Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 44cv

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 44cv is a discontinued fish finder. It’s also important to mention that the only available 4-inch Garmin fish finder is the Striker Plus 4cv. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01797-01, the model that includes the CV20 transducer and is pre-loaded with the Bluechart g2 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: 1,900 (579 m)
  DownVü: 750 ft (228.6 m)
• Transducer: CV20-TM (4-pin), for HD-ID and ClearVü
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g2 HD (coastal U.S.)
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

This particular unit comes with the CV20-TM transducer, which is a temperature capable model (integrates a temperature sensor), comes with both transom and trolling motor mounts, it features 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 4-pin connector.

The control unit is capable of 50/77/200 kHz for 2D sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. However, with the supplied transducer, it can only use the 77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for Cv. With the supplied transducer,

the unit can use Mid Range CHIRP and High CHIRP for its 2D sonar, while for ClearVü it can modulate the sonar pulse between 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz. Due to the fact that CHIRP technology modulates the sonar pulse over a range of frequencies, the images on the display are clearer, with less clutter. CHIRP also offers a better target separation. For example, it’s more likely to see the fish targets in a school of fish separately, even if they’re close together. Also, if you’re looking for fish near structure or near the bottom, there’s a higher chance they’ll appear on the screen as arches or dots separated from the structure or the bottom.

For the 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 (435-475) kHz, it uses a 2.5° / 53° beam, while for 800 (800-840) kHz the beam is narrower and thinner, of 1.6° / 29°.

In terms of depth range, with the supplied CV20-TM transducer the system can reach depths up to 1,900 ft (579 m) in 2D and 750 ft (228 m) in ClearVü. The recommended vessel speed for crisp-clear images and a maximum of sonar returns is 5-6 MPH. The system should be able to read the bottom even at higher speeds, but with less accuracy.

There are several useful functions available with the 2D sonar of this unit, including A-Scope, Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarms, etc. A-Scope is a vertical flasher that appears next to the 2D sonar and indicates the most recent sonar return. Fish Symbols is a function that turns the fish arches into fish symbols. In other words, it assigns fish symbols to the suspended targets, thus not all the returns with a fish icon will actually be fish.

The unit also has Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind. 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. Being able to rewind sonar is actually quite helpful, as it can save you a lot of trouble and fuel. For example, if you want to take a second look at a specific spot, you won’t need to turn the boat around and re-scan that specific area. Instead, all you have to do is just review the sonar history.

Navigation features and functions

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 44cv is a chartplotter unit. It features an internal, 5 Hz GPS/GLONASS antenna that refreshes your position 5 times per second. It can also track the speed of your boat via the information gathered by the GPS module.

The unit is pre-loaded with the BlueChart g2 HD charts. These cover the coastal U.S. waters, in other words, West Coast, East Coast, Canadian and U.S. sides of the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. These charts also include IALA symbols, tidal stations, current information, and fishing charts with bathymetric contours, with less visual clutter on display.

The Shallow Water Shading function is also available with this unit. This particular feature gives you the possibility to assign a safe (or desired) depth, and shade out all other depths shallower than the selected one. In fact you can select up to 10 color codes for the depth contours present in your fishing area, in order to see the desired depth for fishing or navigation at a glance.

In terms of charts, this unit is compatible with LakeVü HD, BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD Ultra, or with the LakeVü HD Canada. The LakeVü HD Ultra and BlueChart g2 Vision make available the Enhanced Auto Guidance feature. This feature gives you the opportunity to use several useful functions.

As we’ve mentioned above, one of the new functions available with this unit when it comes to navigation, it the Quickdraw Contours. This function allows you to reveal the depth contours in your area, in case the charts you use in your unit don’t cover it. It uses the 2D sonar information to reveal the correct depth and draw the contours as you sail. Therefore, regardless the body of water, you can always use the most up to date contours. Also, you can save the maps created with QuickDraw Contours on a microSD card and upload them on GarminConnect, if you want to share them with the Garmin community.

Last but not least, the echoMAP CHIRP 44cv unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints, and 100 routes. It also has a trail recording function, allowing you to save 50,000 track points, and up to 50 tracks. Evidently, you can convert tracks into routes, add waypoints to them and retrace them.

Control unit features and functions

This unit features a small display, with a 4.3″ diagonal and 480V x 272H pixel matrix. The display is WQVGA color, and also features LED backlight, which means it offers excellent readability in direct sunlight or during night time. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, which means it can take incidental water exposure such as splashes, rain, or even short immersions, with no problem.

This unit is NMEA 0183 capable, and also features a microSD card reader, with one card slot for data transfer, sonar recording, or charts upgrades.

Finally, the unit does not come with a cover, but the box does include a classic, tilt-and-swivel mount.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D sonar and ClearVü
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer (CV20-TM, 4-pin) included;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and sonar history rewind;
• Preloaded with the U.S. BlueChart g2 maps;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Shallow Water 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

• Manual is not specific to the unit, but for the whole series of units, and some of the instructions may not apply to this one;
• Unit cover not included.

Summary

The Garmin echoMAP 44cv is an excellent unit for both saltwater and freshwater, but since it comes with the BlueChart maps, it’s best used for off-shore navigation. Since it’s not a big unit, it makes a great choice for any small boats, including kayaks, canoes, etc. And finally, considering the impressive amount of features and functions, CHIRP technology, and the fact that the package includes the transducer, it’s safe to say that it offers excellent value for the price.