Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74cv

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 74cv is basically the same unit as the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv but comes with the U.S. coastal charts BlueChart g2. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01894-01 which is no longer available. However, a newer model was released in 2020, this being the ECHOMAP UHD 74cv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 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:
  • 2D Sonar: 2,300 ft (701 m)
  • ClearVü: 1,000 ft (304 m)
• Transducer: CV23M-TM
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g2
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar and transducer

The ECHOMAP Plus 74cv is a Garmin fish finder capable of multiple base frequencies. It can use 50/77/80/200 kHz for its 2D sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. The included CV23M-TM transducer is only capable of Mid-Band CHIRP with a pulse modulation of 80-160 kHz for the unit’s 2D traditional sonar. But on the other hand, for ClearVü the transducer can use 260/455 kHz, the CHIRP modulation intervals being 245-275 kHz, and 445-465 kHz.

The CV23M-TM is a more powerful transducer than the CV22HW-TM included with the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv unit. Therefore, this Garmin fish finder system offers superior off-shore fishing possibilities. It can scan depths up to 2,300 ft (701 m) in freshwater, and up to 1,100 ft (335 m) in saltwater, when using the Mid-Band CHIRP mode. However, the ClearVü only has an approx. depth capability of 1,000 ft (304 m) in freshwater. Its depth capability for saltwater is not specified, but it should be even lower, maybe half, 5-600 ft. (152 – 183 m).

The CV23M-TM transducer comes with two mounts, for transom and for trolling motor; it has approx. 20′ (6m) of cable and also integrates a fast response temperature sensor. It uses a conical beam for the system’s traditional 2D CHIRP sonar, with a coverage of approx. 24°. For ClearVü it uses fan-shaped beams, very thin fore/aft wise (approx. 2°) but wider side-to-side, 51° @ 260 kHz, and 29° @ 455 kHz.

The unit itself is compatible with different other transducers. For example, it can use the CV20-TM or the CV22HW-TM model. However, as opposed to the ECHOMAP Plus 64cv, this unit also supports Panoptix “all-seeing” transducers.

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 ECHOMAP Plus 74cv includes the BlueChart g2 U.S. coastal charts. These charts cover the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, U.S. and the Canadian sides of the Great Lakes. They are derived from official charts and private sources and they provide a lot of information including spot soundings, depth contours, tides/currents information, nav-aids and more. However, the unit is also compatible with the BlueChart g2 Vision, BlueChart g2 HD, and LakeVü HD Ultra.

Along with the included charts, this unit also has the Quickdraw Contours mode. This feature allows you to draw the depth contours of your lake or the body of water where you’re fishing. It uses the 2D sonar and GPS information reveal the current depth contours, giving you the possibility to create your own personalized fishing maps.

This Garmin unit has a built-in 5 Hz GPS receiver. It provides position updates 5 times per second, it can accurately indicate the coordinates of any point, and can also calculate the speed of your boat.

The unit has waypoints, routes, and trail recording functions. It can store up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, and up to 100 routes. It can plot your track, being able to record up to 50 tracks, with up to 50,000 points for each track. Any track can be saved and converted into a route to which you can add waypoints.

SailAssist and ActiveCaptain compatibility are also available with this unit. The SailAssist features include 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.

The unit’s integrated Wi-Fi permits it to communicate with any smart device or laptop that has the ActiveCaptain Garmin app. Via ActiveCaptain, you can access OneChart to benefit from software updates, upgrade your charts instantly, access the Quickdraw Contours Community for personalized charts, get smart notifications, and more.

Control unit features

The ECHOMAP Plus 74cv is equipped with a color WVGA display, 7″ in diagonal, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V. As opposed to the older unit, this one also has touchscreen technology; in other words, you can also control it as a tablet, not just from the keypad on the right side.

The unit offers a very easy to use, intuitive interface. It gives you the possibility to customize your start page with the most used applications; there are several split-screen views available, with up to three panels per view. Also, due to the touchscreen technology, you can easily drag one of the corners of an app in split-screen in order to enlarge the view.

The unit is has LED backlight, offering an excellent readability in direct sunlight and from sharp angles, up to 70° on each side. It’s also IPX7 waterproof which basically means that it can resist incidental water exposure and rain.

Along with the Wi-Fi connectivity, this unit offers NMEA 0183 integration, so it can get data from various peripherals such as AIS, VHF radio units, or sensors for engine data. It has a microSD card slot and can take cards up to 32 GB. It also has a Panoptix transducer port.

Last but not least, the unit comes with a classic tilt-and-swivel mount with a quick-release system and a kit for surface mounting. A unit cover is also included.

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 sonar;
• CV23M-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 g2 U.S coastal charts;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g2 Vision or LakeVü HD 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 is a fish finder and chartplotter, equipped with 2D CHIRP and ClearVü sonar, GPS, and the BlueChart g2 coastal charts. It includes the CV23M-TM transducer which is Mid-Band CHIRP and 260/455 kHz ClearVü capable. 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.