Anyone have any input regarding the 2018 models of these units? I am looking to upgrade my main unit to a larger screen and putting my Helix 5 SI up front for my new spider rigging setup. Thoughts or better options? Thanks!
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Anyone have any input regarding the 2018 models of these units? I am looking to upgrade my main unit to a larger screen and putting my Helix 5 SI up front for my new spider rigging setup. Thoughts or better options? Thanks!
I have the 73 and really like it, I have used every brand over the years and they are all good. The nice thing about Garmin is the Echo series has the maps built in and they are great.
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I just bought the 93sv model this last weekend. I went in to buy the 73 and walked out with the 93. It’s getting installed at the dealership. I can’t wait to get out on the water with it.
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Have a 94 and love it
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I've got the 73SV & love it. Wish I'd bought the 93. Right now Garmin is the best bang for the buck on the market.
When looking at the 73 and the 93. They do the same thing just one is bigger. When I got to the show I was buying them at I went in for the 73. I looked all the brands and talk with their reps. The Garmin has what I was looking for. When I saw the 73 and 93 next to each other the 93 seemed way bigger and I could read the screen so much better. I should wear glasses but I don’t. They also only had a couple 93’s left. And so I got into the I had to have it scam of the salesman. Lol. From the demo it looked great had side view, down view and sonar. If you need mapping go with the echo map. Since this unit is going on the bow I don’t need to know the lake from the front seat. However I can still pull up my waypoints and the contours I map. Lakes change and the preloaded contours might not be right but when making your own as you go over it that’s the most current data. I also got to see the new ultra high definition version. I know it’s better but I could tell the difference.
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Have two 73 sv plus units. Love them. If you plan on upgrading in the future, you can get an Ethernet cable, and link the plus units. This will share with waypoints and sonar.
Garmin's imaging is still behind Humminbird's and Lowrance.....unless you prefer a fuzzy-type image.
Garmin's have their advantages, just dont expect the imaging to look as good as your Helix's.
as far as the comparison to Humminbird and Lowrance which I have owned both brands got rid of the Lowrance and went to Humminbird got rid of the Humminbird because you buy your unit today and tomorrow its already outdated and they got something new to sale you !! went to Garmin echomap 93 sv 2 years ago and love it , it has great images and they are not fuzzy !!! and you know what my unit is still up to date with what Garmin is selling today and not Discontinued !!!!:biggrin
it is not up to date as it wont work with the new HD imaging. Need a Plus model for that.
I have also owned the big 3 and theres no question that Garmins imaging trails HB and Lowrance. Even the supposed GT down imaging blows, especially compared to Lowrance.
I have learned this the hard way.
I just put a 73sv plus and 73cv plus on my boat, I've only been on the water once with them but so far I like what I see. Quickdraw and Active Captain are pluses as well
My images are great as well, nothing is blurred. Best bang for the buck out there. No it's not a mega... But neither is the cost and my livewell isn't lonely
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The cv gives you down imaging and the sv gives you side and down imaging. I just bought the striker plus 93sv.
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The cv is what they changed the name of the dv to during the latter months of the litigation with Lowrance. Now that they are back to offering the GT xducers again with the dedicated down crystal I think they still refer to it as clear-vu. I won't argue as to who has the best pics. I'm happy with mine but I think all of them need to be adjusted to maximize results per the conditions.
I just bought a Garmin 73 sv plus. I love the touch screen !! The images are amazing. It looks like a diver took a photo. I'm very impressed so far.
I located and caught slabs the first day on the water.
Just put an Echomap Plus 93sv on my little tracker. I haven’t had it long enough to learn a whole lot about using it, but you really don’t have to. The only thing I’ve had to adjust is the gain setting in 2d sonar. But that was in lakes with rock bottoms, with a softer bottom the auto gain setting might be fine. So far I am very happy with it.
How much clearer does it need to be? I have spent a lot of time actually fishing all three brands and not playing count the scales with imaging. There isn't much practical difference in the down imaging between them with a GT transducer, can't speak for the CV. In fact the Garmin GT down is better than I ever got from multiple Humminbird core series units that utilized blended SI xducer to produce the down image. I like Humminbird SI a little better but the Garmin is perfectly functional for the way I use it.
All that said though with Garmin you had better do your homework about the mapping in your area. One of my lakes is good, one is terrible. If they don't fix the terrible one soon I will be dumping mine but it won't be because the imaging holds me or anyone else back from catching crappie.Attachment 296462Attachment 296463Attachment 296464Attachment 296465Attachment 296467Attachment 296468
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I will take those fuzzy images all day lol...i got two 73sv and love them!
^^ The last picture speaks for itself! ^^
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/side-...astic-barrels/
I consider myself a novice with these units. Watch some videos, for any of the brands, most of the info is still relevant / applicable to all.
Do not get caught up in the CV vs GT debate.