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Posts: 983
| Ok So I have decided its about time to upgrade electronics on my boat..Using older Lowrance HDS5 right now have SI works ok for what it is. Bought new Terrova with Ipilot last year. So was thinking about going back to Birds. Only want to spend around 2k total and want 2 units. I was Consider getting a Helix 9 Mega SI for Console and think about a Helix 7 SI g2n for the bow and then linking them all up together. What do you guys think? |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | What about this?
Bow: Helix 9 CHIRP GPS G2N
Console: HELIX 9 MEGA SI G2N
This will keep you around your price range and provide you additional screen viewing up front, as well as dual SD card slots, (3) preset view keys and enhanced screen resolution. If you network the two together, you will also be able to view SI and DI on the bow unit, as it mirrors the images from the console unit's transducer (stern).
Accessories:
(2) AS EC QDE
(1) AS EC 15E
(1) Minn Kota MKR-US2-8 HB 7-pin adpater to hook to US2 transducer in MK motor
(1) 9 M SIDB Y cable (Pair Y cable with MEGA transducer from H9 MEGA and included 2D skimmer from H9 CHIRP GPS. You'll get great high speed depth reading. This is the only way to rig an SI unit in my opinion)
Edited by mtcook16 5/31/2018 12:35 PM
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Posts: 983
| I actually thought about that. My concern with doing that is what if the guy in the back watching console wants to watch sonar and on deck you want SI then you would have a problem correct? Im not sure which route to go because the bigger screen is nice |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph. |
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| no, you can watch whatever screen you want on either unit with that setup |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
I found an image. In hindsight, in 5 ft of water, bringing the range in to 50ft would have provided larger details on the screen, but we were running a lot of different depths that day.
Edited by mtcook16 6/4/2018 10:31 AM
(Mega_Muskie_While Casting_Zoom.jpg)
(Mega_Muskie_While Casting_Small.jpg)
Attachments
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 Mega_Muskie_While Casting_Zoom.jpg (45KB - 514 downloads)
Mega_Muskie_While Casting_Small.jpg (44KB - 282 downloads)
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | bllhogg - 6/1/2018 9:41 AM
no, you can watch whatever screen you want on either unit with that setup
Correct. The units can still be operated independently, using whatever view you want, at whatever unit you want. |
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Posts: 983
| mtcook16 - 6/1/2018 12:18 PM
Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
This is my understanding as well..that once you adjust finder to boat speed can get great images from the SI at 1 mph and under. I really like your Idea with bigger screen on deck with helix 9 sonar g2n but think I would like to have ability to run SI on either without having to have console match bow so Not sure which directions to go...I appreciate the help guys and ideas!!
Now I would still want to Link the 7 and 9 even if I get SI on both units correct? Will mirroring the Mega from the 9 to the 7 SI upfront will you get a better image from the 7 getting imagine mirrored from 9 mega or would it look the same whether you are mirroring or just letting the 7 give you the image?? |
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Posts: 77
| You don't need SI on the bow unit, it won't work with the US2 anyways.
Keep in mind, the map cards (they won't share) and accessories add up fast. |
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Posts: 4269
Location: Ashland WI | 25homes - 6/1/2018 12:28 PM
mtcook16 - 6/1/2018 12:18 PM
Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
This is my understanding as well..that once you adjust finder to boat speed can get great images from the SI at 1 mph and under. I really like your Idea with bigger screen on deck with helix 9 sonar g2n but think I would like to have ability to run SI on either without having to have console match bow so Not sure which directions to go...I appreciate the help guys and ideas!!
Now I would still want to Link the 7 and 9 even if I get SI on both units correct? Will mirroring the Mega from the 9 to the 7 SI upfront will you get a better image from the 7 getting imagine mirrored from 9 mega or would it look the same whether you are mirroring or just letting the 7 give you the image??
The problem with slow speeds is keeping the boat moving straight. If the transducer is on the back, and the back is swinging left and right, you will get poor images. |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | 25homes - 6/1/2018 12:28 PM
mtcook16 - 6/1/2018 12:18 PM
Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
This is my understanding as well..that once you adjust finder to boat speed can get great images from the SI at 1 mph and under. I really like your Idea with bigger screen on deck with helix 9 sonar g2n but think I would like to have ability to run SI on either without having to have console match bow so Not sure which directions to go...I appreciate the help guys and ideas!!
Now I would still want to Link the 7 and 9 even if I get SI on both units correct? Will mirroring the Mega from the 9 to the 7 SI upfront will you get a better image from the 7 getting imagine mirrored from 9 mega or would it look the same whether you are mirroring or just letting the 7 give you the image??
As mentioned, straight boat movement will be needed to get good imaging. The images on a HELIX 9 MEGA will be inherently better than those off a HELIX 7 SI G2N, because they are two different technologies, one with more detail capability via 1.2 MEGA-hertz.
I would suggest you still network them to share waypoints, tracks, GPS and transducer info. That way, you can also select which transducer you want to view on the bow unit, via network source settings. For the bow, you could go with either: XTM 9 HDSI 180 T or XTM 9 SI 180 T (difference in price and some enhanced image definition)
Edited by mtcook16 6/4/2018 10:13 AM
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Posts: 983
| mtcook16 - 6/4/2018 10:11 AM
25homes - 6/1/2018 12:28 PM
mtcook16 - 6/1/2018 12:18 PM
Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
This is my understanding as well..that once you adjust finder to boat speed can get great images from the SI at 1 mph and under. I really like your Idea with bigger screen on deck with helix 9 sonar g2n but think I would like to have ability to run SI on either without having to have console match bow so Not sure which directions to go...I appreciate the help guys and ideas!!
Now I would still want to Link the 7 and 9 even if I get SI on both units correct? Will mirroring the Mega from the 9 to the 7 SI upfront will you get a better image from the 7 getting imagine mirrored from 9 mega or would it look the same whether you are mirroring or just letting the 7 give you the image??
As mentioned, straight boat movement will be needed to get good imaging. The images on a HELIX 9 MEGA will be inherently better than those off a HELIX 7 SI G2N, because they are two different technologies, one with more detail capability via 1.2 MEGA-hertz.
I would suggest you still network them to share waypoints, tracks, GPS and transducer info. That way, you can also select which transducer you want to view on the bow unit, via network source settings. For the bow, you could go with either: XTM 9 HDSI 180 T or XTM 9 SI 180 T (difference in price and some enhanced image definition )
I really appreciate your help...after giving this a lot of thought Ive changed my mind....I get reward points at work and spend them on work site...they have the 7 and the 10 no 9s...SO I am going to bite the bullet and go With a 10 Mega SI and then Go with a 9 helix Chirp upfront and network them together...My question If I get the 10 Mega and the 9 chirp G2N What else do I need to network them all tighter including my terrova with Ipilot? Really appreciate your help buddy |
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Posts: 77
| IIRC, CHIRP doesn't work with US2 either, just straight up 2d sonar.
You'll need an ethernet switch, a US2 adapter cable, two network cables for the head units and two "dongles" to attach each head unit. |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | 25homes - 6/6/2018 11:10 AM
mtcook16 - 6/4/2018 10:11 AM
25homes - 6/1/2018 12:28 PM
mtcook16 - 6/1/2018 12:18 PM
Pointerpride102 - 6/1/2018 9:40 AM
If you're moving slow (casting speeds) SI isn't as effective. SI is best at 3-5 mph.
Actually, when you adjust your chart speed to match the boat speed, it is still effective. Some of my best images have come from slower speeds because it allows more sonar pings to contact the object, thus having the ability to show a more detailed image.
This is my understanding as well..that once you adjust finder to boat speed can get great images from the SI at 1 mph and under. I really like your Idea with bigger screen on deck with helix 9 sonar g2n but think I would like to have ability to run SI on either without having to have console match bow so Not sure which directions to go...I appreciate the help guys and ideas!!
Now I would still want to Link the 7 and 9 even if I get SI on both units correct? Will mirroring the Mega from the 9 to the 7 SI upfront will you get a better image from the 7 getting imagine mirrored from 9 mega or would it look the same whether you are mirroring or just letting the 7 give you the image??
As mentioned, straight boat movement will be needed to get good imaging. The images on a HELIX 9 MEGA will be inherently better than those off a HELIX 7 SI G2N, because they are two different technologies, one with more detail capability via 1.2 MEGA-hertz.
I would suggest you still network them to share waypoints, tracks, GPS and transducer info. That way, you can also select which transducer you want to view on the bow unit, via network source settings. For the bow, you could go with either: XTM 9 HDSI 180 T or XTM 9 SI 180 T (difference in price and some enhanced image definition )
I really appreciate your help...after giving this a lot of thought Ive changed my mind....I get reward points at work and spend them on work site...they have the 7 and the 10 no 9s...SO I am going to bite the bullet and go With a 10 Mega SI and then Go with a 9 helix Chirp upfront and network them together...My question If I get the 10 Mega and the 9 chirp G2N What else do I need to network them all tighter including my terrova with Ipilot? Really appreciate your help buddy
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