Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv

The ECHOMAP Plus 94sv is one of the Garmin units released in 2018. It’s a fish finder and chartplotter featuring SideVü and ClearVü sonar, pre-loaded with the BlueChart g2 maps. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01902-01, the one that was discontinued. One of the newer models is 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: 2,300 ft (701 m)
  • ClearVü: 1,000 ft (305 m)
  • SideVü: 750 ft (228 m)
• Transducer: CV51M-TM (12-pin)
• Max. Power Output: 600 Watts (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 94sv unit is capable of multiple sonar frequencies, including 50/77/83/200 kHz for its 2D sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for its structure scanning sonar (ClearVü and SideVü). Evidently, it uses CHIRP sonar technology for all its types of sonar, which means that it can modulate the sonar pulse over a specific range of frequencies rather than using only one frequency per pulse. Due to this, it can deliver clearer images, less clutter, and a superior target separation.

Since this is a unit equipped with off-shore charts, it’s meant for off-shore fishing. Therefore, it comes with the CV51M-TM transducer which can scan greater depths than the CV52HW-TM which included with the ECHOMAP Plus 93sv, and ECHOMAP Plus 95sv units.

The included CV51M-TM supports all three main types of sonar offered by the control unit, 2D CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü. It has 30′ (9.1 m) of cable with a 12-pin connector, a transom mount, and also integrates a temperature sensor.

With the included transducer, the system can use traditional Mid-Band CHIRP sonar with a sonar pulse modulation between 80-160 kHz. For this type of sonar, the transducer uses a conical beam with a coverage between 24°-13° and with a maximum depth capability of 2,300 ft (701 m).

For ClearVü & SideVü, the transducer uses two main frequencies, these being 260 kHz and 455 kHz. The CHIRP modulation intervals are 245-275 kHz, and respectively 445-465 kHz. For these types of sonar, the transducer uses thin beams, only 1°-2° fore-aft, but with a coverage of 29° at 455 kHz, and 51° @ 260 kHz. The system’s max. depth capabilities are approx. 1,000 ft (305 m) for ClearVü, and 750 ft (228 m) for SideVü. These depths are also calculated for freshwater. In saltwater, the system’s structure scanning sonar may not be able to reach these depths. Also, for SideVü, the two side beams can extend for a few 100′ on each side of the boat.

Since it’s capable of multiple frequencies, including dual-frequency 50/200 kHz, and 77/200 kHz, the unit is compatible with various other transducers. It’s also Panoptix compatible.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. Among the included 2D sonar functions we can mention A-Scope, Flasher View, Bottom Lock, Fish Symbols ID, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more. As opposed to the Striker Plus 9sv, this unit does have Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind functions. It also has a Temperature Graph feature, and provides traditional support for Minn Kota® and MotorGuide® trolling motors with integrated transducers.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS receiver which can provide position updates up to 5 times per second. The unit’s GPS system can also calculate the speed of your boat.

Since it’s a chartplotter, the unit has waypoints, routes, and track recording functions. It can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, it can store up to 100 saved routes, and 50 saved plotted tracks. Each track can have up to 50,000 points. Also, each track can be converted into a route; you can add waypoints to it and re-trace it whenever you want.

In terms of charts, the unit comes pre-loaded with the BlueChart® g2 database. These are U.S. coastal charts; they cover the East Coast, the West Coast, the Gulf of Mexico area, and the U.S./Canada side of the Great Lakes. They are based on official charts and also include other information such as nav-aids, spot soundings, depth contours, tides information and more.

The unit is compatible with various premium charts from Garmin. The list includes LakeVü HD Ultra, BlueChart g2 HD, and BlueChart g2 Vision. However, just as many other Garmin units, it cannot use Navionics charts or C-MAP charts.

Along with the BlueChart g2 map base, the unit has the Quickdraw Contours feature. This is a map recording feature that uses the 2D CHIRP sonar data and the GPS data in order to reveal and draw the depth contours of the place where you’re fishing. This way, you can create and use your own personalized maps. You can also upload them on the Garmin Quickdraw Community, as well as download Quickdraw custom charts from this database.

The SailAssist feature base is also available with this unit. Among these features, we can count laylines, 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

One of the new features of the ECHOMAP Plus 94sv over the older unit is the “cross-touch” interface. The unit combines touchscreen with keypad operation. Its interface is very intuitive and easy to use. The homepage can be customized with various apps for quick access and offers several split-screen alternatives.

Needless to say, the unit has a full-color display, with LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight. As its name suggests, it’s 9″ in diagonal. Its pixel matrix is 800 x 400. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, which essentially means that it can take water splashes, rain, or other incidental water exposure without a problem.

The unit it networkable. To begin with, it has NMEA 0183 ports and also offers NMEA 2000 support. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so you can sync it with your phone or tablet in order to benefit from smart notifications. You can also connect online with your unit, to access OneChart for maps or software updates. Evidently, since it’s a networkable unit, it can be interconnected with other navigation tools such as AIS units, FUSION-Link radio units, also supporting DSC.

The unit has a microSD card reader with one card slot which can take cards up to 32 GB. Therefore, not only that you can upgrade your unit’s chart database via microSD card, but you can also save a lot of data on a card, such as waypoints, recorded maps, or sonar.

Two types of mounts are included with the unit, one is the classic tilt mount with the quick-release cradle, and the other the flush mount for surface mounting. A protective cover is also included.

The Pros

• Mid-Band CHIRP, ClearVü sonar, and SideVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz SV/CV frequencies;
• Panoptix sonar capable;
• Dual-frequency sonar;
• CV51M-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 the BlueChart g2 U.S. coastal 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

• NMEA 2000 adapter is not included;
• Not compatible with Navionics or C-MAP charts.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv is a 9-inch fish finder and chartplotter featuring Mid-Band CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, SideVü, GPS and the BlueChart g2 coastal charts. It comes with the CV51M-TM transducer but it’s also compatible with various other transducer models, including Panoptix transducers. It has a built-in Wi-Fi connection and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain Garmin app. It’s a great unit for a wide range of boats, perfect for inland fishing and navigation, but can also be used successfully off-shore, especially if you equip it with a deepwater transducer and/or the Garmin coastal charts.