Fish finders

I need more kayak advice. Just bought the revo 16. My last kayak I used a garmin striker 4 as my primary fish finder. This worked wonders and lasted right about 3 years and costs $100. It is finally starting to poop out. My thought process is that since I am already spending big money on a brand new kayak, I have thoughts to get the next tier up of fish finder which is a garmin striker 5. The garmin striker 5 is $300. I can't wrap my head around taking that $300 fishfinder into elements as harsh as the ocean. In my mind, It would only be a matter of time to where that thing will get ruined. Is it worth it? For the guys that run more expensive fishfinders, How do you keep it safe from saltwater corrosion? Is there some type of after market plugs you can install to the back of the fish finder that helps prevent all of this? The only time I have found myself vulnerable is during surf launches and landings (which I do a lot of). If you are launching from a boat ramp or lake shore, keeping it clean and dry is totally feasible. But If you take a wave off the chest on a launch and your ff gets hit, how is the best way to keep it safe. Pretty much all my fishing is in the ocean. I am basically torn between getting a new garmin striker 4 ($100) or upgrading and getting the garmin striker 5 ($300). thanks guys

I use my fish finder exposed to saltwater as well. I only rinse with freshwater and never wax like most guys do. 
The thing I find very very crucial to electronic in saltwater environment is to seal any possible water intrusion locations like memory slot, power connectors, transducer connector, antenna.
I apply di-electric grease and recoat 2-3 times a year and I plug the memory slot since I don't use it.

Seal memory card slot, install a fuse.  Unplug and stow inside before landing, dont forget to disconnect the battery and cover the wiring with plastic if you are up to it.
Other tip:

Dont get touch screen, get the biggest screen you can afford, no need for 3D but do get side scan.  Best to get Lowrance for a Hobie, but a Humminbird/Raymarine/Garmin are close 2nd.
Considering all the above, the cheapest one will be my next one.

get the biggest screen you can afford

Ive said it once and i'll say it again. I seriously dont understand this concept. Even my boat only has a 7" screen Garmin GPSmap.  I use a 4" on my kaya and put a 5 and 6 on at different occasions and felt like a clown out there.  The screen wont show you more because its bigger. It just stretches and zooms in, making a crappier image of the same stuff the smaller screen shows you (assuming you are using the same transducer).  You need to see bottom composition, Depth, Basic GPS (speed, direction, maybe a breadcrumb trail), and water temp.  a big screen isnt going to help with any of that and is just more wasted room.  you can zoom in on that bait ball all day long on your 12" screen, but its not going to do much for your fishing lol

get the biggest screen you can afford

Ive said it once and i'll say it again. I seriously dont understand this concept. Even my boat only has a 7" screen Garmin GPSmap.  I use a 4" on my kaya and put a 5 and 6 on at different occasions and felt like a clown out there.  The screen wont show you more because its bigger. It just stretches and zooms in, making a crappier image of the same stuff the smaller screen shows you (assuming you are using the same transducer).  You need to see bottom composition, Depth, Basic GPS (speed, direction, maybe a breadcrumb trail), and water temp.  a big screen isnt going to help with any of that and is just more wasted room.  you can zoom in on that bait ball all day long on your 12" screen, but its not going to do much for your fishing lol

All you said are very true.  For me, bigger screen = easier to see.

Do you think the striker 4 pooped out because it's cheap or because it was on a kayak in the ocean. If the latter, why would the garmin 5 do better? I'm a simple guy and new to this, but to me, it seems the fish finder functions better as a depth, bait, and structure finder. I've only once seen a person (NickFish) call a salmon bite (epic), but most of the time I hear a lot of people talk about "how many fish are on their graph" and not get a bite. Maybe the garmin 5 also shows how hungry the fish are (if so, sign me up!) but if not I dont really see how much its gonna help the fishing.

My $0.02

I've been happy with the Hook5 I have on my Revo - the screen is big enough to comfortably run it in split GPS/sonar mode, but anything bigger I think would get in the way. The split screen has been very helpful recently with the foggy conditions I've been in keeping track of my location (compass back-up was out and ready as well). I've had a 4" screen and running it this way would require mounting it very close so I can see it. As others have said, seal/cover the memory card slot on these as it caused problems on a couple of outings with a wet launch before I taped over it.

FWIW - I've always run Lowrance products and with the Lowrance-ready Hobies it too easy to set up.

Cheers,
Brad

Do you think the striker 4 pooped out because it's cheap or because it was on a kayak in the ocean. If the latter, why would the garmin 5 do better? I'm a simple guy and new to this, but to me, it seems the fish finder functions better as a depth, bait, and structure finder. I've only once seen a person (NickFish) call a salmon bite (epic), but most of the time I hear a lot of people talk about "how many fish are on their graph" and not get a bite. Maybe the garmin 5 also shows how hungry the fish are (if so, sign me up!) but if not I dont really see how much its gonna help the fishing.

My $0.02

Totall agree.  The cone of a FF is much much narrower than we think anyway, so that fish he called was still most likely luck...  hard to see much trolling, and depending on current, if i can see my DR ball, i know im going too slow still haha

Seal memory card slot, install a fuse.  Unplug and stow inside before landing, dont forget to disconnect the battery and cover the wiring with plastic if you are up to it.

Also use dielectric grease on all rubber seals and electrical connections to seal them.  Don't forget to freshwater rinse upon returning ashore.

I currently have a garmin striker 4. I honestly think I use my phone more than I use the ff because I have navionics on my phone. If I were to upgrade I’d get something that has navionics capability

Hijacking this 8 month old thread just because I am curious if anyone out there has a preference for inland waters (lakes/delta/rivers/sloughs).

Will a low price Garmin fit the bill or is it better to save up and get side scan?  I fish mostly small to medium size lakes in the foothills and occasionally I will get to the delta. Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts.