Garmin GPSMAP 942xs Plus

As opposed to the older GPSMAP 942xs, the “Plus” model is pre-loaded with the newer BlueChart g3 and LakeVü g3 chart packs. It also has several new features, such as J1939 connectivity for various engine data. The unit does not come with a transducer but it is compatible with a wide array of transducers from Garmin and Airmar, including Panoptix transducers. For reference, this is the Garmin fish finder part number 010-02321-03.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal WSVGA color touchscreen display, 1024H x 600V 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

The Garmin GPSMAP 942xs Plus supports multiple base sonar frequencies, including 50/77/83/200 kHz for its traditional sonar, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. It does not have built-in SideVü sonar but does support GCV Black Boxes which not only that offer the possibility to use SideVü and SideVü transducers, models such as the GCV20 offer High-Definition Cv and Sv.

Needless to say, for both standard sonar and ClearVü the unit uses CHIRP technology. The CHIRP ranges depend on the transducer. As we’ve mentioned above, the GPSMAP 942xs Plus does not include a transducer but it is compatible with various transducers. The list includes the classic GT20, the GT23M, the GT22HW, the GT21, and more. The unit also supports all Panoptix transducer models and NMEA 2000 Intelliducers. It’s also important to mention that if paired with a 1 kW transducer such as the Airmar B260 or Airmar B258, the system should be able to scan depths up to 5,000 ft. (1,524 m).

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar applications and features. Among them, we can count Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, Depth Line, Surface Noise, Fish Symbols, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Sonar Recording, and more. It doesn’t seem to have the Circular Flasher application, but it can be paired with a Panoptix LiveVü with an Ice Fishing Mount so it should offer excellent ice fishing possibilities as well.

Navigation features

Similar to other GPSMAP units, the 942xs Plus is pre-loaded with both standard charts from Garmin, LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3. The LakeVü g3 are inland charts and cover more than 17,000 US lakes with up to 1-foot contours. The BlueChart g3 platform covers the US coastal waters, including West Coast, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and a part of the Great Lakes. Both charts are enhanced with Navionics content and offer features such as Depth Range Shading, Shallow Water Shading, and Auto Guidance.

Although the unit does not support charts from Navionics, such as Navionics+ or Navionics Platinum, nor it supports C-MAP charts, it does support the premium versions of the LakeVü and BlueChart maps. These are LakeVü g3 Ultra and BlueChart g3 Vision. These offer extra features such a considerably more detail and information, High-Res Imagery, Fish Eye View, Aerial Photography, and more. The unit also offers the possibility to download NOAA Raster Charts for free with the ActiveCaptain app.

Another mapping application included with the Garmin GPSMAP 942xs Plus is Quickdraw Contours. This feature uses the GPS function and the traditional sonar function (as long as a transducer is connected to the unit) to reveal and draw the depth contours of a lake giving you the possibility to create your own personalized fishing maps. You can also upload them to the Garmin Quickdraw community to share them with other anglers as well as download already made charts from this database.

The unit’s internal GPS uses a 10 Hz receiver. This means it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It supports GLONASS, EGNOS, WAAS, and Galileo data as well, in case you will need position augmentation. It also has waypoint creation, route creation, and track plotting functions. You can save up to 5,000 waypoints in its memory, 100 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have up to 50,000 points.

The SailAssist page is also included. 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.

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

The Garmin GPSMAP 942xs Plus features a 9-inch display with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V. It’s a WSGA color and touchscreen display with LED backlight for improved readability. Also, the unit does not have a keypad like the UHD models, so the navigation through the menus and usage of its applications is done exclusively via touchscreen, or via remote control.

The unit’s interface is very easy to use and highly intuitive. You can pin the most used applications to its homepage for quick access. It also offers the possibility to view and work with up to four applications simultaneously in split-screen.

The unit is IPX7 waterproof. This means its sealing allows it to survive incidental water exposure, rain, and even immersion in freshwater up to 1 meter.

In terms of networking features, the GPSMAP 942xs Plus is superior to the UHD units. First of all, it 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 a Garmin Marine Network port, one BNC video input port, and a J1939 port for engine connections and vehicle communication links.

The unit features two microSD card slots. This can be quite convenient if you want to use a card with premium mapping such a LakeVü g3 Ultra, for example, and a blank card for data back-up. The two slots eliminate the need to swap cards all the time.

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 Garmin Network port;
• 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 942xs Plus is a multi-function display featuring CHIRP standard sonar, ClearVü sonar, and also supports Panoptix and SideVü sonar. It has a 10 Hz GPS receiver, is pre-loaded with the BlueChart g3 and LakeVü g3 charts for the United States, and offers 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.