Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 72sv

The echoMAP CHIRP series of Garmin fish finders was discontinued a while ago. The echoMAP CHIRP 72sv is on the list of discontinued units as well. This is a fish finder and chartplotter offering ClearVü and SideVü sonar, along with GPS and the Worldwide Basemap. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01815-02, the one that includes the CV52HW transducer. Also, in case you’re looking for the newer version, the model to search for is the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 72sv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: Broadband CHIRP Sonar, Dual Frequency HD-ID, CHIRP DownVü, CHIRP SideVü
• Frequency and Coverage (with the supplied transducer):
  2D CHIRP Sonar: 150-240 kHz 24°/13°
  ClearVü/SideVü: 425-485 kHz / 2.0° / 50°, 790-850 kHz 1° / 30°
• Depth Capability:
  Traditional 2D: 800 ft (244 m)
  ClearVü/SideVü: 500 ft (153 m)
• Transducer: CV52HW-TM
• Max. Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Worldwide Basemaps
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin 010-01815-02 echoMAP CHIRP 72sv comes with the CV52HW-TM, the one that replaced the older model – GT52HW-TM. But nonetheless, it still is a High-Wide CHIRP transducer, and with it, the unit can scan on a CHIRP frequency interval between 150-240 kHz for the 2D standard CHIRP, while the CHIRP frequency intervals for ClearVü and SideVü are 425-485 kHz and 790-850 kHz.

Since the unit uses CHIRP sonar technology, the images for both ClearVü and 2D are clearer, with less clutter, offering more focus on targets, and a better target separation.

The transducer features a 12-pin connector and 20′ (6 m) of cable. It also integrates a temperature sensor, so that the unit can display the temperature of the top water layer.

The unit itself can operate at different frequencies, though. Its base operating frequencies are 50/77/200 kHz for 2D and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü and SideVü. It can use various transducers for these frequencies. It also has Panoptix sonar technology, featuring a port for a Panoptix transducer (not included).

With the included CV52HW-TM transducer, the system’s depth capabilities are 800 ft (244 m) for High-Wide CHIRP and 500 ft (153 m) for ClearVü/SideVü. However, with a 50 kHz capable transducer, it can reach depths up to 2,300 ft (701 m). The recommended speed for the sharpest imaging, with the most targets, is between 1-6 MPH. However, the system should be able to deliver a bottom reading at speeds up to 35 MPH.

The ClearVü transducer included with this Garmin fish finder unit uses a conical beam for the broadband 2D CHIRP sonar, with an angle that varies between 24° / 16°. For SideVü and ClearVü however, the beams are not conical, but rather thin, fan-shaped, only 1°-2° fore to aft, but wider side to side. For the 455 kHz frequency or for the 425-485kHz CHIRP interval, the side-to-side angle of one beam is approx. 50° wide, while for 800 kHz, or 790-850 kHz, the beam angle is approx. 30°. For SideVü, the transducer uses two beams which can extend for several hundred feet on each side of the boat.

Since it’s an echoMAP unit, it includes the standard sonar functions similar to the other units in this series. Among them, we can count Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Fish Alarms, and Sonar Recording.

In order to be able to use the Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind functions, you will need a blank SD card to be inserted in the unit, in order to be able to save the sonar feed. Also, as a general idea, approx. 15 minutes of recording will take 200 MB of space. Recorded data can be seen on a PC via the free HomePort application.

A-Scope is a vertical flasher view, which indicates the information caught by the most recent sonar view. The Fish Symbols function assigns fish icons to the suspended targets and also indicates the depth of each target. There are multiple fish alarms available, and you can set up to the unit to notify you when it discovers a fish of a certain size. Bottom Lock is a function that allows you to lock the view of the sonar close to the bottom in order to look for bottom feeders.

Navigation features

The echoMAP CHIRP 72sv is equipped with a fast and accurate internal GPS. The GPS module operates at a 5 Hz frequency, being capable of updating your position up to 5 times per second. Via GPS, the unit can also calculate the speed of your boat, and needless to say, it shows your current coordinates or the coordinates of any point of interest. The unit is also capable of storing up to 5,000 waypoints with various icons, to help you distinguish between fishing spots and other points of interest. It can record up to 50 tracks, with up to 50,000 track points. And you can also save up to 100 routes.

Just like the other echoMAP x2sv or cv units, this one comes with the Worldwide Basemaps as support for navigation. Although these charts do not offer the detail of LakeVü HD or BlueChart g2, they do 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. However, the unit’s charts can always be upgraded to BlueChart g2 HD, BlueChart g2 Vision, LakeVü HD or LakeVü HD Ultra.

However, it does have the Quickdraw Contours feature, a tool that uses the GPS and sonar data in order to draw the depth contour of the lake or river you’re fishing in.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, this is a Garmin fish finder featuring a 7-inch display, full color, with a pixel matrix of 800 x 480, providing excellent imaging. Brightness is adjustable. In fact, the display integrates LED backlight to provide a good view of the images on the screen, even in direct sunlight.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof, which means it can resist incidental water exposure, such as rain, snow or splashes, without any issue. This waterproof rating also specifies that the unit can also withstand immersions up to 1 m and 30 min, in freshwater.

The unit comes with a quick-release mount. All the cable connectors are integrated into this mount, so the cables will connect to the mount, not directly to the unit. Therefore, you can quickly disconnect the unit without unplugging cables.

The transducer connector is a 12-pin one. NMEA 0183 ports (1 input, 1 output) are also available. Plus, the unit features a microSD card reader with one card slot.

Last but not least, this unit supports Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors with integrated transducers and offers readings for various motor parameters.

The Pros

• Broadband CHIRP sonar (2D) and ClearVü/SideVü;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer included;
• Panoptix capable;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Fast and accurate 5 Hz internal GPS;
• Quickdraw Contours function, for the possibility to add contours and customize your maps;
• Shallow Water Shading function;
• 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;
• Large, full-color display with LED backlight;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation.

The Cons

• The manual covers all the echoMAP CHIRP series (at least for now), and some of the information in it may not apply.

Bottom Line

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 72sv is a mid-range sonar and chartplotter combo, with CHIRP 2D and CHIRP ClearVü/SideVü technology. It’s equipped with a 5 Hz GPS unit and comes with the Worldwide Basemaps. Panoptix sonar technology is also available with this unit, but in order to use it, you will need a Panoptix capable transducer. It’s a versatile unit, perfect for any small to medium fishing boat, for off-shore and inland fishing, with a decent price/value ratio.