Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74cv BlueChart G3

The ECHOMAP Plus 74cv 010-01894-05 is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2019. It offers traditional CHIRP sonar and ClearVü, along with the BlueChart g3 maps. This model is still available, but Garmin has already released a newer model, the ECHOMAP UHD 74cv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit, keypad & touchscreen
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü
• Transducer: GT23M-TM
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  2D Sonar: Mid-band CHIRP 80-160 kHz / 24-13°
  ClearVü: 260 kHz (245-275 kHz) / 2°x51°; 455 kHz (445-465 kHz) / 1.4°x29°
• Max. Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  2D Sonar: 1,800 ft (548 m)
  ClearVü: 1,000 ft (304 m)
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74cv G3 supports several base sonar frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for the traditional sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. The unit does not support SideVü Imaging but does have a Panoptix port, so it can be paired with a Panoptix transducer (not included), in order to use all-seeing real-time sonar.

Since this is the Garmin 010-01894-05, it includes the GT23M-TM transducer for Mid-Band CHIRP traditional sonar and ClearVü. This is a plastic transducer with a metallic transom mount. It has 20 ft (6 m) of cable with an 8-pin connector. It integrates a temperature sensor and the unit has a temperature graph function which can be quite useful especially if you’re looking for surface currents.

For the unit’s traditional 2D CHIRP sonar, the GT23M-TM transducer uses a conical beam with a coverage of 24°-13°. It operates at 80-160 kHz and offers a maximum depth capability of 1,800 ft (548 m). However, the unit supports 50/200 kHz transducers as well, and if you opt for one, you should be able to scan greater depths.

For ClearVü, the transducer uses thin beams, approx. 2° fore-to-aft, but with a pretty decent side-to-side coverage. Their coverage is 51° @ 260 kHz (245-275 kHz) and approx. 29° @ 455 kHz (445-465 kHz). The maximum depth capability of the ClearVü (260 kHz) beam is 1,000 ft (304 m).

This Garmin fish finder 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

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, the Garmin 010-01894-05 is preloaded with the new BlueChart g3 maps. These new charts have integrated Navionics data and provide coastal coverage for the US waters including the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, and the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. The data provided by these charts is derived from official charts and private sources, including nav-aids, depth contours, tides and currents information, spot soundings, and much more.

The unit is also compatible with the new BlueChart g3 Vision, or LakeVü g3 and LakeVü g3 Ultra inland maps with Garmin Elite survey lakes — all featuring integrated Navionics data, Auto Guidance, and various other features. However, even though Garmin has acquired Navionics, the ECHOMAP Plus units are still not compatible with Navionics+ or Navionics Platinum charts. Maybe the future unit releases will provide support for these.

The ECHOMAP Plus 74cv G3 includes the Quickdraw Contours feature. This gives you the possibility to create personalized maps with the most up-to-date depth contours. It uses the 2D sonar and GPS information and allows you to reveal and draw the depth contours of the body of water where you’re fishing. So, even if the unit’s preloaded charts offer coastal coverage, if you’re fishing on a lake, you can use this feature to draw and personalize a map for it. Also, with this unit, you can access the Quickdraw Community and upload or download user-made charts.

Needless to say, this is also a GPS unit. It is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means it can provide 5 position updates per second. It can also provide position enhancements via WAAS or EGNOS and has a GPS speed function.

The unit can store up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory. It also has route creation and trackplotting functions. It can save up to 100 routes and can record up to 50 tracks with up to 50,000 points per track.

The SailAssist feature base is also included with this unit. This feature base offers laylines, heading and course-over-ground line, enhanced wind rose, and more. They can help you gain a wind-maximizing edge, give you the possibility to see true and apparent wind angle and speed. Also, 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.

Finally, the unit has wireless connectivity and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain app. This app gives you the possibility to manage your marine experience from almost anywhere. It allows you to sync your Garmin unit with your smartphone or tablet, access OneChart for chart updates or access the ActiveCaptain community for marinas and other points of interest. ActiveCaptain also provides smart notifications from your phone and more.

Control unit features

As opposed to the older echoMAP CHIRP 74cv which only offers keypad navigation, the ECHOMAP Plus 74cv G3 has a touchscreen interface and can be operated as a tablet or smartphone. However, it still has the complete keypad on the right side.

The unit’s interface is highly intuitive, very easy to use. You can personalize its homepage with the most used apps for quick access. It also provides split-screen possibilities with up to three panels per view.

The unit has a 7-inch display, WVGA type, color, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 400V. It has adjustable LED backlight and offers excellent readability in direct sunlight, and from angles up to 75°. It’s also IPX7 waterproof.

Along with the Wi-Fi connectivity, the unit also has NMEA 0183 ports and supports NMEA 2000 networks. It does not have an Ethernet port, though, and does not support Radar, or IP cameras. It does support AIS units, DSC, and Fusion-Link compatible radios.

The unit also has a microSD card slot and can take cards with a storage capacity up to 32 GB. And finally, the box includes the tilt-swivel quick-release mount, a flush mount, and a protective cover.

The Pros

• Mid-Band 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 sonar;
• GT23M-TM transducer 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 BlueChart g3 U.S coastal charts;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• SailAssist features;
• Shallow Water Shading and Depth Contours Shading;
• 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);
• Internal Wi-Fi module;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• NMEA 0183 outs, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

• Does not support Navionics charts;
• An NMEA 2000 adaptor cable not included.
• 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.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74cv G3 (010-01894-05) is a fish finder and chartplotter equipped with 2D CHIRP and ClearVü sonar, GPS, and the new BlueChart g3 coastal charts. It includes the GT23M-TM transducer for Mid-Band CHIRP and ClearVü. It offers a wide array of navigation features and also has Wi-Fi connectivity, being compatible with the ActiveCaptain app. In all, it’s a unit meant for off-shore fishing and navigation, but can also be used without a problem for inland fishing, perfect for a wide array of boats.