Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv

The ECHOMAP UHD series includes fish finder and chartplotter combos released by Garmin at the beginning of 2020. They all have UHD sonar, they support the new UHD transducers, and have the g3 charts. In this post, we’re going to cover the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv. As opposed to the older ECHOMAP Plus 63cv, this brand new unit has the LakeVü g3 charts, UHD sonar, and a few other extra features. For reference, this is the Garmin fish finder part number 010-02330-01.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 6.2″ diagonal, 800H x 400V 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 / 0.94° 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)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: LakeVü g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

As its name suggests, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv offers enhanced UHD sonar imaging as opposed to the older units. It includes the new GT24UHD-TM transducer (also referred to as GT24); this transducer is equipped with a transom mount, has 20′ (6 m) of cable with an 8-pin connector, and also integrates a temperature sensor.

With the included transducer, this Garmin fish finder is capable of UHD ClearVü imaging, and High-Wide CHIRP traditional sonar. For ClearVü, the transducer uses an oval beam, operating in a CHIRP range of 760-880 kHz. Its coverage is 0.94° (fore to aft) and 60° side-to-side (a fairly wide beam). Also, the maximum depth capability of the ClearVü beam is 200 ft. (61 m).

For 2D CHIRP, the transducer uses a conical beam, with a variable coverage between 24°-16°, in a CHIRP range between 150-240 kHz, so it’s basically a High-Wide CHIRP beam similar to the 2D CHIRP beam of CV52HW-TM transducer. The maximum depth capability of the 2D High-Wide CHIRP beams is 800′ (244 m). So, as a small conclusion here, this is a fish finder system meant for lake fishing, but should also work off-shore in shallow waters, or at least for depths of a few hundred feet if you want to rely only on the 2D CHIRP sonar.

Another important aspect that we must mention here is that the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is dual-frequency capable. Differently put, not only that you can run both CHIRP sonar and ClearVü simultaneously, but it also supports 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz transducers. Also, if paired with a 50 kHz capable transducer, this fish finder system can reach depths up to 2,300′ (701 m). However, it does not support Panoptix transducers.

Last but not least, this Garmin fish finder offers the full range of standard sonar applications and functions. The list includes A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Symbols, Circular Flasher, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, Temperature Graph, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, and more.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv has a built-in 5Hz GPS receiver. This means it can offer position updates 5 times per second. It also has a GPS speed function. Plus, it can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, and up to 100 routes. A trail recording function is available as well; the unit can record up to 50 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 unit is preloaded with the U.S. LakeVü g3 charts. These are new charts released by Garmin at the beginning of 2019 which are integrated with Navionics data. They offer freshwater coverage, presenting more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in high detail with up to 1′ depth contours. This chart platform has features like Depth Range Shading and Shallow Water Shading, features that can be very useful for navigation. It also has Auto Guidance, a feature that offers the possibility of safe route planning, showing you the general path and nearby obstacles at a safe depth.

Similar to all other Garmin ECHOMAP units, the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is not compatible with charts like Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, or charts from C-MAP. However, it does support the other chart bundles from Garmin. It is compatible with LakeVü g3 Ultra, BlueChart g3, and BlueChart g3 Vision. The BlueChart maps are for off-shore navigation, while the LakeVü g3 Ultra offers extra features for lake maps, such as 3D relief views, dynamic lake level, and more.

The Quickdraw Contours application is also available with this Garmin chartplotter. This is a depth contour recording feature similar to the AutoChart Live included with most Humminbird units, or the Genesis Live available with most Lowrance Elite Ti2 units. It uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data in order to reveal the depth contours of the lake, reservoir or river where you’re fishing. This way, you can create personalized charts with the most up-to-date depth contours. You can also share them by uploading them to the Quickdraw Community on Garmin Connect.

The SailAssist page is also available with this Garmin unit. The sail assist features include laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, time to burn before the start, and the race times. Also, the unit supports AIS data, DSC data, and is ActiveCaptain compatible.

Control unit features

Since this Garmin unit has “UHD” in its name, one would expect a 4k resolution for its display. Evidently, it’s not the case. The UHD only refers to its sonar and transducer capabilities. The unit has a classic 800H x 480V pixel resolution, with a 6.2″ WVGA color display, and LED backlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof.

The unit has an intuitive and easy to use interface. It is keypad-only, while the 7-inch units and above have touchscreen technology as well. Its interface is highly customizable; you can pair the applications that you use the most and pin them to its homepage for quick access. The unit also offers the possibility to work with up to four applications simultaneously in split-screen format.

In terms of networking, this Garmin unit has NMEA 0183 ports and is NMEA 2000 compatible. Therefore, you can hook it up to an already existent NMEA network on your boat so it can communicate with other boating instruments such as AIS units or DSC-capable VHF radio units.

Wireless connectivity is included with this Garmin unit as well. This means you can sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app for up-to-date feedback on various points of interest, chart updates, data back up or accessing the Garmin Quickdraw Community. The ActiveCaptain app can also push smart notifications from your phone to your chartplotter display.

Last but not least, the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is equipped with one microSD card slot. Therefore, you can load it with an extra chart card or a card for data back up.

The Pros

• High-Wide CHIRP 2D sonar;
• UHD CHIRP ClearVü sonar;
• Supports 50/77/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
• Supports dual-frequency (50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz);
• UHD ClearVü transducer (GT24UHD-TM) 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 LakeVü g3 charts for inland coverage;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Depth Range Shading and Shallow Water Shading;
• Auto Guidance for route planning;
• Compatible with various other chart types, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• SailAssist features;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• Wireless connectivity;
• NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compatible;
• Unit cover included;
• Quick disconnection (tilt-swivel) and flush mount included;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

• Does not support Navionics charts;
• Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 63cv is a fish finder and chartplotter offering UHD ClearVü sonar, 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and LakeVü g3 mapping. It includes the new GT24UHD transducer for UHD ClearVü and High-Wide CHIRP. It also has the Quickdraw Contours function, NMEA connectivity, and wireless connectivity via the ActiveCaptain app. It’s one of the best 6″ display sonar and plotter combos at the moment, great for a wide variety of boats, for in-land fishing, or off-shore fishing (if loaded with BlueChart maps).