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Posts: 25
| Looking to upgrade my electronics this fall. Want to go with the Helix models and my question is to those that use them: What is your set up? Which models? I want to run one at the console and one up front. Also looking to upgrade to the new Minnkota that will be released later this fall.
Any suggestions?
Thanks |
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Posts: 35
| I run a 7 on my console. Liking it so far...although this is my first unit I have ever owned so I am still trying to figure everything out.
Rule of thumb is buy the largest you can afford. If you want linking capability and ipilot link capability you need to go with at least a helix 9 |
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Posts: 446
Location: Waconia, MN | I run the Helix 9's, I have a regular one on the bow and the I have the DI at the console. I also upgraded to the new Terrova with the ilink, and so far I love them.
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Posts: 1828
| I have a 5", brother-in-law has 10", and a work acquaintance has the 12". No complaints from anyone. For specific questions, sounds like lots of guys on here can help.
I will add one thing: You'll never wish you bought something smaller. |
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Posts: 32
| I have two Helix 9s. One side imaging. all linked together and tied to Ulterra. work great. |
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Posts: 31
Location: Mapleton Mn | I run 2 Helix 10's. one on the console and one on the front with my bow 360. Both units have worked great! The definition is much better on these unit's than my 999's. Hope this helps.
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Posts: 90
| I have 2 9's...several issues with no apparent fix
casting rings feature only works 5 % of the time
units freeze when swapping cards or card choices
way points from one unit do not always show on other unit
bow unit on US2 sonar frequently looses depth
GPS map can be quite choppy/lagging...especially at slower speeds.
When they are working correctly they are pretty sweet. ACL is quite awesome
Serves me right for buying first generation units |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | Lunger50 - 7/20/2016 1:37 PM
I have 2 9's...several issues with no apparent fix
casting rings feature only works 5 % of the time
units freeze when swapping cards or card choices
way points from one unit do not always show on other unit
bow unit on US2 sonar frequently looses depth
GPS map can be quite choppy/lagging...especially at slower speeds.
When they are working correctly they are pretty sweet. ACL is quite awesome
Serves me right for buying first generation units
Did you register your units at http://www.humminbird.com/Support/MyHumminbird/ and try updating the software to the latest version? The most recent version of software for that unit is 1.210 and may not have been released prior to the time of your purchase. It is as easy as downloading the file onto an SD card, plugging it into the unit and following the on-screen prompts.
Otherwise, contacting Humminbird's customer service line is a great option, quite helpful should you not be experiencing peak performance of the units.
Edited by mtcook16 7/20/2016 1:58 PM
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Posts: 548
Location: MN | Good call.
First thing I had to do with my 9 was update. |
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Posts: 1209
| Waypoint decluttering- OFF |
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Posts: 1000
| run a 9si on my console. might add a 9 di to the front, but i usually fish from the back and put the guest on the first fish.
these things are amazing. between autochart live, the clarity of si, and visibility in sunlight I'm more than happy with the purchase |
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Posts: 611
Location: Bloomington, MN | My Helix 10 SI DI did not come with a high speed transducer. I have a basic Helix 9, on the bow/tiller boat, linked to the 10 and the Ulterra. Lots of $$$ to do that. I bought a Minnesota Pro chip, but have been told I need one for each unit! They talk to each other, but apparently on the same level as my girlfriend and I. Any info on Auto Chart would be appreciated!
BTW....the new boat of almost two months has never been in the water!!! This has been a very bad year!
Edited by Clark A 7/22/2016 12:03 AM
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | tolle141---Keep in mind---If you run any DI specific unit on the bow, make sure that it is connected to a DI transducer. Only Sonar, Sonar/GPS and SI/GPS models can be connected to US2 sonar without experiencing inference.
Connecting a DI unit to US2 sonar (built into the trolling motor) will cause interference and you to wonder why you are seeing it. It is because of how the unit searches for a DI sonar signal but only finds interference. This is limited to setups of DI/GPS connected to US2, only.
Edited by mtcook16 7/22/2016 9:04 AM
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | CLARK--PM'd you a link for AutoChart Live. Doug Vahrenberg is a great resource and his YouTube page can be very informative.
Edited by mtcook16 7/22/2016 9:03 AM
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Posts: 1000
| mtcook16 - 7/22/2016 8:58 AM
tolle141---Keep in mind---If you run any DI specific unit on the bow, make sure that it is connected to a DI transducer. Only Sonar, Sonar/GPS and SI/GPS models can be connected to US2 sonar without experiencing inference.
Connecting a DI unit to US2 sonar (built into the trolling motor) will cause interference and you to wonder why you are seeing it. It is because of how the unit searches for a DI sonar signal but only finds interference. This is limited to setups of DI/GPS connected to US2, only.
Did not know that. That is very interesting. You might've just saved me a bunch of money and a headache. Thanks! |
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Posts: 32
| Guys I had a very loose connection up in the head of my brand new Ulterra that was messing up the readings on the front Helix. it was causing a lot of issues with the sonar and since it was intermittent, it took a while to figure out. Dealer reported that it was the third new unit he found that on. Took me two months to work through was it a Helix issue? Transducer issue? Ulterra issue? But now have it all working and love it.
Jeff
Jeff |
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Posts: 383
| If I put a 7 on the bow can it be linked to the 9 on my helm or do I need to stay with 9s to link them? |
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Posts: 627
Location: Madison, WI | I believe only 9s and above can be linked with Ethernet |
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Posts: 383
| Thanks. I just now went to the 'bird store and learned that too. |
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Posts: 28
| I think a lot of it depends on your fishing style and budget. Do you mainly cast or troll? I recommend a helix 10 w side imaging as main unit regardless. Also feel that I pilot link on a terrova be more useful then a more expensive trolling motor without the ipilot link. Cards, cables, batteries, and everything else add up quickly. |
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Posts: 482
| one thing i just learned while studying ethernet linking is that the DI cannot be seen by other units like SI units only by DI units and i was going to put a DI unit on the bow before i read that ! it is complete different thechnology ! |
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Posts: 167
Location: Tomahawk, WI | Ive got a 7 DI Gps at the Helm. I love that thing. Best investment I made on the boat this year by far!!! |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | danlaboucane - 8/21/2016 6:55 AM
one thing i just learned while studying ethernet linking is that the DI cannot be seen by other units like SI units only by DI units and i was going to put a DI unit on the bow before i read that ! it is complete different thechnology !
I have good news for you--that is not true. First, Any unit that has SI also has DI built in, so that is not an issue. However, new software has allowed for transducer information (as well as waypoints, trails and temperature) to be shared and viewed between units, regardless of unit label. You will however be limited to the views of the most sophisticated unit on the network.
A Sonar/GPS model for instance can show SI or DI by selecting the appropriate transducer in the network settings. Make sense? |
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Posts: 482
| not what i read but i like it ! so if the top unit is helix 10 SI all units can show all transducers that are on boat ! SI or DI with out any problems ! great ! it gets confusing at times trying to figure it all out before spending all that money !
Edited by danlaboucane 8/22/2016 6:04 PM
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | danlaboucane - 8/22/2016 6:01 PM
not what i read but i like it ! so if the top unit is helix 10 SI all units can show all transducers that are on boat ! SI or DI with out any problems ! great ! it gets confusing at times trying to figure it all out before spending all that money !
That is correct, thanks to software updates that came out about a year ago. What you read is likely based off of out-dated information. Obviously these units will need to be linked over a 5 port Ethernet box (3 or more ethernet connections) or directly linked to one another (2 units via an Ethernet cable).
Keep in mind when networking Helix units, you will need an ethernet dongle (AS EC QDE) to connect the ethernet cable to each Helix unit.
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Posts: 482
| thanks for the info i read about the adapters too and wasn't sure ! if i use only 2 units i don't need the box ? its a $300+ saving might just do that because i installed a 798 hd indash for the moment and thought i would link all 3 units but i could leave it for inhull transducer and gps only while using the others fishing and getting just one now and later on add another !you know your stuff ! |
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Posts: 482
| so if i understand even my 798HD SI could work ethernet connected to an helix 10 sonar/gps and i would have SI/DI on the helix but the SI transducer has to be connected to the SI capable unit and all units could read a 360 if i ever get one ? right ? |
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Posts: 546
Location: MN | The software on the 798 HD SI would need to fall within the newly updated window, so I would suggest updating the software prior to networking the units. However, yes this should be possible given that the unit is fairly new and Humminbird does a good job of maintaining software for existing units well into their life cycle when possible.
If linking just two units, an ethernet box is not needed. If you are looking to add a third unit, use i-pilot link or add a 360 unit, you will need an ethernet box because both of these will require an extra ethernet connection, and all units, i-pilot link and the 360 would go to the box and share information there. |
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Posts: 1083
Location: Hayward, WI | In theory that would work, but the 798 is much slower than the new Helix units. Technically it is able to be ethernet connected to other units, but it is really slow and I don't think you would be happy with it. |
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Posts: 482
| thanks guys, that would give me a cheaper alternative for a bow unit (helix 10 sonar/gps) while waiting out a deal on an helix 10 SI and later on add the box when i go to 360 !
Edited by danlaboucane 8/25/2016 4:22 PM
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