Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74sv

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74sv is almost completely identical with the ECHOMAP UHD 73sv, with the exception of their charts. The 74sv that we’re going to cover here is preloaded with the BlueChart g3 coastal charts. For reference, this is the Garmin fish finder part number 010-02339-01.

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

Sonar and transducer

In terms of sonar, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74sv offers High-Wide CHIRP, UHD ClearVü, and UHD SideVü. It includes the new GT54UHD-TM transducer that supports all these three types of sonar. However, the unit is also compatible with various other transducers. For example, you can pair it with almost any 50/200 kHz or 77/200 kHz dual-frequency transducer from Garmin, such as the older CV51M-TM, or CV52HW-TM. But these don’t support the UHD sonar mode. Also, the unit supports Panoptix transducers, such as the PS22.

The GT54UHD transducer incorporates a temperature sensor while the unit can display water temperature and has a Temperature Graph function. Also, the transducer comes with a transom mount; it has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable and a 12-pin connector.

With the included transducer, this Garmin fish finder system is capable of High-Wide CHIRP. For this sonar mode, the transducer uses a conical beam with a variable coverage of 24°-16°, in a CHIRP frequency range of 150-240 kHz. The depth capability of the 2D CHIRP beam is 800 ft. (244 m). However, if paired with a 50 kHz capable transducer, this fish finder system can reach depths up to 2,300 ft. (701 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 UHD SideVü, the transducer operates in a frequency range of 1,060-1,170 kHz. However, it also supports the regular 455 (425-485 kHz) mode. The side beams are also oval. For UHD SideVü, their side coverage is 125 ft (38 m), while for regular SideVü, their coverage is 500 ft. (152 m). Also, their beam angles are 0.44° x 52° (UHD), and respectively 1.6°x50° @ 455 kHz.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features and applications. For example, it has Fish Symbols, Bottom Lock, Amplitude Scope, Circular Flasher, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, and more. Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind functions are also available.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74sv is preloaded with the BlueChart g3 U.S. coastal charts. These charts cover the U.S. coastal waters including the West Coast, East Coast, the Canadian side of the Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico. As opposed to the older g2 charts, the BlueChart g3 platform is enhanced with Navionics data. It also offers features such as Auto Guidance for route planning, Depth Range Shading, and NOAA raster cartography view.

The unit is also compatible with the LakeVü g3 charts for inland coverage. It also supports the superior versions of the g3 charts, these being LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision.

Needless to say, the unit has its own internal GPS. It is equipped with a 5 Hz GPS receiver, which 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.

The unit can hold up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, offering a fairly decent icon base for waypoint customization. It also has track plotting and route creation functions. You can save up to 50 tracks in its memory; each track can have up to 50,000 points. You can also save up to 100 routes.

The Quickdraw Contours mapping feature is also available with this Garmin unit. This application uses the GPS data and the 2D sonar data in order to reveal and draw the depth contours of the body of water that you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, the unit gives you the possibility to create your own, personalized fishing charts. Even more, you can share them with the Garmin Quickdraw Community or download already made charts from this database, as the unit has wireless connectivity.

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 ECHOMAP UHD 74sv features a 7-inch color display, WVGA type, with a pixel resolution of 800 x 400. It also has LED backlight for improved readability at night or in direct sunlight. It’s IPX7 waterproof so it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

The unit has touchscreen navigation and keypad navigation. Differently put, it responds to any touch commands like any other tablet or MFD, but you can also access its function or navigate through its menus via the side keypad.

The unit’s interface is fairly easy to use. You can pin to its homepage the applications that you use the most for quick access. Also, the unit offers split-screen possibilities of up to four; in other words, you can view and work with up to four applications at once.

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.

Wireless connectivity is also available with the ECHOMAP UHD 74sv unit. This gives you the possibility to sync your fish finder with your smartphone via the free ActiveCaptain app. This app provides up-to-date feedback on various points of interest, chart updates, data back up, and allows you to access the Garmin Quickdraw Community. It can also push smart notifications from your phone on the display of your fish finder.

Last but not least, the unit includes the classic quick-release mount. A flush mount and a unit cover are also included. Also, the unit is equipped with a microSD card slot that can be loaded with LakeVü charts, BlueChart g3 Vision, or a data card up to 32 GB.

The Pros

• High-Wide CHIRP 2D sonar;
• UHD CHIRP ClearVü sonar;
• UHD CHIRP SideVü 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/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 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 (such as Navionics+ or Navionics Platinum), or other charts like C-MAP;
• Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 74sv is a fish finder and chartplotter offering UHD SideVü, UHD ClearVü, High-Wide CHIRP sonar, GPS, and BlueChart 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 offshore fishing and navigation or inland fishing and navigation (if equipped with LakeVü charts).