Lowrance Eagle 4x Fishfinder:
For boaties looking for a compact, no-fuss fishfinder to suit a kayak or tinnie, the Lowrance Eagle 4x Fishfinder delivers simplicity, clarity and value in one tidy package. While this unit doesn’t come with GPS or charting, it offers solid core functionality at a price that appeals to beginners and budget-conscious anglers alike.
The Eagle 4x is built around a 4-inch IPS screen, offering improved clarity, brightness and viewing angles—even with polarised sunglasses on a bright Kiwi day. The new screen tech allows anglers to easily interpret sonar returns from any angle, an important feature when operating from confined spaces on a small vessel.
Its Bullet Skimmer Transducer operates at 200kHz and delivers a wide-angle sonar cone, ideal for scanning more of the water column below. While the sonar range peaks at around 100m for structure and 60m for fish in saltwater, that’s more than enough for shallow inshore work, estuaries, or coastal fishing—common territory for kayak and tinnie fishos.
Installation is easy thanks to Lowrance’s improved twist-locking connector. The mounting bracket is simple, although some users have reported it’s not as rugged as alternatives from brands like Humminbird. Still, for most kayak or slow-speed tinnie applications, the bracket does the job. The unit is IPX7-rated for waterproofing, giving peace of mind if you cop the odd splash or knock in rough conditions.
Perhaps the most user-friendly feature is its autotuning sonar. This automatically adjusts settings as conditions change, so instead of fiddling with menus mid-session, you can get on with fishing. The interface is basic, using a 9-button keypad, but it’s intuitive and easy to operate—ideal for first-timers.
On the downside, the Eagle 4x is a fishfinder only. There’s no GPS, no chartplotting, and no connectivity features like WiFi or Bluetooth. That’s worth noting if you’re expecting full-featured electronics. But if your priority is simply to locate fish and monitor depth, this device ticks the box.
Reviews are generally positive, with users praising its ease of installation, clarity of screen, and overall value. Some users have flagged transducer mounting issues and glitching at high speeds, particularly when fitted to faster aluminium boats. But most kayak and slow-tinnie users reported no trouble.
In short, the Lowrance Eagle 4x Fishfinder is well suited to the New Zealand conditions and fishing styles found around the country’s coast. For anglers in kayaks, inflatables, or small runabouts looking for a simple, affordable and effective fishfinder, this unit is hard to beat.
