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Posts: 4
| I've been musky fishing for years but am just now getting a decent boat. Just ordered an Alumacraft Competitor 165 and was wondering if anyone could help me out with a question regarding electronics. I was thinking about doing a Helix 7 with side imaging at the console, and putting a basic Helix 5 sonar up front with the I-pilot 80.
Any recommendation to do something else? From what I understand, only the sonar will work up front with the I-pilot so there wouldn't be a point in putting DI or SI up there. Is this a decent setup for the money? I will be mainly casting, not trolling.
Thanks for looking.
Edited by GiveMeYourBoots 12/8/2016 1:19 PM
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Posts: 983
| I have helix 5 with DI and GPS I really like but on next set up im going with 10 or 12 SI GPS at cock pit and 7 or 9 DI up front...the ipilot with sonar can talk with teh helix 10 and 12 for sure and I think the 7 to give you better reading I just want SI on main electronic but would still like to see DI in certain situations |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | If you go with the new gen2 Helix 7n you could network them put the SI on the dash and regular Helix 7 on the bow and share waypoints and side imaging. Just make sure you buy the new networkable Helix 7s. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | I also think it is worth looking into I-pilot link. If it fits your budget, I feel it is money well spent. |
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Posts: 4
| I will look into it, thanks. The Helix 7 I ordered is a first generation because I ordered it a couple months ago. Seems like the link would be great, but it adds quite a bit to the price by the time I get that and upgrade to the Helix 9 or bigger to be compatible with it. Maybe I could add it on in the future. I'll look into switching the front unit to a 7 with GPS, and making them both 2nd gen.
Edited by GiveMeYourBoots 12/8/2016 3:15 PM
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Posts: 221
| No one has ever said they wanted a smaller screen, so keep that in mind. I think it's worth having the bigger screen and going without DI and SI if it's in your budget. Just depends on the kind of fishing you do. |
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Posts: 1209
| You will be blown away with first gen helix I woul say get at least a pair of 7's but given an opratunity to take them off your order I would try. Should be able to get 9's gen one at a steal try this store, it's very popular on a mother fishing forum http://bbgmarine.authsafe.com/?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43 |
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Posts: 1209
| Pages 15-16 have the helix 7's |
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Posts: 34
Location: Illinois | Whatever you do, get the biggest screen size you can afford. Especially if you are using side imaging. It will give you more visibility room to not miss anything. |
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Posts: 4
| Think I'm going to switch the console unit to a 2nd gen 7 inch with SI, and make the front a 2nd gen 7 inch with GPS. |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | GiveMeYourBoots - 12/9/2016 5:37 PM
Think I'm going to switch the console unit to a 2nd gen 7 inch with SI, and make the front a 2nd gen 7 inch with GPS.
Make sure you get the networkable units so you can share waypoints and side and down imaging with the bow. |
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Posts: 4
| I was thinking that all the 2nd Gen ones are networkable. Is that wrong? |
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Posts: 270
Location: SE WISCONSIN | GiveMeYourBoots - 12/9/2016 7:32 PM
I was thinking that all the 2nd Gen ones are networkable. Is that wrong?
The only Helix 5 or Helix 7 networkable models are the Helix 7 G2N versions. |
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Posts: 22
| I ordered the Helix 7 SI G2N and Helix 7 GPS G2N for mine. Excited to see how they work together. |
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Question about electronics - new boat