Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 43cv

The ECHOMAP Plus 43cv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2018. However, a new version was released since then. So, this is the Garmin part number 010-01885-05, the one that includes the newer LakeVü g3 charts. It also includes the GT20 transducer, rather than the CV20 transducer included with the older version the 010-01885-01.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 4.3″ diagonal, 272H x 480V pixel resolution, WQVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: CHIRP 2D, CHIRP ClearVü
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • Standard: 200 kHz / 15° and 77 kHz / 45°
  • ClearVü: 455 kHz / 2.5° (fore to aft) x 53°, 800 kHz / 1.6° (fore to aft) x 29°
• Depth Capability:
  • Standard: 1,900 (579 m)
  • ClearVü: 750 ft (228 m)
• Transducer: GT20-TM
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: U.S. LakeVü g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 43cv 010-01885-05, and it includes the GT20-TM transducer. This transducer is capable of the following base frequencies: 77/200 kHz for traditional CHIRP, and 455/800 kHz for CHIRP ClearVü. However, the unit is also capable of operating at 50 kHz and 83 kHz for 2D, and 260 kHz for ClearVü, but in order to make one of these frequency modes available the unit requires a different transducer. It’s compatible with various transducer models, including the CV22HW-TM or CV23M-TM.

With the included GT20-TM transducer, this Garmin fish finder can use High-Range CHIRP and Mid-Range CHIRP when using the 2D sonar. The 2D CHIRP frequency modulation intervals are not specified for this transducer; for ClearVü they are 425-485 kHz, and respectively 790-850 kHz. By modulating the sonar pulse over a specific range of frequencies, the unit provides a better imaging, with a better target separation and less clutter.

For 2D, the transducer uses conical sonar beams. These offer a coverage of 15° @ 200 kHz, and 45° @ 77 kHz. For ClearVü, the beams are shaped like thin fans, similar to the beams of a scanner. They’re only ~1.5° wide fore/aft wise, but approx. 29° wide side-to-side @ 800 kHz, and approx. 53° @ 455 kHz.

The system’s depth capabilities depend on the transducer. With the included GT20-TM one, this Garmin fish finder system can reach depths up to 1,900 ft (579 m) in freshwater, at 77 kHz, and 750 ft (228 m) at 455 kHz. The ClearVü sonar isn’t extremely reliable in saltwater, at depths over 200 ft. But this fish finder system can still be used successfully off-shore as you can rely pretty well on the 2D sonar. Also, in order to obtain the best sonar imaging, trolling speed (up to 10 MPH) is recommended. At higher speeds the transducer may lose bottom and the system may provide only blurry imaging or miss targets.

Among the standard sonar features and functions available with this Garmin unit, we can count Bottom Lock, Split-Zoom, A-Scope, Flasher, Fish Symbols, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm etc. As opposed to the Striker Plus 4cv, this one also has Sonar Recording and Sonar History Rewind.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 43cv includes the LakeVü g3 charts. These charts are integrated with Navionics data. They offer freshwater coverage, presenting more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in high detail with up to 1′ depth contours. The Shallow Water Shading feature is available with these charts. Plus, they show fishing areas, boat ramps, camping grounds, marinas, general roads, interstates and other points of interest.

These are, of course, very helpful charts for in-land fishing, but they don’t cover the coastal waters. The good news is, though, that the unit is compatible with various other charts from Garmin, including BlueChart g3 or BlueChart g3 Vision HD. Also, if you want maximum definition and information for lake fishing, the unit is also capable of using the LakeVü g3 Ultra charts.

The unit’s GPS is internal; it’s a 5 Hz GPS receiver which updates your position 5 times per second. The GPS system can calculate the speed of your boat. It gives you the possibility to mark and save up to 5,000 waypoints with accurate latitude and longitude coordinates.

Routes and tracks functions are also available. It can save up to 100 routes with 50 waypoints per route and can record up to 50 trails, with 50,000 plot points per trail.

Although it’s one of the smallest units from Garmin, the ECHOMAP Plus 43cv supports external AIS units and can display position data from DSC-capable VHF radio units.

Last but not least, the Quickdraw Contours feature is also available with this unit. In case you’re not satisfied with the contours and detail provided by the unit’s built-in charts, this feature gives you the possibility to draw your own depth contours for the lake where you’re fishing. The unit uses the GPS and 2D CHIRP sonar data to reveal the lake’s depth contours as you sail. It’s estimated that you can record up to 1,500 hours of map data into the device.

Control unit features

This Garmin ECHOMAP Plus unit features a 4.3″ diagonal display, WQVGA color, with a pixel resolution of 272H x 480V. It also has LED backlight and offers an excellent readability in direct sunlight and from sharp angles. It’s IPX7 waterproof which basically means that it can resist water splashes, rain, or even immersions in freshwater.

The unit is keypad operated; it doesn’t have touchscreen technology. As opposed to the older echoMAP CHIRP 43cv it has a slightly larger keypad, with four buttons on each side, and the navigation arrow pad in the middle.

Along with the GT20-TM transducer which has a transom mount and approx. 20′ (6m) of cable with a 4-pin connector, the box also includes a tilt and swivel mount with a quick-release cradle, a flush mount, and a unit cover.

In terms of connectivity, the unit offers NMEA support. It has an input and an output for NMEA 0183. It also has a microSD card reader with one slot, which gives you the possibility to transfer data via SD card or upgrade your charts. However, as opposed to the ECHOMAP Plus 63cv, this unit doesn’t have Wi-Fi and does not support ActiveCaptain.

The Pros

• CHIRP technology offering superior clarity, target separation, and target definition, for both 2D and ClearVü;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• ClearVü transducer (GT20-TM) included;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Multiple standard sonar features such as Bottom Lock, Fish Symbols, Split-Zoom, A-Scope, Circular Flasher, Alarms, etc;
• Fast 5 Hz internal GPS;
• Preloaded with US LakeVü g3 charts;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
• Enhanced Auto Guidance capable;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel);
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• NMEA 0183 ports;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation.

The Cons

• Not compatible with Navionics or C-MAP charts;
• Unit cover is not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 43cv is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring 2D CHIRP & ClearVü sonar, a 5 Hz GPS, and the US LakeVü g3 charts. It includes the GT20-TM transducer and offers quite an impressive array of navigation features for a small unit, including Quickdraw Contours, AIS and VHF support etc. It’s an excellent system for both fishing and navigation, in freshwater and off-shore. In all, it’s a versatile and useful fish finder, one of the best under $300.