ECHOMAP Plus 73cv Ice Fishing Bundle

I’m going to be buying a new unit for ice fishing in the next week or so. I’ve narrowed it down to the Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 73cv Ice Fishing Bundle with the high narrow transducer or the Marcum LX7. Obviously a benefit to the Garmin is being able to throw it in the boat in the summer, but my main concern is getting the best performing ice machine. Anyone compared these two units side by side? Any lag to the Garmin? Also wondering how each of these units plays with others. I generally fish with people that either have FLX28’s or Lx6 & 7’s, would prefer to not interfere with each other! Thanks

I just got the garmin this year, I like it. If you need to use the circular flasher layout then I would warn you that it feels laggy. I don’t use it though and prefer to use the 2D sonar layout. Perhaps the flasher wouldn’t seem so laggy but I have only spent about 2 minutes using it (have used the 2D a lot and like that).

I bought it for fact I can just quickly swap the head unit from the ice bundle to my boat. No need for 2 units.

As for interference I have been around humminbirds, vexlars and a marcum and haven’t gotten any interference.

no lag with the 2D?

I own a echomap plus 73cv and I run a GT-10 ice transducer. I do not see any lag when running the flasher screen.

I have also run it next to my LX-6 and a FL-18 with no issues.
If you want to see it in action I am located in the twin cities area.

thanks for the input fellas, much appreciated. jaimep- since you own both, do you prefer the garmin or the lx6?

jumpingeorge wrote:

no lag with the 2D?

I have no lag with the 2D, but perhaps my unit is on older software but my flasher definitely has more noticeable lag than a vex or humminbird ice 55. Perhaps its just the lcd screen. Either way I am more than happy to never use the flasher again with the 2D setup.

jumpingeorge wrote:

thanks for the input fellas, much appreciated. jaimep- since you own both, do you prefer the garmin or the lx6?

Lx-6 doesn’t come out of the sled unless the wife is with.

I used to own an LX6 until I bought the Garmin ice bundle for the EchoMap 73 sv. Once I got it tuned in I sold the LX in favor of the Garmin. At first I noticed the lag of the flasher compared to the Marcum, but once I set it to Ultra-scroll the lag went away and the units were comparable. No regrets.

you’ve convinced me, ordered the Garmin yesterday. Will be my first unit of this type, hope it doesn’t take too long to get it dialed in!

Hey guys, I know
Is it’s an old topic but I was having this issue as well and was told it’s normal. I have an lx7 and an echomap 73cv and have a noticable difference in speed when jigging vs the flasher mark moving on the Garmin compared to lx7. Wondering how you guys set yours?

MBrown4 wrote:

Hey guys, I know
Is it’s an old topic but I was having this issue as well and was told it’s normal. I have an lx7 and an echomap 73cv and have a noticable difference in speed when jigging vs the flasher mark moving on the Garmin compared to lx7. Wondering how you guys set yours?

I’d make sure you’re running the latest version of software to start.

I am not. Running v 7.30 and haven’t done any updates. Newer software update decrease the delay?

MBrown4 wrote:

I am not. Running v 7.30 and haven’t done any updates. Newer software update decrease the delay?

I can’t say for sure, but updates are there to fix customer complaints and to make things run smoother

There’s been several since 7.30

If you call any marine electronics company about a problem, their first question is always to check if you’re running the latest software.