Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75sv

The echoMAP CHIRP 75sv is one of the discontinued Garmin fish finders. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01577-00, the one that comes with the CHIRP transducer and the LakeVü HD charts for the Canadian inland waters.

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: Canada LakeVü HD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Control unit features

This Garmin unit is IPX7 waterproof, which means it can resist water splashes, rain, and even immersions. 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. In terms of connectivity, the unit also has a microSD card reader, for map upgrades or data backup and transfer.

As its name suggests the Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75sv features a 7-inch diagonal display, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V, similar to the older echoMAP 7x units. It’s also LED-backlit for a better readability in direct sunlight.

Just like the other echoMAP CHIRP 7x units, the 75sv does not have touchscreen technology. The navigation through the menus and functions is done via the keypad on the right.

The box comes with a flush mount, along with the quick-release mount. A protective cover is also included.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this unit comes with the Canada LakeVü HD charts. These are highly detailed freshwater charts, which cover more than 13,500 Canadian lakes and other bodies of water, including, of course, the Great Lakes and Trent Severn Waterway. The lakes database cover more than 1,600 HD lakes with 1-foot contours (shore-to-shore) in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Yukon province. The LakeVü HD charts pack also includes highways, interstates, general roads, and various points of interest, such as docks, bridges, camping grounds, marinas, boat ramps, fishing areas, etc.

Two functions related to the map contours are Shallow Water Shading and Multiple Depth Range Shading. Shallow Water Shading gives you the possibility to designate a minimum depth, to view at a glance where navigation is not safe. Similarly, Multiple Depth Range Shading allows you to setup up to 10 color codes for various depths, for a quick view of your target depths.

Evidently, this is a unit with GPS. It features an internal 5 Hz GPS module, capable of updates up to 5 times per second. Via GPS, the unit can also read 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.

Last but not least, one of the best navigation functions offered by this unit is the Quickdraw Contours. This is a software which gives you the possibility to instantly create your own HD maps with 1-foot contours, as you fish. It uses sonar readings in order to determine the depth of your current location and basically allows you to map just about any body of water if your charts don’t cover it, with the most up-to-date depth contours.

Sonar and transducer

First of all, the 010-01577-00 echoMAP CHIRP 75sv comes with the same transducer as the echoMAP CHIRP 73sv or the Striker 7sv: the GT52HW-TM transom transducer, with a 12-pin connector. This transducer is temperature capable and comes with 20′ (6 m) of cable. The box also includes a trolling motor mount for it, along with the standard transom mount.

The control is dual-frequency capable. In other words, if you’re going to use a 77/200 kHz for example, you can run both frequencies simultaneously, and view the returns in split-screen. The unit is actually capable of 50/77/200 kHz frequencies for standard sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for SideVü and DownVü. However, with the supplied transducer you will only be able to use the 200 kHz mode for 2D, or the High CHIRP mode, with a sonar pulse modulation in a range between 150-240 kHz. It’s also Medium and Low CHIRP capable, but in order to use these modes, you’ll need 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz transducer.

For Sv/Dv, the GT52HW-TM transducer covers the 455/800 kHz frequencies, while the pulse can be modulated via CHIRP between 425-485kHz and 790-850 kHz. CHIRP offers superior quality imaging, with less clutter, better target definition and better target separation, also increasing the depth scanning capabilities of the system. In fact, this unit has a max. depth capability of 2,300′ (701 m) for freshwater, and 1,100′ (335 m) for saltwater. With the supplied transducer though, you’ll reach a max. depth of 800′ (244 m) for 2D, and 500′ (152.4 m) for Dv and Sv.

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.

This unit should be able to maintain a bottom reading at boat speeds up to 30 MPH. However, the recommended speed for crystal clear imaging, and a maximum of targets is between 1-6 MPH.

Last but not least, when it comes to its sonar capabilities, this unit includes several functions that you’ll find quite useful on the water. Among them, we can count Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, Flasher, Fish Symbols ID, Temperature Graph and more.

Upgrade Possibilities

First of all, this Garmin fishfinder provides NMEA 2000 support for engine data, sensors, autopilot units, AIS, and can also display position data from DSC-capable VHF radio.

In terms of sonar, the Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 75sv 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.

For navigation, this unit is also compatible with various charts such as BlueChart g2, BlueChart g2 Vision and LakeVü HD Ultra (US or Canada). 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.

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 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

• 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 75sv is an excellent unit for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, as CHIRP technology offers superior depth capabilities and superior target separation. It has CHIRP SideVü and CHIRP DownVü sonar for crystal-clear imaging, plus, it’s Panoptix capable. It’s also a great unit for navigation as it integrates a fast GPS, and comes with the Canada LakeVü charts, with the possibility to use others, such as U.S. LakeVü or BlueCharts. It fits boats of all sizes, except maybe small kayaks or canoes. It’s not exactly the most affordable unit out there, but since it comes with the GT52HW-TM transducer which costs approx. $300 itself, the overall price of this model is not bad.