Honest Reviews. Expert Advice. Better Fishing
Lowrance Hook Reveal 5
FishReveal imaging with a sunlight-bright screen
- 5-inch SolarMAX 800x480 sunlight display
- High CHIRP sonar plus DownScan Imaging
- FishReveal combines sonar and imaging views
- GPS plotter with preloaded US Inland charts
The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 is aimed squarely at the angler who wants imaging and charts without paying for a premium touchscreen. It undercuts fancier units while still delivering the features most people actually use, and that value equation is why it draws consistent praise as a smart mid-budget buy. The headline traits are its DownScan Imaging, the FishReveal display mode, and a screen built to survive bright sun.
That SolarMAX display deserves its reputation. On open water at midday, plenty of finders wash out; the Hook Reveal stays legible, and owners single this out as one of its best qualities. At 5 inches and 800×480 it matches the class standard for size and resolution, so you get the same readable real estate as competing units with a daylight edge.
On the sonar side, you get High CHIRP for finding fish and DownScan Imaging for high-resolution, picture-like views of structure below the boat. FishReveal ties the two together by overlaying sonar fish targets onto the imaging picture, which is a genuinely useful way to spot fish without flipping between screens. Autotuning sonar keeps the setup approachable, adjusting settings automatically as conditions change.
Navigation is well covered for the money. The unit ships with preloaded US Inland mapping and supports Genesis Live, so you can chart uncharted water in real time. For anglers who mostly fish inland lakes and rivers, having usable maps out of the box, plus the ability to record your own, is a real convenience at this price.
The one thing to get right is the transducer choice, and it trips up buyers repeatedly. The SplitShot version has no side imaging; only the TripleShot adds SideScan. If you expect to scan out to the sides, buy the TripleShot from the start. The SplitShot transducer also tops out near 500 feet, which is plenty inshore but not for deep offshore work, and the Lowrance menu layout takes a little getting used to compared with rival systems.
Bottom line: The Hook Reveal 5 is a strong value pick that packs DownScan Imaging, FishReveal, and preloaded charts behind an excellent sunlight-readable screen. Buy it if you want imaging and mapping on a budget, and be sure to pick the TripleShot if side imaging matters to you.
Specifications
| Screen Size | 5 in SolarMAX (800x480) |
| Sonar | High CHIRP + DownScan Imaging |
| GPS | Built-in plotter, US Inland charts |
| Frequency | CHIRP + 455/800 kHz DownScan |
| Max Depth | 500 ft (SplitShot transducer) |
| Best For | Value seekers wanting imaging + charts |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SplitShot and TripleShot?
SplitShot provides High CHIRP sonar plus DownScan Imaging. TripleShot adds SideScan on top of that. The SplitShot has no side imaging, which is the single most common buyer mistake, so choose TripleShot if you want to see out to the sides.
What is FishReveal?
FishReveal overlays CHIRP sonar fish targets onto the DownScan Imaging picture, so you get the structure detail of imaging and the easy-to-spot fish arches of sonar on a single screen instead of switching between views.
Does the Hook Reveal 5 come with maps?
Yes. It includes preloaded US Inland mapping and supports Genesis Live, which lets you record your own real-time contour maps of uncharted water as you fish.
Is the screen readable in bright sunlight?
Yes. The Hook Reveal 5 uses a SolarMAX display designed for direct sun, and it is one of its standout traits. Owners routinely praise its daylight visibility on open water.
How deep does the Hook Reveal 5 read?
With the SplitShot transducer it reads to roughly 500 feet, which covers most freshwater and inshore fishing. Deeper offshore work calls for a different transducer or a larger unit.