Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv

The ECHOMAP UHD series includes chartplotter and fish finder combos released by Garmin at the beginning of 2020. They all share many similarities with the last year’s ECHOMAP Plus units, but they have UHD sonar, and all include the newer g3 charts. In this post, we’re going to address the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv, the unit that includes the BlueChart g3 maps. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02335-01.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 400V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit, keypad & touchscreen
• Sonar: CHIRP Sonar, UHD 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) / 4,000 W (PTP)
• GPS: 5Hz, Internal
• Maps: BlueChart g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracklog: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks)

Sonar and transducer

As we’ve mentioned above, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv has built-in UHD sonar. This means it provides superior sonar imaging and target separation than the previous ECHOMAP Plus 74cv. In terms of base sonar frequencies, it is capable of 50/77/200 kHz for 2D CHIRP and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. This means it is also compatible with the older transducers, such as the GT20, or GT23. It also has a Panoptix port and supports Panoptix sonar. However, the unit is not capable of SideVü sonar.

The unit comes with the new GT24UHD-TM transducer. This transducer supports both 2D CHIRP and UHD ClearVü. It has a built-in temperature sensor, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and an 8-pin connector. it comes with a transom mount; a trolling mount for it is not included, though.

For 2D CHIRP, the transducer uses a conical beam with a variable coverage of 24°-16° in a CHIRP frequency range of 150-240 kHz. This being said, it’s a High-Wide CHIRP beam. Also, the maximum depth capability of the 2D beam with the included transducer is 800 ft. (244 m). However, if you pair the unit with a 50 kHz capable transducer, such as the GT21 for example, the system should be able to scan depths up to 2,300 ft. (701 m).

For UHD ClearVü, the transducer uses an oval beam with a coverage of 0.94° (fore to aft) x 60° (side to side) in a CHIRP frequency range of 760-880 kHz. The maximum depth capability of the CV beam is 200 ft. (61 m). Also, the optimal boat speed for the transducer to provide the best imaging is maximum 10 MPH.

The unit itself offers a wide array of sonar features and applications. For example, it has the Fish Symbols feature that replaces the fish arches with fish icons on the 2D sonar, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Circular Flasher for ice fishing, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, various alarms, etc.

Navigation features

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv is preloaded with the U.S. coastal charts BlueChart g3. These charts cover the US coastal waters including East Coast, West Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. They have integrated Navionics data and show navigation aids, depth contours, tides and currents information, spot soundings, and more. They also make available features like Depth Range Shading and Auto Guidance.

The unit is also compatible with other charts from Garmin. You can always opt for a LakeVü g3 or LakeVü g3 Ultra microSD card, or the superior BlueChart g3 Vision. The Vision charts offer extra features like MarinerEye View, FishEye View, and high-resolution satellite imagery.

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv integrates a 5 Hz GPS receiver. This means it can provide position updates 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.

Waypoint creation, route creation, and track plotting features are also available. You can save up to 5,000 waypoints in the unit’s memory, up to 100 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have 50,000 plot points. Also, each track can be converted to a route.

Although the unit’s charts are enhanced with Navionics data, they do not have the Navionics SonarChart application. However, the unit itself has its own depth contour reveal feature – Quickdraw Contours. This application uses the 2D sonar data and the GPS data in order to reveal and draw the depth contours of the body of water that you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, you can create your own personalized charts. Even more, you can upload them to the Garmin Quickdraw Community or download already made charts from this user database.

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. It does not support Radar, though.

Control unit features

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74cv features a 7-inch LCD display, WVGA color type, with LED backlight. Its pixel resolution is 800 x 400. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means it can withstand rain and incidental water exposure. The included mount is the classic tilt-and-swivel quick-release bracket. However, the box also includes a flush mount and a unit cover.

The unit’s display has touchscreen technology, but keypad navigation is also included. It has a user-friendly interface with multiple customization possibilities for the homepage. It also allows you to work with up to four applications simultaneously in split-screen.

In terms of networking, the unit has NMEA 0183 ports and is also compatible with NMEA 2000. Therefore, you can easily integrate it into an already existing boat network in order to communicate with other instruments or share sonar with other Garmin units.

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.

The unit features one microSD card slot. Therefore, you can load it with data cards up to 32 GB, or upgrade your unit with other charts like LakeVü g3 Ultra or BlueChart g3 Vision.

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;
• 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 US coastal BlueChart g3 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;
• 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 74cv is a fish finder and chartplotter that offers UHD ClearVü and 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and the BlueChart g3 maps. It includes the new GT24UHD-TM transducer. It also has a wide array of other useful features such as Quickdraw Contours, NMEA connectivity, wireless connectivity, and is compatible with the free ActiveCaptain. It’s perfect for a wide array of boats, for both off-short and inland fishing (if equipped with the LakeVü charts).