Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 72cv

The ECHOMAP Plus 72cv is one of the fish finder and chartplotter combos released by Garmin at the beginning of 2018. It’s one of the units made for international use as it comes with the worldwide basemap. Also, this is the Garmin part number 010-01892-00, the one that does not include a transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit, keypad & touchscreen
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü
• Transducer: Not included
• Frequencies supported:
  2D: 50/77/83/200 kHz
  ClearVü: 260/455/800 kHz
• Depth Capability: Depends on transducer
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Worldwide Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar features

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the Garmin unit 010-01892-00, the one that does not include a transducer. However, it is compatible with a wide array of transducers from Garmin and Airmar, including the GT23M-TM, GT22HW-TM, CV22HW-TM, GT8HW-IH, GT15M TM, GT20-TM, GT21 TM, and more. It is also one of the units compatible with the Panoptix LiveScope sonar system.

The unit itself has two built-in sonar technologies, these being 2D traditional CHIRP sonar and ClearVü CHIRP sonar. It supports dual-frequency 50/200 kHz, and 77/200 kHz, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. However, it does not support 1.2 MHz frequencies such as the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv, and also does not support SideVü imaging.

The unit’s depth capabilities depend on the transducer. As a general idea, with the classic GT20-TM transducer, the system’s depth capability can reach 2,300 ft (701 m) when using the 2D sonar at 77 kHz, and up to 250 ft (76 m) when using the 455 kHz ClearVü mode. This stands for freshwater. For saltwater, the depth capabilities are lower, especially for ClearVü.

The ECHOMAP Plus 72cv makes available a wide array of standard sonar features. The list includes Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, several alarms, and even Sonar Recording and Sonar History Rewind. It can also display water temperature and has a Temperature Graph function. So, if you opt for a transducer with an internal temperature sensor, you should be able to also monitor the water temperature fluctuations.

Navigation features

To begin with, this is a GPS unit. It is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS antenna. This means it can provide position updates 5 times per second. It also has a GPS speed function and provides position augmentation via EGNOS and WAAS. It can record up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory. It also has route creation and track plotting functions; it offers the possibility to save up to 100 routes and 50 tracks.

The unit’s built-in chart platform is the Worldwide Basemap. These charts show international and political boundaries, seas, oceans, major lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. They don’t offer extraordinary detail, but still, they’re better than a simple GPS plotter with a blank platform as the one available with the Striker Plus units.

Of course, the unit is compatible with various charts. The list includes LakeVü HD, LakeVü HD Ultra, BlueChart g2, BlueChart g3 Vision, and also the new LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision. It’s important to mention, though, that this unit does not support Navionics charts.

One of the important mapping tools offered by this Garmin unit is the Quickdraw Contours application. This feature is similar to the Navionics SonarChart. It offers the possibility to draw the depth contours of your lake on the map while scanning the depth as you sail your boat. Therefore, you can create your own bathymetric charts with up to 1′ contours. You can also upload your recorded charts in the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Community base, or download maps created with this tool from this database.

The SailAssist feature base is available with this unit. These features include laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines. They can help you gain a wind-maximizing edge, give you the possibility to see true and apparent wind angle and speed. A pre-race guidance page shows you the virtual starting line along with data fields showing laylines, time to burn before the start and the race timer.

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 72cv does not support Radar like the GPSMAP 742xs, for example, but does support data from AIS units, as well as VHF radio units. It is also ActiveCaptain compatible. It has wireless connectivity so you can sync it with a smartphone or tablet which has the ActiveCaptain app installed in order to stream data, customize your overall navigation experience, and even pre-fish a lake before your actual trip.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, the ECHOMAP Plus 72cv is a 7-inch display unit. It has a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V, a color WVGA display with LED backlight, and a keypad-assisted touchscreen interface. This means it responds to touch commands like any tablet or smartphone, but it also has the keypad on the right, like the older ECHOMAP units. Its interface is very easy to use and highly intuitive. It is also IPX 7 waterproof which means it can support incidental water exposure and even complete immersions in freshwater.

In terms of networking, this Garmin unit supports both NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000. Thus, you can connect it to an already existent grid in order to communicate with other boating tools such as VHF radio units or AIS units. As we’ve mentioned above, it also has built-in wireless connectivity, so you can download updates or charts from a WiFi hotspot, or manage your boating experience via the ActiveCaptain app, and even get smart notifications from your phone.

The unit is equipped with a microSD card reader with one slot for chart upgrades or data backup. It can take cards up to 32 GB.

Last but not least, the unit includes the classic tilt mount with the quick-release bracket. The box also includes a sun cover and a flush mounting kit.

The Pros

• High-Wide CHIRP and ClearVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• Panoptix sonar capable;
• Dual-frequency capable;
• 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 the Worldwide Basemap;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading and Depth Contours 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;
• Touchscreen and keypad control;
• Intuitive, customizable, and easy-to-use interface;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• SailAssist page;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Internal WiFi module;
• NMEA 0183 outs, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Unit cover included.

The Cons

• A transducer is not included;
• An NMEA 2000 adapter cable is not included.

Bottom Line

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 72cv is a fish finder and chartplotter offering ClearVü, 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS and the worldwide basemap. It does not include a transducer but supports a wide array of transducers from Garmin and Airmar, including the Panoptix LiveScope kit. It has wireless connectivity and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain application. It also has an impressive array of navigation features including SailAssist, Quickdraw Contours, AIS capability, etc. It’s an excellent system for inland fishing and navigation, but can be successfully used offshore.