Garmin Echomap 73 CV - Transducer Switch Trick - Well? ...

[Bartableman7]

My understanding is that this unit "marks" waypoints with the mark button, not by any touchscreen capabilities.  So, when I see a boulder or brush pile it is really marking the location of my unit, not the actual item on the bottom of the lake, which is at least 10 feet behind the boat.  I only have one console unit with the transducer on the back of the boat.

 

My plan is to mark an object, then switch to a front transducer drive over the object again and mark it. The console GPS waypoint should now be nearly right over the object and much more accurate for later casting.

 

Good plan?

[Way2slow]

For the best answer on that one, I would contact Garmin and ask them about running an A/B switch to switch transducers.  It would probably have to be something they made for that until to match plugs.

In the old days of single and even dual frequency transducers, that was not a problem and was a very common practice.  Transducers and the unit's technology have gotten a lot more sophisticated today, and interference created by the switch could be a problem.

[Fishingmickey]

I'm not a 100% positive, But I think the mark button marks where the GPS unit (in the head) is not where the transducer is. 

FM 

[Way2slow]

I think when you want to mark something, it gives you a crosshair you move over the object and it marks the location of the object so you can come back to that object, not where the boat was.  I've never done it but I spent about a week playing with my SV on a power supply and think that was how it worked.

[Bartableman7]

I'm going to unplug the back transducer and plug in the front one.  No interference that way.

An Echomap 73 CV has no crosshairs or touchscreen for waypoints.  Or... mine has been bad for years.

[Way2slow]

You might have to/want to, turn it off to unplug the transducer.  Mine will shut down if a transducer is not connected.  If they are different type transducers, you may have to go in setup and change transducer type.

Mine are the new model Echomap UHD 93SV and 73SV so they may be different, and I could be wrong about it, like I said, I've never tried it in actual use, and it's been a few months since I had them at the desk learning them.

[king fisher]

     Go to your sonar screen.  Scroll back until you see the object you want to mark.  Press select.  It will mark the spot exactly where your unit was when whatever transducer you were using was over the object.  GPS is in your unit, not the transducer.  Older units, you had to mark a waypoint the instant you drove over it, and would still be a little off.  Most newer units let you scroll back on your sonar screen and mark the spot long after you have passed over it.  Some units you can even mark the spots while you are at home reviewing the day.  I believe the ability to mark spots this way is one of the best advancements in electronics that has come out in the last few years.  Having to criss cross a spot several times to get the waypoint in the right place was always a big waste of time.

[schplurg]

It's possible that I have no idea what I'm talking about but what about throw it in reverse and use the single transducer instead?

[king fisher]

On 3/23/2022 at 1:36 PM, Bartableman7 said:

I'm going to unplug the back transducer and plug in the front one.  No interference that way.

An Echomap 73 CV has no crosshairs or touchscreen for waypoints.  Or... mine has been bad for years.

Your 73 CV does have crosshairs.  

Go to sonar screen, press select, then scroll back.  When you hit the arrow to scroll back, crosshairs will appear.  Place crosshairs on object then press select.  It will then give you options to name waypoint, and what symbol you want to use such as tree dot square, etc.  The object will be placed on your map, where the transducer you were using was when you went over it.  

[Bartableman7]

Here is where I get confused.  There is no "Select" button.  There is a "Mark" button on the screen which only puts a 'waypoint' where the console is located.  Where do you see 'Select'?  Thanks all.

[king fisher]

Make sure you are on the sonar screen not the chart screen.  You will be able to scroll back.  When you start to scroll cross hairs will appear.  Put the cross hairs on the object you want to mark and hit select.  I have an echomap 64 cv.  It does not have touch screen, so has a select button.  I'm exactly sure what one with a touch screen will say, but I know for sure you can mark a spot after you went over it as long as you are on the sonar screen.  A manual will explain how to do it better than I can, I just know it can be done.  

[Bartableman7]

I solved it.  You swipe your finger in an arc across the screen...then the cross hairs appear.  Finally!