Last updated on February 10th, 2024
Not all fishers need those multifunctional fish finders with mobile connectivity. It can be due to the tight budget or just the simple needs of the buyers. If you are one of those people and are looking for a fish finder, our today’s Raymarine Dragonfly 4 DV review is for you.
Here, we will examine the features and capabilities of Raymarine Dragonfly 4DV, which make it a great pick for those looking for a minimal set of characteristics for an affordable price. Also, we will answer a couple of frequently asked questions to make the point of buying this model clearer and help you with getting an idea of who this fish finder is for.
Without further ado, let’s get started with our Raymarine Dragonfly 4 DV review!
[amazon bestseller=”Raymarine Dragonfly 4 ” items=”5″ template=”table”]Features of Raymarine Dragonfly 4 DV
Transducer
The single-channel CHIRP DownVision transducer of Dragonfly 4DV delivers sonar readings on depths of up to 600ft, but the manufacturer doesn’t specify the exact frequency of this fish finder.
But you could figure out that Dragonfly 4DV probably won’t be capable of delivering high-quality results in great depths or larger areas.
Besides, the sonar transducer of this fish finder shows data on the water temperature.
Overall, the transducer makes Dragonfly 4DV ideal for those who are not looking for an insanely accurate fish finder.
It will be a great choice for beginners or those whose budget is tight. Besides, 4DV would be perfectly suitable for a backup fish finder.
GPS & Cartography
Dragonfly 4DV doesn’t have an inbuilt GPS, unfortunately. It is a strict sonar device out of the box, but you should be able to find a compatible GPS module for it if you wish. Obviously, 4DV cannot show your location and the speed of your boat.
It isn’t compatible with upgrade charts/map expansions as well. That’s somewhat because this fish finder doesn’t have a microSD card reader.
That means that this model will only show data when you are fishing. You cannot save waypoints and tracks with 4DV also. If you like 4DV but want to have onboard GPS and cartography, you can go for 4PRO, which has the same design but much wider capabilities.
Unlike PRO fish finders by Raymarine, 4DV doesn’t have mobile device connectivity. You cannot take and share screenshots or record your sonar data. Again, you should go for 4PRO if you want to have those features.
The aforementioned points are not drawbacks necessarily. If you don’t really need expansion map packs or waypoints, 4DV will be pretty much perfect for you. It is a great fish finder for those who don’t wish to waste time on setup and customization of their cartography. You can just take 4DV out of the box and start fishing!
Display
As for the display of 4DV, it is a great piece of technology! The 4.3-inch HD LED-backlit display works in any weather condition. You will be able to easily see the info on the screen regardless of whether there is bright sunlight or mist around you.
Although the transducer delivers not so many readings, the display will do everything so you see your data as easily and clearly as possible.
The easy-to-read user interface delivers info on the depth and the water temperature. That should be enough to locate fish targets in any water conditions!
A downside of the display may be its small size. But the 4-3-inch screen’s lack of size is greatly compensated for by the low number of UI elements on the screen.
Controls
Finally, it is the turn of 4DV’s controls. And they are no different than the ones on PRO versions! You have the same set of big and clearly marked buttons paired with a convenient menu selector. But know what’s great about the menu selector?
You won’t feel its incapability of quick text typing! You just don’t have to type names of waypoints on this fish finder (after all, you can’t create them with 4DV). So the simplicity of it is complemented by the convenient controls.
Pros
- The balanced single-channel CHIRP DownVision sonar transducer spots to fish up to 600ft of depth.
- Nothing excessive – you can just take 4DV out of the box and start fishing without any setup!
- The all-weather high-definition color screen can be clearly seen from a wide variety of viewing angles.
- Convenient buttons and menu selector.
Cons
- No inbuilt GPS and no speed or location data.
- No mobile device connectivity.
- No MicroSD card reader.
- Not suitable for both great depths and large areas.
- No options for map expansion.
- Small display.
- No info on the transducer’s frequencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the use of a fish finder without a GPS?
You may not know it, but there are plenty of fish finders without built-in GPS on the market. Some of them rely on separate modules while others use GPS of mobile devices through wireless connectivity or via a mobile app.
One would buy such a fish finder as 4DV if they don’t need too much functionality. Another reason for 4DV’s purchase is the tight budget of the buyer. Lastly, this fish finder could really come in handy as a backup device or for an emergency. The affordability of Dragonfly 4DV makes it a perfect suit for either of the above cases.
- Does this fish finder show boat speed?
No, because it doesn’t have a built-in GPS.
- I do like this fish finder, but I want those lacking features. Are there any alternatives?
You can get Dragonfly 4PRO, which essentially is identical to 4DV. 4PRO has cartography and built-in GPS, map expandability, mobile device connectivity, can store waypoints and tracks, and much more, Otherwise, you could go for Dragonfly 5PRO, which is similar to 4PRO but has a 5-inch display. Both are pretty good picks for any fishers.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our Raymarine Dragonfly 4 DV review has managed to uncover the unique beauty of this fish finder. It is affordable, it is simple to use, and it doesn’t need any setup. If you don’t need all those expansion maps or app connectivity, you definitely should seriously think about buying this model!
