First, hope everyone is having a great New Years,
I'm in the market for 2 Units and I have lots of questions. A Helix 7 DI/Chirp GPS G2N for the front and a Helix 9 Chirp Mega SI GPS G2N for the console. I'm really considering saving the cash and purchasing 2 7's instead of the 9 and possibly no network capabilities. I have the funds but do want to be wasteful. I'm primarily a shallow water fisherman, but occasionally I'll chase striper and smallies to 50ish feet. My questions are:

- Do I need Mega? I'm new to this caliber of electronics.
- Do I need Network capabilities, I know what it is but how useful is it to you?
- Do I really need GPS at the bow
- Do I have to purchase a special trolling motor mount for the DI transducer?
- Where can I get the best deal.

Sorry for long post and Thank you.

The networking is nice to save waypoints to both units. You drive by and Mark something on the si then come back and find the waypoint from the bow.
Do you need mega? That's a personal opinion. It will give a much Superior picture. I have the Gen 1 and it is fine for me.

If I'm not mistaken, you only need a 2d unit at the front and a si unit at the console and have them linked. You can then get your di and si views on the 2d unit networked to the si unit. The down side is that you can't have one mega and one not and your readings other than 2d will be coming from the transducer mounted on your transom.

For me, yes I need the GPS on both units for the way that I fish.

Forgot to answer about the trolling motor transducer. You contact hb before opening the transducer packaging and for a free you can swap it for the trolling motor transducer.

Thanks so mush for the response.

Do I need GPS in front or is that even an option to purchase without?

I need the GPS up front. If I marked a spot and am using the trolling motor to get back to it, I like to see on my graph where it is. You might not fish a way that you need it but it is already on most units.

It's your money so you have to decide what is and isn't important to you. The standard answer is going to be buy as large of a screen as you can afford, especially when you are getting into SI. I went from 2 7" screens that were adequate and now have a 12 and a 10. I have not regretted the upgrade once. The console is close to you but you really get so much of a better view with the larger screen. The bow unit is the farthest from you but I am mainly using it for 2D and DI but the 10" screen makes it so much easier to see what you are looking at.

Go to the store and play with them and try looking at them from a distance. Just remember the demo has probably the best image quality that you could get out of them so your settings might not get as clear.

Trust Bobby for what you need he's using HB and knows what works. I just bought a Helix 10 on Ebay and while searching noticed you can get a 7" Helix for less than $500 ( free shipping and no taxes ) and a 9" Helix for less than $700. They will probably do everything you need to do.

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