Raymarine ELEMENT vs Garmin ECHOMAP Plus

by Mariner | Last updated: Sep 11, 2023

• COMPARISON •

This week… We are comparing the Raymarine ELEMENT HV to the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus.

Specifically, a comparison of the series and then a side-by-side of the 7″ & 9″.

So… How are they different.? Here are the basics.

Control Type

The Element uses keypad controls and the ECHOPMAP Plus uses a KeyAssist TouchScreen.

Screen Brightness

The ELEMENT is a little brighter @ 1500 Nits than the ECHOMAP Plus.

Garmin does not list brightness values but with a side-by-side comparison, I would rate the ECHOMAP Plus at about 1200.

Mounting Options

Both can flush mount or bracket mount, however, the ECHOMAP Plus comes with a quick disconnect bracket.

Waypoints | Routes | Tracks

Routes – Element 50 | ECHOMAP Plus 100
Tracks – Element 15 | ECHOMAP Plus 50

Waypoint storage is the same @ 5000*

Chart Options

The ELEMENT supports options for LightHouse NC2, Navionics, and CMAP Charts.
The ECHOMAP Plus uses Garmin’s BlueChart g3 Coastal Charts.

Radar Compatibility

This is a big plus for the Element as it can connect to a Raymarine Quantum radar via WiFi.

The ECHOMAP Plus doesn’t support radar.

GPS

The ELEMENT comes with a 10Hz GPS vs 5Hz GPS for the ECHOMAP Plus.

This means the ELEMENT would lock on to satellites a little sooner and get a better position fix a little quicker.

Wireless Networking

The Element can network 2 units together to share data but only by wire and only waypoints.

The ECHOMAP Plus can share sonar, waypoints, and routes with other ECHOMAP Plus 7” and 9” units as well as ECHOMAP Ultra via WiFi.

* SONAR *

This is definitely the biggest difference between the models.

The ELEMENT series – has a more advanced sonar with the addition of 1.2MHz HyperVision on DownVision, SideVision, and RealVision 3D.

The HyperVision 1.2 MHz channel is exceptional to about 90-100′, with clarity for finding structure and fish outstanding.

RealVision 3D combines the channels together to give you a 3D interactive view.

The traditional Chirp sonar uses 200kHz @ 100W.

The ECHOMAP Plus – has a little bit Stronger CHIRP traditional Sonar @ 500W Traditional @ 50-250kHz and is dual frequency capable.

It can use 50/83/200kHz and is a little more powerful than the ELEMENT.

The ECHOMAP Plus has SideVü and ClearVü scanning sonar also, but only up to 800kHz. Excellent but not quite as clear in shallow depths that HyperVision is designed for.

A big plus for the ECHOMAP is its support for Panoptix all-seeing sonar transducers and the Panoptix LiveScope system. See videos below.

Another plus for the ECHOMAP is Sonar Recording. You can record sonar to a microSD card and view it later in Garmin’s HomePort software

NOTE: The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD Sonar is more comparable to the ELEMENT Sonar.

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus vs UHD vs Ultra

; See the tables below for detailed comparison

Series Summary

Features - Element HV

PWTTSEAPerformance Features

Keypad Chartplotter/Sounder
WXGA Color Display
LightHouse Sport OS
70° Wide Viewing Sngle
Sunlight-viewable LCD
Brightness at 1500 Nits
Internal Antenna
External over NMEA 2000
Built-in 10Hz GPS
Bracket | Flush Mount
Built-in Wi-Fi | Software Updates & Radar
Bluetooth 2.4 GHz – * Future Use
Supports AIS
Transmit VHF via NMEA 2000/SeaTalkng
Supports | Displays NMEA 2000/SeaTalkng Devices & Sensors
Send Navigation Data to Connected Autopilot
Receive Data from Autopilots, Engines, Sensors & VHF
Supports WiFi Quantum Radar Scanners
3 User Programmable Quick-launch Buttons
Supports 2 Standard NMEA 2000 Trim Tabs
Supports Engine Data via an ECI-100

Charting | Mapping

Compatible with LightHouse NC2 charts with Fishing Hot Spots
Compatible with Navionics
Compatible C-MAP Cartography
Can Share Waypoints Between Networked Element Displays
1 – MicroSDXC Card Slot | 4GB to 32GB
5,000 waypoints | 200 Waypoint Groups
15 Track Logs – 10,000 Max Track Points
50 Routes – 250 Waypoints Max

Built-In Sounder | Sonar

High CHIRP Sonar | 200 kHz | Conical
Output Power | 100 Watts
Maximum Depth – 900′
Personal Sonar Mapping using Raymarine RealBathy
Standard | 700 Watts | 350 kHz
DownVision | 600′
SideVision | 300′
RealVision 3D | 300′
HyperVision | 1000 Watts | 1.2 MHz
DownVision HV | 100′
SideVision HV | 100′
RealVision 3D HV | 100′

Features - ECHOMAP Plus

Performance

Chartplotter | Sonar Combo
Keyed Assist Touchscreen
800 x 400 WVGA Color Display
Wide Viewing Angle
Excellent Vsibility in Direct Sunlight
Polarized Sunglasses Friendly
Internal Antenna
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

BlueChart® g3 U.S. Coastal Maps
Navionics Data
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
SideVü CHIRP | 260/455/800kHz
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

25 Ways the ELEMENT HV and ECHOMAP Plus are different.

FEATURES	ELEMENT HV	ECHOMAP Plus
Price Range	$549-1049	$699-1099
Weight	3lbs to 5lbs	1.7lbs to 2.3lbs
Controls	Keypad	Key-Assist Touchscreen
Brightness	1500 Nits	NA
Power	1.25A – 1.75A	1.5A
GPS Receiver	10Hz GPS	5Hz GPS
Mounting Options	Bail \| Flush	Bail \| Flush \| Quick Disconnect
OS	LightHouse Sport	Garmin
Routes	50	100
Track Logs	15	50
Map Options	LightHouse NC2 Navionics \| C-MAP Essentials C-MAP 4D MAX+	BlueChart g3 Coastal BlueChart g3 Vision LakeVü g3 \| LakeVü g3 Ultra
Radar Compatible	Yes \| Quantum	No
FUSION-Link	No	Yes
Planning Software	Navionics	HomePort
App-Control	No	Active Captain
SONAR
Conical CHIRP	200kHz @ 100W	50-250kHz @ 500W
DownView	350 kHz @ 700W/300′	260/455/800kHz @ 500W
SideView	350 kHz @ 700W/300′	260/455/800kHz @ 500W
HyperVision Down	1.2MHz @ 1000W/100′	NA
HyperVision Side	1.2MHz @ 1000W/100′	NA
Forward View	NA	Panoptix
RealVision 3D	350kHz \| HV 1.2 MHz	NA
NETWORKING \| CONNECTIONS
NMEA 0183 output	No	1
NMEA 0183 output	No	1
Marine Network Ports	No	1 Panoptix

ELEMENT vs ECHOMAP Plus Which one Should I Choose

So which one is Better? Opinion 🙂

The ELEMENT

If you don’t need touchscreen control.
You are looking for exceptional sonar fishfinder performance in less than 90′ of water.
You are looking for an excellent standalone unit.

The ECHOMAP Plus

You want touchscreen controls.
Want to use 2 or more units and share sonar.
Want to use Panoptix LiveView.
Need to save more Tracks than 15.

Specs | Reviews • Current Prices

Raymarine ELEMENT vs Garmin ECHOMAP Plus Banner

Model	Specs\|Review
ELEMENT 7HV
ELEMENT 9HV

ECHOMAP Plus 74sv
ECHOMAP Plus 94sv

ELEMENT HV | ECHOMAP Plus

Rear Connections

^ ELEMENT HV Rear Connections ^

Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv - Rear Connections

^ ECHOMAP Plus | Rear Connections ^

• MODEL COMPARISONS •

Raymarine ELEMENT 9 vs ECHOMAP Plus 94sv Comparison

GoTo ELEMENT 9HV REVIEW	GoTo ECHOMAP Plus 94sv REVIEW

ELEMENT HV 9 vs ECHOMAP Plus 94sv

How are the ELEMENT 9HV and ECHOMAP Plus 94sv different?

Here are some of the main differences:

Raymarine ELEMENT 9HV vs Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv

Product Name	Raymarine ELEMENT 9HV Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
Product Image
Price
Our Rating	NaN.0 NaN.0
Brand	Raymarine Garmin
Category	Chartplotters \| Fishfinders Chartplotters \| Fishfinders

General


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
Physical dimensions	11.3" x 6.3" x 2.4" 28.7 x 16.1 x 6.2 cm 11.4"x6.5"x2.4" 28.9x16.4x6.0 cm
Weight	5.0 lbs. 2.3 lbs.
Water rating	IPX7 IPX7
Display type	WVGA \| Color Keypad WVGA \| Key-Assist Touchsreen
Display size	9" diagonal 7.8" x 4.8"\| 9" diagonal
Display resolution	800 x 400 pixels 400 x 800 pixels
Display - Brightness	1500 Nits Not Available
Power consumption	1.75A \| 12V 1.5A \| 12V
GPS Antenna	Internal or external NMEA 2000 Internal or external NMEA_2000
GPS Receiver	10 Hz GPS/GLONASS 5 Hz GPS
Mounting options	Bail or flush Bail or flush

Maps & Memory


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
On-Board Memory	No No
Accepts data cards	1 microSD card \| up to 2TB 1 microSD card \| 32GB Max
Waypoints	5,000 5,000
Routes	50 100
Track log	10,000 points; 15 saved tracks 50,000 points; 50 saved tracks
Preloaded Maps	Support for: Raymarine LightHouse NC2 Navionics \| C-MAP Essentials C-MAP 4D MAX+ BlueChart® g3 Coastal

Outdoor Recreation Features


Tide Tables	Yes \| With Chart Card Yes

Chartplotter Features


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
Radar compatible	Yes \| Quantum No
Sonar compatible	Built-In High CHIRP \| 200kHz DownVision SideVision RealVision Traditional CHIRP ClearVü CHIRP SideVü CHIRP Panoptix
Supports AIS	Yes Yes
Weather	Yes No
Supports DSC - GPS Data / VHF	Yes Yes
Supports FUSION-Link	No FUSION-Link
Black Box sonar support	No No
Planning Software Compatible	Navionics No
App-Control Compatibility	No Active Captain
Remote Input Device - compatible	No No
Alarms	Navigation Anchor Sonar Navigation Anchor Sonar

Sonar Features & Specifications


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
Transmit Power	High CHIRP \| 100W Standard \| 700W HyperVision \| 1000W 500W Traditional \| 500W SideVü/ClearVü
Dual-frequency (50/200 kHz) sonar capable	No Yes
Dual-Beam Sonar (77/200 kHz) capable	No Yes - 50/200 \| 77/200 \| 83/200
CHIRP sonar technology	200 kHz CHIRP: 50-250
ClearVü \| Down	DownVision 350kHz \| DownVision HV 1.2 MHz CHIRP ClearVü
SideVü \| Side	SideVision 350kHz \| SideVision HV 1.2 MHz CHIRP SideVü
Forward View	No Panoptix
Sonar \| Additional	RealVision 3D 350kHz \| RealVision 3D HV 1.2 MHz

Connections


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
NMEA 2000 compatible	Yes Yes
NMEA 0183 input ports	No 1
NMEA 0183 output ports	No 1
Marine Network Ports	0 1 Panoptix
Video input ports	0 No
Video output ports	0 No
Wireless connectivity	Yes Yes
BlueTooth connectivity	Yes Yes
Other Ports	15 Pin Transducer

Additional


Model	Raymarine ELEMENT 9 HV ECHOMAP Plus 94sv
SEE PRICE »»
Additional - 1	Sailing Features Sailing Features
Additional - 2	Supports HV transom and thru-hull transducers

In The Box

In The Box

Element 9 HV display
Surface mount gasket
Suncover
Trunnion knobs x2
Documentation pack
Trunnion bracket
Surface mount stainless steel fixings x4 (M4x40 machine screw, M4 flatwasher, M4 lockingnut)
Power / NMEA2000 cable (includes 1.5m (4.92ft) power lead and 0.5m (1.64ft) NMEA2000 lead). ECHOMAP Plus 94sv with BlueChart g3 for U.S.
Power/data cable
Tilt mount with quick release cradle
Flush mount
Protective cover
Hardware
Documentation

Raymarine ELEMENT 7 vs ECHOMAP Plus 74sv Comparison

GoTo ELEMENT 7HV Full Review	GoTo ECHOMAP Plus 74sv Full Review

ELEMENT 7HV vs ECHOMAP Plus 74sv

How is the ELEMENT 7HV different from the ECHOMAP Plus 74sv?

Here are some of the main differences: