Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 74sv

The echoMAP CHIRP 74sv is on the list of discontinued Garmin fish finders. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01576-01, the one that includes the GT51M-TM transducer and is preloaded with the old BlueChart g2 chart platform. Also, one of the newer similar models is the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74sv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: Broadband CHIRP Sonar, Dual Frequency HD-ID, CHIRP ClearVü, CHIRP SideVü
• Frequency and Coverage (with the supplied transducer):
  • 2D CHIRP Sonar: 80-160 kHz 24°/13°
  • ClearVü CHIRP: 245-275 kHz 2° fore to aft / 51° side to side, 445-465 kHz 1° fore to aft / 29° side to side
  • SideVü CHIRP: 245-275 kHz 2° fore to aft / 51° side to side, 445-465 kHz 1° fore to aft / 29° side to side
• Max. Depth Capability:
  • Traditional 2D: 1,800 ft (548 m)
  • ClearVü: 1,000 ft (304 m)
  • SideVü: 750 ft (228 m)
• Transducer: GT51M-TM (12-pin)
• Max. Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g2
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer features

The transducer supplied with this Garmin unit is the GT51M-TM (model number 010-01966-00). This transducer features a 12-pin connector, comes with 30′ (9.1 m) of cable, and also integrates a temperature sensor. The unit itself can track water temperature, and also has a Temperature Graph function, which helps you see the water temp. variation over a selected distance. However, considering that the transducer will be mounted on the boat’s transom, the unit will actually display only the temperature of the topwater, and not the lower water substrates. The box only includes a transom mount for a transducer.

The unit is capable of operating at 50/77/200 kHz for traditional sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü and SideVü. However, the GT51M-TM transducer only offers one scanning mode for 2D, and that is Mid-CHIRP, with a sonar pulse modulation between 80-160 kHz. The unit is also capable of Low and High CHIRP, but you’ll need a different transducer for those frequencies. For 2D, the transducer uses a conical beam, varying between 24° and 13°, and can scan depths up to 1,800 ft (548 m).

For SideVü and ClearVü the unit can also use CHIRP. Thus, the sonar pulse will sweep on a range of frequencies between 245-275 kHz and 445-465 kHz. The transducer uses thin beams for Dv and Sv, approx 2° fore-to-aft, but 51° / 29° side to side for 260/455 kHz. For SideVü, the beams extend for several hundred feet on each side of the boat. Also, depth capabilities are quite impressive for Sv and Dv. With the supplied transducer, the unit can reach 750 ft (228 m) for Sv, and 1,000 ft (304 m) for Dv.

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.

Navigation functions

First of all, the unit integrates a 5 Hz GPS module, which refreshes your position 5 times per second. The unit also features GPS speed, meaning that it can indicate the speed of your vessel using the GPS tracking information.

The unit comes with the BlueChart g2 maps. 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 all U.S. charts for the entire coastline as well as NOAA charts. They also have IALA symbols, currents info, tidal stations, and fishing charts with bathymetric contours. 2D and 3D views for these charts are also available.

One of the most important features to mention here is the Quickdraw Contours function. Quickdraw Contours uses sonar information to reveal (and draw) the contours of just about any body of water that you scan. This way, you will benefit from the most up-to-date contours.

Shallow Water Shading and Multiple Depth Range Shading are also two useful functions that this Garmin unit can offer. The Shallow Water Shading function which gives you the possibility to assign a safe (or desired) depth, and shade out all other depths shallower than the selected one. Also, there’s the Multiple Depth Range Shading, which allows you to assign up to 10 different colors for different contours, in order to see a certain depth at a glance.

Last but not least, the unit can stock up to 5,000 waypoints, and 100 routes. It also features a trail function allowing you to record your trail in a breadcrumb manner, with up to 50,000 track points per trail. Trails can be converted to routes, and you can retrace them if you want.

Control unit features

The echoMAP CHIRP 74sv is a medium-size unit, with a 7-inch, WVGA color display, with a pixel matrix of 800 x 480. The display features adjustable LED backlight, offering excellent readability even in bright sunlight. The is IPX7 waterproof rated, which means it can withstand splashes, rain, and in general, incidental water exposure.

The unit comes with a quick-release mount. It actually features a unified connector and connects to the mount, while the cables plug into the mount itself. The mount features an NMEA 2000 connector, Panoptix connector, and the regular 12-pin transducer connector.

The unit is also equipped with a microSD card reader with one card slot, for waypoints backup, sonar recording or for map upgrades. It also supports Minn Kota and MotorGuide trolling motors with integrated transducers and offers readings for various motor parameters.

Other Features

First of all, this Garmin unit is compatible with the new Panoptix sonar technology. But in order to use this type of sonar, you will need a specific Panoptix transducer, such as the PS21-TM or PS31. These are rather expensive at the moment.

Evidently, since the unit supports 50/77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D and 260/455/800 kHz for Sv and Dv, various other transducers can be used with it.

In terms of navigation, it’s compatible with LakeVü HD Ultra, and BlueChart g2 Vision. These charts not only offer superior detail but also give you access to a new feature: Enhanced Auto Guidance. With this function, you can calculate arrival times, create safe routes, and set up your autopilot system to follow them. Enhanced Auto Guidance can also indicate the safest route between two points of interest.

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, ClearVü;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer GT51M-TM (12-pin) included;
• Unit compatible with the new, revolutionary Panoptix sonar;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Preloaded with BlueChart g2 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 74sv is an excellent fish finder and chartplotter combo, offering CHIRP technology for its traditional sonar, Sv, and Cv, also being Panoptix ready. Since it’s a unit preloaded with the BlueChart g2, it’s great for off-shore fishing. Also, considering that it comes with a transducer that costs approx. $600, while the unit without transducer is $849 (at the moment), you actually save more than $300 with this transducer/unit package. Differently put, the unit offers excellent value for the price.