Pixels

A pixel (or picture element) is the smallest element produced on a fish finder display. Pixels are arranged horizontally in rows and vertically columns within the constraints of the size of the display.

Horizontal pixels describe object distance from the base of a transducer while vertical pixels describe object position changes over time.

The total number of pixels on a display is also known as “resolution”. Fish finder resolutions range from approximately 168 x 132 pixels in lower end models to 480 x 854 in more expensive ones, with popular resolutions being 320 x 320 and 480 x 480 pixels. Generally speaking, the higher the resolution (or the more pixels) the better.

Display size and pixel size are related. For example, a four-inch diagonal display with a resolution of 480 x 480 has the same number of pixels as a five-inch diagonal display with the same resolution (480 x 480). In this case, each pixel on the five-inch diagonal display will be larger than the pixels on the four-inch model and easier to see.

Pixel count affects water depth viewing range. When using a 320 x 320 display resolution in 320 feet of water, each pixel represents a depth of one foot. In 160 feet each pixel presents a depth of six inches. In 80 feet each pixel represents three inches of water depth. Higher resolutions allow more flexibility and accuracy in fish finder displays. Better models will also have a zoom feature to further enhance display results.

Fish finder display pixels are not created equal. Pixels appear in different shades and different colors, and we refer to this as pixel intensity. Grayscale displays usually have 16 shades per pixel, while color displays offer 256 different pixel colors offering improved target definition and brighter viewing.