I've seen this asked several times heres the difference straight from the Garmin website. I have a cv52hw-tm on my trolling motor and because its so wide on down imagine I don't get the detail I want. I will be switching to the gt52. The dedicated center element makes a difference
The Garmin CV transducers do not have a center element but do have two side-facing elements, and therefore, offer better coverage to the sides of the boat. The area directly beneath the boat is covered by the combination of these two elements and will work in waters down to 250 feet deep, in ideal conditions. This technique has been proven in the industry to deliver clear sonar pictures with full coverage under the boat, and the Garmin CV transducers do just that.
The Garmin GT transducers have a center element which allows for improved depth performance over a CV transducer, but a narrower coverage area that limits the display of returns to the side of the boat. Please see the illustration below:
Sent from my SM-G960U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
