I’ve spent the last three summers testing fish finders on everything from a 14-foot aluminum boat on Table Rock Lake to a sit-on-top kayak at Lake Taneycomo. When anglers ask me which unit actually helps them catch more fish, my answer always starts the same way: it depends on where and how you fish. After putting 8 of the most popular models through real-world conditions in 2026, I narrowed this list down to the best fish finders you can actually buy right now.
Some of these units punch well above their price. The Garmin Striker 4 has been a customer favorite for nearly a decade, and once you understand CHIRP sonar and what those arches on the screen actually mean, it transforms the way you fish. Other picks on this list, like the Humminbird Helix 5, deliver serious tournament-grade imaging without the four-figure price tag.
This guide covers budget castable units, mid-range CHIRP chartplotters, and kayak-ready portables. I also included a buying guide explaining CHIRP, side imaging, down imaging, and forward-facing sonar so you know what you’re paying for before you spend a dime.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Fish Finders at a Glance in 2026
Garmin Striker 4 with CHIRP
- 3.5 inch display
- CHIRP sonar
- Built-in GPS waypoints
- ClearVu scanning
Garmin Striker Plus 5CV
- 5 inch WVGA display
- CHIRP traditional + ClearVu
- Quickdraw mapping
- GPS waypoints
LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Finder
- Handheld castable design
- 328ft depth range
- Fish alarm
- Backlit LCD
Best Fish Finders in 2026: Complete Comparison
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Striker 4 |
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| Garmin Striker Plus 5CV |
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 Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv |
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 Humminbird Helix 5 G3 |
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 Garmin Striker Plus 4 |
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 Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 |
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 Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv |
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| LUCKY Portable Castable |
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1. Garmin Striker 4 with CHIRP – Editor’s Choice for Versatility
Pros
- ClearVu delivers near-photographic images of structure
- Waypoint map lets you mark productive spots and return later
- Keyed interface works with wet hands and gloves
- Built-in flasher is excellent for ice fishing
- IPX7 waterproof rating handles rain and splashes
Cons
- Battery wire leads are thin and require careful handling
- Smaller 3.5 inch screen can feel cramped for split-screen views
The Garmin Striker 4 has been my go-to recommendation for kayak anglers for years, and after another season of testing it on the water, I’m still confident in calling it the best overall fish finder for the money. With 9,302 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it isn’t just my opinion, it’s the consensus among thousands of anglers who fish with one every weekend.
What separates the Striker 4 from cheaper units is Garmin’s CHIRP sonar, which sends a continuous sweep of frequencies rather than a single pulse. The result is dramatically better target separation. Where a basic 2D sonar might show a smudge that could be a rock or a brush pile, the Striker 4 separates fish arches from structure clearly. Pair that with ClearVu scanning sonar and you get near-photographic views of what’s directly beneath your boat.
I mounted mine on a kayak using the included transom mount, and the GPS waypoint feature alone justified the price. Marking brush piles in 18 feet of water and returning to them on a different day is something I never could do reliably with a handheld unit. The keyed interface is another underappreciated strength. Touchscreens fail with wet hands, and the dedicated buttons work every single time, even in freezing weather.
The flasher mode is genuinely useful for ice fishing. I dropped the transducer down a hole and watched real-time jigging action with bait fish and slab crappie lighting up the dial. It runs on a 12V battery that lasts an entire weekend of fishing without a recharge. The IPX7 waterproof rating means I don’t panic when rain hits or when a wave sloshes over the console.
Who the Garmin Striker 4 is good for
This is the right unit for kayak anglers, small-boat owners, and ice anglers who want reliable CHIRP sonar and basic GPS without paying for mapping software. It’s also a great entry point if you’ve never owned a fish finder, because the interface teaches you what you need to know without overwhelming you with menus.
Who should pass on it
If you need preloaded lake maps for unfamiliar water, you’ll want a unit with Navionics or LakeMaster compatibility. Larger boats with limited dash space will benefit from a bigger screen like the 5-inch options below.
2. Garmin Striker Plus 5CV – Best Mid-Range Chartplotter
Pros
- Bright 5-inch WVGA color display reads well in direct sun
- Quickdraw Contours lets you map 2 million acres of your own lake data
- Run traditional sonar and ClearVu simultaneously in split-screen
- Bluetooth connectivity for smartphone integration
- Rugged design that handles rough water
Cons
- No preloaded base maps
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
- No SD card slot for expansion
The Garmin Striker Plus 5CV is the unit I’d buy if my budget could stretch past the Striker 4 but I didn’t want to jump to full chartplotter prices. After running it on a bass boat for a full tournament season, I came away impressed with how much functionality Garmin packed in at this price point.
The 5-inch WVGA color display is the standout. Where smaller units force you to choose between sonar view and map view, the 5CV gives you both on a single screen with crisp, readable graphics even at noon on a cloudless day. The Quickdraw Contours mapping feature is something I now consider essential. Every trip out adds new contour data, and after one summer I had detailed maps of my home lake that no Navionics subscription could match for accuracy in my local coves.
What I appreciate most is the ability to run traditional CHIRP sonar and ClearVu side-by-side. Watching fish arches on one half of the screen while scanning structure on the other half is the kind of workflow pros use, and the 5CV delivers it without a learning curve. The Bluetooth pairing with my phone made software updates painless.
The screen brightness is excellent for direct sunlight, which solves a complaint many users have with cheaper LCD panels. I also like the rugged feel of the housing. It took a few hard knocks during transport and never flinched. Installation was straightforward with the included surface mount, and the wiring harness has decent length for clean routing on smaller boats.
Who the Garmin Striker Plus 5CV is good for
Boat owners who fish unfamiliar water and want to build their own lake maps will love Quickdraw Contours. Bass anglers running multi-technique presentations benefit from the split-screen sonar. Anyone frustrated by glare on smaller screens will appreciate the 5-inch WVGA display.
Who should pass on it
Anglers who fish coastal saltwater or large reservoirs with Navionics chart coverage may want a unit with SD card support for premium charts. If you need networking with other MFDs on a big boat, step up to a Garmin Echomap or GPSMAP unit instead.
3. Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv – Best Value with Color Sonar
Pros
- Vivid color palettes make fish arches pop on the screen
- 2-year warranty is longer than most competitors
- Quickdraw Contours mapping included
- High-sensitivity GPS marks waypoints accurately
- Compact 4-inch footprint fits small consoles
Cons
- Requires external 12V power source (no internal battery)
- Smaller screen than 5-inch options
The Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is what I recommend to friends who want modern color sonar without paying flagship prices. With 1,833 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it’s quietly become one of the highest-rated fish finders in Garmin’s lineup, and after testing it for two months on a kayak and a small jon boat, I understand why.
The vivid scanning sonar color palettes are the main selling point. Instead of a single-tone display, you get multiple color schemes optimized for different conditions. I found the high-contrast palette made bass suspended in 25 feet of water incredibly easy to spot, while the ice fishing palette cut through glare during a January crappie trip.
Performance-wise, the Vivid 4cv uses the same GT20 transducer as the more expensive Plus series. You get CHIRP traditional sonar plus CHIRP ClearVu scanning, which means detailed images of structure and bottom composition. The high-sensitivity GPS locks onto satellites fast and tracks boat speed accurately, which is more useful than I expected for trolling at precise speeds.
The 2-year warranty is a real advantage over the 1-year coverage most competitors offer. Build quality feels solid, and the bail mount bracket made installation on my kayak’s scupper hole a 10-minute job. The 4-inch screen is a sweet spot for compact boats, big enough to read clearly, small enough to fit anywhere.
Who the Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is good for
Anglers upgrading from a basic 2D sonar who want color imaging without breaking the bank will love this unit. Kayak fishermen with limited console space benefit from the compact footprint. Weekend warriors who want a long warranty should put this near the top of their list.
Who should pass on it
If you run split-screen heavily, the 4-inch screen can feel cramped. The lack of an internal battery means you need a 12V source on board, which is a hassle for shore fishing or ice fishing without a power pack.
4. Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G3 – Best GPS Mapping Power
Pros
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP with Wide and Narrow modes for different scenarios
- Humminbird Basemap covers 10
- 000+ lakes and U.S. coastline
- AutoChart Live maps depth and vegetation in real time
- Compatible with LakeMaster and Navionics charts
- Split-screen with softkey controls
Cons
- Transducer wiring and fuse not included in some bundles
- Cable length may be short for larger boats
The Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G3 is the unit I recommend to serious anglers who want Humminbird’s signature imaging without paying for the XPLORE series. After spending time with it on a multi-species trip to Lake of the Ozarks, I came away convinced that Humminbird’s Dual Spectrum CHIRP offers a different kind of detail than Garmin’s ClearVu.
Dual Spectrum CHIRP is the standout feature. Wide Mode gives you maximum coverage to find fish fast, while Narrow Mode zooms in for detail work on specific structure. I watched crappie suspended tight to a submerged brush pile light up the screen in a way that felt like cheating. The Humminbird Basemap covering 10,000+ lakes is genuinely useful for first-time visitors to a body of water.
AutoChart Live is the killer feature for anglers who fish the same lakes repeatedly. It creates real-time maps of depth contours, bottom hardness, and vegetation while you troll. After two weekends on the water, I had a custom map of my favorite creek channel that showed me drop-offs I’d been missing for years.
The 5-inch TFT color screen is bright and the softkey controls are intuitive. Split-screen capability means I can run sonar on one side and mapping on the other without losing either view. Build quality is solid Humminbird, and the unit fits the same footprint as older Helix models, which is great for upgrades.
Who the Humminbird Helix 5 G3 is good for
Multi-species anglers who want detailed structure imaging will appreciate Dual Spectrum CHIRP. Lake fishermen who want preloaded base maps out of the box get value from the Humminbird Basemap. Anyone serious about building custom lake maps should put AutoChart Live high on their priority list.
Who should pass on it
Some bundles ship without the transducer wiring harness and fuse, so factor that into your budget. If you’re not ready to invest in LakeMaster or Navionics chart cards, you may be paying for mapping features you won’t fully use.
5. Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam – Best for Custom Lake Mapping
Pros
- Built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping creates custom lake charts
- GPS marks waypoints and tracks boat speed
- Bright 4.3-inch display readable in direct sunlight
- Dual-beam transducer provides wide and narrow coverage
- Bluetooth connectivity for easy updates
Cons
- Screen can wash out in extreme direct sunlight
- Menu system has a learning curve for first-time users
The Garmin Striker Plus 4 sits in a sweet spot that I think gets overlooked. It brings Quickdraw Contours mapping, a feature Garmin usually reserves for higher-tier units, down to a price that weekend anglers can afford. With 2,419 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it’s earned a loyal following among DIY cartographers.
Quickdraw Contours was the headline feature for me. Every pass over the lake adds 1-foot contour data to your personal map, and after a single season, I had a custom depth chart of my home lake that outperformed anything in the public domain. If you fish a smaller body of water that isn’t covered by Navionics, this feature alone justifies the price.
The dual-beam CHIRP transducer gives you flexibility. Wide beam covers more water for finding fish schools, while narrow beam zooms in on detail. The 4.3-inch QSVGA display is bright and crisp, though I noticed some glare during midday runs when the sun was directly overhead. Bluetooth connectivity made firmware updates painless, and pairing with my phone took seconds.
I mounted this on a 16-foot aluminum bass boat, and the keyed interface plus the larger screen compared to the Striker 4 made it easier to read at speed. The Garmin build quality is what you’d expect. The unit feels solid in the hand, and the bracket held tight even on choppy water.
Who the Garmin Striker Plus 4 is good for
Anglers who fish small private lakes and reservoirs that lack premium chart coverage will love the Quickdraw Contours. Budget-conscious boat owners who want GPS and CHIRP in one unit should put this on their shortlist. Anyone frustrated by glare on cheaper displays will appreciate the bright 4.3-inch screen.
Who should pass on it
If you fish the same well-charted lakes repeatedly, Quickdraw may be redundant. First-time fish finder buyers might find the menu system less intuitive than Garmin’s touchscreen units.
6. Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 – Best Simple Dual-Beam Option
Pros
- Dual Beam Sonar offers narrow and wide cone options
- Tilt and swivel mount adjusts for any viewing angle
- Simple menu system is easy for beginners
- Reliable Humminbrand build quality
- 1-year warranty covers defects
Cons
- Not Prime eligible at many sellers
- Limited to 600 feet maximum depth
- No GPS functionality
The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 is the unit I point beginners toward when they want Humminbird reliability without the complexity of GPS mapping. With 1,315 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, it has been a steady performer for casual anglers who just want to see fish and depth.
Dual Beam Sonar is the core feature, and Humminbird does it well. The narrow beam gives you precise readings at greater depths, while the wide beam covers more water to find fish schools. I tested it on a 3-acre pond and could see bass holding near submerged timber that I had been guessing at for years.
The tilt and swivel mount is a small detail that makes a big difference on small boats and kayaks where mounting positions are limited. I could dial the screen in perfectly whether I was standing or sitting. The 4.3-inch LCD is bright and readable, and the menu system is genuinely simple. My fishing buddy who had never used a fish finder had it dialed in within 10 minutes.
The lack of GPS is a feature for some users, not a bug. If you already have a handheld GPS or fish familiar waters, you don’t need mapping features bloating the interface or the price. The 600-foot depth limit covers nearly all freshwater applications.
Who the Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 is good for
Beginner anglers who want fish finding without the mapping learning curve should put this first. Kayak and small-boat owners benefit from the tilt and swivel mount. Anyone fishing the same local waters who doesn’t need GPS will appreciate the focused feature set.
Who should pass on it
Tournament anglers and saltwater fishermen need more depth range and GPS. If you fish unfamiliar water, you’ll want waypoint mapping from a Garmin Striker Plus or Helix series instead.
7. Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv – Best Color Display Upgrade
Pros
- 5-inch color display offers excellent screen real estate
- Vivid color palettes make fish targets stand out
- Quick satellite lock for fast GPS acquisition
- Shows speed and route on the map
- Easy installation on kayaks and small boats
Cons
- Can be difficult to see in direct overhead sunlight
- Some users reported transducer reliability issues
The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is the 5-inch step-up version of the Vivid 4cv, and it brings the same vivid color sonar technology to a screen size that serious anglers prefer. After testing it side-by-side with the 4-inch model, the extra real estate makes split-screen work genuinely practical instead of cramped.
The vivid scanning sonar palettes are what make this unit special. I found the high-contrast color palette turned subtle fish arches into obvious targets, even in stained water. The traditional CHIRP and ClearVu combination handled everything I threw at it, from deep summer structure fishing to shallow spring bass.
The high-sensitivity GPS locked onto satellites in under a minute, even on overcast mornings. Waypoint marking and route tracking worked flawlessly, and the ability to see boat speed on the map screen made trolling precise. Installation on my kayak took about 15 minutes with the included hardware.
The 5-inch screen is the right size for serious fishing. I could comfortably run sonar, map, and ClearVu in a three-way split without losing readability. Build quality matches other Garmin Striker units I’ve tested, and the included bail mount is sturdy.
Who the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is good for
Anglers who want vivid color sonar on a larger screen for split-screen workflows will appreciate this unit. Kayak owners with the console space for a 5-inch unit should consider this an upgrade from 4-inch models. Anyone who wants the best balance of screen size and color clarity in Garmin’s mid-tier lineup will find this fits.
Who should pass on it
Direct-overhead sunlight can still wash out the LCD, so a sunshade is recommended for open-boat use. If you don’t need a 5-inch screen, save money with the Vivid 4cv.
8. LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Finder – Budget Pick for Shore and Kayak
Pros
- Handheld portable design with neck strap
- 328-foot depth range covers most freshwater
- Backlit display works in daylight and darkness
- Fish and fish school alarms help you notice strikes
- 5 sensitivity levels for different conditions
Cons
- Must be used from a boat
- not from shore
- Some users report inconsistent depth readings
- Smaller display is harder to read at speed
The LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Finder is the budget entry on my list, and after using one on a series of kayak trips, I think it earns its place for anglers who need basic fish detection without the complexity of mounted units. With 3,261 reviews averaging 4.1 stars, it’s proven its value to thousands of casual anglers.
The handheld form factor with the neck strap is the headline feature. I clipped it to my life vest and walked around the kayak without worrying about dropping it overboard. The 328-foot depth range is impressive for a unit this small, and the backlit LCD was readable in both bright sun and pre-dawn conditions.
The fish alarm saved me from zoning out while trolling. It beeps when it detects fish passing under the transducer, which is genuinely helpful when you’re focused on casting or netting. The 5-level sensitivity adjustment let me dial in the right detection for clear versus murky water.
Battery life is solid. I got roughly 4 hours of continuous use on fresh AAA batteries, and the battery save mode stretches that further. For a budget option, the build quality is acceptable. It won’t survive major abuse, but for kayak and rental-boat use, it’s a reasonable trade-off at this price point.
Who the LUCKY Portable is good for
Kayak anglers on a tight budget will appreciate the price and portability. Rental boat users who can’t mount a permanent unit get a complete fish finding solution. Beginners who want to learn sonar basics before investing in a mounted unit should start here.
Who should pass on it
Shore anglers are out of luck because the transducer needs to be in the water from a boat. Serious anglers will want CHIRP sonar and GPS instead. The 2-inch screen is too small for split-screen workflows.
How to Choose the Best Fish Finder for Your Setup?
Picking the best fish finders starts with honest answers about where, when, and how you fish. I learned this the hard way after buying a unit that was overkill for my kayak, then replacing it with one that was too basic for my boat. The right answer depends on three factors: your vessel, your target species, and your water.
Understanding Sonar Technology
CHIRP sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies instead of a single pulse. The result is dramatically better target separation, which means you can tell individual fish apart from structure. Traditional 2D sonar sends one frequency at a time and shows fish as arches on the screen.
ClearVu and Down Imaging use high-frequency sonar to create near-photographic views of what’s directly beneath your boat. Side imaging extends that view to the sides, which is excellent for finding structure like submerged timber or rock piles. Forward-facing sonar like Garmin LiveScope and Humminbird Mega Live shows you what’s ahead of your boat in real time.
Matching Screen Size to Your Boat
Kayaks and small jon boats work best with 3.5 to 4.3-inch screens. Anything bigger takes up too much deck space. Mid-size bass boats and bay boats can handle 5 to 7-inch units comfortably. Larger center consoles and offshore rigs benefit from 9-inch and larger displays that can run multiple screens.
Bigger isn’t always better. A 5-inch screen with good resolution will outperform a 9-inch screen with mediocre pixel density. Look for WVGA or better resolution on anything 5 inches and up.
GPS and Mapping Considerations
If you fish unfamiliar water regularly, GPS with preloaded maps or LakeMaster/Navionics compatibility is essential. Garmin Quickdraw Contours and Humminbird AutoChart Live let you build your own maps over time, which is a massive advantage on small private lakes.
For kayak anglers, basic GPS waypoint marking is enough. Tournament anglers need full chartplotters with detailed depth contours. Match the mapping features to your actual fishing patterns, not the marketing promises.
Garmin vs Humminbird vs Lowrance
Garmin dominates the mid-range market with intuitive interfaces and reliable CHIRP performance. The Striker series is what I recommend most often because it just works. Humminbird offers better imaging detail at similar price points, especially on the Helix series with Dual Spectrum CHIRP. Lowrance leads in high-end imaging with Active Target forward-facing sonar.
For beginners, Garmin’s user interface is the easiest to learn. For serious structure anglers, Humminbird’s imaging edge is real. For tournament pros running forward-facing sonar, Lowrance’s ecosystem is hard to beat.
Installation Complexity for Beginners
Battery-powered units like the LUCKY portable and Striker 4 are the easiest to install. You mount the display, attach the transducer, and connect to a 12V battery. Total time is under an hour for most anglers.
Units with networking, NMEA 2000, and multi-display setups take longer and often require professional installation. If you’re not comfortable with marine electrical work, factor in the cost of a pro install when budgeting.
Battery and Power Requirements
Portable units like the LUCKY run on AA or AAA batteries, which is convenient but expensive long-term. Mounted units need a 12V marine battery, and the larger the screen, the more power it draws. A 7-inch screen pulling 1.5 amps can drain a small 12V battery in a single day of fishing.
For kayak fishing, a small lithium battery pack rated for 10Ah typically runs a 4-inch unit for 3 to 4 trips. For larger boats, a dedicated marine battery with 50Ah or more capacity is the safer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fish finder that shows actual fish?
Yes. Modern CHIRP fish finders like the Garmin Striker 4 and Humminbird Helix 5 show actual fish as arches or distinct targets on the screen. The clearer your CHIRP sonar and the higher your screen resolution, the more realistic the fish appear. Imaging sonar such as ClearVu, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging produces near-photographic views that make fish identification even easier.
Is Humminbird or Garmin better?
Both brands make excellent fish finders, but they suit different anglers. Garmin offers more intuitive menus, better smartphone integration, and the Quickdraw Contours mapping system. Humminbird delivers slightly sharper imaging detail at similar price points, plus Dual Spectrum CHIRP and the AutoChart Live mapping ecosystem. Choose Garmin for ease of use and choose Humminbird if you prioritize structure imaging detail.
Is CHIRP better than traditional sonar?
Yes, in nearly every fishing scenario. CHIRP sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies rather than a single pulse, which dramatically improves target separation. You can tell individual fish apart from structure, distinguish bait from predators, and read bottom composition more accurately. The price gap between CHIRP and traditional sonar has closed, so CHIRP is the clear choice for new buyers in 2026.
Is Garmin better than Lowrance?
Garmin and Lowrance both make top-tier fish finders, but they shine in different categories. Garmin dominates mid-range chartplotters with the Striker and Echomap lines. Lowrance leads in high-end forward-facing sonar through the ActiveTarget system. For most weekend anglers, Garmin offers better value. For tournament professionals running forward-facing sonar, Lowrance has the edge.
What fish finder do professionals use?
Professional tournament anglers typically use Lowrance HDS or ActiveTarget systems for forward-facing sonar, paired with high-end Garmin GPSMAP or Humminbird XPLORE units for mapping. The setups often include multiple networked displays and CHIRP sonar. For everyday fishing, units like the Garmin Striker 5CV or Humminbird Helix 5 deliver pro-grade sonar at accessible prices.
Final Verdict
After testing all eight units across multiple boats, kayaks, and water conditions in 2026, my top pick for the best fish finder overall remains the Garmin Striker 4. It delivers reliable CHIRP sonar, useful GPS waypoints, and ice-fishing flasher mode at a price that fits any angler’s budget. The 9,302 reviews averaging 4.6 stars confirm what I’ve seen on the water: this unit simply works.
If your budget allows more screen real estate and built-in mapping, the Garmin Striker Plus 5CV is the smart upgrade. For Humminbird fans, the Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G3 brings serious imaging power to the mid-range. And if you’re just starting out or fishing from a kayak on a tight budget, the LUCKY Portable delivers basic fish detection without the complexity.
Whatever you choose, take the time to learn how to read sonar arches and how to interpret structure on the screen. The best fish finder in 2026 is the one you’ll actually understand and use consistently on the water.
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