Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv BlueChart G3

At the beginning of 2019, Garmin has released new chart bundles for in-land and off-shore waters. Evidently, the new units released include these new charts. The ECHOMAP Plus 94sv unit that we’re going to cover here comes with the new BlueChart g3 coastal charts as opposed to the BlueChart g2 included with the last year’s unit. For reference, this unit is the Garmin part number 010-01902-05. Also, an even newer version is available since 2020, this being the ECHOMAP UHD 94sv.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit, touchscreen & keypad
• Sonar: Mid-Band CHIRP, CHIRP ClearVü, CHIRP SideVü
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  2D CHIRP Sonar: 80-160 kHz 24°/13°
  DownVü CHIRP: 245-275 kHz 2°/51°, 445-465 kHz 1°/29°
  SideVü CHIRP: 245-275 kHz 2°/51°, 445-465 kHz 1°/29°
• Max. Depth Capability:
  Traditional 2D: 1,800 ft (548 m)
  ClearVü: 1,000 ft (305 m)
  SideVü: 750 ft (228 m)
• Transducer: GT51M-TM (12-pin)
• Max. Power Output: 600 Watts (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 94sv 010-01902-05 is essentially the same unit as the last year’s 010-01902-01. Therefore, it supports the same sonar frequencies including 50/77/83/200 kHz for its 2D CHIRP sonar and 260/455/800 kHz for its structure scanning sonar ClearVü and SideVü. It also supports dual-frequency sonar 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz. It also supports Panoptix transducers for all-seeing real-time LiveVü sonar.

The unit includes the older GT51M-TM transducer which has a center element that offers slightly better depth performance than the CV51 which has two side elements for a better coverage and slightly sharper imaging. It integrates a temperature sensor, it features a 12-pin connector, and comes with 20 ft (6 m) of cable. A transom mount is included for it, but a trolling mount option is also available.

The GT51 transducer offers Mid-Band CHIRP sonar capabilities. It uses only one conical beam for the traditional sonar within a frequency range of 80-160 kHz, with a coverage between 24° and 13°. Its depth capability for 2D traditional CHIRP is 1,800 ft (548 m).

For ClearVü and SideVü, the transducer supports 260 kHz (245-275 kHz CHIRP) and 455 kHz (445-465 kHz). For these structure scanning sonar types it uses oval-shaped beams with a coverage of approx 1°-2° fore-and-aft, but wider side-to-side. At 455 kHz, the coverage is 29°, while at 260 kHz the beam is 51° wide. The maximum specified ClearVü depth capability is 1,000 ft (305 m), while for SideVü is 750 ft (228 m). Also, the side beams of the SideVü mode can extend on each side of the boat for several feet.

The unit makes available a wide array of standard sonar features. Among them, we can count 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.

GPS, charts, and other navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this is the new Garmin 010-01902-05 unit which includes the BlueChart g3 coastal charts. These new charts have integrated Navionics data and provide coastal coverage for the US waters including the West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, East 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. Shallow Water Shading and other useful features are included with these charts.

Needless to say, this Garmin unit is also compatible with the LakeVü g3 charts for inland waters, or the superior versions of in-land and coastal charts LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision. These chart bundles offer extra detail and extra features such as Auto Guidance, high-res satellite imagery, fish-eye view, and more. The unit still does not support Navionics charts, though.

The Quickdraw Contours feature is included with this Garmin unit as well. It’s a depth contour recording feature that uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data to reveal and record the depth contours of the lake or body of water where you’re fishing. Therefore, if the built-in charts of the unit do not offer satisfying detail for your favorite lake, you can create your own personalized map, save it, re-use it anytime you want, and even share it with the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Community.

The unit has wireless connectivity and can communicate with any tablet or smartphone with the ActiveCaptain app. This app allows you to manage and improve your marine experience from almost anywhere. It gives you the possibility to access OneChart for chart downloads and updates, access the ActiveCaptain Community for marinas, and other points of interest, it allows you to pre-plan a trip and even pre-fish a certain area even before you get on the water. Plus, it provides smart notifications from your phone on your Garmin unit.

The ECHOMAP Plus 94sv has the SailAssist feature page. 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 GPS receiver operates at 5 Hz. This means it can provide position updates 5 times per second. It can also provide position enhancements via EGNOS or WAAS and has a GPS speed function.

Last but not least, the unit has waypoint creation, route creation, and track recording functions. It can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, making available a wide palette of icons so you can personalize each waypoint. It can save up to 100 routes and 50 tracks.

Control unit features

The ECHOMAP Plus 94sv features a 9-inch WVGA display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V. It integrates LED backlight for sharp imaging and improved visibility even in direct sunlight. It has a touchscreen interface and can be operated just like a tablet, but also has the right-side keypad. It’s also IPX7 waterproof.

Its interface is highly intuitive and very easy to use. You can personalize its homepage with the most used applications for quick access. Also, in terms of split-screen, it allows you to work with up to three applications per view.

In terms of networking, the unit has NMEA 0183 ports but also supports NMEA 2000. Also, as we’ve mentioned above, it has wireless connectivity which allows you to sync it with your smartphone or connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot to access OneChart or the Quickdraw Contours Community, download charts, get software updates, and more.

This unit does not support IP cameras or Radar; however, it does support data from AIS units or DSC capable VHR radio units. It’s also FUSION-Link capable.

A microSD card reader is also available, placed at the front of the unit, on the bottom right corner. It only has one slot for one microSD card up to 32 GB of memory.

Finally, the unit includes the classic tilt mount with the quick-release cradle, as well as a flush mount and a protective cover.

The Pros

• Mid-Band CHIRP, ClearVü sonar, and SideVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• GT51M-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 BlueChart 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

• NMEA 2000 cable is not included;
• No trolling mount for the transducer;
• Does not support Navionics charts.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv is a 9-inch fish finder and chartplotter featuring CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, SideVü, GPS, and the BlueChart g3 coastal charts. It comes with the GT51 Mid-Band CHIRP transducer but it’s also compatible with various other transducer models, including Panoptix transducers. It has wireless connectivity and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain Garmin app. It’s a great unit for a wide range of boats, perfect for off-shore fishing but also for inland fishing if equipped with lake charts.