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Helix 7 SI #11293287 12/20/15 02:52 PM
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LSM Offline OP
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I have decided to go with the Helix FF. I was initially looking at the 5, but now considering the 7 for the larger screen. Approaching 52 years, my eyes aren't what they once were. Anyway, I am a little concerned about the size of the 7. I am currently using a Mark 4, which is never in the way. Anyone running the Helix 7 or comparable size unit on their yak? A lot of it is personal preference - just getting ideas.

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11293496 12/20/15 05:09 PM
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pelican Offline
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I'm running a HB 999 and have no issue with size other than I wish it were bigger!



I've never been good, But I've been Lucky!
I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11293503 12/20/15 05:11 PM
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bert Offline
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I know some guys running 1198/1199 units, placement preference is key to making them fit for you. I always like my unit within easy reach which means on occasion they are in the way.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11293550 12/20/15 05:44 PM
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shadboy Offline
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LSM

I have a 7 on a Hobie PA. I took the existing bracket and drilled a hole in middle. Drill the area you want to install and use a bolt with nylon washers and you can keep it low profile and still swivel. I was worried about using a ram mount just cause of height.

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11293587 12/20/15 06:15 PM
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pelican - that's what I keep hearing - get the biggest you can afford

bert - I don't mess with the Mark 4 much, so I have it forward and out of the way. I might want the Helix closer, so definitely something to consider

shadboy - good tip thanks

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11295292 12/21/15 03:58 PM
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Going with the ram ball mount on the slide trax and thinking the 1.5" might be in order vs the 1".
Thoughts?

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11295461 12/21/15 05:15 PM
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pelican Offline
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I'm using that set up on mine and it works great. IMO the 1" is a bit to small.



I've never been good, But I've been Lucky!
I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: pelican] #11295717 12/21/15 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: pelican
I'm using that set up on mine and it works great. IMO the 1" is a bit to small.


Yeah, I just found one and it is the 1.5". Found an 18" Ram arm for transducer - I just hope it is long enough to get the transducer clear of the hull for the SI to work properly.
Thanks

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11296180 12/21/15 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted By: LSM
Originally Posted By: pelican
I'm using that set up on mine and it works great. IMO the 1" is a bit to small.


Yeah, I just found one and it is the 1.5". Found an 18" Ram arm for transducer - I just hope it is long enough to get the transducer clear of the hull for the SI to work properly.
Thanks


If you're planning on hanging your trans on a 1.5" Ram arm that might be a little more than you need depending on how you're
setting it up. If you're hanging that off one side it might be a lot of noticeable drag. Seems like most of the ones I've seen
are on smaller arms.



I've never been good, But I've been Lucky!
I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: pelican] #11296418 12/22/15 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted By: pelican
Originally Posted By: LSM
Originally Posted By: pelican
I'm using that set up on mine and it works great. IMO the 1" is a bit to small.


Yeah, I just found one and it is the 1.5". Found an 18" Ram arm for transducer - I just hope it is long enough to get the transducer clear of the hull for the SI to work properly.
Thanks


If you're planning on hanging your trans on a 1.5" Ram arm that might be a little more than you need depending on how you're
setting it up. If you're hanging that off one side it might be a lot of noticeable drag. Seems like most of the ones I've seen
are on smaller arms.


The FF mount is 1.5" and the arm is 1". I was just stating that I hope the arm is long enough.

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11296443 12/22/15 01:10 AM
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Hey LSM I just got a helix 7 too what size battery your going to use. I have a 7ah from my Lowrance and try say it will not last for 2 hour on the Helix....

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: ironmike104] #11296498 12/22/15 01:34 AM
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Originally Posted By: ironmike104
Hey LSM I just got a helix 7 too what size battery your going to use. I have a 7ah from my Lowrance and try say it will not last for 2 hour on the Helix....


pelican posted this regarding the Helix 5
The Helix 5 uses .615 amps, approximately (7.6 watts) at 12.5 volts. Providing you have a good 7 AH battery and the ambient temperature is 80 deg you should get about 9 hrs of run time before your battery drains to aprox 40% (11.9 volts)
This will all vary some as your battery ages and or the ambient temp drops. For each 10 dregs drop in temp starting at 70 deg f you can expect aprox .1 volt drop.

Not sure about the Helix 7

Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: LSM] #11299888 12/23/15 06:03 PM
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Everyone does things a different way and most every way works.

I have been running side imagers continuously on yaks since 2009.
For the FF, I never used anything bigger than a 1" ram ball and never a HB unit smaller than 998. No problems at all.

If you are going to use a Ram mount for the transducer and do not have an extremely stable mounting solution (very rigid arm and a reinforced mounting point for the base of the ram), I would go with the 1-1/2" just for the extra mass. You do not want your mounting for the transducer vibrating or shaking at all at the far end of the arm as often happens with some side mounts. There are algorithms written into the SI software to compensate for/correct for some of the wave action but not for reducing small quick shakes as will result from a shaky arm. It will still work fine, just not as clearly as you might get otherwise.

Just my 2 cents. Your gonna love it, congrats, Phill


Phill Pittman

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Re: Helix 7 SI [Re: Carver] #11304308 12/26/15 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted By: Carver
Everyone does things a different way and most every way works.

I have been running side imagers continuously on yaks since 2009.
For the FF, I never used anything bigger than a 1" ram ball and never a HB unit smaller than 998. No problems at all.

If you are going to use a Ram mount for the transducer and do not have an extremely stable mounting solution (very rigid arm and a reinforced mounting point for the base of the ram), I would go with the 1-1/2" just for the extra mass. You do not want your mounting for the transducer vibrating or shaking at all at the far end of the arm as often happens with some side mounts. There are algorithms written into the SI software to compensate for/correct for some of the wave action but not for reducing small quick shakes as will result from a shaky arm. It will still work fine, just not as clearly as you might get otherwise.

Just my 2 cents. Your gonna love it, congrats, Phill


I have the arm installed with a 1" ball and can see what you are talking about. Not sure a bigger ball will help, since it is wobbly near the transducer end. It is solid at the point where it is attached to the ball. I'll be going on in a day or so to see how it works.

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