echoMAP 43dv is the new addition to the Garmin’s growing line-up of sonar products. Upon opening the box, anglers find the head unit, the power and data cable, the quick-release mount, GT20-TM/4-pin transducer, a trolling motor mount and all of the necessary mounting hardware in addition to the manual.
Affordable and compact, the unit has plenty of power and features that capably enhance any angler’s ability to find the fish in fresh or salt water. The high-contrast color display has adjustable backlighting, and when combined with the swivel mount, ensures that images remain viewable regardless of environmental light conditions. The 4.3-inch screen displays images in 480 x 272 pixel resolution. The keypad control buttons are self-explanatory and clearly marked for power on/off, select, home and mark along with zoom in/out, back and four-way direction function.
LakeVu Mapping
The factory installed LakeVu HD mapping system beats competitor models with more than 17,000 lake, reservoir and river maps displayed in extreme detail. The maps additionally provide HD underwater views of 5,700 lakes with the options of safety contour shading for shallower locations. See hazards at a glance. The maps also illustrate a long list of details concerning location points of interest that include roads, highways, bridges, fishing areas, boat ramps, docks, marinas and campgrounds. You can create up to 5,000 waypoints to navigate back to favorite fishing spots fast and easy using the built-in antenna plus the 5Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver that together ensure seamless image updates 5 times per second.
The Garmin Auto Guidance technology immediately searches charts to display a virtual path to help avoid hazardous areas and obstructions. Calculate paths by inserting points at different landmarks or stops along a designated route. See problem areas quickly. Calculate arrival times at any point on the way, which is fantastic for timing bridge openings or other necessitated timed events. Save all of the data on a removable microSD card. The single microSD card slot also extends memory if opting for accessory maps that might include the BlueChart g2, the BlueChart g2 Vision or the LakeVu HD Ultra. The LakeVu Ultra has high-resolution shading in addition to depth range shading and dynamic lake levels on more than 70 lakes.
Impressive Sonar
The Garmin 43dv comes equipped with 77/200 kHz dual-beam sonar via a single transducer. The HD-ID sonar and the DownVu scanning sonar both provide picture perfect images while displaying bait fish, game fish, vegetation or terrain structures in depths of up to 750 feet. Display also indicates vessel speed, water temperature and depth graduations, which takes guess work out of determining the depth of objects.
The device also provides the option of viewing maps or sonar images in single or combination split-screen mode. In addition to providing real-time imaging, the Garmin echoMAP allows anglers to back-up and review the history. The digital recording feature enables quick data download onto a PC. Recording makes it convenient to transfer routes or waypoints from one unit to another via the SD card and HomePort planning software.
You can plug the cords directly into the mount for quick installation or removal of the unit. When done fishing for the day, simply disconnect the device and take it indoors for safe keeping. The Garmin echoMAP 43dv makes a nice addition to any tackle box. Easy-to-use features appeal to novice or experienced anglers alike. You can get a great deal on Garmin echoMap 43dv here.
| Lowrance Elite-4 CHIRP | Raymarine Dragonfly 4PRO | Garmin echoMap 43dv | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  | | |
| Screen Size | 4.3 in | 4.3 in | 4.3 in |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 272 pixels | 480 x 272 pixels | 480 x 272 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color TFT | WQVGA | WQVGA |
| Imaging | 2D using CHRIP, Down Imaging, Downscan Overlay | 2D, Down Imaging | 2D, Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | 350W RMS 2800W Peak-To-Peak | 500 W RMS 4,000 W Peak to Peak | 500 W RMS 4,000 W Peak to Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 455/800 kHz DownScan 50 kHz/83kHz/200kHz CHIRP | wide spectrum of sonar frequencies | 70 kHz/200 kHz 50 kHz/200 kHz transducer comes with the echoMap 44dv |
| Maximum Depth | 300 ft DownScan 1000 ft CHIRP 200/83 kHz 3000 ft CHIRP 50 kHz | 600 ft both sonar and DownVision | 2,300 ft freshwater 1,100 ft saltwater |
| GPS Antenna | Internal high-sensitivity WAAS + EGNOS + MSAS (optional external antenna) | Internal | Internal |
| MSRP | $299 | $299 | $299 |
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