Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 43cv

The echoMAP CHIRP 43cv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2017 and discontinued in 2019(?). It’s basically identical to the echoMAP CHIRP 43dv but with the re-branded DownVü to ClearVü. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01796-01, the system that includes the CV20 transducer, GPS, and the US LakeVü charts.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 4.3″ diagonal, 272H x 480V pixel resolution, WQVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: CHIRP 2D, CHIRP ClearVü
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • Standard: 200 kHz / 15° and 77 kHz / 45°
  • ClearVü: 455 kHz / 2.5° (fore to aft) x 53°, 800 kHz / 1.6° (fore to aft) x 29°
• Depth Capability:
  • Standard: 2,300 (701 m)
  • ClearVü: 250 ft (76 m)
• Transducer: CV20-TM (4-pin), for HD-ID and ClearVü
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: U.S. LakeVü HD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this unit is a chartplotter. It integrates a 5 Hz internal GPS module, which refreshes your position up to 5 times per second, offering accurate locks. It can also measure and display the speed of your boat up to a certain point.

Even though it’s one of the smallest units from Garmin, the 010-01796-01 can still stock up to 100 routes, 5,000 waypoints and 50 tracks, with up to 50,000 track points, just like the bigger units, such as the echoMAP CHIRP 73cv.

As support for navigation, this unit comes pre-loaded with the U.S. LakeVü HD charts. In other words, it’s basically a unit for use when in-land navigation and fishing. In case you’re looking for a similar unit, but with coastal waters charts, the echoMAP CHIRP 44cv is the one with the BlueChart g2 HD. The U.S. LakeVü HD charts cover more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, reservoirs, and rivers with depth contours. They also include various other points of interest and markers such as bridges, marinas, camping spots, interstates, and highways.

Two other navigation-related functions require being mentioned here. One is the new Quickdraw Contours, and the other is the Shallow Water Shading. Quickdraw Contours gives you the possibility to “draw” the contours of a certain body of water if there aren’t any available with your current charts, using the depth data from the sonar. This way you will benefit from the most up-to-date contours for that particular lake, canal, or river. Shallow Water Shading function makes color-coding available for various depth ranges. In other words, it allows you to designate up to 10 different colors, to 10 different depth ranges, for a quick view of a target depth.

Last but not least, this Garmin fish finder is also compatible with more detailed charts. It can use BlueChart g2, or BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD Ultra, or with the LakeVü HD Canada. The LakeVü HD Ultra and BlueChart g2 Vision also open the Enhanced Auto Guidance feature. With this feature you can instantly search through the charts to find the safest virtual path between two points of interest, it can also calculate your arrival times or enable your AutoPilot to follow a safe route.

The unit also supports AIS, and can display position data from DSC-capable VHF radio.

Sonar and transducer

To begin with, the CV20-TM transducer is supplied with this unit. This transducer is temperature capable, has 20′ (6m) of cable, transom and trolling motor mounts, and a 4-pin connector. 

The control unit is capable of 50/77/200 kHz frequencies for traditional sonar, and High, Mid or Low CHIRP. However, with the CV20-TM transducer that’s supplied with it, it can only cover the 77/200 kHz frequencies. In other words, with this transducer, you will be able to use only the Mid and High CHIRP modes. In order to use the Low CHIRP mode, for better scanning at higher depths, you’ll need the 50/200 kHz transducer. The unit is also dual-frequency capable, thus it can scan at 77 and 200 kHz simultaneously.

For ClearVü, this unit is capable of 260/455/800 kHz frequencies, but the CV20-TM transducer covers only the 455/800 kHz. Nonetheless, it can also use CHIRP for the ClearVü mode. In fact, it can modulate pulse between 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz, in order to provide clearer images, with less clutter and with a superior target definition and separation. For the 2D CHIRP modes, the frequency modulation intervals are not specified.

With the traditional 2D sonar, the transducer uses two conical beams, with angles of 15° for 200 kHz, and 45° for 77 kHz. For ClearVü, the beams used are very thin fore-to-aft, but wider side to side. For 455 kHz, it uses a 2.5° / 53° beam, while for 800 kHz the beam is narrower and thinner, of 1.6° / 29°.

Although this is a small unit, with the supplied transducer and the power of CHIRP, it offers quite impressive depth capabilities. For 2D it can reach 2,300 ft (701 m), while for ClearVü the maximum depth is 250 ft (76 m). The recommended vessel speed range for clear images and the maximum of returns is 1-6 MPH. However, the unit should be able to maintain a bottom reading at speeds up to 30 MPH.

This unit also features Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind functions. However, in order to record sonar, you will need a data memory card inserted into the unit. Also, as a general idea, approx. 15 minutes of recording will take approx. 200 MB on the memory card, and you can continue to record until the recording reaches the maximum capacity of the card. Along with the sonar recording functions, this Garmin fishfinder offers several other sonar-related functions, such as Fish Symbols, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarms, Depth Alarm, etc.

Control unit features

This unit has a 4.3″ diagonal display, with a vertical layout and a 480 x 272 pixel matrix. The display features LED backlight, for better reading in bright light or during night time. Needless to say, it uses a WQVGA color display. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, which means it can withstand rain or splashes, and even complete immersions in freshwater, up to 1 m.

In terms of connectivity, it doesn’t have a Garmin Marine Network port. However, it does offer NMEA 0183 connectivity possibilities and features a microSD card reader with 1 card slot, for software updates, waypoints transfer, chart upgrades, etc.

This unit is compatible with various Garmin transducers, such as the CV23M-TM. But since it’s a smaller unit, it’s not Panoptix capable.

Last but not least, the unit comes with the classic tilt and swivel mount. The unit cover is not included.

The Pros

• CHIRP sonar technology offering superior clarity, target separation and target definition, for both 2D and ClearVü;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer (CV20-TM, 4-pin) included;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and sonar history rewind;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Preloaded with the U.S. LakeVü HD charts;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Multiple Depth Range Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD Ultra;
• Enhanced Auto Guidance capable;
• Tide tables information;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• NMEA 0183 connector;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation. 

The Cons

• No unit cover;
• Manual is not specific to the unit (at least not for now), but for the whole echoMAP series. Thus, some information may not apply to this unit.

Summary

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 43cv is a great unit for a small boat or kayak, featuring excellent sonar with CHIRP technology, an adequate transducer also being included. It has great depth capabilities for a small unit, and can also be used off-shore. It’s one of the most affordable chartplotters that you can find. Even though it’s a small unit, the GPS system offers excellent accuracy, while its charts database is pretty impressive. Plus, you can create your own charts with depth contours by using Quickdraw Contours.