Garmin Gt54 Vs Gt56

I am planning on getting a Garmin EchoMap UHD 74sv unit. I'd get the 94 sv if there was room in my small center console, but there isn't. In shopping around, I've noticed that some "packages" for the UHD 74sv have the GT54 transducer, while others have the GT56 transducer. I assume (maybe I'm mistaken) that the GT56 is a newer model transducer? A little homework reveals that these two transducers do have some frequency differences from one another, but my one and only concern and question is whether or not there would be any VISIBLE performance differences between these two different transducers. Informed and experienced input requested and genuinely appreciated. Uninformed speculation, not so much. Thanks in advance. Last edited by Roccus; 08-07-2021 at 06:02 AM. Reason: correct typo errors Roccus is offline Reply Like Old 08-07-2021, 06:50 AM #2 Floridavid Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Savannah, GA area Posts: 38 Likes: 0 Received 22 Likes on 13 Posts Default I had similar questions when I was selecting my transducer but found very little. There were a few YouTube videos, but they were mostly shallow water. I ended up getting the GT56 as it’s higher frequency provided more spread from my thru hull transducer. I haven't used it much, but so far very pleased with its performance. david Floridavid is offline Reply Like Old 08-07-2021, 07:02 AM #3 LI32 Admirals Club Admiral's Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,750 Likes: 178 Received 1,143 Likes on 701 Posts Default It all depends upon what you are going to use it for. TH GT56 & GT 54 will perform pretty equally in most uses, the GT56 has a deeper usable range, but if you are fishing in less than 75' of water, that won't matter. The GT54 has UHD clear view, which is great in shallow water (under 30') that the GT56 lacks, but the GT 56 will be a better performer once you get to about 60' of water depth. There is a reason it costs more, and that is because it uses somewhat bigger elements. I have the GT 54 and a GT 23 on my 23' CC, but we fish in saltwater in depths ranging from 10' to 300', and once you get deeper than 100' the GT 54 is not very useful. LI32 is offline Reply Like Likes: Roccus Old 08-07-2021, 07:03 AM #4 semperfifishing Admirals Club Admiral's Club Member THT sponsor Marine Advertiser Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 25,002 Likes: 0 Received 1,930 Likes on 1,111 Posts Default Yes, the GT56 UHD is the newer unit and what is currently packaged with Garmin's ECHOMAP UHD units like the 74sv UHD,94SV UHD ,106 ULTRA etc. Both GT54/ GT56 have Traditional CHIRP, Clear Vu and side Vu.... I have used both and the GT56 does have a bit sharper return for structure than the GT54...plus a bit deeper Traditional. Also.. The GT54 has a 20' cable..the GT56 has a 25' cable. Last edited by semperfifishing; 08-07-2021 at 09:43 AM. semperfifishing is offline Reply Like Likes: Roccus Old 08-07-2021, 01:04 PM #5 Roccus Junior Member Thread Starter Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: NE Coast Posts: 26 Likes: 35 Received 7 Likes on 5 Posts Default Thank you Gents, for sharing your knowledge and experience. Much appreciated. Roccus is offline Reply Like Old 08-08-2021, 07:53 PM #6 210VenturaForShura Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: CT Posts: 967 Likes: 105 Received 366 Likes on 169 Posts Default Look up MG Marine Tech on YouTube... he did a pretty detailed review of both on the water. Has a bunch of EchoMap vids too. My two cents... How often do you buy new electronics? Get the newest and best available of whatever you want to buy, don’t get last years model. I recently upgraded to the 74SV and have been very happy with it. Last edited by 210VenturaForShura; 08-09-2021 at 05:44 AM. 210VenturaForShura is offline