Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75cv

The echoMAP CHIRP 75cv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2017, and also one of the Garmin discontinued units. It’s a chartplotter as well, featuring the Canada LakeVü maps. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01819-00, the one that comes with the ClearVü transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7.0″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, with backlight
• Sonar: Broadband CHIRP Sonar, Dual Frequency HD-ID, CHIRP ClearVü
• Frequency and Coverage (with the supplied transducer):
  • 2D CHIRP Sonar: 150-240 kHz 24°/16°
  • ClearVü CHIRP: 425-485kHz 2° fore to aft / 50° side to side, 790-850 kHz 1° fore to aft / 30° side to side
• Depth Capability:
  • 2D Sonar: 1,800 feet (548 m)
  • ClearVü: 1,000 feet (305 m)
• Transducer: GT22HW-TM (8-pin), for HD-ID and ClearVü
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS) for ClearVü
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Canada LakeVü
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

The echoMAP CHIRP 75cv offers two types of sonar, 2D CHIRP and ClearVü (which is basically DownVü sonar with CHIRP technology). For its 2D sonar, it can use three main frequencies 50/77/200 kHz, while for Cv it can use 260/445/800 kHz. The system comes with the GT22HW-TM (8-pin) transducer, for HD-ID and ClearVü, and with it, the unit can use High CHIRP as 2D, with a pulse modulation between 150-240 kHz. For ClearVü it can use two frequencies, 455/800 kHz, and modulate pulse between 425-485kHz and 790-850 kHz. This CHIRP pulse modulation leads to images with superior clarity, less clutter, and a better separation between fish targets.

The transducer also integrates a water temperature sensor, thus the unit can track the top water temperature. It has 20 ft (6 m) of cable, finished with an 8-pin connector. And lastly, it’s supplied with both a transom mount and a trolling motor mount.

The maximum depth capability of this unit is 2,300 ft (701 m) for freshwater and 1,100 ft (335 m) for saltwater. However, in order to scan at these depths, it requires a 50 kHz capable transducer. With the included transducer, the unit’s depth capabilities should reach 800 ft (244 m) in 2D mode, and 500 ft (152 m) for ClearVü. The recommended boat speed range to achieve a crisp image with both types of sonar, 2D and ClearVü is 1-6 MPH. The transducer should be able to maintain a bottom reading even at higher boat speeds, though.

Just like the other echoMAP units, the 010-01819-00 can record sonar. The Sonar Recording function requires a blank microSD card to be inserted in the unit, though. Approx. 15 minutes of recording will take 200 MB of space on the data card. Recorded data can also be seen on a PC via the free HomePort application.

In terms of sonar, this unit offers several other functions such as A-Scope, Fish Symbols, Flasher mode, Fish Alarms. A-Scope (or Amplitude Scope) is a vertical flasher that appears along the right side of the full-screen 2D sonar view. This function indicates the most recent data caught by the transducer, and can also be helpful at detecting fish that are close to the bottom. Fish Symbols is a function that assigns fish symbol icons to the suspended targets, however not all targets that are assigned a fish symbol are actually fish. The Flasher sonar offers an abstract, circular view of the bottom, fish, and structure, which is more suitable for stationary fishing.

Finally, the echoMAP CHIRP 75cv Panoptix sonar capable. In other words, it can use Panoptix transducers such as the PS21-TM or PS31, which support this live sonar application. However, this unit can also work with various other transducers, such as the GT23M-TM for example, in case you want to use a different set of frequencies.

Navigation features

Like all the other echoMAP x5cv units, the echoMAP CHIRP 75cv comes with the Canada LakeVü HD charts, a package which covers more than 13,500 Canadian rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, including coverage for Trent Severn Waterway and the Great Lakes. These charts also cover 1,600+ HD lakes with 1-foot contours shore-to-shore, in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Yukon.

In terms of charts, this unit is capable of using various other chart bundles from Garmin, including US LakeVü HD Ultra, BlueChart g2 or BlueChart g2 Vision. These offer superior detail for navigation. Also, the LakeVü HD Ultra and BlueChart gs Vision have the Enhanced Auto Guidance function, which can instantly search through your charts in order to provide you with the safest path between two points of interest. It can also calculate arrival times, work with the AutoPilot and much more.

Since the unit is NMEA 2000 capable, it can support AIS and display position data from DSC-capable VHF radio. It’s also FUSION-Link capable, allowing control of all FUSION-Link-enabled audio systems to be controlled from its display.

Evidently, this is a GPS unit, integrating a 5 Hz internal GPS module, which updates position and heading up to 5 times per second. The unit can also indicate the vessel’s speed using the GPS information.

Quickdraw Contours is an application also available with this unit. This function allows you to map any lake, river or canal, revealing its depth contours. It uses the 2D sonar information and the GPS information in order to reveal your lake’s depth contours. Thus, even if your local lake is not covered by the LakeVü charts or the charts you’re using, you can still benefit from the latest, most up-to-date contours by using this function.

Last but not least, this unit can store up to 5,000 waypoints, 100 routes and 50 tracks (50,000 points for each track).

Control unit features

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75cv is a medium, 7-inch unit, featuring a WVGA color display, with an 800 x 480 pixel matrix. Just as the other units within this series, the display features LED backlight, which offers excellent readability during night time or in direct sunlight. There are several view combinations available of the various applications that the unit can supply. However, it offers a maximum 3-panel view. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof, which basically means it can survive rain and water splashes.

In terms of networking, it offers NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 connectivity possibilities, also being equipped with a connector for Panoptix transducers. This unit features only one microSD slot for chart upgrades and data transfer.

The unit is supplied with two types of mounts, flush and tilt-swivel. All cables plug into the mount, while the unit attached to the mount via one larger, multi-pin connector. It requires a power source of 10-18v. The box also includes a unit cover.

The Pros

• CHIRP technology offering superior clarity, target separation and target definition, for both 2D and ClearVü;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• Transducer (GT22HW-TM, 8-pin) included;
• Panoptix sonar compatible;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Fast and accurate internal GPS;
• Preloaded with Canada 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

• Does not support radar;
• Manual may not be specific to this unit, but covering the entire echoMAP CHIRP series, thus some of the information may not apply to this unit.

Summary

The Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75cv is a mid-range sonar and chartplotter combo, with CHIRP 2D and CHIRP ClearVü technology, also being compatible with the new Panoptix sonar technology. Due to the fact that it comes with the LakeVü Canada charts, it’s basically a unit for inland use. However, you can equip it with BlueChart g2 maps in case you want to use it for off-shore fishing.

It comes with a transducer that supports both sonar technologies available in the unit, with depth capabilities up to 800 ft. It’s an excellent choice for the wide majority of boats. And finally, considering the extensive array of navigation and sonar functions, we can safely say it’s definitely a package that’s worth the price.