Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv

 

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Key Facts | Full Specs | Manuals | Videos

Highlights:

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv

 EASY TO USE  | NICE FEATURES

 

 

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Should I upgrade to a – Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv?

We take a detailed look at the specs,  look at a couple of reviews from some who already have, and compare the Plus to the UHD and Ultra.

 

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The Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv – Is an easy-to-use, easy-to-setup 7″ color chartplotter/sonar combo with a keyed-assist touchscreen.

It has very clear CHIRP traditional sonar, CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar plus adding panoptix is as easy as simply adding a transducer no black box needed.

Instantly create custom fishing maps on-screen with 1’ contours with built-in Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours mapping.

It comes preloaded with LakeVü g3 charts with integrated Navionics data for over 17,000 US lakes plus built-in Wi-Fi® to pair with the free ActiveCaptain app.

Easily share sonar, waypoints, and routes with other ECHOMAP Plus 7” and 9” units as well as ECHOMAP Ultra 10” and 12” units.

 

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ECHOMAP Plus Series – Comes in 4 screen sizes and features more powerful sonar capabilities, preloaded Garmin g3 charts and mapping, and built-in Wi-Fi® for access to the Garmin Active Captain marine app.

 

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Excellent Clarity and Sunlight readability 

This is one of the first things you notice with the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv. The screen is bright and has an excellent viewing angle even in direct sun.

Keyed assist touchscreen – The 7″ screen uses touchscreen navigation along with a keypad with 4 quick access shortcut keys to assign to the active screen when held. The Shortcut button opens the assigned screen when pressed.

Built-in 5Hz GPS receiver – The 5hz GPS receiver acquires satellites within about 30 seconds on start-up and shows exact location pretty quick.

 

 

TouchScreen navigation menu – Setting up the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv for how you fish or cruise is Garmin simple and adding custom screens and settings is pretty straightforward.

You can add items and rearrange items on the home screen and even change the background image.

 

Custom Pages – Creating custom combinations is easy.  Setup a custom screen for fishing with sonar split-screen with traditional on one side and clearvu on the other.

Set one up with chart and sonar for cruising or one for finding structure using clearvu sonar only. Then assign up to 4 custom screens to the shortcut keys for quick access.

 

 

Creating a New Combination Pages – You have the choice between 7 different screen combinations and can customize each pane individually.

 

 

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Complete Garmin Sonar Support

 

Built-in sonar capabilities – Includes a 500W CHIRP traditional sonar, ClearVü scanning sonars, and support the full line of Panoptix all-seeing sonar transducers, including the Panoptix LiveScope system.

Additional info on the Panoptix™ all-seeing sonar line.

TRADITIONAL CHIRP SONAR –  Instead of sending just 1 single frequency at a time, CHIRP sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies ranging from low to high.

 

 

 

The ECHOMAP Plus 73cv has a 500W CHIRP sonar that sweeps a continuous range of frequencies, from low to high, in a single transmission. The returns from each frequency in that transmission are then interpreted and showed on the screen.

Since this continuous sweep of frequencies provides CHIRP with a much wider range of information, CHIRP sonar is able to create a very clear, high-resolution image. 

As you can see above, you get far greater target separation and more defined arches than you would with standard 50/200 kHz sonar. The maximum working depth is about 2,300 ft @ 77kHz, freshwater, and 1,100 ft @ 77kHz, saltwater.

Max depth very is dependent on water bottom type and other water conditions.

 

 

Recording the Sonar Display – Very cool feature that allows you to record the sonar screen for playback on Garmin HomePort™ and review at a later time. I find it pretty valuable to be able to look over the recording from the day and mark any spots that I what to check out in more detail.

As I play it back, I can stop and drop a GPS mark on something interesting and upload it to the GPS to take a look at the next time I’m on the water.

Start Recording – Insert a memory card into the card slot. From a sonar view, select MENU > Record Sonar. Garmin says 15 minutes of sonar recording uses approximately 200 MB of space of the inserted memory card but I recorded several hours and only had a 980Mb file.

An individual recording automatically ends after it reaches 4 GB in size. You can record sonar data until the card reaches capacity.

Note: Before you can playback the sonar recordings, you must download and install the Garmin HomePort™ application and record sonar data onto a memory card.

Sonar History Rewind –  As the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv records sonar you can go back and see what you previously went over by just tapping the screen and scrolling back. The amount of sonar history available to scroll back and the view is about from 2-3 screens wide.

The scroll speed will affect how you will have recorded. For example, if the GPS is set to a slower scroll speed in the sonar menu, the window of time the unit can rewind will be greater.  If the device is set to its fastest scroll speed, you will see a smaller window of time within the sonar rewind.

If you see something good that you just marked, rewind the history, tap the screen and drop a waypoint on it to save it. The best honey holes are often found when moving from one location to another.

 

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ClearVü SONAR – ClearVü  scanning sonar is mainly used to identify structure scanning sonar and gives you a nearly photographic image structure below the boat.

With ClearVü, you see structure, submerged objects, and fish separation more clearly.

 

 

 

 

Instead of a cone-shaped beam like the traditional CHIRP sonar, ClearVü scanning sonar sweeps a narrow beam of very high-frequency (455 or 800kHz) from side to side, producing “slices” that are combined to create very detailed images.

Fish are easily identifiable on Traditional View with CHIRP whereas Structures are well defined using ClearVü.

For fishermen and divers looking for structures like wrecks, reefs, log piles, and other underwater natural and man-made features, ClearVü is a great tool.

 

 

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Panoptix Livescope – Panoptix all-seeing sonar is pretty amazing sonar technology. It gives us the ability to see all around the boat in real-time and in 3 dimensions.

Panoptix shows highly detailed, easy-to-interpret live scanning sonar images of structure, bait, and fish swimming below and around your boat in real-time, even when the boat is stationary.

Images are so clear, that Garmin says with a little practice, we might be able to identify species!

Both LiveScope Forward and LiveScope Down modes are included in one transducer and are available with either transom or trolling motor mounts.  To use Panoptix sonar, you need a compatible chartplotter which the ECHOMAP Plus 73cv is and a compatible transducer.

 

 

Panoptix Livescope Forward is a cool tool for scouting and fishing out ahead of the boat. You get live, detailed images of structure and fish out to about 200′ – even while the boat is sitting in one spot.

 

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Panoptix LiveScope Down gives us live scanning sonar images of structure and swimming fish in awesome detail below the boat up to 200′ out from the transducer.

 

 

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Charts and Mapping

 

Garmin LakeVü g3 – The ECHOMAP Plus 73cv comes preloaded with the latest LakeVü g3 cartography for very detailed, clear, and concise charts and maps for over 17,000 US lakes.

Upgrading charts to BlueChart® g3 Vision is easy with the microSD card slot located on the front of the device.

 

 

Garmin’s Auto Guidance technology – shows a suggested route to a destination, based on specs that you enter in the device like draft, and vertical height restrictions.

Note: Auto Guidance – *With Vision or Ultra chart upgrade.

 

 

Depth Range Shading – is shown in high-resolution for up to 10 depth ranges, so you can see your needed depth at a glance by color.

 

 

Shallow water shading –  allows for shading at a user-defined depth to give a clear picture of shallow waters to avoid based on your own draft.

Detailed Contours  –  1′ contours that provide a more accurate look of bottom structure for improved fishing charts and enhanced detail in swamps, canals, and port layouts.

 

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Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours

 

Quickdraw Contours instantly creates personalized HD maps with 1’ contours and depth labels for any body of water as you fish.

When Quickdraw Contours records data, a colored circle surrounds the vessel icon. This circle represents the approximate area of the map that is scanned by each pass.  Quickly see where you have been.

The screen shows maps being created instantly in real-time. Easily add labels, mark timber, brush piles, favorite fishing spots, and anything you want to remember on your map for the next trip.

Improve Your Saltwater Maps & Uncover unknown areas – Many areas have no map detail. With Quickdraw, you can create maps that show you depth contours clearly labeled on the screen. You also can improve your existing maps that show locations of underwater mountains, drop-offs, crevices, or wrecks.

 

 

The maps are all yours – tailor them to fit your needs. Keep the data for yourself, or share maps with others in the QuickDraw Community on Garmin Connect .

You can view Garmin Quickdraw Contours on a combination screen or as a single view on the map. The amount of saved data depends on the size of your memory card, your sonar source, and the speed of your boat as you record data.

You can record longer when you use a single-beam sonar. It is estimated that you might be able to record about 1,500 hours of data onto a 2 GB memory card.

When you record data on a memory card in your chartplotter, the new data is added to your existing Garmin Quickdraw Contours map and is saved on the memory card. When you insert a new memory card, the existing data does not transfer onto the new card.

 

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Active Captain 

 

Connected Boating App –  The free all-in-one ActiveCaptain app gives your ECHOMAP™ Plus 73cv a powerful connection for upgrading charts, maps and access the Garmin community.

Wherever you are, you can have unlimited access to your cartography, purchase new maps and charts, and access the Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours Community.

 

 

Active Captain Features

• With OneChart™ you have access to all your charts and maps from your mobile device.
• Receive smart notifications, such as calls and texts, on your display when paired with the app.
• Download software updates and notifications from the app directly to your Garmin devices.
• Connect to other boaters for up-to-date feedback on marinas and other important info.
• Make, save and transfer routes and waypoints between the app and chartplotter.
• Easily upload and download the latest Garmin Quickdraw™ Contours content from the community.
• View and control your chartplotter from your smartphone or tablet

 

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Garmin SailAssist – Special preloaded sailing features such as laylines, enhanced wind rose, heading and course-over-ground lines, true wind data fields, and tide/current/time slider.

 

 

There are pre-race guidance, synchronized race timer, virtual starting line, time to burn, and layline data fields for sail racing.

 

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Garmin ECHOMAP Plus… UHD or Ultra

 

 

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Resources: 

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv | Help & Support

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus Software Updates

 

Bass Resource – user review

Kipawa Fishing Forum on the – ECHOMAP Plus 73sv

» The 73sv & 73cv have the same features except the 73cv does not have SideVü

 

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Garmin ECHOMAP Plus – Brochure PDF

 

 

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Ports | Connections

 

Rear Connections Include – 1-Power Connection, 1-NMEA 2000 Connection, 1-8 PIN Sonar Connection  and 1-Network/Panoptix Port.

 

 

Quick-Release Mount – The mount features both tilt and swivel capabilities to provide a great viewing angle. Cables plug directly into the mount, for quick installation and removal at the end of the day.

 

 

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Key Facts:

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv

 

Performance

• 7” Chartplotter | Sonar Combo
• Keyed assist touchscreen
• 400 x 800-pixel WVGA Color Display
• Wide viewing angle & excellent clarity
• Excellent visibility in direct sunlight
• Polarized sunglasses friendly
• Internal antenna or external over NMEA 2000
• Built-in 5Hz GPS receiver
• Quick-Release mount | Bracket or flush
• Garmin Network/Panoptix Ports | 1
• Built-in Wi-Fi® to pair with ActiveCaptain app
• AIS and DSC Support
• NMEA® 0183 and 2000.
• Receive data from autopilots, engines, sensors & VHF

 

Charting | Mapping

• LakeVü g3 maps | Covers 17,000+ lakes
• Navionics® data
• Note: Auto Guidance – *With Vision or Ultra chart upgrade.
• SailAssist –  pre-race guidance, synchronized race timer, virtual starting line, time to burn and lay line data fields
• ActiveCaptain app for access to – OneChart  | Smart notifications | Garmin Quickdraw Community data
• 1 microSD memory card slot | 32 GB max
• 5,000 Waypoints
• Track Log – 50,000 points | 50 saved tracks
• 100 Routes (250 waypoints each)

 

Fishfinder | Sounder

• Full Built-in Sonar Capabilities
• Output Power | 500W traditional | CHIRP
• CHIRP Traditional Sonar | 50, 77, 83, or 200 kHz
• ClearVü  CHIRP | 260/455/800kHz
• Output Power | 500w
• Maximum Depth Freshwater | 2,300’/77kHz, 1,100 ft
• Maximum Depth  Saltwater | 1,100’/77kHz
• Supports Panoptix Sonar
• Sonar Recording
• Sonar history rewind

 

 

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Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv - Specs

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv - Manual

Downloadable PDF:

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Additional ECHOMAP Plus 73cv manuals from Garmin: