Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 52cv

The echoMAP CHIRP 52cv is one of the fish finders released by Garmin in 2017. It’s also one of the units that are no longer available. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01813-02, the one that includes the CV transducer and the Worldwide Basemap. Also, one of the newer similar versions is the ECHOMAP UHD 62cv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 5.0″ diagonal, 480H x 480V pixel resolution, WQVGA color, with backlight
• 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)
  ClearVü: 750 ft (228.6 m)
• Transducer: CV20-TM (4-pin), for HD-ID and ClearVü
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Worldwide Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

The echoMAP CHIRP 52cv 010-01813-02 comes with the CV20-TM transducer, which has a transom mount, 4-pin connector, and 20′ (6 m) of cable. It’s also a temperature capable transducer, being equipped with a temperature probe. This transducer is ClearVü

capable and can use the 77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for ClearVü. The unit also has CHIRP sonar technology and can modulate the sonar pulse over a range of frequencies, in order to provide clearer images, with less clutter, and a better separation between fish targets. For ClearVü, the system can perform a CHIRP modulation of 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz. For 2D the modulation interval is not specified, but it ranges around the 77 and 200 kHz frequencies.

The transducer uses conical beams for 2D sonar, with a coverage of 45° for 77 kHz, and 15° for 200 kHz. For ClearVü the beams a thin, not conical, but offer a greater side to side coverage, 53° for 455 kHz, and 29° for 800 kHz.

With the supplied transducer, this Garmin fish finder has impressive depth capabilities, 1,900 ft (579 m) for 2D, and 750 ft (228 m) for ClearVü. This being said, it’s a system that can serve you well both on freshwater and saltwater. Also, when it comes to sailing speed, the transducer should be able to track the bottom at speeds up to 30 MHP. However, for the clearest images and a maximum of targets, trolling speed (1-6 MPH) is recommended.

The echoMAP CHIRP 52cv is also capable of 50 kHz and 260 kHz frequencies. But in order to use these frequency ranges, a different transducer (with a 4-pin connector) is requires. This unit is not compatible with Panoptix transducer, though, nor has this advanced sonar technology.

Last but not least, there are several sonar-related functions that this unit provides. Among them, we can number Split-Zoom, Split-Frequency, Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Data Graphs, and more.

Navigation features

This unit is equipped with a fast and accurate, 5 Hz internal GPS, which delivers positioning and heading updates 5 times per second. The unit also uses the GPS system to indicate the speed of your boat. This 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.

The charts built-in this unit is the Worldwide Basemaps which don’t offer a lot of detail. As a general idea, these charts cover the United States, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Central, and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Oceania. Their coverage includes oceans, major streams, rivers, small lakes, political boundaries, railroads, highways, major interstates, principal cities, and smaller cities.

The Worldwide Basemap cannot be upgraded. However, the unit does have a microSD card slot and you can use different, more detailed charts, such as BlueChart g2 HD, BlueChart g2 Vision, LakeVü HD or LakeVü HD Ultra. Some of these charts also give you access to the Auto Guidance feature, which can create a virtual safe pathway, allowing you to avoid obstacles and obstructions such as shallow water, low bridges, etc, on your routes, also opening several other functions.

Since it’s one of the new Garmin units, it also includes the Quickdraw Contours feature. This function uses the 2D sonar readings to determine the depth contours of a scanned body of water. Therefore, you can always use the most recent depth contours of your lake.

Control unit features

The echoMAP CHIRP 52cv features a 5″ diagonal display, WQVGA color, with a pixel resolution of 480H x 480V, in a square layout. There are various image combos available, but as opposed to other models, you can only benefit from two-panel views. In other words, you can choose to view the returns of both types of sonar in split-screen, the charts along with the Cv view, etc.

The control unit is IPX7 waterproof, which means its cables are secured pretty tight into the unit, the screen is sealed well, and the unit can basically withstand rain, splashes, and even immersions, up to 1 meter in freshwater.

All unit’s cables plug into the mount, while the unit plugs into the mount via a multiple pin connector. There’s also an NMEA 0183 output on the mount, but the package also includes an NMEA 2000 adapter cable (4-pin female, to 5-pin male) as well, so you should be able to integrate this unit without much hassle into your boat’s grid if you use NMEA 2000.

Given the connection system, the unit can easily be disconnected from the mount, if necessary. The mount is a simple, tilt-swivel type. However, the box also includes a flush mount.

This unit does not feature wireless connectivity, but data can be transferred via cable, or via microSD card. The microSD card reader features one slot. When it comes to data transfer, you can playback the sonar recordings on a computer using the HomePort application. Also, you can share the maps you’ve created with Quickdraw Contours on Garmin Connect.

The Pros

• Superior clarity, target separation and target definition for traditional 2D sonar and ClearVü, via CHIRP technology;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• ClearVü transducer (CV20-TM, 4-pin) included;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Worldwide Basemaps included;
• Quickdraw Contours feature which allows you to reveal the most recent contours for any body of water;
• Shallow Water Shading for a quick view of the safest depths;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD Ultra;
• Tide tables information;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Enhanced Auto Guidance capable;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• NMEA 0183 outs, and NMEA 2000 adapter included;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation.

The Cons

Manual is not specific to the unit, but to the whole category of echoMAP CHIRP units (at least for now). So, you’ll have to sort of pick out the information related to this particular unit.

Summary

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 52cv is a fish finder and chartplotter unit, featuring CHIRP 2D sonar and CHIRP ClearVü, along with a powerful internal GPS and the Worldwide Basemap for reference. The system also includes the CV20-TM transducer. It’s a great system to use off-shore and for inland fishing, fits on most types of boats, being also compatible with various other chart bundles from Garmin, such as BlueChart g2 HD or LakeVü HD Vision. It’s not exactly an inexpensive unit, but given the fact that it includes a pretty expensive transducer, and offers a consistent array of navigation and fish finding features, it’s safe to say that the system has a decent price/value ratio.