Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64cv

The ECHOMAP UHD 64cv is one of the new Garmin fish finders released at the beginning of 2020. It’s basically the same unit as the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv that we’ve already covered, and it includes the same GT24UHD transducer. However, it is equipped with the BlueChart g3 coastal charts. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02331-01.

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)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

As opposed to the older Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 64cv, the 010-02331-01 has UHD sonar. This means it offers a better target separation and superior sonar imaging. It also includes the new GT24UHD-TM transducer that has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, a transom transducer, and has a built-in temperature sensor.

The unit supports several sonar frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. However, it does not have a Panoptix sonar port, so it does not support Panoptix sonar. With the included transducer, this Garmin fish finder system is capable of High-Wide CHIRP and UHD ClearVü.

For High-Wide CHIRP, the transducer uses a conical beam with a variable coverage between 24° and 16°, in a CHIRP frequency range of 150-240 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the 2D High-Wide CHIRP beam is 800 ft. (244 m). However, if equipped with a 50 kHz capable transducer, this fish finder should be able to scan depths up to 2,300 ft. (701 m).

For UHD 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). The maximum depth capability of the ClearVü beam is 200′ (61 m). Also, the recommended boat speed for the best quality imaging is 10 MPH.

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64cv 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

As we’ve mentioned above, the ECHOMAP UHD 64cv includes the BlueChart g3 map platform. These new charts have integrated Navionics data and provide coastal coverage for the US waters including East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast and the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. The data provided 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. These charts also include features such as Auto Guidance and Depth Range Shading. Plus, NOAA raster cartography is available as a free download via the ActiveCaptain app.

Of course, the unit is also compatible with LakeVü g3 charts, LakeVü g3 Ultra, and BlueChart g3 Vision. The LakeVü charts offer inland coverage, while the BlueChart g3 Vision offers extra features such as MarinerEye View, FishEye View, and high-resolution satellite imagery. However, this Garmin unit does not support Navionics charts, such as Navionics+ or Navionics Platinum.

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64cv is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS system. This means it can provide position updates up to 5 times per second. It has a skyview mode for the relative position of the GPS satellites in the area. It has GLONASS and Galileo data and supports WAAS and EGNOS data for position augmentation. It also has a GPS speed function.

The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, offering a wide array of icons to make your waypoints more suggestive. It also has a route creation function and a trackplotting function. You can save up to 100 routes in its memory and up to 50 tracks; each track can have up to 50,000 points.

Quickdraw Contours is also a feature available with this Garmin unit. This is a depth contour creation feature. It uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data to reveal and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, if you’re not satisfied with the depth contours provided by the unit’s charts, you can create your own personalized fishing maps. You can also upload your charts created with Quickdraw Contours into the Garmin Quickdraw Community, and also download already created charts from there.

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

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 64cv features a 6.2″ WVGA display, with a pixel matrix of 800H x 480V and LED backlight. It is also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means the unit can support incidental water exposure such as splashes or rain. It includes the classic quick-release mount, a flush mount, a unit cover, and a transom mount for the transducer.

The unit has an intuitive and easy to use interface which 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. It does not support Radar, though.

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 64cv 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 BlueChart g3 coastal charts;
• 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 64cv is a fish finder and chartplotter equipped with UHD ClearVü & 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and BlueChart g3 mapping. It includes the new GT24UHD transducer for High-Wide CHIRP and ClearVü. It also offers plenty of other features such as Quickdraw Contours, wireless connectivity, trip planning via ActiveCaptain, as well as NMEA connectivity. It’s an excellent unit for inland and off-shore fishing, great for a wide array of boats.