Lowrance Hook-3x Review
Lowrance Hook-3x is a basic fish finder released back in 2016 as a part of the company’s renowned HOOK Series. It is primarily designed with budget-friendliness in mind, which means it does not include many of the extravagant features implemented in more expensive models. In other words, this is a fish finder only unit without any navigational functions.
Having said that, it is an excellent DownScan portable device for kayak and canoe fishing and it will provide you with a superb fish finding functionality if you already have a GPS device installed in your vessel. Keep reading this Lowrance Hook-3x review to find out more.
Pros & Cons
- Dual-frequency sonar
- Budget-friendly unit
- High-Speed Skimmer transducer
- Tilt-&-swivel quick-release bracket
- LED color display with adjustable backlight
- Easy to use
- No GPS
- No networking options
Specifications
| Specifications | Lowrance Hook-3x |
|---|---|
| Type | Down Imaging |
| Sonar | DownScan |
| Transducer | 9-pin High-Speed Skimmer |
| Display (size, resolution, backlit, color) | 3" 256-color TFT display with 11-level LED backlight and 320 x 240 pixel matrix |
| Dimensions | H x W x D - 5.64"\143mm (6.45"\164mm with bracket), 3.71"\94mm, 1.85"\47mm |
| Weight | 2lb |
| Batteries | 1 x 12V sealed lead battery and charger |
| Depth Capability | Around 300ft |
| Frequency | 83/200 kHz |
| Power Output | 180W RMS |
| Power Input | 12v DC (10-17v DC min-max) |
| GPS | No |
| Maps | No |
| Routes, Waypoints, Tracks | No |
| Waterproof | IPX7 |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | No |
| MicroSD card slot | No |
Display/Screen
Lowrance Hook-3x comes with a 3” 256-color TFT display with a pixel matrix of 320 x 240 as well as an 11-level LED backlight, which allows you to observe images without any problems even in direct sunlight. Note that the power button also doubles as a backlight control and allows you to adjust for nighttime or daylight fishing conditions. The unit does not come with a touchscreen functionality. Lastly, the standard view can be zoomed up to 4x for better observation of key fishing hotspots.
Lowrance Hook-3x comes with an IP-X7 waterproof rating, which means it can handle rain and water splashes as well as full immersion in 3.3ft of water for up to 30 minutes without any negative consequences. However, it has not been tested against the entry of dirt, dust, and other outside solids.
Sonar & Transducer
As we already mentioned in this Lowrance Hook-3x review, this is a basic fish finder that provides only DownScan imagining. It does come with a dual-frequency sonar that operates at 83 and 200 kHz. The conical coverage is 60° at 83 kHz and 20° at 200 kHz. The 83 kHz mode is ideal for scanning larger areas and locating the largest fish arches while the 200 kHz one should be used for advanced lure tracking (excellent for drop-shot technique) and enhanced target separation. The implemented keypad allows you to effortlessly switch between the two frequencies.
The unit comes with the 9-pin High-Speed Skimmer transducer equipped with a temperature sensor. The transducer features a tilt-&-swivel quick-release bracket and can reach up to around 300ft, which is to be expected from a twater as long as you stick to the shallows.
When it comes to the standard sonar features, Lowrance Hook-3X comes with ASP and Fish ID. The provided transducer is capable of scanning fish targets, underwater structures, and bottom contours at 75mph, but we recommend keeping your speed between 1 and 10mph for optimal results.
What's In The Box
- Hook-3x
- 9-pin High-Speed Skimmer
- Power/transducer cable
- Quick-release bracket
Lowrance Hook Series Overview
In this Lowrance Hook series overview, you can check out some of the most important features of other models from the series to determine if any of them is a better fit for your needs.
Lowrance Hook-3x Read Review
Lowrance Hook-5 Read Review
Lowrance Hook 7 Read ReviewVerdict
As we already stated in this Lowrance Hook-3X review, we are talking about a fish finder designed to provide you with a decent sonar at a budget-friendly price. As such, it only features DownScan, the depth range is rather underwhelming, there are no GPS or chartplotting mechanisms, and the networking options are pretty much non-existent (no NMEA, Ethernet or microSD card reader).
Having said that, it is still an excellent, budget-friendly fish finder that will provide you with all the necessary features for freshwater fishing and coastal saltwater trips. Thanks to its small dimensions and weight, the device is perfect for kayak and canoe fishing.