4" vs 5" screen on fishfinder

How big of a difference does it make?

Quite a bit if/when you split screens between GPS & FF during 'travel' to-from a spot or dual-FF screens when 'on' the spot

I have a 4 and wish I had a 5. If that helps.

Not a big deal if you use a little bit just to get to a location.  But bigger is better if you can not adjust fish finder closer if needed or constantly use to look for bait or structure. 

Like the guys said, it depends on how you use it. If you mount it very close to you 4" might not be bad. If it's got both FF and GPS the 5" is an easy win because it does side by side FF/GPS so much better.

I started with a 4" Eagle and then to a 5" Humminbird. Both have FF and GPS and in my experience the 5" always beat the 4". It was more comfortable to look at and you see more detail. Overall it makes you feel a lot more comfortable and confident of what your FF is doing. If you can feel confident about what the FF is showing then it's one less thing to worry about. And thats a big deal!

Quite a bit if/when you split screens between GPS & FF during 'travel' to-from a spot or dual-FF screens when 'on' the spot

+1 this...

Tip of the Day ...  When 'on' a drift or over a spot, you don't need to have your GPS page active on the screen.  You can actually mark a GPS waypoint right from your fishfinder screen & it will show up on the FF screen AND the gps screen (as well as be saved for a future time or a redrift).  You can also scroll back in time on the FF screen to mark a waypoint from several minutes past.  Example:  You hit a good takedown and the battle is on.  You land the fish but missed another school or a great piece of structure while attending to the fish.  No need to paddle, searching for it again.  Scroll back on the ff screen & mark it right from there!  It's called Lowrance trackBack.

Not my YouTube video but here's an example:

It depends on the brand & model. For example, the 4" Lowrance models (like the newer Elite 4 HDI/CHIRP) have a pretty big screen...comparable to the older Humminbird 5" screens, with better resolution.  But if you look at the older Elite 4 models, the screen was tiny.

It depends on the brand & model. For example, the 4" Lowrance models (like the newer Elite 4 HDI/CHIRP) have a pretty big screen...comparable to the older Humminbird 5" screens, with better resolution.  But if you look at the older Elite 4 models, the screen was tiny.

Correct ... the older Elite 4 units were a 3.5" screen.  The newer (now discontinued) Elite 4 HDI or CHIRP models have a 4.3" screen.  Same holds true for the new Hook 4 (@ 4.3")

I get that the 5" screen can show more data, and in the current Lowrance Elite CHIRP series, the resolution is way higher (320x240 vs 480x480).  In fact given that all the other performance factors are similar, you are probably just paying for the bigger and better screen.

My problem with the 5" screen is that the unit looks so BIG in a kayak cockpit that is pretty tight on space.  I don't have enough on boat experience to judge if the bigger unit will be a PITA space-wise.

Elite-4 CHIRP = 6.6" x 3.8" = 25.1 sq inches

Elite-5 CHIRP = 5.4" x 6.9" = 37.25 sq inches - 50% bigger

What I am hoping someone will say is this "I've tried both sizes, and there isn't a big difference in cockpit clutter."  or "Keep it as small as possible, organization and safety are more important than a bigger screen."   

Actually, what I need someone to say is "Get back to work and save your fishfinder futzing for after work!"

Actually, what I need someone to say is "Get back to work and save your fishfinder futzing for after work!"

You'll NEVER hear that from me 

I get that the 5" screen can show more data, and in the current Lowrance Elite CHIRP series, the resolution is way higher (320x240 vs 480x480).  In fact given that all the other performance factors are similar, you are probably just paying for the bigger and better screen.

My problem with the 5" screen is that the unit looks so BIG in a kayak cockpit that is pretty tight on space.  I don't have enough on boat experience to judge if the bigger unit will be a PITA space-wise.

Elite-4 CHIRP = 6.6" x 3.8" = 25.1 sq inches

Elite-5 CHIRP = 5.4" x 6.9" = 37.25 sq inches - 50% bigger

What I am hoping someone will say is this "I've tried both sizes, and there isn't a big difference in cockpit clutter."  or "Keep it as small as possible, organization and safety are more important than a bigger screen."

My current model is a 7" so let's not split hairs over cockpit clutter.  The pontoon boat uses a 7", a 9" AND a 12" ...  it's a clutter-f@ck 

If you're going to mount it up front (like, in the sail mast hole on a Hobie), then consider the 5" unit.
But if you're going to mount it closer to your seated position (like, along the gunwale/rail), then a 4" unit will suffice.
Or...change the options to either 5" or 7" and it'll be an easier choice. Because nobody needs a 7" screen on a kayak (want, yes; need, no). 

If you're going to mount it up front (like, in the sail mast hole on a Hobie), then consider the 5" unit.
But if you're going to mount it closer to your seated position (like, along the gunwale/rail), then a 4" unit will suffice.
Or...change the options to either 5" or 7" and it'll be an easier choice. Because nobody needs a 7" screen on a kayak (want, yes; need, no). 

Who buys based on "need"    The 4" models do have a surprising amount of space.  I like what Lowrance has done with their new Ti series making their 5" a wide screen rather than box-like

I had a 4" and absolutely loved it. That being said, I upgraded to a 5" a few months later.  Yeah, as has been said, theres a pretty big difference if you want to run split screens between the two sizes. If you can justify the cash, go with the 5.

For reference, mine is mounted to the console cover has a double jointed RAM arm so that it can be moved into all kinds of different sightlines.