Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv with GT54UHD-TM Transducer

In the first part of 2019, Garmin has released several new ECHOMAP units; the ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv is one of them. This unit offers UHD sonar with frequency capabilities up to 1.2 MHz. It’s also a chartplotter, and includes both BlueChart g3 and LakeVü g3 chart platforms. In this post, we’re going to address the part number 010-02112-01, the one that includes the new UHD transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 10″ diagonal, 1280H x 800V pixel resolution, WXGA color, backlit, touchscreen & keypad
• Sonar: 2D CHIRP, ClearVü, SideVü, Ultra High-Definition Scanning, Panoptix LiveScope
• Transducer: GT54UHD-TM
• Frequency and coverage (with the included transducer):
  2D CHIRP: 150-240 kHz / 24°-16°
  UHD ClearVü: 760-880 kHz / 0.94°x60°
  SideVü: 425-485 kHz / 1.62°x50° / 125′ (38 m) on each side
  UHD SideVü: 1,060-1,170 kHz / 0.441°x52° / 500′ (152 m) on each side
• Max. Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  2D CHIRP: 800′ (244 m)
  UHD ClearVü: 200′ (61 m)
  SideVü: 125′ (38 m)
  UHD SideVü: 30′ (9 m)
• Max. Power Output: 600 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 10 Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g3 and LakeVü g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The control unit 106sv has three types of sonar, these being 2D CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü, offering ultra-high definition modes for CV and SV. It also has built-in support for the full line of Panoptix sonar and Panoptix LiveScope. The unit itself supports a wide array of base frequencies, these being 50/77/200/455/800/1200 kHz. It also supports 50/200 kHz and 77/200 kHz dual frequency.

The included GT54UHD-TM transducer offers support for 2D High-Wide CHIRP, UHD ClearVü, and UHD SideVü. It includes a transom mount, has an internal temperature sensor, and 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 12-pin (orange) connector.

For 2D High-Wide CHIRP, the transducer offers only one mode in a frequency range of 150-240 kHz. For this sonar mode, the transducer uses a conical beam which can be adjusted in a range between 24°-16°. The maximum depth capability of this Garmin fish finder system is 800′ (244 m) when using the High-Wide CHIRP mode.

For UHD ClearVü, the transducer can operate at 800 kHz (760-880 kHz). The beam is oval (not conical), it’s approx. coverage being 0.94°x60°. For UHD ClearVü, the maximum depth capability is 200′ (61 m). Of course, there is also the 455 kHz (425-485 kHz) mode, but for this mode, the coverage is not specified.

 

For UHD SideVü, the transducer can operate at 1.2 MHz with a CHIRP frequency range between 1,060-1,170 kHz. The side beams used for this sonar mode are also oval just as for ClearVü. Their dimension is approx. 0.441°x52° and they can extend up to 125′ (38 m) on each side of the boat. The depth capability for the UHD SV is 30′ (9.1 m). Of course, there is also the option of regular SideVü, at 455 kHz (425-485 kHz). In regular SideVü mode, the side beams can extend on each side of the boat up to 500′ (152 m), while the depth capability is 125′ (38 m).

Of course, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. The list includes A-Scope, Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, and more. A Temperature Graph function is also included, and available with the GT54UHD-TM transducer.

Navigation features

First of all, the Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv 010-02112-01 is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. This is actually superior to the other ECHOMAP Plus units which only have a 5 Hz GPS. This means it can provide position updates up to 10 times per second. It can provide position augmentation via WAAS/EGNOS and also has a GPS speed function. The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory. It can also record up to 50 tracks (50,000 pts per track) and you can save up to 100 routes.

At the beginning of 2019, Garmin has released new upgraded versions of BlueChart and LakeVü charts. They’re all Navionics-enhanced and have the Auto Guidance feature. This being said, the ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv includes both LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3 chart platforms.

LakeVü g3 offers in-land coverage. Over 17,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in high detail with up to 1′ depth contours are covered by this chart platform, and they’re all integrated with Navionics. 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.

BlueChart g3 provides coastal coverage for the U.S. waters, including the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and the US side of the Great Lakes. The data included 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.

The unit is also capable of running the superior versions of LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3. This being said, you can always upgrade to BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra. These charts offer extra features and detail, such as the elevation shading of bottom structure, satellite images, and more. However, the unit still does not support Navionics charts.

Just as for the ECHOMAP Plus 9sv, the Ultra 106sv has the Quickdraw Contours feature. This application gives you the possibility to create your own bathymetric charts by revealing and recording the depth contours of your lake on the map. Therefore, if the existing charts don’t offer satisfying detail for your favorite lake, you can always make your own map, with the most up-to-date depth contour. Plus, you can also share them with the Garmin Quickdraw Contours community, or download already created maps from this database.

The SailAssist page is also included. This is 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.

Control unit features

The ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv features a 10″ display with a pixel matrix of 1280H x 800V which is considerably richer than the 800 x 400 displays that the ECHOMAP Plus 9″ units have. It’s a WXGA color display with LED backlight which also offers polarized sunglasses support.

The unit has a keypad-assisted touchscreen interface. In other words, it can be operated just as any other tablet or smartphone, but also has the side keypad which covers all its functions. Its interface is very easy to use. It provides up to 4 panels per view, and you can customize its homepage with various applications for quick access.

The included mount for the unit is the classic tilt-swivel model with the quick-release cradle. A protective cover is also included.

In terms of networking, the unit has NMEA 0183 input and output ports (1 each), 2 Garmin Marine Network™ ports for large connectors, and also supports NMEA 2000. This being said, you can share data between various Garmin units, or enable your ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv to communicate with different other instruments such as AIS units, VHF radios, FUSION-Link compatible radios, external GPS sensors, and more. Also, the unit has a dual microSD card reader. However, it does not offer Radar support such as the GPSMAP units.

This Garmin unit also has wireless connectivity and is compatible with the ActiveCaptain app. Therefore, you can sync your unit with your smartphone in order to manage your marine and fishing experience better from anywhere. You can benefit from smart notifications from your phone on the display of the unit, you can pre-fish a lake before even traveling there, or you can download updates or charts via this app.

The Pros

• Traditional 2D CHIRP sonar;
• ClearVü and SideVü;
• UHD ClearVü and UHD SideVü;
• GT54UHD-TM transducer included;
• Panoptix sonar support;
• Supports 50/77/83/200/455/800/1200 kHz base frequencies;
• Dual-frequency capable (50/200 & 77/200 kHz)
• 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;
• 10 Hz internal GPS;
• Preloaded with the new U.S. LakeVü g3 charts;
• Preloaded with the new coastal BlueChart g3 charts;
• Auto Guidance;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü G3 Ultra;
• SailAssist page;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Supports FUSION-Link radio;
• Touchscreen and keypad control;
• Intuitive, customizable, and easy-to-use interface;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• Dual microSD card reader;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Wireless connectivity;
• NMEA 0183 ports, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• Garmin Marine Network ports (2);
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

• The unit is not compatible with Navionics charts;
• Does not support Radar.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv 010-02112-01 offers CHIRP sonar, UHD ClearVü, UHD SideVü, and Panoptix sonar support. It includes the GT54UHD-TM transducer, is preloaded with the LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3 coastal charts, and has a 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. It is NMEA 2000 capable and has built-in wireless connectivity. In all, it’s a great unit for a wide range of boats, for both in-land and off-shore fishing.