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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | Finally making the upgrade to new electronics and trolling motor. Going with a MinnKota Terrova 80 with ipilot link. But having a hard time deciding whether to go with a 999si on the back for my main graph, or the new Helix 9. I picked up a 999si on closeout for $899, and can purchase the Helix 9si for the same price through a friends store. 999 has ben out, bugs seem to be fixed and have heard great things from any of the guys I know who run them. The Helix9si is a new unit this year, which makes me a little leery, but also leery of buying a discontinued model in the 999.
SO basically, are there any features on the 999 that were dropped in the Helix that will be missed? Any other reason to go with one over the other. If it maters I plan on networking with either a 959 or a Helix 9(plain no di/si) on the bow. But again, I can get the 959 and a plain Helix 9 for the same price. So the $ isnt an issue at all, just purely which will be the better unit. |
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Posts: 1088
Location: Hayward, WI | The Helix 9 will have Autochart live, which depending how good the mapping on the lakes your fish, could be worth the extra $100 easily. |
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Posts: 470
| The helix 9 has a low def transducer if I'm not mistaken... |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | RandalB - 1/27/2016 12:57 PM
The helix 9 has a low def transducer if I'm not mistaken...
You are correct about the transducer. But Humminbird will exchange it for the hdsi transducer for $85. I would get the helix and do the transducer swap just make sure you DO NOT OPEN the transducer that comes with the helix it has to be un opened or they won't exchange it. |
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Posts: 470
| R Code,
I have a 999SI now and am thinking about switching to a Helix 9-10, do you know if the HD transducer for the 999 is compatible? I'd prefer to leave it in place if I can..
RandalB |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | RandalB - 1/27/2016 4:12 PM
R Code,
I have a 999SI now and am thinking about switching to a Helix 9-10, do you know if the HD transducer for the 999 is compatible? I'd prefer to leave it in place if I can..
RandalB
Yes your transducer and power wire will plug right in the helix. But you will have to put your wires in the new cable collector that comes with the helix. If you have any ? Let me know.
Edited by R code 1/27/2016 6:04 PM
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Posts: 1000
| Played with the Helix 9 and 10 at the MN Boat Show. One thing that doesn't get mentioned is just how BRIGHT that screen is. It's worlds beyond any of the 800, 900, or 1100 series.
Autochart live was a pretty fantastic feature. Anybody know if it does SI Mosaic?
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Posts: 271
Location: davis,IL | I just got a Helix 10 si and it came with a HD transducer. And yes the screen is bright, I have to turn the backlight down to 7 or so to match the brightness of my 798.
Alumacraft Navigator 185cs
150 Yammie, 5 Merc
Helix 10, 798, 981c si
Edited by muskydope 1/29/2016 11:55 PM
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | So what's the problem with the transducer that comes with the helix 9? Thinking about upgrading to this unit for its SI capabilities but did not know about a transducer upgrade? What advantages would the new ducer do that the stock one cannot?
Thanks - Dan |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | The HD transducer has 455 and 800 kHz frequencies while the standard has just the 455. The higher frequency allows for more detail but both has it's place; otherwise the HD would just ditch the 455.
The upgrade is Humminbird will allow you to trade in your unopened standard transducer plus about $60 for the HD. If you open it then you can't trade. If I knew this when I bought my boat and had the dealer install a new 899 SI, I would have paid the extra for the HD. That transducer is couple hundred plus if one was to change their mind down the road. I wasn't pleased when I realized my HD graph didn't come with an HD transducer but I do like the unit. |
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Posts: 1516
| I suspect the US2 transducer in the minkota will not drive the hd feature either? |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | The US2 doesn't support SI or DI, just sonar and there is no difference between the transducers in that aspect. A separate SI/DI transducer can be added to your TM though if one would want to. |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | The description of the helix 9 says the transducer is a 83/200 and 455/800. Is that not the dual frequency one your talking about? |
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Posts: 397
| So a person would have to attach the transducer that comes with the unit to the trolling motor to use the DI correct? thanks |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I seen that too Dan and thought it had both but it lists the transducer model and when you look it up that model doesn't have the 800. I can only think the listed frequencies are the ones it "can support"?!?
All I've been able to find is the transducer model number has to have HD for the 800. I'm no expert and just been looking at this stuff lately as I bought an 899 last year and adding another graph this year so I'm trying to learn a little before I buy.
Hope this has helped and maybe others will chime in and confirm some of this.
danmuskyman - 3/6/2016 9:28 AM
The description of the helix 9 says the transducer is a 83/200 and 455/800. Is that not the dual frequency one your talking about? |
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Posts: 100
| Yes - this involves some work, but it's not difficult if you are even slightly handy. |
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Humminbird 999 vs Helix 9