Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv

The ECHOMAP UHD 62cv is one of the Garmin fish finders released at the end of 2019. It’s one of the units pre-loaded with the Worldwide Basemap. It’s similar to the ECHOMAP UHD 72cv that we’ve already covered here, but lacks the Panoptix support, GCV Black Box Sonar support, and has a 4-pin connector for the transducer, rather than an 8-pin. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02329-01, the one that includes the UHD transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 6.2″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit,
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü
• Transducer: GT24UHD-TM
• Frequency and Coverage (with the included transducer):
  2D Sonar: 150-240 kHz / 24°-16°
  ClearVü: 760-880 kHz kHz / 0.94° (fore to aft) x 60°
• Max. Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  2D Sonar: 800 ft. (244 m)
  ClearVü: 200 ft. (61 m)
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS) / 4,000 W (PTP)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: Worldwide Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

Even though it’s one of the smallest Garmin fish finders released lately, the ECHOMAP UHD 62cv has UHD ClearVü sonar. It’s capable of multiple base frequencies such as 50/77/200 kHz for traditional CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz. Of course, for the 800 kHz frequency, it has the UHD mode for clearer, photo-like quality imaging. It’s important to mention, though, that this unit does not support SideVü sonar, and, as we’ve mentioned above, it doesn’t any of the Panoptix sonar technologies. Also, the unit is dual-frequency capable. Thus, if equipped with a dual-frequency transducer, it can use two standard CHIRP sonar channels simultaneously, showing either the 50/200 kHz or the 77/200 kHz beams in split-screen.

The unit includes the new GT24UHD-TM transducer which features 20′ (6 m) of cable with a 4-pin connector, a transom mount, and has a built-in temperature sensor. This transducer only supports one frequency for traditional CHIRP, and one frequency for the UHD ClearVü mode.

The traditional CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses a conical beam with a variable coverage of 24°-16°, in a CHIRP interval of 150-240 kHz. Differently put, with this transducer the system makes available only the High-Wide CHIRP mode. The maximum depth capability of the High-Wide CHIRP beam is 800 ft. (244 m).

For ClearVü, the transducer also uses only one beam, but it is oval-shaped, only 0.94° fore/aft and 60° side-to-side. The UHD ClearVü CHIRP interval is 760-880 kHz, and the depth capability of the UHD ClearVü beam is 200 ft. (61 m).

Similar to the other ECHOMAP UHD 6-inch units, the ECHOMAP UHD 62cv offers a fairly decent range of standard sonar applications. Among them, we can count Fish Symbols, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more.

Navigation features

The ECHOMAP UHD 62cv unit features a 5 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means it can provide position updates five times per second. It can use WAAS, EGNOS, GLONASS, and Galileo data for position augmentation. It has a GPS speed function and can calculate the speed of your boat based on the GPS input. It also offers the possibility to save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, record and save up to 50 tracks, and create up to 100 routes.

Since it’s a Garmin x2cv unit, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv is pre-loaded with the Worldwide Basemap. These charts don’t offer super detail, but they do show international and political boundaries, seas, oceans, major lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Therefore, they’re still better than the basic GPS plotter available with the Striker Plus 7cv, for example.

Nonetheless, this Garmin unit supports the US or Canada LakeVü g3 charts, LakeVü g3 Ultra, BlueChart g3, and BlueChart g3 Vision. All these charts are enhanced with Navionics data, but it is important to mention that the unit does not support charts from Navionics, or C-MAP.

Another very useful feature available with the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv is Quickdraw Contours. This is a mapping application similar to the AutoChart Live offered by the Humminbird units, or to the SonarChart Live available with the Navionics+ charts. It uses the 2D sonar data to determine and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, even if the included charts don’t cover the body of water where you are fishing, you can still create your own custom fishing maps with the most up to date contours. Plus, the unit is ActiveCaptain capable and has wireless connectivity, so you can connect to the Garmin Quickdraw Contours Community, download charts created via Quickdraw Contours, or upload your own charts for others to use.

Similar to the other ECHOMAP units, this one does not support Radar but does support AIS data, VHF radio, and has the sailing feature page.

Control unit features

As it’s name suggests, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv features a 6.2″ display, WVGA color, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V and LED backlight. It’s IPX7 waterproof which means it should withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

As opposed to the 7cv units and above, the ECHOMAP UHD 62cv does not have touchscreen technology. The navigation through the menus and accessing of its functions are done via the side keypad. The unit has a highly intuitive and easy to customize interface. It also offers multiple split-view possibilities.

In terms of networking, the unit has NMEA 0183 ports and offers NMEA 2000 support. It is also Wi-Fi enabled. This means you can connect it to your smartphone or tablet via the ActiveCaptain app. Therefore, you can download Quickdraw Contours maps, pre-fish a lake, pre-plan a trip, and even receive smart notifications from your phone on the display of your Garmin fish finder. The unit also has a microSD card slot which can be loaded with various Garmin chart cards, or with a blank data card for waypoints backup, etc.

In terms of accessories, this Garmin fish finder includes the quick-release bracket mount, a flush mount, and the unit cover.

The Pros

• High-Wide CHIRP and UHD ClearVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/83/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• Dual-frequency 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;
• Fast 5 Hz internal GPS;
• Preloaded with the Worldwide Basemap;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Shallow Water Shading and Depth Contours Shading;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
• Enhanced Auto Guidance capable;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Intuitive, customizable, and easy-to-use interface;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• Internal WiFi module;
• NMEA 0183 outs, and NMEA 2000 capable;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Quick-release mount included;
• Flush mount included;
• Unit cover included.

The Cons

• Does not support Navionics or C-MAP charts;
• Does not support Panoptix sonar technology.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 62cv is a fish finder and chartplotter offering UHD ClearVü sonar, traditional CHIRP sonar, GPS, and is preloaded with the Worldwide Basemap. It includes the GT24UHD transducer. It also has networking features such as NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000, and Wi-Fi. It is compatible with the ActiveCaptain app which allows you to download maps from the Quickdraw Contours community among other features. In all, it’s an excellent fish finder for both inland and offshore fishing and navigation, great for a wide array of boats.