Fish Finder | Sonar & | Navigation | Networking | Control Unit |
Sonar: | GPS: | NMEA 0183, | 7" Diagonal |
The ECHOMAP UHD 72sv is one of the Garmin fish finders released in 2019. It offers pretty much the same features as the ECHOMAP UHD 73sv that we’ve already covered here, with the exception of the built-in chart base. The 72sv unit comes with the Worldwide Basemap rather than the LakeVü charts. So, it’s basically the model intended for worldwide use, not for the United States. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02337-01, the one that comes with the UHD transducer.
Key Features and Specifications
- Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit, keypad & touchscreen
- Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, ClearVü, SideVü
- 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° / 500 ft. (152 m) on each side
UHD SideVü: 1,060-1,170 kHz / 0.441°x52° / 125 ft. (38 m) on each side - Max. Depth Capability and Side Coverage (with the included transducer):
2D CHIRP: 800 ft. (244 m)
UHD ClearVü: 200 ft. (61 m)
SideVü: 125 ft. (38 m)
UHD SideVü: 30 ft. (9 m) - GPS: 5Hz, Internal
- Maps: Worldwide Basemap
- Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)
Sonar and transducer
As the unit’s number suggests, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 72sv is a SideVü fish finder, but also has ClearVü sonar, standard CHIRP sonar, and supports Panoptix sonar. Of course, in order to use Panoptix sonar, you will have to pair the unit with a Panoptix PS22-TR transducer, or the Panoptix LiveScope sonar box and transducer system. It supports multiple base frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for standard sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü and SideVü. Plus, since it’s a UHD model, it also supports 1100 kHz for the UHD SideVü mode.
The unit comes with the GT54UHD-TM transducer. This is a plastic transducer with an integrated temperature sensor. It features a plastic mount and 20 ft. (6 m) of cable with a 12-pin connector. It supports all the unit’s sonar technologies with the exception of the Panoptix sonar.
For the standard CHIRP sonar mode, the transducer can use only one beam in a frequency range of 150-240 kHz and a coverage of 24°-16°. The standard beam has a maximum depth capability of 800 ft. (244 m). However, in case you want to scan deeper waters, you can pair your unit with a 50 kHz capable transducer.
For UHD ClearVü, the transducer can only use the 800 kHz channel, with a CHIRP range of 760-880 kHz. Similar to the side beams, the Cv beam is oval-shaped, but it’s cast directly under the boat. Its coverage is 0.94° x 60° and offers a depth capability of 200 ft. (61 m).
For SideVü, this Garmin fish finders system offers the possibility to use regular SideVü and UHD SideVü. For regular SideVü, the CHIRP frequency interval is 425-485 kHz and the side beams are oval, with a coverage of 1.62°x50°, and a length of 500 ft (152 m) on each side of the boat. For UHD SideVü, the CHIRP interval is 1,060-1,170 kHz and the beams coverage is 0.441°x52°. Also, their length is 125 ft. (38 m) on each side of the boat.
The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features and functions. For example, it has A-Scope, Circular Flasher, Fish Symbols, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Bottom Lock, etc. It also has Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind so you can scroll back through the sonar feed to review a certain area, if necessary.
Navigation features
The ECHOMAP UHD 72sv is equipped with the Worldwide Basemap chart platform. These are fairly basic charts; they don’t offer too much detail but still, they show international and political boundaries, seas, oceans, major lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. The unit can be upgraded with the LakeVü g3 or BlueChart g3 charts, as well as with their superior counterparts, LakeVü g3 Ultra, or BlueChart g3 Vision. All the g3 charts are enhanced with Navionics data, however, it is important to mention that the unit does not support any charts from Navionics, such as Navionics+ or Navionics Platinum+, nor it supports any charts from C-MAP.
The unit also has the Quickdraw Contours feature. This application uses the GPS and standard sonar to reveal and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, you can create your own, custom bathymetric maps for basically any lake or body of water. You can also share your created maps with the Garmin Quickdraw Community, or download already made maps.
Of course, the unit has built-in GPS. It uses a 5 Hz GPS receiver which means it can provide position updates 5 times per second. Is supports EGNOS, WAAS, and GLONASS data for position augmentation. GPS speed, waypoint creation, route creation, and track plotting functions are also available. The unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints, 50 tracks, and 100 routes.
The SailAssist page is also available with the ECHOMAP UHD 72sv. 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. The unit supports AIS, and VHF radio data, but does not support Radar like the GPSMAP models.
Control unit features
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 72sv features a 7-inch color display, with LED backlight and a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V. It is also IPX7 waterproof which means it can withstand incidental water exposure and even immersions in freshwater. The standard quick-release mount, a flush mount, and a unit cover are included with the unit.
The unit has a user-friendly and highly intuitive interface, with both keypad and touchscreen technologies. Its homepage can be easily customized with the most used applications. Split-screen possibilities are also available with up to four applications simultaneously.
In terms of networking, the unit supports NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000. It does not have Ethernet but does have wireless connectivity. This being said, you can sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app for downloads or uploads. The ActiveCaptain app also offers you the possibility to pre-fish a lake before your trip, pre-plan your trip, and even receive smart notifications from your phone on the display of your chartplotter.
The unit is equipped with a microSD card slot. Therefore, you can easily upgrade its charts with a BlueChart g3 card or a US LakeVü g3 card. You can also backup your waypoints or save recorded sonar on a microSD card.
The Pros
- High-Wide CHIRP 2D sonar;
- UHD CHIRP ClearVü sonar;
- UHD SideVü sonar;
- Supports 50/77/200 kHz standard sonar frequencies, and 260/455/800/1200 kHz ClearVü frequencies;
- Supports dual-frequency (50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz);
- UHD ClearVü/SideVü transducer (GT54UHD-TM) included;
- Supports Panoptix sonar and transducers;
- 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 Garmin Worldwide Basemap;
- Quickdraw Contours;
- Depth Range Shading and Shallow Water Shading;
- Auto Guidance for route planning;
- Compatible with various other charts, such as BlueChart g3, BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
- Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
- MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
- SailAssist page;
- ActiveCaptain compatible;
- Touchscreen and keypad navigation;
- 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 C-MAP or Navionics charts;
- Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.
Summary
The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 72sv is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring standard CHIRP sonar, UHD SideVü, UHD ClearVü, 5 Hz GPS, and the Worldwide Basemap. It includes the GT54UHD transducer. It also has wireless connectivity, it’s compatible with the ActiveCaptain app, and also supports NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000. In all, it’s a fairly decent fish finder for both off-shore and lake fishing and navigation, great for a wide array of boats.
Leave a Reply