Unlocking the Power Of the:

“Today, I’m here to shed more light on the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 Series. We will answer the 19 most frequently asked questions about this new series from Garmin.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or just getting your feet wet, we’ve got you covered.”

So, fasten your life jackets, and let’s jump right in!

• Faster Processor Speed.
• New Garmin Navionics+ Mapping.
• Wifi Sonar Sharing.
• Higher Screen Resolution on the 9-inch models.
• Slightly Smaller in Diameter
• And, a newly redesigned bracket.

Be sure to See Our Detailed Comparison Titled: “Garmin ECHOMAP UHD vs UHD2” 

The price of the Garmin Echomap UHD2 varies depending on the screen size and model, chart options, and transducer selection, but here is the starting price range:

• 6-inch models start at $799
• 7-inch models start at $949
• 9-inch models start at $1199

Here’s a Quick Tip: eBay is an excellent place to see what the current prices are for New and Used units.

Yes, you can update the software on the Garmin Echomap UHD2. Garmin releases new software updates regularly, which include new features and bug fixes. 

Garmin offers a few convenient options to download software updates. These are:

• Active Captain –  The mobile app that uses a tablet or smartphone to download and update through the mobile device.
• Garmin Express –  an application loaded to a desktop computer that allows the user to update device software through a micro/SD card. The card is inserted into the chartplotter to perform the software update.
• Garmin website – a direct link to software update files for Garmin marine equipment. An alternative option is to purchase a preloaded software update card from garmin.com

The Garmin Echomap UHD2 is compatible with a variety of transducers, but here are the most popular: 

• The GT52HW – which supports Traditiona,l CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü using 455 and 800 kHz and is suitable for freshwater down to about 500’.
• The GT54UHD – which is An All-in-One CHIRP, Ultra High Definition ClearVü and SideVü, optimized for freshwater down to about 200’.
• Best: The GT56UHD – An All-in-One High and Wide CHIRP good to about 800’, Ultra High Definition ClearVü and SideVü with about 20% more Range @ 1,000 kHz’.

Take a look at this Garmin page for a more complete list of other transducer options:

Yes, the Echomap UHD2 has Wi-Fi. It can be used to connect your device to your smartphone or tablet,  update the UHD2 software, and share Sonar data, Waypoints, and Routes with other UHD2 units you have onboard.

Here’s another | Quick Tip: See the featured video below showing how to use Wi-Fi to link two UHD2 units together to share data.

Yes, you can connect your smartphone or tablet to the Garmin Echomap UHD2 using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Once connected, you can view your fishfinder and chartplotter data on your smartphone or tablet, and you can also control your device using the Garmin Active Captain app.

To connect the Garmin Echomap UHD2 to your smartphone or tablet, follow these steps:

• Turn on your Echomap UHD2 and your smartphone or tablet.
• On your smartphone or tablet, enable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
• On your Echomap UHD2, go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
• Select your smartphone or tablet from the list of devices.
• Enter the pairing code on your smartphone or tablet and your Echomap UHD2.
• Once connected, you can view your fishfinder and chartplotter data on your smartphone or tablet, and you can also control your device using the Active Captain app.

Here’s a Quick tip: Look at the featured video below. It’s an excellent video by Jordan Davis with Atlantic Marine walking you through connecting your smartphone to your Garmin Fishfinder:

Yes, the Garmin Echomap UHD2 has Ultra High Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar. The power output is 500 Watts and it supports 260, 455, 800, 1000, and 1200 kHz frequencies.

The Garmin Echomap UHD2 has a variety of sonar features, including:

• Traditional sonar: Providing a two-dimensional image of the bottom and water column.
• CHIRP sonar: which shows a somewhat clearer image of the bottom and water column by using a continuous sweep of frequencies.
• Ultra High Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar: for picture-like imaging below and out to the sides.
• Support for Panoptix LiveScope sonar: for real-time, 360-degree live-action views of fish and structure.

Yes, you can use the Garmin Echomap UHD2 to create custom maps. This feature is called QuickDraw Contours.

To create a custom map, simply follow these steps:

• Turn on your Echomap UHD2 and choose an area where you want to create a custom map.
• Go to Menu, then QuickDraw Contours, and press, “Start Recording”.
• Travel over the area in different directions until you have covered the entire area.
• Once you are finished, go to Menu, then QuickDraw Contours, and press, “Stop Recording”.
• Your Echomap UHD2 will create a custom map of that area. You can then view and use this map on your device or export it to a computer.

The image above shows Quick Draw Contours activated and building a custom map on a local lake.

The screen resolution of the Garmin Echomap UHD2 varies depending on the screen size.

• The 6 and 7-inch models have a screen resolution of 800 x 480.
• The 9-inch model has a screen resolution of 1024 x 600.

The image of the UHD2 94sv above shows excellent screen detail while in SideVu mode.

Generally, the Garmin Echomap UHD2 comes with a two-year warranty.

Source: Garmin Marine Warranty

The Garmin Echomap UHD2 has several new features, including:

• A faster processor.
• New Garmin Navionics+ Charts.
• A higher-resolution screen on the 9-inch model.
• Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing Sonar.
• A newly redesigned quick-release mounting bracket.

If you are a serious fisherman and are looking for a fishfinder/chartplotter with the latest and greatest features, then the UHD2 is an excellent choice.

However, if you’re on a budget or the UHD still meets your needs, then there is no need to upgrade.

► See our detailed Comparison between the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD and ECHOMAP UHD2

If you are a casual angler who fishes in small lakes and rivers, then the 6-inch model is a good option. If you are a more serious angler who fishes in large lakes and oceans, then the 7-inch or 9-inch model is a better choice.

The general rule of thumb is, “to select the biggest screen within your budget and mounting location”.

Here are some examples of how to use the Garmin Echomap UHD2 to find fish:

• Use the sonar image to look for structure. Fish are attracted to structure because it provides them with food and shelter. Look for areas with reefs, weed beds, drop-offs, and other types of structures.
• Look for baitfish. Baitfish are a major food source for most fish species. If you see baitfish on the fishfinder, it is a good indication that there could be larger fish nearby.
• Look for fish arches. Fish arches are marks on the fishfinder image that indicate the presence of fish. The size and shape of the arch can give you an idea of the size and type of fish.
• Use the Chartplotter to mark waypoints and tracks. Once you have found an area where there are fish, you can mark a waypoint on the fishfinder or track so that you can easily return to that spot in the future.

Chirp Sonar | Target Separation

Here is an example of how you might use the UHD2 to find fish on a typical fishing trip:

• Start by turning on the UHD2 and selecting the fishfinder mode.
• Use the chart plotter to navigate to a known fishing spot or an area where you have seen or marked fish in the past.
• Start watching the Fishfinder and look for structures, baitfish, and fish arches.
• Once you have found an area that looks fishy, mark a waypoint or track so that you can easily return to that spot in the future.
• Throw out a few test casts to get a feel for what’s there. Then, it just takes some practice. 

Garmin UHD2 | SideVu

Source: Garmin UHD2 Manual

Here are a few additional tips on getting the most out of your UHD2 to find fish:

• Use the zoom feature to get a closer look at the sonar image. This can help identify fish arches and other small targets.
• Try using the split screen feature to view two different sonar images at the same time. This can help compare different areas or for viewing different sonar modes at the same time.
• Experiment with different sonar settings to find what works best for the conditions you are fishing in.
• With some practice, you’ll start getting a good feel for what areas hold fish and which ones don’t, and also what different types of fish look like on the screen.

To navigate, you must choose a destination, set a course, or create a route, and follow the course or route. You can follow the course or the route on the Navigation chart, Fishing chart, Perspective 3D chart view, or Mariner’sEye 3D chart view. 

The image above shows the different look between a Navigation Chart and a Fishing Chart.

You can set and follow a course to a destination using one of three methods: Go To, Route To, or Auto Guidance.

• Go To: Takes you directly to the destination. This is the standard option for navigating to a destination. The chartplotter creates a straight-line course or navigation line to the destination. You need to be careful here, as the direct path option may run over land and other obstacles.
• Route To: Creates a route from your location to a destination, allowing you to add turns along the way. This option provides a straight-line course to the destination but allows you to add turns into the route to avoid land and other obstacles.
• Auto Guidance: Uses the specified information about your vessel and chart data to determine the best path to your destination. This option is available only when using a compatible premium chart like Garmin Navionics+. It provides a turn-by-turn navigation path to your destination, avoiding land and other obstacles.

The image below shows how a route might look on your navigation chart.

Building a Route

Here are a few common UHD2 Navigation Questions:

How do I make the Chartplotter point me in the direction in which I want to go?

• Tap a location on the Chart and Navigate to the waypoint using the “GoTo Button”.

How do I make the device guide me along a straight line to a location using the shortest distance from the present location?

• Build a single-leg route and navigate it using the “RouteTo Button”.

How do I make the device guide me to a location while avoiding charted obstacles?

• Build a multi-leg route and navigate it using the RouteTo Option.

Can the UHD2 create a path for me?

• If you have premium maps that support Auto Guidance and are in an area covered by Auto Guidance, then yes Auto Guidance can build a multi-leg route for you between two points.

You can buy the Garmin Echomap UHD2 from a variety of retailers, including Garmin, Amazon, and Bass Pro Shops. However, we have found that some of the best prices can often be found on eBay.

For the latest prices on all of the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 models, Start Here.

Below are our Top Picks.