Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 45cv

The ECHOMAP Plus 45cv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2018, and also one of the units that are no longer available. It’s a fish finder and chartplotter featuring ClearVü sonar and the older version of the Canada LakeVü charts. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01887-00.

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: 2,300 (701 m)
  • ClearVü: 250 ft (76 m)
• Transducer: CV20-TM
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Canada LakeVü
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 45cv unit is capable of multiple frequencies, including 50/77/83/200 kHz for its 2D traditional sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. The included CV20-TM transducer uses the 77/200 kHz frequencies for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for ClearVü. This being said, the unit is also compatible with several 50 kHz and 260 kHz capable transducers. It’s also dual-frequency capable. This means it can use both 77/200 kHz frequencies simultaneously, or, in case you use a 50/200 kHz transducer, it should be able to use these two frequencies simultaneously as well.

The included CV20-TM transducer comes with a transom mount. It’s equipped with 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 4-pin connector. It also integrates a temperature sensor, and the unit can display the temperature detected by the transducer. It does not have a speed sensor, though.

Similar to its predecessor, the echoMAP CHIRP 45cv, this Garmin fish finder has built-in CHIRP technology. This means the sonar pulse is modulated over a frequency range rather than just being one frequency, one pulse. Therefore, the system provides better imaging, less clutter on the display, a better target separation, and depth penetration. The CHIRP intervals for the 2D sonar are not specified, but since the transducer uses 77/200 kHz for the 2D sonar, it can basically use High CHIRP and Mid CHIRP. For ClearVü, the CHIRP intervals are 425-485 kHz and respectively 790-850 kHz.

The included CV20-TM transducer uses conical beams for the system’s 2D sonar. They’re coverage is 15° @ 200 kHz and 45° @ 77 kHz. The 2D depth capability is 2,300 ft (701 m), but this applies to freshwater. For saltwater, its depth capability is only around 1,100 ft (335 ft.).

For ClearVü, the transducer uses thin beams, which are closer to the shape of the beams of a scanner. Fore-to-aft they’re very thin, approx. 1.5°-2°, but they’re wider side-to-side. The width of the 455 kHz beam is approx. 53°, while the width of the 800 kHz beam is 29°. Also, the max. ClearVü depth capability with the included transducer is 250 ft (76 m).

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 45cv is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS. This means it can provide position updates 5 times per second. The GPS system can use data from WAAS and EGNOS satellites for a more accurate position information. It can calculate and display the speed of your boat. It can also stock up to 100 routes, 5,000 waypoints, and 50 tracks, with up to 50,000 track points

Just like the other .5 units, the ECHOMAP Plus 45cv includes the Canada LakeVü charts. These charts cover more than 13,500 lakes in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon province. Over 4,800 maps in this database are HD lakes with 1′ contours. These maps also show general roads, interstates, bridges, fishing areas, marinas, boat ramps, camping areas and other points of interest which can be helpful when navigation.

Shallow Water Shading is a feature available with the preloaded Canada LakeVü charts. This feature allows you to assign a minimum depth for navigation and color-code it in order to see at a glance the areas with a low depth and make sure you navigate safely.

Of course, the unit is compatible with various other Garmin charts. Among them, we can count Canada LakeVü HD Ultra, US LakeVü HD Ultra, BlueChart g2 or BlueChart g2 Vision HD. These charts not only that offer superior detail, but they also unlock various other features such as AutoGuidance.

Last but not least, the unit has the Quickdraw Contours feature. This is a mapping feature that uses the GPS and 2D sonar allowing you to reveal and draw the depth contours of your lake on the map. This way, you can create personalized maps with the most up do date depth contours.

Control unit features

This Garmin fish finder and chartplotter features a 4.3″ diagonal, WQVGA color display, with a pixel matrix of 272H x 480V. It provides excellent readability as it has adjustable LED backlight. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof, which essentially means it can resist incidental water exposure and even short immersions in freshwater.

As opposed to the older echoMAP CHIRP 45cv, this unit has a slightly large keypad with four buttons on each side.

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 65cv, this unit doesn’t have Wi-Fi and does not support ActiveCaptain.

Finally, the unit comes with the classic tilt-swivel mount which has a quick-release system. A unit cover is not included, though.

The Pros

• CHIRP sonar technology;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• ClearVü transducer (CV20-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 Canada LakeVü charts;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD Ultra;
• Enhanced Auto Guidance capable;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) mount included;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• NMEA 0183 ports;
• Easy to use interface;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

• The manual is not specific to this unit but to the whole ECHOMAP Plus units. It also covers features that this system doesn’t have;
• Cannot use other charts than Garmin charts (no Navionics, no C-MAP);
• No unit cover.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 45cv is a fish finder and chart plotter featuring CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, a 5 Hz internal GPS, and is pre-loaded with the Canada LakeVü charts. It includes the CV20-Tm transducer, offers a pretty impressive range of features for a small unit. It’s also networkable and has a microSD card reader. It’s an excellent unit for in-land fishing or off-shore fishing if paired with a 50/200 kHz transducer. In all, it’s quite a versatile fish finding and navigation system, offering a great value for the price.