Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv is basically a smaller version of the ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv (part number 010-02112-01). It has the same sonar features and includes the same UHD transducer, but is only preloaded with the LakeVü g3 charts. It’s one of the newly released units in 2020. For reference, this is the Garmin fish finder and chartplotter part number 010-02338-01.

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° / 125 ft. (38 m) on each side
  UHD SideVü: 1,060-1,170 kHz / 0.441°x52° / 500 ft. (152 m) on each side
• Max. Depth Capability (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)
• Power Output: 500 W (RMS) / 4,000 W (PTP)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: LakeVü g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv offers three types of sonar, these being 2D CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü with UHD modes Cv and Sv. It offers Panoptix compatibility and also supports dual-frequency sonar; in other words, it is compatible with 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz transducers, while for structure scanning it supports 260/455/800/1200 kHz.

As we’ve mentioned above, the unit includes the new GT54UHD-TM transducer. As its name suggests, this transducer supports the UHD modes for ClearVü and SideVü, and also offers High-Wide CHIRP as 2D sonar. It integrates a temperature sensor, it has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable with a 12-pin connector and a transom mount. A trolling mount for it is not included.

For UHD SideVü, the transducer offers two CHIRP ranges, these being 1,060-1,170 kHz for the UHD SideVü mode, and 425-485 kHz for the regular SideVü mode. It uses oval beams with a coverage of 0.44° x 52° for UHD Sv, and 1.6°x50° for regular Sv. The maximum side-to-side coverage of the Sv beams is 500 ft. (152 m) while the maximum depth capability is 125 ft. (38 m).

For UHD ClearVü the transducer can only use one channel, the 800 kHz (760-880 kHz). It casts an oval beam directly under the boat with a coverage of 0.94°x60°. Its depth capability is 200 ft. (61 m).

For 2D CHIRP, the transducer uses the 150-240 kHz channel offering High-Wide CHIRP possibilities. The High-Wide CHIRP beam offers a variable coverage of 24°-16° and a maximum depth capability of 800 ft. (244 m).

Needless to say, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features and applications. The list includes Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Amplitude Scope, Circular Flasher, Sonar Recording, various alarms, etc. A Temperature Graph is also available.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv basically offers the same navigation features as the ECHOMAP UHD 73cv that we’ve already covered here. To begin with, it has a 5 Hz internal GPS that can support GLONASS, Galileo, WAAS, and EGNOS for position augmentation. Since it’s a 5 Hz receiver, it can provide position updates five times per second. A GPS speed function is also available; therefore, the unit can calculate the speed of your boat based on the GPS input.

The unit has waypoint creation, route creation, and track plotting functions. You can create and save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, and up to 100 routes. It also has the Auto Guidance feature for improved route planning. It can also save up to 50 tracks with up to 50,000 points for each track.

The ECHOMAP UHD 73sv is pre-loaded with the U.S LakeVü g3 charts. Although the g3 charts were released at the beginning of 2019, the new 2020 units probably have an updated g3 chart base. The LakeVü g3 charts are enhanced with Navionics data and provide coverage for more than 17,000 U.S. lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. They also offer features like Shallow Water Shading, Depth Range Shading, and Auto Guidance.

Of course, the unit also supports the BlueChart g3 coastal charts, and the superior Garmin versions of the lake and blue charts, the LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision. These premium charts offer extra features like FishEye view, or Aerial photo view, and more.

Needless to say, the Quickdraw Contours application is also available with this Garmin fish finder and chartplotter combo. This is a depth contour creation feature similar to the Navionics SonarChart. It uses the GPS data and the 2D sonar data to reveal and draw the depth contours of the body of water that you’re scanning. Thus, you can create your own personalized fishing charts. Even more, since the unit has wireless connectivity, you can upload your newly created charts to the Garmin Quickdraw Community to share them with other anglers, or download already created maps.

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 head features

As its name suggests, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv features a 7-inch display. It’s a WVGA color type display with a pixel resolution of 800H x 400V. It also has LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This means it is built to withstand incidental water exposure, rain, and even complete immersions in freshwater.

Similar to the other UHD 7 units, the Garmin 010-02338-01 offers both keypad and touchscreen navigation. Differently put, it responds to any touch commands as any other tablet or multifunction display, but also has the keypad on the right. Its interface is very easy to use. Its homepage can be customized with the app combinations that you use the most. It can also provide split-screen view possibilities of up to four applications.

The unit has excellent networking capabilities. First of all, it has NMEA 0183 ports and supports NMEA 2000. Thus, you can hook it up to an already existing boat network for it to communicate with other Garmin units or boat instruments such as VHF radio or AIS units. It does not support Radar, though.

The unit also has built-in wireless connectivity. 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.

A microSD card slot is also available on this Garmin unit. It can be loaded with cards up to 32 GB capacity. Therefore, you can either load it with BlueChart maps or LakeVü g3 Ultra card or with a blank card for data backup.

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 LakeVü g3 charts for inland coverage;
• 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 features;
• 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 Navionics charts;
• Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 73sv is a fish finder and chartplotter offering UHD SideVü, UHD ClearVü, and High-Wide CHIRP sonar, GPS, and LakeVü g3 maps. It includes the GT54UHD transducer which supports all these sonar technologies. The unit also offers a wide array of other features such as wireless connectivity, Quickdraw Contours, superior networking, and supports Panoptix transducers. It’s a versatile unit, great for a wide array of boats, for inland or offshore fishing and navigation.