Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Panoptix Ice Bundle

This Garmin ice fish finder basically offers the same package as the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv Panoptix bundle released in 2019. However, this is the Garmin part number 010-02334-20, the one that includes the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, touchscreen, backlit
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, LiveVü Forward, LiveVü Down, UHD ClearVü support
• Transducers: Panoptix PS22-TR & GT10HN-IF
• Frequency & Coverage:
  Panoptix PS22-TR: 120°x20° @ 417 kHz
  GT10HN-IF: 8°-16° @ 130-300 kHz
• Depth Capability:
  Panoptix PS22-TR: 300 ft. (91 m)
  GT10HN-IF: 800 ft. (244 m)
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: U.S. LakeVü G3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).
• Ice fishing kit included

Sonar and transducers

As we’ve mentioned above, this Garmin ice fish finder bundle includes the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit which supports traditional CHIRP sonar, UHD ClearVü sonar, and Panoptix LiveVü sonar. However, since it’s an ice fishing pack, it only includes an ice transducer and the Panoptix transducer, and these do not support ClearVü. The bundle comes with the GT10HN-IF standard ice transducer, and with the Panoptix PS22-TR transducer. However, it does support the GT24UHD transducer, which you can opt for later on in case you want to also use ClearVü sonar.

The Panoptix LiveVü sonar offers imaging similar to the standard CHIRP sonar but in real-time. In other words, you can actually see the fish moving, the movement of your jig, and the fish attacking the jig, as long as they’re in the transducer beam. This is not possible for standard sonar, ClearVü, or SideVü.

The included Panoptix PS22-TR transducer operates at 417 kHz. It uses a wide oval beam with a coverage of 120° x 20° with a range of 300 ft. (91 m). This Panoptix transducer features a special barrel mount which allows you to rotate it in order to change the position of the sonar beam so it can either scan directly under the ice hole for LiveVü Down, or forward, in the direction you point it, for LiveVü Forward. The LiveVü Forward mode can be very helpful on the ice as you can scan for fish in a certain direction for up to 300 ft. (91 m), detect where they are, and then drill the holes and move your camp at that particular location. With a standard ice sonar, you can only scan downward, and only after you’ve already drilled your holes, without knowing whether there are fish at that particular location or not.

The Panoptix PS22-TR transducer attaches to a pole mount so you can easily turn it in the direction you want when using the LiveVü Forward mode. It also integrates a temperature sensor and has an Ethernet connector which attaches to the corresponding connector on the unit. However, it can also be attached to a trolling motor.

Of course, since this Garmin ice fishing bundle also includes the GT10HN-IF standard ice transducer, you can use the classic Circular Flasher mode. This transducer operates in a High CHIRP frequency range of 130 – 300 kHz and offers a variable angle of 8° – 16°. It offers a depth capability superior to the Panoptix transducer, of 800 ft. (244 m).

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar functions and applications. The list includes A-Scope, Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, various alarms, and more. It is 50 kHz capable, meaning that you can pair it with a 50/200 kHz transducer for deepwater scanning. It is also dual-frequency capable which means that if you pair it with a dual-frequency transducer, it can use both frequencies simultaneously and you can view both sonar returns in split-screen.

Navigation features

Even though the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Panoptix Ice Bundle is meant for ice fishing, it still offers a fairly decent range of navigation features. To begin with, it has a 5 Hz internal GPS receiver which means that it can provide position updates 5 times per second. It supports WAAS and EGNOS data for position augmentation and has a GPS speed function (it can calculate the speed of your boat based on the GPS input). It can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, up to 100 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have up to 50,000 points.

The unit is pre-loaded with the U.S. LakeVü g3 chart platform. These charts have integrated Navionics data and cover the U.S. inland waters. This chart base covers more than 17,000 U.S. U.S. lakes, rivers, and reservoirs in high detail with up to 1-foot 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. The unit also supports BlueChart g3, BlueChart g3 Vision, and LakeVü g3 Ultra.

The Quickdraw Contours feature is also available with the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv. This application uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data in order to determine and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. Thus, if the included LakeVü charts don’t offer satisfying detail for your lake, or for the particular area of the lake where you’re fishing, you can create your own custom map with the most up to date contours. Of course, this map recording feature is best used from a boat.

The SailAssist page is also available with the included 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. However, it does not support Radar.

Control unit features and portable kit

The ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit included with this Garmin ice fish finder bundle features a 7-inch WVGA color display, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It has LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight or at night. It is IPX7 waterproof which essentially means that it can survive incidental water exposure. Also, its specified functioning temperature range is 5° to 131°F (-15° to 55°C).

The unit features a keypad-assisted touchscreen interface. It can be operated as a tablet, but most of its functions can also be accessed and used via its side keypad. Its interface is user-friendly and highly intuitive. You can pin to the start page multiple applications for quick access. It also offers the possibility to view and work with up to four applications simultaneously.

The unit is networkable. It supports NMEA 2000, NMEA 0183, and also has Wireless Connectivity. This being said, you can connect it to an already existing boat network, while the wireless connectivity give you the possibility to sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app. With this app, you can easily pre-plan a fishing trip, get software or map updates for your unit, and even get notifications from your phone on your chartplotter’s display. The unit also has a microSD card slot and can be loaded with cards up to 32 GB.

The included ice fishing kit consists of a carrying case, a tilt-swivel mount, the foam floater for the GT10HN-IF transducer, a grommet for cable management, and of course, a rechargeable 12Ah battery and a charger for it.

The Pros

• CHIRP 2D sonar;
• Panoptix LiveVü sonar (Down and Forward);
• UHD ClearVü sonar capable;
• Panoptix PS22-TR transducer included;
• GT10HN-IF ice transducer included;
• Supports multiple frequencies 50/77/83/200 kHz for 2D, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü;
• 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 US LakeVü g3 charts;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Depth Range Shading;
• Supports AIS and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• User-friendly, keypad-assisted touchscreen interface;
• Wireless connectivity;
• ActiveCaptain compatible;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• NMEA support;
• Carrying case included;
• Tilt-swivel mount included;
• 12Ah battery included;
• Charger for the battery included;
• Easy to install.

The Cons

• Not compatible with Navionics charts;
• ClearVü mode is not available with the included transducers.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73cv Panoptix Ice Fishing Bundle is one of the most complete ice fish finders available at the moment, including the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv unit, the Panoptix PS22 transducer, the standard GT10HN-IF transducer, and the portable ice kit. The unit also has internal GPS, is pre-loaded with the LakeVü g3 charts, has Quickdraw Contours, NMEA, and wireless connectivity. Although it’s a system meant for ice fishing, it can also be used from a boat as an all-season fish finder. Of course, it’s not the most affordable fish finder and GPS combo, but since it’s pretty versatile, we can safely say that it offers excellent value for the price.