Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 95sv

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 95sv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2018. It’s no longer available, and for now, it has been replaced by the ECHOMAP UHD 95sv. It’s technically the same fish finder and chartplotter system as the ECHOMAP Plus 93sv, but it includes the Canada LakeVü HD charts. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-01903-00, one of the new, 2018 units.

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 & transducer

This Garmin fish finder is capable of multiple sonar frequencies, including 50/77/83/200 kHz for its 2D CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü and SideVü. It’s dual-frequency capable, which means that if paired with a 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz transducer, it can use both frequencies simultaneously. The unit is also compatible with the Garmin Panoptix transducers, and can use the real-time Panoptix all-seeing sonar. However, a Panoptix transducer is not included with the unit.

The ECHOMAP Plus 95sv comes with the CV52HW-TM transducer. It has a transom mounts, 20′ (6m) of cable, and integrates a temperature sensor. This type of transducer can only use one beam and one frequency range for the unit’s 2D CHIRP sonar. It’s a High-Wide CHIRP conical beam with a frequency range between 150-240 kHz and a coverage between 24°/16°. When using the High-Wide CHIRP mode, the system’s depth capability can reach depths up to 800 ft (244 m). However, with a 50 kHz capable transducer, it can scan depths up to 2,300 ft (701 m).

For ClearVü and SideVü, the transducer uses two thin beams with a coverage of 30° and 50°, and frequency ranges of 425-485 kHz and 790-850 kHz. Its maximum depth capability for ClearVü & SideVü is 500 ft (152 m).

Among the standard sonar features provided by the unit, we can count Fish Symbols, A-Scope, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more. The unit also provides traditional sonar support for Minn Kota® and MotorGuide® trolling motors with integrated transducers.

GPS & charts

As we’ve mentioned above, this Garmin unit is pre-loaded with the Canada LakeVü HD chart base. Their coverage includes Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon provinces, with more than 13,500 lakes, from which 4,800 feature HD detailing.

Of course, the unit is compatible with the Garmin premium charts, including LakeVü HD Ultra, or BlueChart g2 Vision HD. These charts make available new features, such as Auto Guidance which can create a virtual safe pathway, allowing you to avoid obstacles and obstructions such as shallow water, low bridges etc. However, the unit it’s not compatible with Navionics or C-MAP charts.

The unit also has the Quickdraw Contours mapping software. This feature can draw the depth contours of your lake on the map, by using the 2D sonar and GPS information. This way, if your lake is not covered by the included charts, you can still benefit from it’s personalized map with depth contours.

The unit is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS. This means that it can provide position updated up to 5 times per second. The movement of your boat is shown on the map in real-time, without interruptions. The GPS system can also calculate the speed of your boat.

The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, and up to 100 routes. It also has a trail recording function and can record up to 50 distinct tracks with up to 50,000 points per track. Each track can be converted to a route and modified if needed, with additional waypoints, ready to be re-traced.

The SailAssist feature base is also available with the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 95sv. These features include 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, like the GPSMAP units.

Control unit features

As opposed to the older Garmin echoMAP CHIRP 95sv, this new unit features a keypad-assisted touchscreen interface. In other words, it recognizes most of the touch commands, such as tap, double-tap, pinch-to-zoom etc. Its interface is highly customizable as well. For example, you can pin to the start page the most used applications in order to launch them quickly. Also, several split-screen options are available.

As its name suggests, the unit features a 9-inch display. It’s a full-color unit, with LED backlight for high visibility in direct sunlight and during night fishing. It has a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V and it is IPX7 waterproof.

The unit features one NMEA 0183 input and one output; it also supports NMEA 2000. As opposed to the ECHOMAP Plus 6 units, it has Ethernet as well. It’s also equipped with a microSD card reader which gives you the possibility to upgrade its chart base, update its software via card, export data such as waypoints, etc.

One of the notable new features included with this unit is the Wi-Fi connectivity. This gives you the possibility to connect your unit online and download charts or other upgrades via the ActiveCaptain app, access the Quickdraw Contours Community and even benefit from smart notifications from your phone.

In terms of mounts, there are two included with this unit. One is the quick-release bracket which has all the cable connectors and gives you the possibility to quickly disconnect the unit if needed. The other is the flush mounting kit for surface mounting. There are two mounts for the transducer as well, one for transom and one for trolling. Also, the box includes a unit 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;
• 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 the Canada 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

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

Bottom Line

The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 95sv is a 9-inch fish finder and chartplotter featuring High-Wide CHIRP sonar, ClearVü, SideVü, GPS and the Canada LakeVü charts. It comes with the CV52HW-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.