Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv

The Striker Vivid series includes several fish finders released by Garmin at the end of 2020. As opposed to the models from the older Striker Plus series, the Vivid units include seven new color palettes for the ClearVü sonar which can definitely make a difference depending on the underwater environment you’re scanning. In this post, we’re going to cover the Striker Vivid 5cv which includes the GT20 transducer. For reference, this is the Garmin part number 010-02551-00.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 5″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA color, backlit
• Sonar: 2D CHIRP & ClearVü
• Frequency & coverage:
  2D Sonar: 200 kHz / 15° and 77 kHz / 45°
  ClearVü: 455 kHz / 2.5° (fore to aft) x 53°, 800 kHz / 1.6° (fore to aft) x 29°
• Depth Capability:
  2D: 1,900 ft (579 m)
  ClearVü: 750 ft (228 m)
• Transducer: GT20-TM (4-pin)
• Transmit power: 500 W (RMS)
• GPS: High-sensitivity, internal
• Charts: No
• Waypoints: 5,000

Sonar and transducer

The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv offers both standard CHIRP sonar and ClearVü CHIRP sonar. In case you’re wondering, it does not support SideVü sonar or Panoptix sonar and does not have the UHD mode like the ECHOMAP UHD 63cv. But as we’ve mentioned above, just like the other units of the Vivid series, its ClearVü sonar mode features 7 new color palettes which can help distinguishing fish from vegetation and structure, as well as understanding better the contour of the bottom or the submerged objects caught by the sonar.

The unit supports multiple base frequencies, including 50/77/200 kHz for standard CHIRP, and 260/455/800 kHz for ClearVü. It’s also dual-frequency capable. This means that it can use both 77/200 kHz at once, or 50/200 kHz at once if it is paired with a 50/200 kHz capable transducer.

This Garmin fish finder includes the classic GT20 transducer which has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, a 4-pin connector, and an internal temperature sensor. It comes with a transom mount.

The GT20 transducer supports both ClearVü and standard CHIRP. For ClearVü, it uses two oval beams that operate in a CHIRP range of 435-475 kHz and 800-840 kHz. Their coverage is 2.5° x 53°, and respectively 1.6° x 29°. The maximum Cv depth capability for this transducer is 750 ft. (228 m).

For standard CHIRP, the transducer uses two conical beams with a coverage of 15° @ 200 kHz, and 45° @ 77 kHz. The maximum depth capability for the 2D CHIRP sonar element of this transducer is 1,900 ft. (579 m).

Of course, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar functions. The list includes Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, Circular Flasher, Split-Zoom, Fish Symbols, AutoGain for reducing clutter and maximizing targets, Temperature Graph, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, and more. It does not have Sonar Recording and Rewind functions. Only Pause Sonar.

Navigation features

Similar to the older Striker models, the Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv does not support charts. However, it does have a basic GPS plotter function. This application offers the possibility to mark waypoints and view their coordinates, and record your course over ground. It allows you to create routes between several waypoints. It also shows GPS speed and GPS heading.

Although the unit does not have any built-in charts and does not support charts, it does have the Quickdraw Contours feature. This application uses the GPS and the 2D sonar to reveal and record the depth contours of the lake that you’re scanning. This way, you can create your own fishing maps.

The unit does not have any networking features or extra connectors apart from the power and transducer. Therefore, it does not offer interfacing with other boating instruments like AIS, external GPS, or Radar. It also does not support AutoPilot.

Control unit features

The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv features a 5-inch LCD display, WVGA color type, with LED backlight, and a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It is also IPX7 waterproof, so it should withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

The unit is keypad-operated. It does not have touchscreen technology, so the accessing of its functions and the navigation through the menus are done exclusively from the keypad on the right. Also, there are split-screen possibilities for up to three applications per view.

The Striker Vivid 5cv unit does not have a microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, or other networking features. Therefore, you cannot access the Garmin Quickdraws Community with it to download or upload Quickdraw Charts. And finally, the unit comes with the standard tilt/swivel mount.

The Pros

• Standard CHIRP sonar;
• ClearVü sonar;
• 7 new color palettes for ClearVü;
• GT20-TM transducer included;
• Dual-frequency sonar – which means you can use both 2D beams simultaneously;
• Supports 50 kHz;
• Various sonar features such as Fish Symbols, A-
  Scope, Ultrascroll, Flasher, Bottom Lock etc;
• High-sensitivity GPS;
• Quickdraw Contours;
• Depth Range Shading;
• Waypoint creation, route creation, and track recording functions;
• Can show coordinates;
• GPS speed and GPS heading functions;
• IPX7 waterproof and LED backlight for better
  readability in direct sunlight;
• Easy to install;
• Affordable unit.

The Cons

• No MicroSD card reader;
• No wireless connectivity.

Summary

The Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv is a fish finder with a GPS plotter and the Quickdraw Contours feature. It includes the GT20 dual-beam transducer for standard CHIRP and ClearVü. It does not have networking features or Wi-Fi which makes it an affordable fish finder great for both lake and off-shore fishing, and for a wide variety of boats.