Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv

The ECHOMAP Plus 93sv is one of the 9-inch units released by Garmin in 2018. As opposed to the older echoMAP CHIRP 93sv, this newer unit offers several extra features. For example, it has built-in Wi-Fi and a key-assisted touchscreen interface. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01901-01, the model that includes the CV transducer and is pre-loaded with the US LakeVü charts. Also, a new model was released in 2020, this being 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
• 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)
• Transducer: CV52HW-TM (12-pin)
• Max. Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: U.S. LakeVü HD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv 010-01901-01 comes with the CV52HW-TM transducer. This transducer features a 12-pin connector, 20′ (6m) of cable, has a transom mount, and an integrated temperature sensor. Therefore, the unit can show the temperature detected by the transducer.

The unit itself has three primary types of sonar, which are 2D traditional, ClearVü, and SideVü. All are CHIRP-enhanced. It’s also compatible with the new Panoptix transducers, supporting the all-seeing, real-time Panoptix sonar. A Panoptix transducer is not included with the unit, though.

The unit supports several sonar frequencies, including 50/77/83/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü & SideVü. It offers dual-frequency sonar capabilities. In other words, if paired with a 50/200 kHz capable transducer, for example, the unit can use both frequencies simultaneously.

With the included CV52HW-TM transducer, this Garmin fish finder can only use High-Wide CHIRP with a frequency modulation of 150-240 kHz for its 2D traditional sonar mode. However, the transducer is capable of 455/800 kHz for CV and SV. The CHIRP modulation intervals for these frequencies are 425-485 kHz and 790-850 kHz. This CHIRP pulse modulation is considerably superior to standard one-frequency pulse sonar; it results in higher quality imaging, better target determination, and less clutter on the screen.

For the 2D High-Wide CHIRP, the transducer uses a conical beam. Its coverage is between 24° – 16°. For SideVü and ClearVü, it uses thin beams, only 1° – 2° fore/aft, but with an angle of 50° @ 455 kHz, and 30° @ 800 kHz. Also, the SideVü beams can extend on each side of the boat for a few hundred feet.

This Garmin fish finder system has a maximum depth capability of 2,300 kHz, in freshwater, when using a 50 kHz transducer. However, with the included transducer, its depth capabilities only reach 800′ (244 m) when using the 2D CHIRP mode, and 500′ (152 m) when using SideVü or ClearVü.

The unit offers support for Minn Kota® and MotorGuide® trolling motors with integrated transducers, along with the full array of standard sonar features and functions. Among these, we can count Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Flasher View, A-Scope, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm and more. Plus, the unit has a Temperature Graph function, along with Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind.

Navigation features

Since it’s an x3 unit, the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv includes the U.S. LakeVü HD charts. This chart database covers more than 17,000 total lakes, of which over 13,000 lakes have 1′ contours. They offer plenty of other useful data such as general roads, interstates, bridges, boat ramps, fishing areas, camping grounds, marinas, and various other points of interest. They also have the Shallow Water Shading feature which allows you to assign a minimum depth and see it at a glance on the map display.

But nonetheless, if your home lake is not covered by the LakeVü charts, you can always rely on the Quickdraw Contours feature. Quickdraw Contours uses the GPS and 2D sonar functions to draw the depth contours of the body of water where you’re fishing. This way, you can benefit from the most up-to-date maps. Also, you can upload your personalized maps in the Quickdraw Contours base, or download maps from there.

The unit is also compatible with several types of premium charts. Among them, we can count LakeVü HD Ultra or coastal charts such as BlueChart g2 Vision. However, just as many other Garmin units, the ECHOMAP Plus 93sv is not compatible with Navionics charts, or charts from C-MAP.

Although it’s a 9-inch unit, it doesn’t have the 10 Hz GPS receiver such as the GPSMAP units. Its internal GPS receiver only offers an operating frequency of 5 Hz; this means it offers position updated 5 times per second, which is pretty much enough to deliver a real-time movement of the boat on the map application. The unit’s GPS function can also show the coordinates of any point of interest and calculate the speed of your boat.

The SailAssist feature base is also available with this unit. This feature base includes laylines, the 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. Plus, the unit supports AIS and VHF radio units. It does not support Radar, though.

Control unit features

As we’ve mentioned above, the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv comes with several new features over the older echoMAP CHIRP 93sv. One of them is the touchscreen technology which backs up the keypad navigation. In other words, the unit can be operated as a tablet and recognizes various touchscreen commands, such as tap, double-tap, pinch to zoom, etc. It also has a very easy to use interface which is highly customizable; you can pin the most used applications to the homepage for quick access, for example. It also offers several split-screen possibilities.

The unit’s display is 9-inch wide; it’s a full-color LCD display, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 400V with LED backlight. It’s also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means that it can withstand incidental water exposure.

The included mount is the classic quick-release type, but a flush mount for surface mounting is also included.

Another one of the new features available with this unit is the integrated Wi-Fi connection. This feature allows you to sync your unit with your smartphone in order to get smart notifications. It’s also compatible with the ActiveCaptain app which gives you access to the Quickdraw Community, OneChart, and other useful features.

The unit is networkable. It offers NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 support. It also has a microSD card reader with one slot, which allows you to upgrade its charts, its internal software (if needed), backup waypoints, save recorded sonar, etc. It can take microSD cards up to 32 GB.

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;
• Panoptix sonar capable;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• CV52HW-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 U.S. LakeVü HD 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;
• SailAssist features;
• 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;
• Internal Wi-Fi module;
• NMEA 0183 ports, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install.

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 adapter cable not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 93sv is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring 2D CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, SideVü, GPS, and the LakeVü HD charts for the U.S. inland waters. It includes the CV52HW-TM transducer as well as the quick release mount. It has a key-assisted touchscreen interface and built-in Wi-Fi. It can support off-shore charts as well, such as the BlueChart g2 Vision. It’s an excellent fish finder and navigation tool for a wide array of boats, and costs considerably less than a full range chartplotter. In all, it offers great value for the price.