Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv Chartplotter

Curated from 50 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 24, 2025

Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv Chartplotter

Brand: Garmin
Price: $1299
Snoop Score:
7.4
Sentiment
7.9
Popularity
4.0
Technical
8.3

Snoop's Take

The Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv is a high-performance 9" touchscreen chartplotter designed for boaters and fishing enthusiasts. It features a built-in GT56 transducer for advanced sonar capabilities and Garmin Navionics+ coastal charts, providing users with essential navigation tools. Consumer sentiment around the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv is largely positive, with many users praising its intuitive route planning feature through the Active Captain app, stating that it "allows you to plan your routes and waypoints on your phone." Additionally, users appreciate the device's great navigation capabilities and performance, with comments like "I have and love it too. Best fishfinder on the market" highlighting its strengths in both chart and depth display. Based on the feedback, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv is highly recommended for those seeking a reliable and advanced chartplotter and fishfinder. Despite some concerns regarding software updates and subscription costs, its performance and features make it a strong option in its category.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Marine GPS Chartplotters

The active captain app allows you to plan your routes and waypoints on your phone, then uploads to your gps unit when your own the boat.

Positive Feedback

Great hardware with shitty software that gets dropped few months after release.

Negative Feedback
Product
7.4
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv Chartplotter
Coastal Navigation
7 / 10
Recreational Fishing
9 / 10
Vessel Monitoring
8 / 10
Integrated Marine Systems
9 / 10
See how this compares to all Marine GPS Chartplotters

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Intuitive route planning feature with Active Captain app
The active captain app allows you to plan your routes and waypoints on your phone, then uploads to your gps unit when your own the boat.
Garmin offers a range of models for different boat sizes
Garmin makes a nice one for a reasonable price.
Garmin echomap plotter is a better option than cheaper fishfinder options
the Garmin echomap plotter is a better option than the strykers for sailing, imo, but B&G are made/optimized for sailing rather than fish-finding so that is where I am now looking.
Good functionality for displaying charts and depth
As far as functionality, it looks like the unit you linked to would work fine for displaying charts and depth.
Great navigation capabilities
Solid unit compatible with live scope.
Compatible with livescope technology
It's all you need.
High praise for performance
I have this and love it. Not coupled to a motor, just used as a GPS/fishfinder.
I have and love it too. Best fishfinder on the market
I feel like I got a steal of a deal. I will never exceed it's capabilities.
Garmin makes military technology definitely the best in the game without a doubt
Excellent battery life compared to Apple Watch
Garmin isn’t, however can do so much more not to mention the battery life!
Garmin devices provide extensive fitness tracking features
While the Garmins don’t have as many activity profiles as the AW... recognizing that the AW likely just tracks these activities as it would a HIIT or similar, it’s not a big deal to me.
Garmin watches integrate well with iPhone for notifications
I like how the Garmin Connect app works on the iPhone and I have it linked with Apple Health and Strava.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Software issues with older devices
Great hardware with shitty software that gets dropped few months after release.
High prices for software updates
the prices for updates on those systems are extortionate.
Navionics subscription issues
Navionics is worse than you think.
Garmin Motorize app may not receive future updates
Sure hope yamaha comes up with an alternate service or app.
Garmin doesn't allow mixed measurement units
Garmin does not allow this feature. You have to choose all metric or all imperial.
Disappointment with step tracking and reminders
Steps, reminders to move and sleep data are my primary uses, and on 2 of those fronts Garmin doesn't seem to be the winner.
Garmin devices are not a complete replacement for Apple Watch
The Garmin devices are no replacement for Apple Watches in terms of smart watch features.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
Simrad GO9 XSE - 9-inch ChartplotterSimrad GO9 XSE - 9-inch Chartplotter$999
9.3
DetailsBuy
Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/FishfinderGarmin GPSMAP 943xsv Combo GPS/Fishfinder$1319
8.4
DetailsBuy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV Chartplotter/FishfinderGarmin ECHOMAP UHD2 54CV Chartplotter/Fishfinder$399
7.8
DetailsBuy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv ChartplotterGarmin ECHOMAP UHD2 94sv Chartplotter$1299
7.4
DetailsBuy
Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 53CV Chartplotter/FishfinderGarmin ECHOMAP UHD2 53CV Chartplotter/Fishfinder$349
6.3
DetailsBuy
Simrad Cruise 5-5-inch GPS Chartplotter with Preloaded C-MAP US Coastal MapsSimrad Cruise 5-5-inch GPS Chartplotter with Preloaded C-MAP US Coastal Maps$313
5.9
DetailsBuy
Simrad NSS 4-16" SolarMAX HD Display Chartplotter and FishfinderSimrad NSS 4-16" SolarMAX HD Display Chartplotter and Fishfinder$5799
4.7
DetailsBuy
Garmin GPSMAP 79s Marine GPS HandheldGarmin GPSMAP 79s Marine GPS Handheld$264
4.3
DetailsBuy
Garmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS NavigatorGarmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS Navigator$449
4.1
DetailsBuy
RAYMARINE Axiom+ 9-9" MFD ChartplotterRAYMARINE Axiom+ 9-9" MFD Chartplotter$1461
3.7
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Differences in transducer models affect capabilities
Most of the big differences in the Garmin lineup is the model of transducer that comes with it and whether it has down imaging, side imaging, panoptix, etc.
Comparative experience with Garmin and Lowrance
Garmin felt easier to navigate the UI
User experiences with different sonar technologies
I went with Garmin to upgrade to their livescope system, which is my favorite type of sonar to use and I’ve caught a ton of fish with it.
GPX import feature is supported by Garmin Motorize
GPX import seems to be supported:

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Alternative mapping solutions using Raspberry Pi
I don’t need anything fancy, just need to know what’s around me.
Users consider alternatives like Android tablets for navigation
Been messing around with Navionics and iNavX and they seem pretty good.
Get a 8" android tablet with built in gps. It doesn't't need to have cell service.
This is perfect
Users consider tablets as alternatives for navigation
I’m just astonished at the prices for some of these units.
I have a Garmin echomap 44cv installed on my 20' bowrider for the lakes I travel.
Innovative mounting solutions using RAM mounts
Highly recommend.
Exploration of alternative chart solutions
Chart providers are essentially where the music industry as in the 1980s. Since it sounds like you'
Seaiq app pay one time. GPS all the charts you can download. And they upload chart changes.
I use Open CPN and run it off a tablet or phone for this very reason: http://www.opencon.org
The interface is way better, way simpler, I can't believe it's doing all the same things as open CPN for the most part with so far fewer buttons.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Price matching at West Marine for better purchase options
Here's a little tip, west marine price matches Amazon and all you have to do is show them the link.
User seeks recommendations for GPS navigation under $500 with auto-guidance feature.
My BIGGEST thing I’m looking for something that will Auto Guidance or ez route routes with safe depth for my boat.
Personal preference for alternative brands like Raymarine
Raymarine is my personal choice, the a65/a67 are great little units, perfect for a small boat although not cheap.
Need for chart plotters without subscription requirements
Proprietary shit like that make my eyes bleed.
Consideration of alternative models
Makes my decision easier.
User willing to pay for Garmin app annual fee despite initial reluctance
It's a $16K-plus motorcycle, what's another $40 a year?
Comparison between Garmin Motorize and other apps like Streetcross
Intresting read. I hope the functionality of Motorize compares to Garmin Streetcross on the new MT09.
User's experience switching from Fitbit to Garmin
Although I really liked my fitbit Charge 4, I wanted to get away before Google completely ruined fitbit and I'd have to change at higher prices.
Users appreciate the differences in smartwatch functionalities
I have been “all in” on apple products (phone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch) but am thinking about getting a Garmin watch instead of the new Apple Watch (battery life is a big reason).
Discussion about music app compatibility with Garmin
Thank you so much for the thoughtful reply! I really appreciate the input.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
User experiences with overheating mobile apps
So not ideal.
Concerns about smartphone apps for charting draining battery
I was hoping I could get something to use/check all day while I'm out for a long day of sailing, and fire up Navonics closer to shore to find marinas and such.

You May Also Like

Explore more Categories
Marine Stereos
Top Marine Stereos for Boats & Watercraft
Top Marine Stereos for Boats & Watercraft
Marine Antennas
High Performance Marine Antennas for Reliable Ocean Communications
High Performance Marine Antennas for Reliable Ocean Communications
Marine Two Way Radios
Top Marine Two-Way Radios for Reliable On-Water Communication
Top Marine Two-Way Radios for Reliable On-Water Communication