Garmin GPSMAP 742xs Plus

The GPSMAP 742xs Plus is one of the multifunction displays released by Garmin in the second part of 2019. Since it’s a newer version of the GPSMAP 742xs, it comes with several new features. For example, it is preloaded with the LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3 charts, and has J1939 connectivity. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02320-03; it does not include a transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal WVGA color touchscreen display, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, with LED backlight
• Sonar: CHIRP 2D, CHIRP ClearVü
• Supported Frequencies:
  CHIRP 2D: 50/77/83/200 kHz
  ClearVü: 260/455/800 kHz
• Max. Depth Capability: 5,000 ft (at 1 kW)
• Transducer: Not included
• Power Draw: 12 VDC, 1.3 Amp
• Power Output: 1 kW
• GPS: 10Hz, Internal
• Charts: LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 100; 5,000; 50,000 points (50 saved tracks).

Sonar features

First of all, the Garmin GPSMAP 742xs Plus does not include a transducer. However, it is compatible with multiple transducers from Garmin and Airmar. The list includes the classic GT20-TM, the GT23M-TM, the GT22HW-TM, the GT21-TM, the NMEA 2000 Intelliducers, and all five Panoptix transducer models.

It’s important to mention, though, that the unit does not support UHD sonar, like the ECHOMAP UHD 74cv, for example. Therefore, it is not compatible with the GT24UHD-TM transducer. However, it supports the GCV 20 Black Box sonar which offers Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü. So, the unit cannot use SideVü by itself, but if paired with a GCV 20 Black Box, SideVü becomes available.

The unit supports multiple frequencies including 50/77/83/200 kHz for standard CHIRP sonar and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. The CHIRP intervals will vary depending on the selected transducer. It also supports dual-frequency sonar (50/200 kHz and 77/200 kHz). Thus, if you pair it with a 50/200 kHz transducer, such as the 010-10272-10 for example, the unit should be able to use both transducer beams simultaneously.

In terms of standard sonar features and applications, the Garmin GPSMAP 742xs Plus offers the full range. The list includes A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Symbols, Depth Line, Surface Noise, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Sonar Recording, and more. It does not seem to have a Circular Flasher mode for ice fishing, but if paired with a Panoptix LiveVü with Ice Fishing Mount, it should offer considerably better scanning possibilities.

Navigation features

To begin with, the Garmin GPSMAP 742xs Plus is pre-loaded with two chart platforms. These are the U.S. LakeVü g3 for inland waters and the BlueChart g3 for coastal waters. The BlueChart g3 maps offer coverage for the US off-shore waters, including West Coast, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and a part of the Great Lakes. The LakeVü g3 charts offer coverage for more than 17,000 US lakes with up to 1-foot contours. Both sets of charts are enhanced with Navionics content. Both sets of charts support features such as Auto Guidance, Depth Range Shading, and Shallow Water Shading.

Of course, the unit also supports the premium versions of the included charts, these being the LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision. These charts make available extra features, such as High-Res Satellite Imagery, FishEye View, Aerial Photography, and more. Also, NOAA Raster Charts can be downloaded for free via the ActiveCaptain app. However, it’s important to mention that the unit does not support chart cards from Navionics.

The Quickdraw Contours feature is also available with the GPSMAP 742xs Plus. 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 unit is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS, superior to the GPS systems of the ECHOMAP UHD units which only have a 5 Hz GPS. This means that the unit is capable of offering position updates 10 times per second. It also has a GPS speed function and can use GLONASS, WAAS, EGNOS, and Galileo data for position augmentation. Also, the unit can save up to 5,000 waypoints, 50 tracks (50,000 points per track), and 100 routes in its memory.

The SailAssist page is available with this Garmin GPSMAP unit as well. This is a pre-race guidance page that shows your virtual starting line along with data fields showing laylines, time to burn before the start, and a race timer that can be synchronized across all your networked Garmin GPS products. In addition, other supported sailing features include an enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, set and drift, true and apparent wind data, and more.

Similar to most of the newer Garmin units, the GPSMAP 742xs Plus supports ActiveCaptain and has built-in wireless technology. Therefore, you can sync it with your smartphone and pre-fish a lake, pre-plan your trip, download charts from the Garmin Quickdraw community, and more.

The unit is Radar compatible. It also supports AIS and DSC data. It is also compatible with Garmin Meteor systems and Fusion-Link radios. It also has the ONEHELM Feature that brings together all the operations and capabilities of third-party devices, such as EmpirBus™ digital switching, on one screen.

Control unit features

As the first number in the unit’s name suggests, the Garmin GPSMAP 742xs features a 7-inch display. It has a standard pixel resolution of 800H x 480V, it’s WVGA color, and has LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight. It’s also readable with polarized sunglasses.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This essentially means that it can withstand incidental water exposure, rain, and even immersions in freshwater.

The unit is full-touchscreen. It does not have the side keypad as the ECHOMAP UHD units. It has a user-friendly interface with a homepage that you can easily customize with the most used apps for ease of access. It also offers split-screen possibilities for up to four applications per view.

In terms of networking, the unit is NMEA 2000 compatible and has NMEA 0183 differential ports. It has wireless connectivity so you can sync it with your smartphone via the ActiveCaptain app for data transfer, or with various other devices such as Quantix marine watches, gWind wireless transducer, remote controls, and other instruments. It also has one BNC video input port and a J1939 port for engine connections and vehicle communication links.

As opposed to the ECHOMAP UHD units, the GPSMAP units have two microSD card slots. This is a plus as you don’t have to swap cards if you use two, such as a BlueChart g3 Vision and a blank card for data backup.

Finally, the unit comes with a bail mount and a flush mount. A protective cover is also included. However, as we’ve mentioned above, this Garmin unit does not come with a transducer.

The Pros

• CHIRP sonar;
• ClearVü sonar;
• Supports SideVü sonar, via the GCV™ Black Box external module;
• Supports Panoptix all-seeing sonar;
• Supports dual-frequency sonar;
• Compatible with a wide selection of transducers from Garmin and Airmar, including 1 kW models;
• Sonar recording and rewind;
• Many standard sonar features, including Fish Symbols, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Sonar Zoom, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, etc.
• Fast and accurate 10 Hz internal GPS;
• Preloaded with the U.S. LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3 coastal charts;
• Quickdraw Contours function, for the possibility to add contours and customize your maps;
• Multiple Depth Range Shading;
• Compatible with the Garmin premium charts, such as BlueChart g3 Vision or LakeVü g3 Ultra;
• Tide tables information;
• Data graphs and information from other NMEA 2000 sensors;
• Supports AIS, RADAR and DSC-capable VHF radio;
• Garmin Meteor™ Audio System compatible;
• Supports FUSION-Link™ compatible radios;
• Touchscreen display;
• Dual microSD card reader;
• Wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi networking and Bluetooth);
• Garmin Helm compatible;
• Wireless remote control compatible;
• NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 compatible;
• 1 BNC video input port;
• J1939 compatible;
• Bail and flush mounts included;
• Unit cover included;
• Easy to install;
• Straightforward, comprehensive operation.

The Cons

• A transducer is not included;
• Does not support map cards from Navionics.

Summary

The Garmin GPSMAP 742xs is a multifunction display offering CHIRP sonar, ClearVü sonar, SideVü, and Panoptix sonar support, GPS, BlueChart, and LakeVü charts, also offering multiple networking features and capabilities. It also supports Radar and has wireless connectivity which gives you the possibility to sync it with your smartphone or various other devices. It’s a pretty complete fish finder and chartplotter, great for a wide array of boats. It does not include a transducer, but it is compatible with a wide array of transducers from Garmin and Airmar.