Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 65cv

The ECHOMAP Plus 65cv is basically the same as the ECHOMAP Plus 63cv, but instead of the US LakeVü HD charts, it comes with the Canada LakeVü charts. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01891-00. It’s one of the Garmin units released in 2018 and is no longer available. At the moment, the newer version is the ECHOMAP UHD 65cv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 6.2″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü
• Frequency and Coverage:
  High-Wide CHIRP: 150-240 kHz / 24°-16°
  ClearVü: 455 kHz (425-485 kHz) / 50° & 800 kHz (790-850 kHz) / 30°
• Max. Depth Capability:
  2D Sonar: 800 ft (244 m)
  ClearVü: 250 ft (76 m)
• Transducer: CV22HW-TM
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Canada LakeVü HD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 65cv unit is capable of several standard and ClearVü sonar frequencies. It can use 50/77/83/200 kHz for its 2D traditional CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. However, the included CV22HW-TM transducer only makes available a High-Wide CHIRP interval of 150-240 kHz for the system’s 2D sonar, while for ClearVü it can use 455/800 kHz, with a CHIRP modulation of 425-485 kHz, and respectively 790-850 kHz. Of course, in case you want to use different frequencies, the unit is compatible with various other transducers, such as the CV20-TM or the CV23M-TM.

The included CV22HW-TM transducer features a plastic shell and a metallic transom mount. It also integrates a temperature sensor and has 20′ (6m) of cable. For the 2D High-Wide CHIRP sonar, it uses a conical beam with a coverage of 24°-16°, with a maximum depth capability of 800 ft (244 m). For ClearVü it uses two fan-shaped beams, up to 2° thin fore/aft, but 50° wide for 455 kHz and 30° wide for 800 kHz. The system’s max. depth capability for ClearVü with this transducer is 250 ft (76 m). Also, it’s important to note that these depth capabilities are calculated for freshwater. In saltwater, the beams of the transducer have a lesser depth penetration. So, these being said, this Garmin fish finder, with the included transducer, it’s a system intended for freshwater fishing.

This Garmin unit doesn’t have Panoptix sonar capabilities. However, it offers all the standard sonar features available with the other older units, including Bottom Lock, Split-Zoom, A-Scope, Flasher, Fish Symbols, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm etc. As opposed to the Striker Plus units, this one has Sonar Recording and Sonar History Rewind. It also provides traditional sonar support for Minn Kota® and MotorGuide® trolling motors with integrated transducers.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 65cv unit is a chartplotter, and as we’ve mentioned above, it comes with the built-in Canada LakeVü charts. These charts cover more than 13,500 lakes in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon provinces. Over 4,800 of these lakes feature HD detailing with 1′ contours. Of course, the unit can support various other chart bundles. For example, it’s compatible with the Canada LakeVü Ultra or US LakeVü Ultra, BlueChart g2 HD, and BlueChart g2 Vision HD.

The unit is equipped with an internal GPS system. It’s actually a 5 Hz GPS receiver that updates your position up to 5 times per second. Evidently, the GPS system will indicate the global coordinates of any waypoint or your own location. It can also calculate the speed of your boat.

Among other navigation-related features, we can count Quickdraw Contours. This feature uses the 2D sonar and GPS information to reveal the depth contours of any body of water. Therefore, if the included charts don’t offer satisfying depth contour information for your lake, you can draw the depth contours yourself via Quickdraw Contours. Depth Range Shading and Shallow Shading features are available with this unit, so you can color-code the depth contours to be able to easily see them at a glance (as in the picture above).

The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints, 100 routes and 50 trails (with up to 50,000 points per trail), in its internal memory. Trails can be converted to routes and re-traced if necessary. Also, if you opt for premium charts such as BlueChart g2 Vision, you will benefit from extra features such as Auto Guidance, tide information and more.

This unit also has the SailAssist features. SailAssist can help you gain a wind-maximizing edge, and give you the possibility to see true and apparent wind angle and speed. Among the SailAssist included features we can count enhanced wind rose, laylines, heading, course-over-ground lines, and more.

Last but not least, the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 65cv is ActiveCaptain compatible. ActiveCaptain is a free Garmin app that offers superior management possibilities of your marine experience. The unit itself has built-in Wi-Fi so you can sync it with your tablet or phone in order to communicate with the ActiveCaptain app, access OneChart, or the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Community. This way you can download contours made with Quickdraw Contours by other anglers, benefit from quick system updates, purchase and download charts, and even get smart notifications.

Control unit features

This unit is one of the newest Garmin 6″ ECHOMAP units for 2018. Its display is actually 6.2″ in diagonal; it has a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V, providing very sharp images for sonar, charts and other applications. It’s WVGA color and also has adjustable LED backlight providing excellent readability in direct sunlight.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof; this means it can withstand incidental water exposure or rain, and even full immersions in freshwater. It doesn’t have touchscreen technology, so its operation is done exclusively via the keypad on the right.

A microSD card reader with one card slot is available with this unit. Therefore, via microSD card, you can transfer data, get software updates or save sonar history, waypoints, tracks etc. There is one NMEA 0183 output, and one input available with this unit, but it also provides NMEA 2000 networking support via an adapter cable, for various engine data sensors, Fusion-Link audio systems, autopilots and more.

Finally, a flush mount and the classic tilt-swivel mount with quick release cradle, along with a protective cover are also included.

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 CV22HW-TM included;
• Data graphs and other sonar functions;
• 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 and Depth Contours 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;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• SailAssist features;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Internal Wi-Fi module;
• NMEA 0183 outs, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation.

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;
• NMEA 2000 adaptor cable not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 65cv is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring 2D CHIRP & ClearVü sonar, a 5 Hz GPS, and the Canada LakeVü charts. It comes with the CV22HW-TM transducer, offering high-range CHIRP and mid-high range for ClearVü.

Considering the features of the included transducer and the Canada lake charts, this unit is intended for inland fishing, but can also serve its purpose perfectly for off-shore fishing if you don’t need to scan deeper waters than 800 ft. It offers an impressive array of navigation features including SailAssist, Quickdraw Contours, supports AIS and VHF units, and also has Wi-Fi connectivity, being compatible with the ActiveCaptain app. In all, it’s a highly versatile unit, offering an outstanding value for the price.