Garmin...[announces] the echoMAP CHIRP series--a new line of affordable chart plotter and sonar combination units with built-in [frequency-modulated pulse-compression] sonar. With preloaded cartography for inland or coastal waters, the new echoMAP CHIRP series offers support for Garmin Panoptix transducers, and all units come standard with Garmin Quickdraw Contours, a new software feature that lets mariners instantly create personalized [charts] with one-foot contours on any body of water. With NMEA® 2000 compatibility, the new echoMAPs can also receive information from sensors, engines, autopilots and more....
Like previous echoMAP models, the CHIRP series is available in bright, sunlight-readable 4-inch, 5-inch, 7-inch and 9-inch color displays with an intuitive, keyed interface. All models are equipped with a built-in, high-sensitivity 5-Hz GPS [receiver]....
For the clearest scanning sonar of fish and structure on the market, this new series offers built-in [frequency-modulated pulse-compression] traditional sonar and [frequency-modulated pulse compression] DownVü and SideVü technology. Instead of just sending one single frequency, [frequency-modulated pulse-compression] sends a continuous sweep of frequencies and interprets them individually upon their return, creating crisper fish arches with better target separation. For anglers who want to see objects and structure below the boat, DownVü provides a nearly photographic view with excellent resolution and target separation in both freshwater and saltwater. The echoMAP sv models also add SideVü scanning for customers who want to see what’s located on both sides of the boat.
Additionally, the 7-inch and 9-inch echoMAP CHIRP models provide support for Garmin PanoptixTM all-seeing sonar. With Panoptix on board, fisherman can see real-time sonar imagery at video-like speed. It shows an image of fish swimming and moving toward or away from the boat – even while stationary – in real time and up to 100 feet away. The echoMAP CHIRP series will support all Panoptix models, including the new PS21.
Available with preloaded cartography for fresh or coastal waters, each new model is offered with either U.S. or Canada LakeVü, or U.S. BlueChart® g2 mapping. U.S. LakeVü is an extensive database of more than 17,000 inland lakes, reservoirs and rivers that includes over 13,000 lakes with high-definition 1-foot contours shore-to-shore. Canada LakeVü features more than 13,500 lakes, 4,800 of which have 1-foot contours.
The new echoMAP CHIRP series will be available in January 2016, with suggested retail prices ranging from $299.99 to $1259.99. For more information, visit garmin.com/marine2016.
The new echoMAP product line has many models. To help understand the nomenclature, the model designators seem to follow these categorizations:
Numerical model numbers beginning in 4 are 4-inch displays
Numerical model numbers beginning in 5 are 5-inch displays
Numerical model numbers beginning in 7 are 7-inch displays
Numerical model numbers beginning in 9 are 8-inch displays
Numerical model numbers ending in 2 are base units and have a world-wide base chart
Numerical model numbers ending in 3 have USA inland lakes charts, called LakeVu
Numerical model numbers ending in 4 have USA coastal charts, called BlueChart g2
Numerical model numbers ending in 5 have Canada charts, called Canada LakeVu
Models with "dv" suffix are down-view devices
Models with "sv" suffix are both side-view devices and down-view devices
To further complicate the product offerings, the many models are available without transducers or in bundles with transducers.
Let's look at some pricing.
echoMAP CHIRP 72dv = $700 (the base model; no transducer but GT20-TM a $100 option; world-wide base map cartography)
echoMAP CHIRP 73dv= $700 (cartography for USA inland lakes; a GT22-TM transducer)
echoMap CHIRP 74dv = $900 (cartography for USA coastal; a GT23-TM transducer)
echoMap CHIRP 75dv = $900 (cartography for Canada lakes; a GT22-TM transducer)
If you are in the USA or Canada, you probably do not want the models ending in 2, as they seem to be intended for buyers outside the USA and Canada. If inside the USA, you probably want a model ending in 3 or 4; they will have enhanced cartography for the USA, either inland or coastal. If you are in Canada, you probably want a model ending 5; they include enhanced cartography for Canada's waters.
The transducer bundles are also different. For the base model the GT20-TM is an option. For the inland models (ending 3 or 5) the bundled transducer is a GT22-TM. For the coastal model (ending in 4) the bundled transducer is a GT23-TM. Here are the specifications:
GT20-TM Transducer = transom mount; traditional SONAR (77 or 200-kHz); DownVu (455 or 800 kHz); has temperature; MSRP $100.
GT22-TM Transducer = plastic, transom mount High Wide CHIRP (150 to 240-kHz) and CHIRP DownVu (455 or 800 kHz); has temperature; MSRP $170.
GT23-TM Transducer = plastic, transom mount Mid Band CHIRP (80 to 160-kHz) and CHIRP DownVu (260 or 455 kHz); has temperature; MSRP $200.