an easy task. So is choosing screens. And did you know that you can also make use of the joystick for screen selection?

• Performance

Let me bring to your attention that the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro is an affordable option. It’s perfect for both salt and fresh water boat. And it ranks as one of the best fish finders on the current market. All thanks to its exceptional performance level.

You’ll be glad to know that this model surpassed all my expectations during the trial. The phenomenal color CHIRP technology for the sonar, in particular, performed the best. I used it in the GPS plotter, and the results were astoundingly clear. Everything underneath the boat was displayed in the most detailed manner. This includes marlin, tuna, and all other fish sizes too.

The Raymarine Dragonfly Pro 7 allowed me to view my target fish. Even if they were present in water structures and columns! Such an action gave me the opportunity to place the bait in the correct spot to attract fish.

Tasks like operating the locator are pretty straightforward too. All you have to do is turn on the gadget and start looking. You don’t need to set up the device. Since the mount of the product is plenty adjustable, installing it on all kinds of surfaces is easy too. In fact, this also simplifies the job of positioning the finder. So you can achieve optimal viewing!

Raymarine Dragonfly: A New Species of Sonar

• Display Screen

Photo credit: raymarine.eu

Allow me to compare it to the previous versions, like the Dragonfly 5 Pro or even Dragonfly 7. In that regard, this one features a crisper and brighter screen resolution.

The bonded LCD is the component responsible for delivering three important advantages. These come in the form of a sharper contrast, brighter colors, and higher resolution.

So the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro is not like the 7-inch screen models. These enable basic underwater viewing. The equipment at hand has a colorful screen with high-res display dimensions of 800 x 480. So locating fish even in bright sunlight is no trouble at all.

• CHIRP Sonar

This Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro review would be incomplete without understanding the CHIRP technology. The one feature that sets the gear apart from the rest!

The Dragonfly 7 Pro gives you the opportunity to choose from two CHIRP channels. The first sonar channel is for fish targeting. It scans below your boat with a cone angle of 25 degrees. And it targets both individual fish and bait. The second channel offers a broad 60-degree chirp angle down vision. And it’s this particular mode that portrays lifelike imagery of the structures.

The DownVision CHIRP mode is considered to be way better than any of the competitors currently available! It allowed me to see detailed craggy bottoms. While also providing exceptional target separation! This separation exists between the structures and fish.

In all, the Raymarine Dragonfly Pro 7 delivers outstanding accuracy. And that too with incredible sonar imagery!

Dragonfly in Action – Pittwater Wreck, Australia

The Alternatives

1. Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar

 

The debate between Raymarine Dragonfly vs Lowrance is a popular one. But it’s also the one where the former always wins. However, that doesn’t make the Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar an inferior option. And let me explain why.

First off, it offers advanced software signal processing. So you don’t have to deal with controls. Next in line is the double frequency system for deep and shallow water. Plus, the clarity of this best fish finder is quite remarkable in both the cases.

The 3 major differences between Lowrance and Raymarine:

• The Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro features GPS mapping. Unlike the Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar.
• ​The Lowrance model comes with a LED-backlit display. There’s no such thing in the Raymarine product.
• But the presence of CHIRP technology is what gives Dragonfly 7 Pro the upper hand over Lowrance.

Check out the Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar

2. Garmin Striker 4 Bbuilt-in GPS Fish Finder

 

Let me begin by stating that the Garmin Striker 4 and Raymarine Dragonfly
7 Pro have a lot in common. Both have the high-quality CHIRP technology transducer. And an integrated GPS!

So it’s hard to say which model ranks higher, performance-wise. But as far as the design goes, it’s the Dragonfly 7 Pro that wins the battle. And that’s because the screen of the Striker 4 is comparatively smaller and narrower.

Even so, Garmin has equipped the device with high contrast and full color. So you can view everything very clearly.

The 3 major differences between Garmin and Raymarine:

• The Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro includes a unique mounting system for simple installation. The Garmin Striker 4 Bbuilt-in GPS Fish Finder has no such feature.
• But what the Striker 4 does provide is the ability to reach 1,600 feet. As opposed to Dragonfly 7 Pro’s 600-feet capacity.
• Both models offer manual switching. But performing the task on Dragonfly is much easier. Thanks to the wider design of the locator’s buttons and screen.

Check out the Garmin Striker 4 Bbuilt-in GPS Fish Finder

The End

Let me make one thing very clear. The Dragonfly 7 Pro is suitable for those who enjoy spending time catching fish. And not just looking for fish! The equipment is bright and powerful. With easy-to-use functions! So if these are the qualities you’re concerned about, you’ve found the ultimate pick. And that’s exactly what I’ve tried to highlight in this Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro review.

It’s the dual-channel equipped CHIRP technology that you might value the most. As the thing allows you to explore target fish and structure like no other. And this is good news for both weekend and professional bass anglers.

The cutting-edge performance of the sonar is the most compelling factor. Along with simple operation! On top of that, there are additional elements like GPS mapping and Wi-Fi connectivity. These bring more comfort and convenience. So I recommend nothing but the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro for spotting and catching fish.

Check out the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 Pro

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Sources:

1. Raymarine dragonfly 7Pro fish finder review.

2. How to choose a fish finder?