Garmin Panoptix Livescope Review

Everyone who’s ever used a fish finder knows exactly how valuable they can be. And the Garmin Panoptix Livescope takes fish finding to a whole new level. But, when it comes to buying items that cost over a thousand dollars, you’d better be sure it’s right for you before you buy.

That’s where this article comes in. We’re going to describe the gadget’s various features and accessories, discuss its value for money, cover what other people think, and summarize its pros and cons.

By the end of the article, at the wrap up, you will be in a position to know whether this is the fish finder for you.

Please feel free to scroll ahead to any section that catches your attention. Here goes!

Summary Table

Garmin Panoptix Livescope

Now, while Garmin may be better known for their GPS devices and fitness trackers, they’ve also been very successful at making their way into the fish finder scene. They have many lines of such equipment and are considered one of the top brands in the field.

But with their Panoptix LiveScope scanning sonar system they seem to have really outdone themselves.

For those who don’t already know, the Panoptix LiveScope is unlike most other such systems out there. It will show footage of aquatic life ALL around your boat, and in 3 dimensions.

What’s more, it works for distances of up to a whopping 200 feet down, or alternatively 200 feet across, and offers amazing resolution and clarity.

YouTube Video

Using a fish finder of any sort is very much a visual thing, so we thought we’d point out a great YouTube video which best demonstrates the Panoptix Livescope in action.

If you want to view the photo without coming out of this article, all you have to do is hold down the control button on your computer when you click on the link, so that it will open up on a separate tab.

Main Features

Now that we’ve given you an overview, let’s get into it a bit more. Here’s what the Panoptix Livescope has to offer…

Crystal-Clear Imagery

Once set up, you can view the surrounding water very clearly and in real time, providing such clear 3D imagery that you can even make out which species is which.

Moreover, you can choose from seven vivid color palettes to maximize the contrast between the fish and the surrounding structures.

Three Modes In One Transducer

You can adjust the transducer as you please by either pointing it forward to see around your boat, pointing downward to see directly below, or you can go for an overhead angle.

Excellent Range

The 200-foot range is not limited to just one mode, but can be used in all three.

Image Stabilization

It also features a built-in image stabilization system, which can keep the sonar image running perfectly steady, even if the water conditions get a bit rough.

Accessories

Accessories That Come In The Box

The Panoptix Livescope scanning sonar system comes with a number of accessories, which are as follows:

• GLS 10 sonar black box
• Panoptix™ LVS32 transducer
• Power, network and adapter cables
• Mounts for the transom, trolling motor barrel, and trolling motor shaft
• Documentation

Accessories You Have To Buy Separately

A sonar system designed to scan for fish isn’t much use without a screen to view it all on. So here are the accessories we would recommend you getting if you decide to buy the Garmin Panoptix Livescope, if you don’t have them already.

Garmin Echomap UHD 94SV Touchscreen Chartplotter

We can confirm that this large screen chartplotter, also from Garmin, is perfectly compatible with the Panoptix Livescope.

What’s more, it also comes with its own mount, power cable, and data cable. Basically, everything you need to get started.

But it’s worth bearing in mind that this is not the only Chartplotter available that’s compatible with the Panoptix Livescope, and there are others you could check out.

Easy To Use?

Installation

Granted, installing everything does take a little time. Especially when you include the time taken to install the various mounts and to calibrate the machine.

However, it does feature a simple plug-and-play Garmin Marine Network connector, which makes the installation process much easier than it otherwise would have been. And it will integrate seamlessly with your compatible Garmin chartplotter.

Ease Of Use Once Installed

As with any new gadget you decide to try out, there is a little learning curve as you get used to using the machine. But to be honest, the biggest learning curve comes with learning to use the chartplotter rather than with learning to use the scanning sonar system itself.

Value For Money

Now, let’s be real. Equipment as fancy and cutting edge as this does not come cheap.

And if you decide to go for a bundle deal with absolutely everything included, you can often expect to pay upwards of $1,700, and for a dedicated ice fishing you can expect to pay about $2,800.

And for most people, that’s a huge chunk of their monthly paycheck.

However, there are ways to make the system more affordable for you.

For example, you could seek out a second hand one, on sites such as eBay etc. Or you could look for one that is preowned but has been refurbished and tested to prove that it works as good as new.

If this is of interest to you, check out this link.

Alternatively, you could seek out retailers that will allow you to pay in installments. Garmin will allow you to do this via Klarna, you will find more details here.

Meanwhile, Amazon, who occasionally has deals on this system, also offers payment in installments when you’re approved for an Amazon Store Card. You can find out more on this link.

What Other People Say About the Garmin Panoptix Livescope

With features like this, you can just imagine how the customer reviews read. They’re generally full of praise, with customers simply amazed at just how well the system works.

Of course, there will always be people with something bad to say, especially after spending so much money and expecting the world.

Let’s take a look at what people have to say on Amazon, for example. It has earned an average customer rating of a full 5 stars out of 5 at the time of writing (which is quite rare), even after well over 200 individual customer ratings.

Praise

Customers generally love using the system. They say that they can make out what the fish are doing, how active they are, whether they’re checking out the bait or ignoring it.

You can see the size of the fish, and whether they’re moving or laying close to the bottom. And they get a real kick when they see a fish bite into the bait.

Complaints

The main complaint people have with the device is that it doesn’t perform anywhere near as well in salt water conditions. And this is important to know beforehand if you were thinking of taking it out to sea.

Summary Of Pros And Cons

Wrap Up

So to sum up, the Garmin Panoptix LiveScope Scanning Sonar System really is quite something, offering features that other fish finders simply do not have.

As for whether it’s good value for money, I guess that it can be good value for money if you have the budget for it and if you don’t intend to use it much in salt water areas, and you’re going to use it primarily in freshwater areas such as rivers and lakes.

We all know how disappointing it can be to go on a fishing trip and come back empty-handed with nothing to show for it. But the Garmin Panoptix LiveScope can turn that around for you and make your fishing trip a lot more engaging and a lot more fruitful.