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If you love time on the water, you already know that the right gadget can make a trip safer, more productive, and a lot more fun. Marine electronics — from fishfinders to VHF radios and underwater cameras — help you navigate, locate fish, and keep an eye on your boat without squinting at the horizon. Whether you cruise rivers or fish off the coast, investing in quality electronics transforms guesswork into confidence.
Think of marine electronics like a co-pilot who never gets tired. Chartplotters and GPS units keep you off shoals and mark the spots you want to return to, while marine radios let you call for help when conditions change. Even small gadgets, like castable fishfinders, can turn an okay day into a great one by revealing what's beneath the surface in real time. You’ll spend less time wondering and more time doing.
Portable fishfinders are among the most popular marine electronics for anglers because they’re compact, affordable, and easy to use. If you fish from a dinghy, kayak, or the bank, a castable or portable unit can show depth, temperature, and fish arches in feet — and many link to your phone via Bluetooth for instant feedback.
The Deeper Start Smart Fish Finder is a lightweight, floatable unit that casts out like a lure and sends depth readings to your phone. It’s great for shallow inshore spots and lakes, giving accurate readings down to dozens of feet. If you’re just starting out or want a no-fuss unit that fits in a pocket, this model is a solid pick.
The iBobber is another castable favorite. It’s tiny, easy to cast, and connects to a smartphone over Bluetooth so you can see fish location and depth in real time. Anglers like it because it’s affordable, portable, and ideal for shore or kayak fishing where you don’t want a bulky installation.
When deciding, consider the range in feet, battery life in hours, and whether the unit connects via Bluetooth or Wi‑Fi. Bluetooth is generally fine for short ranges while Wi‑Fi often provides a longer working distance. Also think about whether you want temperature readings and GPS marking for saving hot spots.
Seeing beneath the surface changes everything. Underwater cameras let you inspect hulls, watch bait behavior, and capture footage of fish and structure. Action cameras give you a first-person perspective of casting and landing fish — both types are great for content creators and serious anglers alike.
The Westin Explore Fishing Camera is designed specifically for fishing: rugged, waterproof, and optimized for low-light conditions under the water. It can help you spy on structure, check seaweed cover, or film true bites. This kind of camera gives a view that a fishfinder simply can’t: motion and colour in real time.
Decide whether you need a tethered underwater camera for live viewing in feet of depth, or a wireless action camera that mounts on your rod or boat. Tethered units often allow depth-specific inspection down to several tens of feet, while action cameras excel at above-water footage and durability.
If you spend time offshore, chartplotters and VHF radios move from optional to essential. Chartplotters with integrated sonar give you a combined navigation and fishfinding experience, while VHF radios provide ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications — invaluable when weather or tides shift suddenly.
An integrated system combines GPS, chartplotter, and sonar into one display, which is great for a clean helm and simpler operation. Standalone fishfinders and GPS units give flexibility and can be moved between boats. Your choice depends on budget, how often you switch craft, and whether you want a simple setup or a full helm suite.
Shopping for marine electronics in the UK gives you a healthy mix of specialist retailers, outdoor chains, and online marketplaces. Buying from a trusted store means easier access to advice, warranties, and sometimes installation services. Here are some retailers where you’ll commonly find fishfinders, cameras, and marine accessories.
Menkind stocks a range of consumer electronics and novelty marine gadgets, including portable and castable fishfinders and accessories like the Westin Explore Fishing Camera. It’s a good place to look if you want ready-to-buy kits and giftable gadgets with straightforward returns and clear product descriptions.
Big high-street names like Argos and Halfords often stock entry-level fishfinders, action cameras, and navigation aids. Their strength is availability: you can check stock online and pick up at a nearby store, which is handy if you need gear before a weekend trip. These chains suit buyers who want mainstream brands and easy access.
For higher-end chartplotters, radar systems, and professional installation, marine specialists are hard to beat. Raymarine and Simrad-authorised dealers offer the latest integrated systems, plus expertise for installation and calibration. Local chandleries will also carry marine-grade cabling, mounts, and specific parts measured in inches and feet.
Amazon UK and other online marketplaces provide a huge selection, often at competitive prices, from entry-level castable fishfinders to advanced sonar modules. Look for sellers with strong ratings and clear return policies, and pay attention to depth ratings in feet and mounting options for your craft.
Installing marine electronics doesn’t have to be intimidating. Small portable units require minimal setup, while fixed installations like chartplotters need careful planning for power, transducer placement, and waterproofing. If you’re not confident, a local marine electrician can mount equipment and route cables professionally.
Placement of the transducer matters: it should be clear of turbulence caused by the propeller and skeg. Mounting it too high can give false shallow readings, while too low risks damage. Aim for a spot where the transducer has a clean flow of water at cruising speed so your depth in feet is accurate.
Protect your investment by wiring gadgets correctly: run fused lines from the battery, use marine-grade cable, and check for corrosion at terminals. If you have a fixed chartplotter or radar, consider a dedicated fuse and switch so you can quickly isolate the unit in case of electrical issues.
Saltwater is unforgiving, so rinsing gear after a day at sea and storing electronics out of direct sunlight helps them last. Check connectors and mounts periodically for corrosion, and replace battery cells or seals before they fail on a trip. A little care keeps units accurate and reliable for seasons to come.
Before the start of a season, inspect mounting hardware and update device firmware. Many chartplotters and fishfinders receive software updates that improve mapping and sonar interpretation. Keep your device’s software current and store spare fuses and a few metres of marine tape in the glovebox for quick fixes.
Marine electronics can range from modestly priced castable finders to multi-thousand-pound helm suites. Decide what matters most: portability, display size in inches, or professional-level features like CHIRP sonar. Often, mid-range units give the best balance between capability and cost for most recreational boaters.
Keep an eye on high-street chains during seasonal sales, and check specialist dealers for trade-ins or refurbished models. Online marketplaces sometimes offer last-year models at substantial savings, which is smart if you want a reliable unit but don’t need the absolute latest bells and whistles.
Little extras often add up to a much better experience. Things like dedicated mounting brackets, waterproof cases for phones, and solar battery maintainers keep gear working smoothly and increase convenience on the water. Consider a spare power source if you plan long days offshore.
A good mount saves you headaches: RAM mounts are popular for chartplotters and fishfinder heads, keeping the display steady in chop. External antennas for GPS improve lock speed, especially in areas with obstructed sky, and waterproof pouches protect phones from spray while still letting you use touchscreen features.
Not all retailers are the same. Before buying, check if the store offers installation, returns, warranty support, and whether they stock spares and accessories in inches and feet measurements. If you need professional setup, specialist marine dealers and local chandleries are worth the extra cost for peace of mind.
Ask about transducer compatibility, mounting options, and if the unit supports external sensors like temperature probes or additional GPS modules. Also confirm measurement units and depth ranges in feet if you prefer imperial units, and check that wiring kits and mounts are included or available separately.
Seasoned users often recommend starting with a portable castable fishfinder to learn how sonar works before spending on a fixed installation. For coastal fishing, many suggest at least a mid-range chartplotter with coastal charts and the ability to mark waypoints in feet to track underwater structure and depth changes.
Don’t mount the transducer too close to the propeller, don’t ignore firmware updates, and don’t undervalue a good mount. Skipping these details can lead to poor readings, lost data, or damaged gear. Spend a little time on installation planning — it pays dividends on the water.
From lightweight castable finders like the Deeper Start and iBobber to specialist cameras such as the Westin Explore Fishing Camera, there’s a marine gadget to suit every angler and boater in the UK. Whether you buy from Menkind, a big‑name chain like Argos or Halfords, a specialist Raymarine or Simrad dealer, or an online marketplace, know what features you need and plan your installation carefully. With the right electronics, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time enjoying the water, every trip.
| Marine Electronics | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Ibobber Castable Bluetooth Fishfinder | £ 79,- | |
| Westin Explore Fishing Camera | £ 149,- |
