Humminbird Piranhamax Review

Quick Overview

Fishing is a lot of fun, but it can be more fun with the right pieces of equipment.

That is why anglers are always on the lookout for the latest tools to help them catch the big one.

If you are one of them, then you’ll find this Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI (Down Imaging) Fish Finder review helpful.

It will discuss the important features of the device, including the awesome sonar technology and clear display.

If you are in the market for a budget-friendly fish finder, reading this will help you make a better purchasing decision.

Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI Fish Finder Review

Whenever the Humminbird brand gets mentioned, anglers get excited, and for a good reason.

Ever since the American company started operations in 1971, it has been churning out quality fish finders at a reasonable price.

The PIRANHAMAX 4 DI is no different. It is an entry-level fish finder, but it is among the best that money can buy.

It was a step up from the PIRANHAMAX 197c with its wider screen, better pixel matrix, and solid structure.

Five years have passed since the PIRANHAMAX 4 hit the market, still, it remains one of the more popular fish finders today.

As a result, Humminbird is still making it to meet consumer demand.

Who Is Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI For?

The PIRANHAMAX 4 DI was designed mainly to give anglers 2D imaging and DI capabilities without the benefit of GPS.

As such, you cannot use it to plot charts or tell your location.

You can’t do much with it other than find fish. Nevertheless, it does this exceptionally well.

It comes with a fish ID, fish alarm, depth alarm, and battery alarm.

It works perfectly on small boats or kayaks and does wonder even in the hands of a beginner.

Armed with this device, you won’t have to miss out on any chance to catch the big one.

What is more, it won’t cost you much to get one of your own.

What’s Included in the Package?

The Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI product package comes with the following:

• A 4.3-inch display panel
• A tilt and swivel gimbal mount
• An XNT 9 DI T transducer
• A transom mount
• Assorted mounting screws 

The whole system is easy to install and remove, so you can take it home with you after fishing. 

Overview of the Features

It’s time to get to the core of this Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI (Down Imaging) Fish Finder Review: the essential product features.

• Display

The display on the Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI (Down Imaging) Fish Finder is a bit small at 4.3 inches.

However, it should not be a problem since it is designed for kayaks and small boats in close proximity.

Its small size makes it a great option since space is an issue for these situations.

Plus, all the images are crisp and clear with its 256-color TFT display and 480x272 pixel matrix.

It also has an LED backlight so you can read the screen easily, whether at night or under direct sunlight.

The Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI's screen is equally clear even in the fog or when it is raining.

It is important to note that it does not offer touchscreen capabilities.

Also, it does not have the split-screen feature that other Humminbird products do.

Still, it is an excellent-looking display considering its very low price point.

• Sonar

The PIRANHAMAX 4 DI comes with a dual-beam sonar, which sends out two different beams at different widths.

At 200 kHz, it uses conical beams angled at 28°, allowing you to cover a larger area beneath the surface.

At 455 kHz, the beam angle is a narrower 16°, making it easier to focus on the target.

One downside of this feature is that you can only use one beam at a time.

Still, it is very effective in scanning underwater structures and fish targets.

With this feature, it will be easier for you to find fish and then focus on it until you catch it.

• Transducer

The XNT 9 DI T transducer allows the PIRANHAMAX 4 DI to use dual beam and down imaging at the same time.

It comes with a transom mount that secures it in a strategic area of the kayak or small boat.

As mentioned before, it is also effortless to remove. This feature comes in handy if you want to take it home with you after fishing to keep it safe.

• Temperature Sensor

Built into the transducer is a sensor that provides accurate water temperature readings when in 2D sonar mode.

As most anglers know, many fish species are cold-blooded, which means that their metabolism is influenced by temperature.

Using this feature, you can predict when the fish are more active and likely to take the bait.

• Down Imaging

The down imaging capability on the Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI (Down Imaging) Fish Finder can make it easier for you to find fish.

It provides a 3D sonar image of what is happening below your boat or kayak.

You can use these images to make a better decision on whether an area is worth fishing or not.

• Zoom

Both sonar modes allow you to zoom in on a fishing target and make the images appear three times closer.

If you cannot decide whether you’re looking at fish or not, this feature will be very helpful. 

• Portability

The Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 DI Fish Finder is small enough to fit in a narrow kayak or a small boat.

It comes with a swivel mount that is easy to install and remove.

You can take it anywhere with you, whether you are heading out to fish or on your way home.

It does not have a cover, but it should be fairly easy to protect and keep safe with its portability. 

• Durability

A shock-absorbent case protects the 4.3-inch display. 

The Humminbird 410160-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 DI is also rated IPX7 waterproof.

It can stand up to incidental water exposure and survive submersion to a depth of one meter for 30 minutes.

How to Install Your Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4

Before mounting the PIRANHAMAX 4 DI, pick out a spot on your kayak or boat.

The surface must be stable, and there must be enough space for the device to tilt and swivel.

Try to test run the power and transducer cables to find the best route.

After this, connect the power cable to the boat. Make sure you hook it up to a 12 VDC supply and that you use a one-ampere fuse.

Once you have connected the power cable, assemble the control head base, then route the cables under the deck.

Next, mark and drill a 19-mm hole on the base—this is where the cable will pass through.

Place the mounting bracket on top of the mounting surface, then attach it to the screws.

Using the gimbal knob and the thumbknob bolt, attach the control head to the base.

After this, attach the cables to the control head.

Each cable uses a different kind of port, so there is no chance that you will interchange the cables.

Still, it is important to be mindful when inserting the cable plugs so you do not cause any damage.

Once you have set up the control head, you can install the transducer.

First, assemble the transducer and the pivot arm through the matching ratchets, then fit the pivot arm over the ratchet.

Adjust the mounting angle until the seam on the transducer’s leading-edge is level.

Keep adjusting the assembly until the bracket is also aligned from port to starboard, then tighten the pivot bolt.

Next, unplug the transducer cable from the control head then route it through the transom mount to the transducer.

After this, plug the other end back into the control head.

Finally, test the installation with the boat on the water.

Alternative

If you need CHIRP sonar for roughly the same price as the PIRANHAMAX 4 DI, try the Garmin Striker 4.

It has a slightly smaller screen at 3.5 inches but a comparable resolution of 480x320 pixels.

It features the ClearVu CHIRP scanning sonar that gives near-photographic images of the structure and marine life below.

It continuously sends sweeps of frequencies to provide a wide range of information.

It is also capable of creating clearer fish arches with better target separation.

With the waypoint map on the Garmin Striker 4, you can quickly view and mark locations for easier navigation.

It has a maximum depth of 750 feet in saltwater and 1,600 feet in freshwater.

Verdict

The Humminbird PIRANHAMAX 4 Down Imaging Fish Finder is a dedicated device.

It does not have GPS or chart plotting capability, but it is very effective in its main function: to help you find fish or great fishing spots.

Its dual beam plus and down imaging functions are hard to find in products of this price.

If you simply want to find fish, the PIRANHAMAX 4 DI will give you the most value for your money.