GT10 vs GT8 Garmin transducer

[Mike84]

Hi all!  So i hit the search bar for this questions as i figured I wasn't the first person faced with this choice.  I didn't get a good feel for a solid answer so I'll ask here.  I am looking to upgrade my Garmin Striker 4 from the open water transducer to either the GT8 or GT10.  I will mostly be fishing in less than 50 fow but will also fish in up to 100 fow for lake trout.  I am curious if anyone has some feedback after having used both?  I know the gt10 has double the power rating at 500 w vs 250 w but not sure the price difference is worth it for the Gt10.  Any thoughts are appreciated.

[hardwater diehard]

Beam width/angle are different ..in deeper water generally you want a narrow beam. also the number of pins are different ..but I think an adapter is included . I have 43cv ..not certain which one I would purchase ..but I mostly fish shallow water .


 https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/599585#specs                              16/7 degree  8 pin   800 ft                         

 https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/530137/pn/010-12401-20#specs   24/16 degree 4 pin   800 ft                           

Dont forget the other option

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/735513/pn/010-13069-00#specs     45/15 degree 4 pin ..no depth given

[kpd145]

I have the GT10 and I fish lakers in deep water as well as shallow for other species.

no experience with the other ones. I bought the GT10 for the deeper waters I fish and it has been great for me.

[Drift Dodger]

I have both, with appropriate adapters to interchange between my two Garmin EchoMAP head units (5" & 9"). I mostly fish 30 FOW or less for walleye, etc. and infrequently over 100 FOW for lake trout. The GT8 is fine for flats and the tops of humps. The narrower cone angles available with the GT10 are better for steep drop-offs and deeper water.

The GT8 is physically easier to handle, being about half the size and weight of the GT10.

[RapShack]

Can't speak to the gt10 but I have the gt8 and I hate it in deep water.  Works fine with the range set up to 60' but past that it turns into a slide show.  I haven't tested it with built in skimmer transducer to see if it's the tx or the head unit coming up short but a friend with a skimmer said his was ok.  Also the gt10 might be rated up to 500w but the head unit is 250 or 300 depending on which one you have.

[ont_angler]

GT8 user.

No complaints. I fish up to 40 fow and it has been rock solid for me.

If you go the GT10 route, make sure it includes the adapter for the stryker unit. It does from garmin but have seen other places sell them without the adapter.

[RStock521]

GT8 here.   I typically fish <30', so I went with the wider cone angle.  I have fished is >100' and it still worked fine.  If I frequently fished deep, I would go with the GT10.  I think I posted a link in the electronics section to a great video Garmin did on each of their ice transducers.