Which Garmin Chartplotter Fishfinder Stands Out? Our Top 4 Picks!

You’ve saved up for months. You’re standing in the aisle or staring at a screen full of tabs, and every Garmin box looks the same. They all promise CHIRP sonar and crisp mapping. But one has a 5-inch screen, the other a 7-inch. One includes a transducer, the other doesn’t. The specs blur together, and you’re left guessing which one actually fits your boat and your fishing style.

I’ve been there. After rigging a few boats and burning through entry-level units, I’ve learned the hard way that the head unit matters less than the package around it. The transducer, the mapping detail, the screen visibility in direct sun, and whether you can network it later all decide if you’ll love it or hate it a year from now.

This roundup cuts through the noise. I’ve focused on four Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 models that cover the realistic range of what most anglers need, from a kayak to a center console. These are the units I’d recommend to a friend, and I’ll tell you exactly why each one earns its spot.

Here’s a quick look at the key specs that separate these four units.

Features	ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV	ECHOMAP UHD2 73CV	ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV Coastal	ECHOMAP UHD2 64sv
Screen Size	5-inch keyed	7-inch keyed	5-inch keyed	6-inch keyed
Sonar Support	CHIRP & ClearVü	CHIRP & ClearVü	CHIRP & ClearVü	CHIRP, ClearVü & SideVü
Mapping Included	LakeVü g3	LakeVü g3	US Coastal	US Coastal
Transducer Included	Yes	Yes	No	No
Best Use Case	Kayak & small boats	Bay boats & bass boats	Coastal saltwater	Saltwater side-scan

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV

The 54CV is the gateway unit, and it’s a smart one. It’s built for the angler who wants a reliable, straightforward fishfinder without paying for features they’ll never use. I see it on a lot of kayaks, jon boats, and small aluminum rigs because it doesn’t overwhelm the console or the deck.

What stands out is the included transducer. You get Garmin’s CHIRP traditional sonar and ClearVü scanning sonar right out of the box. ClearVü gives you a photo-like image of structure and fish holding tight to it. For a 5-inch screen, the high-contrast color palettes do a decent job of keeping the image readable, even when you’re squinting against the glare.

The trade-off is the screen size. Five inches is workable, but you’ll be switching between views more often than on a bigger unit. You can’t see the map and the sonar side-by-side without shrinking both down to a size that’s hard to read at speed. It’s a compromise, but for the price and the simplicity, it’s a fair one.

• 5-inch keyed display with physical buttons for gloved hands
• Dual-beam CHIRP and ClearVü scanning sonar
• Built-in Wi-Fi for sharing waypoints with other compatible units
• LakeVü g3 maps with Navionics data for inland fishing
• Includes the GT20-TM transducer

Best for: The kayak angler or weekend warrior fishing small lakes who wants a simple, complete package that works right out of the box.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73CV

If the 54CV felt a little small, the 73CV is the natural upgrade. It takes everything that makes the 54CV good and makes it easier to see. The 7-inch screen is a significant step up in usability, especially when you’re running split-screen views with the map on one side and sonar on the other.

This is the unit I’d pick for a bay boat or a bass boat. The larger display makes it practical to keep an eye on structure with ClearVü while still navigating. The keyed interface is also a plus on a rough day. Gloves, wet hands, or choppy water don’t matter; you can still hit the right button without fumbling with a touchscreen.

The biggest limitation here is the lack of SideVü. If you’re fishing offshore structure or trying to find scattered bait in open water, the 73CV won’t show you what’s to the sides of the boat. That’s a feature you’ll have to step up to a different model for, and it’s worth deciding if you need it before you buy.

• 7-inch keyed display that’s readable in direct sunlight
• CHIRP traditional and ClearVü scanning sonar included
• Wi-Fi connectivity for sharing user data between units
• LakeVü g3 and BlueChart g3 coastal mapping
• Includes the GT20-TM transducer

Best for: The serious inland or nearshore angler who wants a larger screen for split-view fishing without stepping into a touchscreen or side-scan model.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV Coastal

Here’s the same 54CV head unit, but with a critical change: the mapping. Instead of the freshwater-focused LakeVü g3, this version comes pre-loaded with U.S. Coastal maps. That’s a big deal if you fish saltwater, because the detail on offshore contours and bottom composition is what you actually need.

The catch with this specific package is that it does not include a transducer. You’re paying for the head unit and the coastal maps, and you’re expected to supply your own transducer. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many saltwater anglers already have a specific transducer they prefer, or they’re upgrading from an older unit and want to reuse the one already mounted on the transom.

Keep in mind that the 5-inch screen is still the limiting factor here. In a salty, open-air environment, you’ll appreciate the keyed buttons, but you might find yourself wishing for more screen real estate when you’re trying to navigate a tight inlet while watching the depth sounder.

• Pre-loaded with detailed U.S. Coastal maps
• 5-inch keyed display for easy operation
• CHIRP and ClearVü sonar capable (transducer not included)
• Wi-Fi for sharing waypoints and routes
• Compatible with Garmin’s GT series transducers

Best for: The saltwater angler who already owns a transducer and just needs a new chartplotter head unit with reliable coastal mapping.

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 64sv

The 64sv is the most capable unit in this lineup because it adds SideVü sonar. This is the feature that changes how you fish. Instead of only seeing a thin slice of water beneath the boat, you get a wide scan of what’s on either side. You can cover more water and find fish-holding structure without driving over it first.

The 6-inch screen is a nice middle ground. It’s bigger than the 5-inch units, making the SideVü image actually useful, but it’s not so large that it eats up your console space. This unit is a favorite for aluminum deep-V boats and smaller center consoles that run in both fresh and saltwater.

Like the other coastal package, this one doesn’t include a transducer. You’ll need to budget for one separately. It’s a bit of a sting, but it also gives you flexibility. You can pick a transducer with a narrower cone angle for deep water or a wider one for shallow-water coverage. That choice is valuable for anglers with specific depth requirements.

• 6-inch keyed display with high-visibility palettes
• CHIRP, ClearVü, and SideVü sonar support
• Pre-loaded with U.S. Coastal maps
• Wi-Fi networking to share data with other ECHOMAP units
• Transducer sold separately for custom setup

Best for: The angler who wants maximum sonar coverage and is willing to build a custom transducer setup to match their specific fishing grounds.

How We Chose These Products

My selection process started with real-world fishing scenarios, not just spec sheets. I looked at the boats these units are most likely to be mounted on. A 5-inch unit on a kayak makes sense; a 5-inch unit on a 24-foot center console does not. I weighed the screen size against the intended use case for each model.

I also considered the total package. A chartplotter is only as good as its transducer and mapping. I prioritized units that offered a clear upgrade path in sonar technology and mapping detail, and I flagged the ones that require separate purchases so there are no surprises at checkout.

Buying Guide: What Really Matters

Screen size gets all the attention, but it’s not the whole story. The real question is what you’re going to do with the unit. If you’re only using it to mark waypoints and check depth, a 5-inch screen is fine. If you plan to run split-screen sonar and mapping while navigating, you’ll want a larger display. Think about how much information you need to see at a glance.

The transducer is the heart of the system. The included GT20-TM on the 54CV and 73CV is a solid all-around performer, but it’s not ideal for every situation. For deep water, you might want a transducer with a narrower cone angle. For shallow water, a wider one. If you buy a unit without a transducer, you have the freedom to choose, but you also have the responsibility to match it to your fishing depth and water type.

Networking is another factor that’s easy to overlook. Wi-Fi connectivity lets you share waypoints between units and update software without pulling the unit off the dash. If you think you might add a second unit at the bow later, buying one with Wi-Fi now saves you headaches later. NMEA 2026 support is worth checking for if you plan to integrate radar or an autopilot down the road.

Our Top Recommendation

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 73CV is the best all-around pick for most anglers. The 7-inch screen is the minimum size I’d want for running split views, and the included transducer means you’re ready to fish immediately. It’s the sweet spot of price, performance, and usability for bay boats and bass boats.

If you’re on a budget or fishing from a kayak, the ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV is the smart choice. It’s a complete, functional unit that doesn’t break the bank. For saltwater anglers who want side-scan capability and already have a transducer, the ECHOMAP UHD2 64sv is the one to get. It offers the most sonar coverage in this group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a transducer to the no-transducer models later? Yes. The 54CV Coastal and 64sv are designed to work with Garmin’s GT series transducers. You can buy one separately and mount it yourself or have it installed. Just make sure the transducer you choose is compatible with the unit’s sonar capabilities.

Is a 5-inch screen too small for navigation? It depends on your boat and your eyesight. For a kayak or a small tiller boat, a 5-inch screen is fine. For a larger boat where the unit is mounted farther away, you’ll struggle to see the details on the map. If you’re over 40 and wear reading glasses, step up to the 7-inch.

Will these units work in saltwater? Yes, the ECHOMAP UHD2 series is built for both fresh and saltwater environments. The 54CV and 73CV come with freshwater mapping but can still function in saltwater. The Coastal versions come with saltwater-specific maps pre-loaded, which is what you want for offshore fishing.

What’s the difference between ClearVü and SideVü? ClearVü scans directly below the boat and gives you a high-resolution image of the bottom and fish holding tight to it. SideVü scans out to the left and right of the boat, covering a much wider area. SideVü is better for finding structure and bait schools, but it requires a transducer that supports it, like the one on the 64sv.