Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv LakeVü G3

To get straight to the point, this is the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv part number 010-01901-05, one of the units released in 2019. It basically offers the same features as the older ECHOMAP Plus 93sv, but it is preloaded with the new LakeVü g3 charts. It also includes the older (better) GT transducer, not the CV one. Also, an even newer model is already available; that is the ECHOMAP UHD 93sv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: High-Wide CHIRP Sonar, CHIRP ClearVü, CHIRP SideVü
• Transducer: GT52HW-TM (12-pin)
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  • 2D CHIRP Sonar: 150-240 kHz 24°/16°
  • ClearVü CHIRP: 425-485 kHz 2°/50° & 790-850 kHz 1°/30°
  • SideVü CHIRP: 425-485 kHz 2°/50° & 790-850 kHz 1°/30°
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  • 2D CHIRP: 800 ft (244 m)
  • ClearVü: 500 ft (152 m)
  • SideVü: 500 ft (152 m)
• Max. Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: U.S. LakeVü G3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The ECHOMAP Plus 93sv offers three types of sonar, these being CHIRP 2D traditional sonar, ClearVü, and SideVü. It’s capable of multiple base frequencies, including dual-channel 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz for 2D, and 260/455/800 kHz for CV and SV. It’s also compatible with the Panoptix transducers for the all-seeing LiveVü sonar technology.

The unit comes with the GT52HW-TM transducer which supports 2D, ClearVü, and SideVü. For 2D, it uses only one CHIRP conical beam within a frequency range between 150-240 kHz and a coverage between 24°/16°. This being said, the system is only capable of High Range CHIRP with this transducer and the max. depth capability of the 2D conical beam is 800 ft (244 m).

For ClearVü and SideVü, the transducer uses oval-shaped beams, fairly narrow fore-to-aft (approx. 1.5°) but with an approx. side-to-side coverage of 50° @ 425-485 kHz, and 30° @ 790-850 kHz. The side beams extend for a few hundred feet on each side of the boat. The maximum depth capability for CV/SV of this Garmin fish finder system with the included transducer is 500 ft (152 m). Also, the recommended boat speed for the best quality ClearVü and SideVü imaging is 10 MPH.

The included GT52HW-TM transducer is equipped with a transom mount but there’s also a trolling mount option available for it. It features 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 12-pin connector and also has an internal temperature sensor. The unit can display water temperature and has a Temperature Graph feature as well.

Of course, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. The list includes A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Symbols, Flasher for ice fishing, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more. Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind are also available. Plus, the unit provides support for Minn Kota® and MotorGuide® trolling motors with integrated transducers.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the ECHOMAP Plus 93sv released in 2019, and therefore, it has the new LakeVü G3 charts built-in. These charts are integrated with Navionics data. They offer freshwater coverage, presenting more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in high detail with up to 1′ depth contours. The Shallow Water Shading feature is available with these charts. Plus, they show fishing areas, boat ramps, camping grounds, marinas, general roads, interstates, and other points of interest.

The unit still does not support Navionics charts but does support the new superior LakeVü G3 Ultra, and BlueChart G3 Vision. These offer superior detail and extra features such as Auto Guidance, aerial photos, and more.

The Quickdraw Contours feature is also included. This is an application that allows you to reveal and record the depth contours of your lake on the map. Therefore, in case the current charts do not offer satisfying detail for your lake, you can create your own, personalized charts with up to 1′ depth contours. Plus, you can upload your custom charts on the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Community to share them with other users, or download similar charts from there, as the unit has wireless connectivity.

The SailAssist page is available with this Garmin fish finder too. It’s a pre-race guidance page that shows your virtual starting line along with data fields showing laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, time to burn before the start and the race times.

This Garmin unit is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS receiver. This being said, it can provide position fixes up to 5 times per second. It has a speed detection function, and can also provide position enhancements via WAAS/EGNOS.

Finally, the unit has waypoint and route creation functions, and track plotting. You can save up to 100 routes in its memory and up to 5,000 personalized waypoints. As for tracks, it can save up to 50 in its memory; each track can have 50,000 points.

Control unit features

As the title suggests, this Garmin fish finder features a 9-inch display. It’s WVGA type, full color, with a pixel array of 800H x 400V. It integrates LED backlight for superior visibility in direct sunlight and from sharp angles and is also IPX7 waterproof.

As opposed to the older echomap CHIRP 93sv, this unit offers touchscreen technology. Its interface responds to the touch commands as any tablet. However, the unit still has its side keypad. The unit’s interface is very easy to use, highly intuitive and offers the possibility of working with up to three applications simultaneously.

In terms of networking, the unit has NMEA 0183 ports but also supports NMEA 2000. It does not have video camera ports as the GPSMAP 942xs, for example. Wireless connectivity is also included. This being said, you can either connect your unit to a Wi-Fi hotspot to access OneChart or the Quickdraw Contours Community, download charts, get software updates and more. Plus, you can sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app to considerably improve your experience on the water. In other words, this type of connection allows you to pre-plan a trip, pre-fish a lake before even getting on the water, and even get smart notifications on the display of your unit from your phone.

This Garmin unit does not support Radar. However, it does support data from AIS units or DSC capable VHR radio. It’s also Fusion-Link compatible.

One of the last features that we have to mention here is the unit’s microSD card reader. This has only one slot which can take cards up to 32 GB.

Finally, the unit includes the standard quick-release mount, a flush mount, and a protective cover.

The Pros

• High-Wide CHIRP, ClearVü sonar, and SideVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• GT52HW-TM transducer included;
• Dual-frequency capable (50/200 & 77/200 kHz)
• Panoptix sonar 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;
• Internal GPS (5 Hz);
• Preloaded with the new U.S. LakeVü G3 charts;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü G3 Ultra;
• SailAssist page;
• 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);
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Wireless connectivity;
• NMEA 0183 ports, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

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

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv 010-01901-05 offers 2D CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, SideVü, GPS and the LakeVü G3 charts. It comes with the GT52HW-TM transducer for 2D/CV/SV, but the unit is also compatible with Panoptix transducers. It also has the Quickdraw Contours feature, it’s NMEA 2000 capable, ActiveCaptain capable, has wireless connectivity and multiple other fish finding and navigation features. It’s an excellent unit for a wide array of boats offering great value for the price.