Garmin has given the Echomap series of fish finders another significant refresh. The Garmin Echomap UHD2 units offer some interesting upgrades over their predecessors, including new transducers, and more features, and they look great.
There are now five UHD2 units to choose from, ranging from 5-inch to 9-inch models, all with touchscreens, improved connectivity, sonar, and more. Keep reading to learn about these improvements and if the UHD2 is a good buy for you.
Echomap UHD2 Series Overview
What’s New with the Echomap UHD2?
The UHD2 lineup appears to have been almost totally redesigned outside and inside. With a new body and more powerful processors, there is a lot to like, especially with the UHD2 93sv.
Current Draw UHD vs UHD2
If you use a small secondary battery to power your Echomap with a Livescope, it’s good to note the UHD2 has a significantly higher current draw, both in the “Typical” and “Max” usage scenarios.
Most people won’t have an issue, but it’s worth checking if your battery can handle the increased power consumption.
| Model | Current Draw – UHD2 | Current Draw – UHD |
|---|---|---|
| 93sv | 1.7-3.5A | 1.0-1.5A |
| 73sv, 73cv | 1.5-3.2A | 0.8-1.25A |
| 63sv | 1.5-3.2A | 0.7-1.25A |
| 53cv | 1.0-1.5A | n/a |
Other Important UHD2 Features
Here are the most important features that are new with the Echomap UHD2 series:
Ultra HD Transducers
The UHD2 fish finders come with either the GT56, GT54, or GT20 UHD transducers, depending on the model. The new transducers offer several significant upgrades in performance.
Preloaded Maps
All the Echomap UHD2 units ship preloaded with Garmin Navionics+ charts and a 1-year subscription to updates and downloads. Not having to make an extra purchase for lake maps is a fantastic benefit of Garmin products.
Livescope Compatibility
Live forward-facing sonar has exploded in popularity, and the Echomap UHD2 series is the most affordable option for getting set up with the Panoptics Livescope system.
The UHD2 are not the most powerful units, so power users may want to jump up to the Echomap Ultra or GPSMAP series.
Note: The 53cv and 73cv versions are NOT compatible. You need a SideVu capable version to use Livescope.
Force Trolling Motor Compatible
With the launch of the Force trolling motor, Garmin users can now enjoy the linking capabilities that Humminbird & Minn Kota users have enjoyed for years. Here is what you can do by linking up an Echomap with the Force:
Quick Release Cradle Mount
The 93sv, 73sv, and 63sv models feature a quick-release cradle to mount the unit. The design is more robust on the UHD2, hopefully reducing the number of “unplanned dismounts” that have been known to happen in previous generations.
Tilt in and latch the unit in place, and you’re ready to go. Similarly, at the end of the day, you can release the cradle and transport or store the units with ease. No messing with knobs or connectors to remove your unit is a nice thing to have.
Echomap UHD2 93sv Review
The UHD2 93sv is the clear winner in this series. It is the most powerful, has the biggest display with the most pixels, and the best transducer. At just a few hundred dollars more than the 73sv, it’s clearly worth the upgrade if you are smart.
Top Features
- High-resolution 1024×600 pixel display.
- Has the best transducer available in the box.
- Livescope compatible.
- Wireless sharing with UHD2 units.
- Networking connection for a full boat network.
Sonar
The 93sv is now the only model in the series that gets the GT56UHD-TM transducer in the box. This transducer unleashes “megahertz” SideVu and ClearVu sonar frequencies that provide the clearest imaging Garmin offers.
GPS & Maps
The 93sv c