Finder Information Humminbird

Utah Fishing Reports & Discussion Utah Fishing General
1

Wondering if anyone could help me with the differences between the Helix 7 Chirp, Mega SI, GPS, G3 and the Helix 7 Chirp, Mega SI, GPS, G3N? I mean there is $175 difference in price, but is the networking capability that much more expensive, and if so what does it do for me? I am planning on getting the Minn Kota (probably Terrova) and I really want to get good side finding capability, but I’m not rich enough to afford two finders in the same boat, so I’m doubting I’ll have two finders networked between steering console and fishing position. Is that what the networking means, or does networking have something to do with using the transducer on the Terrova and the Helix as the finder? Guess I don’t understand how those items play together. I also need to decide if I need the I-pilot link or just the regular i-pilot? Before I pull the trigger on the motor I want to make sure I get the one that is best for me and that I don’t regret not spending the $200 more at the time, or maybe I should be thinking Ultrex or Ulterra, but I don’t want to spend extra if I don’t need the functions or won’t use them… Just noticed the Terrova transducer doesn’t support the mega SI, so maybe I’ll have to upgrade the motor, so maybe I’m back to saving some more before I buy… Anyway would like to know your thoughts… Thanks Jeff

2

Hey Jeff, We just got the Helix 7 for ice fishing this winter. Not sure which one but paid $699 for it. We have a Helix 9 for our fish finder on the boat and the Ulterra minnekota bow mount. As of now I have the Helix 9 linked to the ulterra and connected to the transducer on the transom of the boat. It has the side imaging and down imaging on it but we hardly ever use that. What I do like is that it has the i pilot link to the ulterra. That used in combination with the lakemaster chip is absolutely amazing. I use my 9.9 kicker to push the boat and the ulterra to steer. With the lakemaster chip I can use a feature called “follow the contour” and the boat in essence steers itself. I don’t have to do a thing except look around for other boats occasionally. I can sit and watch my poles no problem and just fish. Another thing I like about the Ulterra is that I can launch my boat easily by myself. I went to Strawberry and slid the boat off the trailer, a guy in his boat parked on the dock asked me if I wanted him to go grab my boat. I said no thanks remotely deployed the ulterra and drove it out away from the ramp and anchor locked it. Took the truck and trailer parked it went back down and drove the boat over to the dock jumped in and was on my way. Had to chuckle by some of the reaction on the ramp. Right now I have the Helix 7 hooked up to the transducer on the ulterra. Kinda like that when I’m casting I can see the depth with the transducer on the front of the boat instead of the one on the back. Don’t have mine networked to each other because I just don’t see the benefit. Still have more to learn about each one to be more efficient but have fun doing it!!!

3
5
7

The only thing the SI on my finder has trouble with is the motor will block the signal for the left side of the boat. Aquick trim up of the motor fixes that in no time.

11

The Terrova has been on my two year save up plan, so that’s probably the one I will go with… I have a trihull and I’m trying to figure out how to mount it on my boat, it will have to be a little unconventional, but I think it will still fit and work okay… Looking forward to it… J

12

Wondering if anyone could help me with the differences between the Helix 7 Chirp, Mega SI, GPS, G3 and the Helix 7 Chirp, Mega SI, GPS, G3N

Did you ever find the difference ? WheneI went down to the Cabelas sale a month or so ago I went to get the first at $399. They did not have it but the manager gave me the seocnd at the same price. I dont see that there was a huge diff.

13
14

Jeff,

I have the Terrova and the Helix 7 with mega SI and mega down G3, not networked and it is still an amazing setup. So far I haven’t been super impressed with the side imaging but I’m still learning (had it out about 10 times, mostly Bear Lake, Willard once). I find the regular sonar and the mega down imaging seems to work the best for me. I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube videos and tried what they say but there is definitely a learning curve to get the most out of these amazing fish finders. Once you figure it out, come out with me sometime and show me how its done!

Lance

15

fishfinders keep coming out with new stuff, I don’t like looking because I want to buy
some things to think about
the first is how and where do you fish.
I would think about buying a Graman that will support live scope . then when you get $1500 buy the live scope
If you ice fish make a pole mount like this for your TRANSDUCER and you can take everything with you and you can put the transducder any place on your boat you want.
FISHING SPECIALTIES INC
https://fishingspecialties.com/building-and-using
CREATING YOUR SEMI-CUSTOM FISHING TRANSDUCER MOUNTING
you can learn a lot about fishfinders here. (are go with me fishing}
BBC Boards: Humminbird Sonar/GPS
http://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=133

I would call these guys about humminbird

me I watch tons of Youtube

I have the ultera and they do have some issues I don’t like the transducer that come with the Ultera.

Humminbird HELIX G3N - MEGA IMAGING Plus +

16
17
18

Jeff the networking capabilities allow you to connect another fish finder if you wanted a 2nd 1in the back of the boat, also allows radar, auto pilot, marine radio, etc to “talk” together and get overlays and operate them off of multiple units. This requires lots of cables, T’s and such to connect it all together along with telephone wire for the NEMA stuff (very common use/install is in the off shore boats).

19

Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega SI G3 $664.99 360 Imaging Compatibility: No Minn Kota i-Pilot Link Compatibility: No this means don’t buy a minn kota with i-Pilot Link you can’t follow the contors 5-Port Ethernet Switch Compatibility: No View Preset Keys: No Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega SI G3N $799.99 they both use the same Transducer Included: XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T The G3N has more features most of them I don’t think you would use what I don’t like is both only one Memory Card Slot: if you get good at reading SI you should see the cats in water deeper than 30 feet I don’t use Mega SI I go to 455 are 800 KHz both have this Range-Side Imaging 480 ft (455 kHz), 75 ft (MEGA) does not look like they have 800 kHz but you do not need it

21

I was at Utah lake today just got home some snap shots I took for you, the top shows how for out I was looking, you can set it as for out as you want but you will not get a good picture some of them I’m not in Mega look on the bottom if it says 1.150-1.275 MHz that is Mega
in 2D 175-225 KHz works best in shallow water most have fish in them. the top left shows temp how deep and time.
lets see how many it will let me post.

the rest it says I can only post 10 images

22

Nice outing.  I hope the bait turns into some big cats.  I might have visited that spot a time or two looking for bait as well.

23

Agree to disagree…I caught more than just " a couple" and I was not packing 3 bags of ice for my neck…one of them was a heating pad.

24

You must have had a long extension cord for that heating pad or was it battery operated :-/, glad you three were able to get out and have some success. What were those wiggly things that Cookie was talking about, that you got in your fish trap?

25

‘wiperhunter2’ pid=‘1115662’ dateline=‘1618061811’ wrote:

You must have had a long extension cord for that heating pad or was it battery operated :-/, glad you three were able to get out and have some success. What were those wiggly things that Cookie was talking about, that you got in your fish trap?

I think the squiggly things were red shiner minnows, but I am no biologist. They were little fish, about 2 inches long. I know they weren’t baby cats cause they didn’t have whiskers.  ;)  I can’t speak to the heating pad, but he is single handedly keeping our local pharmacy in business.

‘Jig-fisher’ pid=‘1115651’ dateline=‘1618019530’ wrote:

Nice outing.  I hope the bait turns into some big cats.  I might have visited that spot a time or two looking for bait as well.

I plan on sitting at the gate and following you to your spot that has the monsters.  :wink:

26

‘CookiePirate’ pid=‘1115664’ dateline=‘1618064079’ wrote:

‘wiperhunter2’ pid=‘1115662’ dateline=‘1618061811’ wrote:

You must have had a long extension cord for that heating pad or was it battery operated :-/, glad you three were able to get out and have some success. What were those wiggly things that Cookie was talking about, that you got in your fish trap?

I think the squiggly things were red shiner minnows, but I am no biologist. They were little fish, about 2 inches long. I know they weren’t baby cats cause they didn’t have whiskers.  ;)  I can’t speak to the heating pad, but he is single handedly keeping our local pharmacy in business.

‘Jig-fisher’ pid=‘1115651’ dateline=‘1618019530’ wrote:

Nice outing.  I hope the bait turns into some big cats.  I might have visited that spot a time or two looking for bait as well.

I plan on sitting at the gate and following you to your spot that has the monsters.  :wink:

Cookie, you best be ready to do some climbing and off road trekking if you plan to follow Paul.    :blush: .