Planning on getting new graphs for my rig after Christmas. I am planning on staying with HB and getting a 12 and a 10. For You guys that have experience with the new models, which one would you go with? Helix or Onix?

I have the Helix 7 si/di and I absolutely love it. The picture is amazing and they made the screens larger on all helix brands I know. You won't be disappointed.

The image is great on a 7" screen. I bet it's awesome on the 10" and 12".

The new HB Helix screens are wide screens and not necessarily "larger". For instance the Helix 10 is 10.1" and the 1199 series they are replacing is 10.4" but if you put both side by side the 10 has the profile of the 900 series frame wise and the screen is about 1 1/2" shorter height wise and maybe 1/4" width wise. They look great though and much like the new TVs the widescreen makes the display appear larger. I have a 7 and a 10. was gonna get the 12 when it comes ut but honestly for me the $700 difference was not giving me enough bang over the 10.

Depends on the money you want to spend. I believe the Onix is more expensive because of the dedicated DI crystals, which makes a clearer picture. If money weren't an issue, I would do the Onix for the touch screen feature, and the HD sonar. I have an 1199 and 999, but have played with the Onix quite a bit, and I like it! But with that all said, if you're going to use it on the bow, I would do helix 10 and get 360!

I just ordered a Helix 10 SI from David at Shut Up And Fish (where I get almost all my stuff) and can't wait to get it installed and on the water. There is a pretty significant price difference between the Helix and Onix is the main reason I chose Helix. It's already a brighter screen than the 898 I've been running so I figure it will be great.

The new Humminbird Helix is absolutely incredible. You will not go wrong buying one.

The money part is not an issue as long as its worth spending the extra money to get a better unit. Out of all of the reviews i have read, I'm really not seeing that the Onix is that much better than the Helix... Thats why I wanted to hear from the "real" guys using this equipment and not the guys that are sponsered by Humminbird. Thanks for the info!

There are some really good deals still available on the 1199's I would try to find 2 of them...they are awesome!

I have an Onix 10 and a 1199.

The Onix is a very strong machine but not the easiest to use and adjust! The quality of its DI/SI is much better than the 1199.

I haven't used a Helix unit but understand that they are behind the Onix in SI/DI too!

Have an 1199 now. Wanting to upgrade from that.

The Helix models are the new core units and do the same sonar functions with the same parts as the discontinued number series units. They have some better features like brighter displays and the 9, 10, and 12 have built-in Auto Charts Live. The 12 has built-in CHIRP.

The SI and dedicated DI units I have suck. Or maybe it's me. I have yet to see anything on either unit that resemble anything even remotely close to a tree or a tire. Or even a fish. Maybe completely misunderstand how to adjust the units. My dedicated Sonar unit rocks though. It is always easy to read and easy to adjust. If it beeps and shows a fish. I catch it. Haha.

The maps are great, but I had to buy the micro SD card for them. I know that's normal and it depends on the map brand. I'm happy with the maps. The GPS on both units that have it are SUPER slow to get a signal. The units will fade out every time I start the boat. (Probably user/installer error....aka me!), and I have to physically in plug and plug back in each unit for them to power up again. And the. Wait a few minutes for them to regain GPS connection.

Overall, with the price added into my equation, I'd give them a 3 out of 10. Not great. Not really even average


That's my honest opinion of them and I have pretty much one of each. All Helix 7's. All transducers are mounted to HB specs per the instructions. And wired using the boats fuse panel so that's they are 3amp fuse protected.

If I had it to do over, I'd have gone with something much more expensive and probably a Lowrance. I'd have bought one larger unit for the bow and a 7"'unit for the console. And went ahead and bought something that would link so I didn't have to manage two different GPS units with two different cards in order to save a waypoint without having to run back n forth.

Overall. I'd say, if money is DEFINITELY an issue, get em. If money isn't....get something better.

Helix will not be an upgrade from 1199's. If you really want to upgrade you would want to go with the onix

SteezMacQueen, just from your posting I can tell you got a bad install and don't know how to fix or adjust your units,