I am buying my first boat which I’m ecstatic about. Nothing fancy that is going to turn heads but still a nice used rig. I rigged up my brothers ranger 2 years ago and could tell you everything about helix you could ever want to know. Now the knowledge has escaped. I want 2 units. One by the wheel and one by the trolling motor.
I am going to do 7″ units. What is my best combo for the cheapest? Thanks for the help guys.
When you buy your units be sure you get the “G2N” models. They are the networkable models and can talk to each other. As long as they are both generation 2 (the G2 of the “G2N” model number) they should be able to share each other images and way-points.
For me I would get a down imaging (DI) unit for the bow and mount transducer on the trolling motor and a side imaging (SI) unit for the on the console with the transducer mounted on the transom.
When it comes to connecting them together here is some “light” reading.
https://www.humminbird.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Category/Support/FAQ/Ethernet.pdf
This shoud get you started. 
Well, if you want SI, you’ll be disappointed with a 7″ screen. Go 10″.
Beyond that, the “best” and “cheapest” are at cross purposes. The cheapest is HELIX 7 SONAR G2: 2d sonar only, no chirp. You can add chirp, DI, SI, GPS and networking. Your choice.
https://www.humminbird.com/Freshwater/Product-Category/Series/Helix-7-Series/?facets=,,,,,,
I going through this process right now and working with the guys at Thorne Bros. It looks like the best value is the Helix 10 for display area.
I think i’m going with the Helix 10 GN2 Mega at the console and a Helix 9 GN2 that will serve at the bow and stern depending what I’m doing.
Francis,
That’s the exact same setup I have, but find with Ipilot I don’t spend too much time in the front anymore. My 9 only gets used if someone is with me
Francis,
That’s the exact same setup I have, but find with Ipilot I don’t spend too much time in the front anymore. My 9 only gets used if someone is with me
I have the same thing happen in my boat. I troll mainly and the only time the bow unit gets used is if I stop and jig or cast the bank or something. I am considering rigging up a third station at the rear of the boat to just pop my bow unit out and plug it back in in the back so that when I am turned around while trolling I can still have a graph to look at.
Great idea! May have to try that. I can see why guys have dual console units, would be nice to have a full size map all the time
When you buy your units be sure you get the “G2N” models. They are the networkable models and can talk to each other. As long as they are both generation 2 (the G2 of the “G2N” model number) they should be able to share each other images and way-points.
For me I would get a down imaging (DI) unit for the bow and mount transducer on the trolling motor and a side imaging (SI) unit for the on the console with the transducer mounted on the transom.
When it comes to connecting them together here is some “light” reading.
https://www.humminbird.com/uploadedFiles/Content/Category/Support/FAQ/Ethernet.pdf
This shoud get you started.
I may be wrong but, I Do Believe that not all Gen 2 models are networkable.
I am sorry but NOT ALL G2 models are networkable, read the fine print. It maybe optional. The G2N models are all networkable.
Note – Humminbird 7 G2 units do not come with a screen cover. If you want one they charge extra for it. I was quoted $39.95 for a screen cover.
Note – Humminbird 7 G2 units do not come with a screen cover. If you want one they charge extra for it. I was quoted $39.95 for a screen cover.
Or $17.87 on Amazon….
5001722 Humminbird Helix 7 Series Protective Cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015T2MIHG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_HgdJAb54EEJGA
They do make the heavy rubber cover too. Like the kind on the 10 and 12 units. Costs a little more. I went with the heavy rubber one since I plan to use my new Helix 7 mostly on my sled and ATV and don’t always have it mounted. I wanted to protect the screen a little better. Ordered mine from WJM marine. With shipping a little over $30
Networking question. I have a Helix 10 SI Gen 1. If I bought a G2 Helix with networking (i.e. HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N) – will the two share waypoints and imaging?
Networking question. I have a Helix 10 SI Gen 1. If I bought a G2 Helix with networking (i.e. HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N) – will the two share waypoints and imaging?
Yes they will
Hi, first post here so hopefully I am posting in the right place and not hijacking anyone’s thread. Does anyone know if any of the Helix’s have some sort of video output to display on multiple screens? I’m really just wanting a larger screen. I recently purchased the Hummingbird Helix 5 SI Sonar with GPS. I couldn’t afford anything else at the moment so got what I could. I haven’t received the finder yet which is why I am asking. Would be nice if it was possible to simply mirror the screen wirelessly, but not sure if that is an option.
Any info would really be appreciated. Thanks!
EDIT – Sorry for the hijack! figured out where the forums are….
Humminbird does not have that feature. Lowrance and its GoFree app does.
are solix and helix g2n models networkable?
If you have two G2N units you do not need to get SI/DI on both. I run an SI on the bow and a regular Sonar/GPS on the console. The bow, as long as it is powered on, will share the Si/DI with the console. Save yourself a few hundred bucks as you don’t need the same features on both. Also, and SI unit also does DI. If you don’t want to leave one unit on to have the SI/DI, then put that unit where you fish most often. For me, it’s at the bow. I then used the mega Y cable to run the US2 off my Ulterra and the mega ducer into the single transducer input on the bow SI unit. As long as I power on the bow, the console sees it and I can run SI/DI until I find a spot I want to fish, then I power down the console and fish from the bow. Hope that helps, and saves you a few bucks.
I was told they are not.
Hi,
New to Hummingbird and Ulterra. Have setup question can’t find in book. I set my Helix 10 mega chirp up to use my current lowrance high speed transducer for 2D and moved my Lowrance up front and connected to the Minn Kota transducer on the Ulterra. Question is will the Lakemaster follow contour work that way? Or does the Hummingbird have to use the transducer on the Minn Kota?
I may be wrong but I thought the follow contour worked off gps and lake chip and has nothing to do with transducer on trolling motor
Craig is correct. GPS and lakemaster map.
Thanks guys I was talking to a friend and that’s what he told me too. Makes sense that it follows the GPS not the transducer readings that would get messy when you think about it.
Why DI at bow and not SI bow and helm? Getting ready to but mine…
You can but it is more $. As SI costs more. If the units are networked you can view the SI on the DI unit. Everything that is networked can be shared.
Your bow transducer will not have side imaging.
Your bow transducer will not have side imaging.
It sure can…forget the built in transducer, and run the transducer cable down the slot of the Terrova. (This approach doesn’t work on an Ulterra.)
Mount the transducer with one of these:
the G3 unit have just been announced:
New! MEGA Imaging+
Extends the MEGA Imaging range by 60%!
• Unlocks more fish & structure with 20% more detail than MEGA!
• MEGA Side Imaging+
– 200’ each side (vs. 125’)
– 400’ side-to-side (vs. 250’)
• MEGA Down Imaging+
– 200’ deep (vs. 125’)
*****************************
New! Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Dual Spectrum CHIRP is provided by a new
High Wide Low-Q CHIRP transducer
• Offers benefits for anglers:
1. Improved target separation
• Differentiate between two targets
• Identify fish sitting right off the bottom
2. Outstanding fish arches due to 42 degree beam
• All new 2019 transducers come with
Dual Spectrum CHIRP transducers
– ICE HELIX already has it
• Compatibility
– Many existing products can read Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Helix 5 & 7 CHIRP G2 models
• All Helix 9, 10 & 12 models
• All Solix
***************************************
• New! Dual Spectrum CHIRP and MEGA Imaging+ Transducers
– New 2D Transducers are backwards compatible w/Helix CHIRP G2/G2N and SOLIX G1 models
– Current XNT / MXNT Transom Mounting Brackets are forwards compatible
– Current XM Transom Mounting Bracket piece that attaches to the boat is forwards compatible
New! Transducers
Transom Mount Transducers
Item # Model Compatibility / Description
710274-1 XNT 9 HW T HELIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710295-1 XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T HELIX 7/8 MEGA DI, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710280-1 XM 9 HW MDI T HELIX – MEGA DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710297-1 XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T HELIX 7 MEGA, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710282-1 XM 9 HW MSI T HELIX – MEGA SI+/DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710285-1 XNT 14 HW T SOLIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710290-1 XM 14 HW MDI T SOLIX – MEGA DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710292-1 XM 14 HW MSI T SOLIX – MEGA SI+/DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
In-Hull Transducers
Item # Model Compatibility / Description
710276-1 XP 9 HW T HELIX Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710275-1 XP 9 HW HELIX Dual Spectrum CHIRP
710287-1 XP 14 HW T SOLIX Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710286-1 XP 14 HW SOLIX Dual Spectrum CHIRP
Trolling Motor Transducer
Item # Model Compatibility / Description
710277-1 XTM 9 HW T HELIX Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710296-1 XTM 9 HW MDI 75 T HELIX 7/8 MEGA DI, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710281-1 XTM 9 HW MDI T HELIX – MEGA DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710298-1 XTM 9 HW MSI 150 T HELIX 7 MEGA, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710283-1 XTM 9 HW MSI T HELIX – MEGA SI+/DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710288-1 XTM 14 HW T SOLIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710291-1 XTM 14 HW MDI T SOLIX – MEGA DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
Portable Transducer
Item # Model Compatibility / Description
710278-1 XPT 9 HW T HELIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
Plastic Thru Hull Transducers
Item # Model Compatibility / Description
710279-1 XPTH 9 HW T HELIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710284-1 XPTH 9 HW MSI T HELIX – MEGA SI+/DI+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
710289-1 XPTH 14 HW T SOLIX – Dual Spectrum CHIRP w/temp
New! Units
ALL NEW HELIX MODELS
• HELIX 7 G3 G3N
• HELIX 8 G3N
• HELIX 9 G3N
• HELIX 10 G3N
• HELIX 12 G3N
ALL NEW SOLIX MODELS
• SOLIX 10 G2
• SOLIX 12 G2
• SOLIX 15 G2
New! HELIX 7 SERIES G3
• MEGA Imaging now available
• Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G3
– MRP $499.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3
– MRP $549.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3 NAV+
– Navionics+ Plus North America MSD electronic chart $199 value
– MRP $599.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3
– MRP $699.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3 NAV+
– Navionics+ Plus North America MSD electronic chart $199 value
– MRP $749.99
• Available November 2018 – One year Warranty
New! HELIX 7 SERIES G3N
• MEGA Imaging now available
• Networking; Can view MEGA+ from other models
• Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G3N
– MRP $549.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N CHO
– No transducer, compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $549.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N
– MRP $599.99
• Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N
– MRP $799.99
• Available November 2018
• One year warranty
New! HELIX 8 SERIES G3N
• New model
– Built in new HELIX 9 housing
• Helix 8 CHIRP GPS G3N
– MRP $699.99
• Helix 8 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N CHO
– No transducer
– Compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $799.99
• Helix 8 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N
– MRP $899.99
• Helix 8 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $1,199.99
• Available December 2018
• Two year warranty
New! HELIX 9 SERIES G3N
• New housing
– Smaller footprint right-sized for 9” screen
• Helix 9 CHIRP GPS G3N
– MRP $899.99
• Helix 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N CHO
– No transducer, compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $999.99
• Helix 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $1,099.99
• Helix 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $1,499.99
• Available December 2018
• Two year warranty
New! HELIX 10 SERIES G3N
• Helix 10 CHIRP GPS G3N
– MRP $1,199.99
• Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N CHO
– No transducer, compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $1,299.99
• Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $1,399.99
• Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $1,999.99
• Available November 2018
• Two year warranty
New! HELIX 12 SERIES G3N
• Helix 12 CHIRP GPS G3N
– MRP $1,899.99
• Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N CHO
– No transducer, compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $1,999.99
• Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $2,099.99
• Helix 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N
– MRP $2,499.99
• Available November 2018
• Two year warranty
New! SOLIX 10 SERIES G2
• Wi-Fi for future communication protocols
• New UI features (Solix G1 via software update)
– Side Bar / Widgets
– Home Screen
• SOLIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ G2 CHO
– No transducer, is compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
– MRP $2,199.99
• SOLIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G2
– MRP $2,499.99
• Available January 2019
• Two year warranty
New! SOLIX 12 & 15 SERIES G2
• Wi-Fi for future communication protocols
• New UI features (Solix G1 via software update)
– Side Bar / Widgets
– Home Screen
• “CHO” base models
– No transducer, compatible with Minn Kota Built-in MEGA DI
• SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA DI+ G2 CHO
– MRP $2,599.99
• SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G2
– MRP $3,099.99
• SOLIX 15 CHIRP MEGA DI+ G2 CHO
– MRP $3,199.99
• SOLIX 15 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G2
– MRP $3,699.99
• Available January 2019
• Two year warranty
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dave maze wrote:</div>
Your bow transducer will not have side imaging.It sure can…forget the built in transducer, and run the transducer cable down the slot of the Terrova. (This approach doesn’t work on an Ulterra.)
That approach doesn’t work on the new (starting in 2017) Terrovas neither since they have the lift assist sprint running in the channel.
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