Here’s a detailed review of the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot fish finder / plotter — its strong points, what holds it back, and how it behaves in real-use. If you like, I can also give thoughts on how well it’d work in Bangladesh-type rivers/coastal waters.
Key Specs & Features
From multiple sources, here are the important features of the HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot:
The Idaho Fisherman+4Fish Finder Tech+4Rigelmarine+4
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display size & resolution | 5-inch screen, resolution approx 800 × 480 pixels. |
| Screen type / visibility | SolarMAX display; designed for good visibility even in bright sunlight. |
| Transducer | SplitShot transducer, which supports High CHIRP sonar plus DownScan imaging. |
| Depth capability | Traditional CHIRP up to ~500 ft in ideal conditions; DownScan ~300 ft at 455 kHz / ~150 ft at 800 kHz (depending on conditions). |
| GPS & Mapping | Yes — internal GPS. Comes with mapping options (preloaded mapping in many markets: US inland or regional maps), plus support for real-time mapping via Genesis Live, etc. |
| Keypad / Controls | Physical buttons / keypad (non-touchscreen), optimized for one-touch access to key features. |
| Durability / Waterproofing | Rated IPX7; microSD card slot (max ~32 GB). Operating temp, mount options, etc. |
| Capacity for waypoints/routes | 3000 waypoints, 100 routes, 100 tracks/trails. |
What Works Well (Pros)
Here are the strong points based on real user experience and spec-analysis:
- Excellent sonar + structure detail for the price
The SplitShot transducer with CHIRP + DownScan gives you good clarity under the hull: fish returns are generally well separated, structure (bottom contour, cover, vegetation) shows clearly. For anglers who care about what’s under the boat (not just depth), this adds value.
The SolarMAX screen makes viewing clearer in bright sun, which is often a problem for many lower-end fishfinders. Users report being able to see the display clearly even at midday. - Mapping & GPS features
The built-in GPS plus preloaded maps (or regional map packs), plus the capability to generate mapping (Genesis Live) are helpful. Being able to mark waypoints, see structure, map unknown waters, etc., increases the utility beyond “just see fish below.” - Feature-rich for mid-price class
For a not-super-expensive fishfinder, it gives a lot: CHIRP sonar, DownScan, decent mapping, options for customization (color palettes, split screen), good hardware (keypad based) etc. Many reviews say it punches above its weight. - Solid build & decent durability
Waterproof rating IPX7, physical keypad (less fragile than touchscreens), decent mounting options. If looked after, many users report it holds up.
What Doesn’t Work So Well / Limitations (Cons)
Some of the weak spots or trade-offs people have mentioned:
- No SideScan in the 5-inch SplitShot version
If you want side-scanning views (to see fish/structure spread out to the sides of the boat), this model doesn’t include it — must go to higher-end or larger sizes (or different transducer). - Screen real estate is limited
A 5-inch screen is decent, but when using split-screen modes (e.g. sonar + map + downscan), each window becomes small. If more than one person needs to glance at the screen, or you want big visuals, bigger screens do better. - No touchscreen
Some people prefer touchscreen interfaces (especially for panning maps, zooming, etc.). This model uses keypad/buttons, which are reliable, but can feel slower or less intuitive to some. - Occasional reliability / firmware / power issues reported
There are user reports of the device powering off under certain conditions (e.g. high speed) or failing to initialize properly. Some complaints about GPS/chart display being empty or only basic. - Mapping limitations in certain “x” variants
The “5x” version (or some variants) have more limited mapping features; in some cases users say maps are very basic or non-existent. Always check whether the version you buy includes the mapping you want. - Performance in very deep water or heavy clutter
As with many units, clarity drops in very deep water, heavy vegetation, muddy/silty water. Also, wide beam angles needed for coverage may reduce precision at depth. It’s good, but not in the league of premium deep-water imaging systems.
How It Performs in Real-Life Use (User Feedback)
From user reviews, forums etc.:
- Many users like how quickly fish show up on the display, how DownScan helps to see structure and fish under the boat, often catching fish after seeing them on screen.
- Some report the screen is very readable in daylight, which is a big plus.
- Others have noted the GPS/chart features are useful, but sometimes chart rendering or map details aren’t as rich or fast as premium units.
- A few users mention that at speed (boat moving fast) the sonar can lose contact or become unstable. Also, power or mount cable/connection issues sometimes degrade performance.
Suitability & Best Use-Cases
Where the HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot tends to excel:
- Small to medium boats, kayaks, pontoons where a 5-inch display is sufficient.
- Inland lakes, rivers, reservoirs moderate depths (say up to a few hundred feet) where you want decent sonar + structure imaging.
- Anglers who want a robust set of features (GPS, mapping, DownScan, CHIRP) but without paying for top-end units.
- Fishing around structure, weed beds, drop-offs where DownScan helps you spot cover and fish behavior.
Where it might be less ideal:
- Very deep water fishing offshore, or situations where side scan / large area scanning is important.
- If multiple users need a larger display for easy viewing, or for chart navigation on big bodies.
- If you want touch controls or extremely fast map panning / zooming.
- Possibly challenging environments: heavy salt, very silted or muddy water (visibility and sonar clarity degrade).
Verdict & Recommendation
All things considered, the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot is a strong mid-range unit that offers excellent value. If I were rating it in its class, I’d give it around 8–8.5 / 10, largely because it gives a lot of capability (CHIRP + DownScan + GPS + mapping) for a price that many find reasonable.
If you’re buying one, here are some tips to get the most out of it:
- Make sure you get the version with mapping if that’s important to you (not the 5x “GPS-only/basic map” version) to avoid disappointments.
- Mount the transducer well: stable, good contact with water, away from turbulence if possible.
- Familiarize yourself with settings: color palettes, split-screen modes, sensitivity, surface clarity — tuning these can improve picture a lot depending on local water conditions.
- Check power supply and connections to avoid intermittent power or display issues.
- Keep firmware updated (if Lowrance provides updates), as some improvements or fixes may come over time.
