Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 73sv

The echoMAP CHIRP 73sv is one of the fish finder and chartplotter combos released by Garmin in 2016. It’s also one of the Garmin discontinued units. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01575-01, the one that comes with the GT52HW-TM transducer and is preloaded with the LakeVü (g2) charts. Also, one of the newer versions is the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73sv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 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°/16°
  • DownVü CHIRP: 425-485kHz 2° fore to aft / 50° side to side, 790-850 kHz 1° fore to aft / 30° side to side
  • SideVü CHIRP: 425-485kHz 2° fore to aft / 50° side to side, 790-850 kHz 1° fore to aft / 30° side to side
• Max. Depth Capability:
  • Freshwater: 2,300 feet (701 m)
  • Saltwater: 1,100 feet (335 m)
• Transducer: GT52HW-TM (12-pin)
• Max. Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: LakeVü HD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 73sv comes with the same Sv / Dv transducer as the Striker 7sv: the GT52HW-TM, with a 12-pin connector. This transducer features 20′ (6 m) of cable and it’s also temperature capable, as it integrates a temperature sensor. It comes with a transom mount, but the box also includes a trolling motor mount.

The control unit is capable of using 50/77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz frequencies for SideVü and DownVü. However, the supplied GT52HW-TM transducer doesn’t cover all these frequencies. In fact, for 2D sonar, you can either use the 200 kHz (non-CHIRP) frequency, or you can use the CHIRP mode, and the sonar pulse will be modulated between 150-240 kHz. In other words, with this transducer, you can scan in High CHIRP mode only. The unit is also dual-frequency capable. Thus, if you’re going to use a 200/77 kHz transducer, for example, you’ll be able to scan with both frequencies simultaneously and view both returns in split-screen.

For SideVü and DownVü, the transducer covers the 455/800 kHz frequencies. Or, it can modulate the sonar pulse between 425-485kHz and 790-850 kHz if using CHIRP. In case you’re wondering, CHIRP really makes the difference, as it offers a better target separation, images with less clutter, and contours for the bottom and structure with a superior definition.

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

The maximum depth that you can reach with the echoMAP CHIRP 73sv is 2,300 ft (701 m), but this requires a more powerful transducer. With the GT52HW-TM transducer, the maximum depths that you can scan are 800 ft (244 m) for 2D and 500 ft (152.4 m) for Dv and Sv. Also, the unit can maintain a bottom reading at speeds up to 30 MPH. However, in order to benefit from crisp clear images, without any fuzziness, the recommended speeds are between 1-6 MPH.

Various sonar functions are available for the 2D broadband mode, such as Fish Symbol ID, Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, Sonar History Rewind, Temperature Graph, Flasher and more.

GPS and other navigation functions

Just as the echoMAP 73dv CHIRP, this unit features a fast and accurate, 5 Hz GPS/GLONASS internal receiver. The GPS system refreshes your position and

movement 5 times per second, and also makes possible the reading of your boat’s speed. The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints, and 100 routes. It can also save up to 50 tracks, or 50,000 track points in total.

This unit comes with the U.S. LakeVü HD charts as support for navigation. These charts actually offer excellent details, covering more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and other bodies of water, providing depth contours for navigation, as well as other points of interest, such as marinas, camping grounds, bridges, docks, plus highways and interstates. An important part of the lakes covered by LakeVü HD, actually approx. 13,000, feature HD contours. This chart pack opens various other functions, such as Multi-Depth Range Shading, and Tide Tables.

One of the newest Garmin navigation features offered by this unit is Quickdraw Contours. This function uses the sonar depth measurements to add depth contours to your maps. In other words, if a certain body of water isn’t covered in detail by the charts of your unit, you can re-chart that particular body of water, and get the most up-to-date contours.

Control unit features and functions

The echoMAP CHIRP 73sv is IPX7 waterproof. This means it can withstand incidental water exposure such as splashes, rain or even immersions, with no problem. It features a unified connector with multiple pins, and connects to the quick-release mount, while the mount features all the other connectors for NMEA 2000, power, Panoptix and transducer. NMEA 0183 connection is possible with an adapter cable. Also, the unit features a microSD card reader, with one card slot. A flush mount and unit cover are also supplied with this unit.

This unit is equipped with a 7-inch display, WVGA color, with LED backlight, for enhanced readability in direct sunlight or during night fishing. With a pixel resolution of 800 x 480, you get plenty of screen space for various split-screen views.

This unit supports Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors with integrated transducers and offers readings for various motor parameters.

Other features and capabilities

When it comes to navigation, this unit is also compatible with various charts such as BlueChart g2, BlueChart g2 Vision, and LakeVü HD Ultra. The last two charts packs also make available the Enhanced Auto Guidance function, which instantly searches through your charts to offer the safest virtual paths between two points of interest. This function also allows you to calculate arrival times, create safe Auto Guidance routes, and set your autopilot system to follow them, in case you have one.

When it comes to sonar, the Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 73sv is Panoptix sonar capable. Panoptix is actually one of the newest sonar technologies available, which gives you the possibility to see live sonar images, view your lure and the fish attacking it in real time. Panoptix sonar becomes available only with a specific Panoptix transducer, such as the Panoptix PS31 or the PS21-TM. Also, the unit is compatible with various other types of transducers, such as 50/200 kHz models, which offer greater depth scanning possibilities.

The unit provides NMEA 2000 support for engine data, sensors, autopilot units, AIS, and can also display position data from DSC-capable VHF radio.

The Pros

• CHIRP technology offering superior clarity, target separation and target definition, for 2D, SideVü DownVü;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer GT52HW-TM (12-pin) included;
• Unit capable with the new, revolutionary Panoptix sonar;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Preloaded with LakeVü charts;
• Quickdraw Contours function, for the possibility to add contours and customize your maps;
• 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;
• 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.

Summary

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 73sv has quite a lot to offer in terms of sonar and navigation features. Not only that it offers dual-frequency 2D sonar, SideVü, and DownVü, it also enhances all these sonar technologies with CHIRP, for superior target separation, and greater depth capabilities. On top of that, it’s Panoptix capable. The LakeVü HD included charts and a high-precision GPS system, makes it quite a reliable navigation unit. Since it’s a 7-inch unit, it may not be the best choice for a small boat, such as a kayak, but for larger boats it’s perfect. It’s not exactly the most affordable unit out there, but considering that the 010-01575-01 model presented here comes with the GT52HW-TM transducer which costs approx. $300 itself, the overall price of this model is not bad.