Looking for the experienced guys with information

Really considering a new Humminbird for the console. Big difference in price, in difference models. Justifiable?
Helix 9 SI GPS - no chirp - no mega @ $780+-, or
With chirp and mega @ $1300. Everyone's price
Not double but much more $$$
Mostly crappie fishing on brush - some bass - some cats.

The Helix 9 SI GPS is less expensive now since it is a discontinued model and has been on close-out sale for months. It has the standard Compact SI transducer that is less expensive than the HDSI transducer that the Helix 10 SI GPS comes with. You can use the HDSI transducer with the Helix 9 SI GPS=additional cost.

The Helix 9 MEGA SI GPS G2N is the current model. It has CHIRP sonar and CHIRP Imaging as well as the extra 1200 kHz. It also has the top of the line MEGA SI transducer.

The transducer cost difference between units is $150.

You want mega, but if the budget doesn�t allow, definitely get CHIRP.

There is no first generation SI Helix 9 or Helix 10 that has CHIRP anything.
The only first generation Helix models with CHIRP is the Helix 12 and that is just 2D sonar.
All the G2 and G2N Helix models have CHIRP sonar and CHIRP Imaging.

I wasn�t suggesting buying anything used.

I was suggesting to buy new with Mega and if not Mega, definitely with CHIRP.

There are close-out sales on the discontinued models and lots of questions about "is it worth it?" to get the current model.

.... I have those same questions .....
Is Mega / Chirp worth it ?

If you get any current model of Helix units, it will have CHIRP sonar and/or CHIRP Imaging.

In the current SI versions, the Helix 9, Helix 10, and Helix 12 will be MEGA CHIRP SI. There is no other current version.
The Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 does not have the MEGA frequency.
The Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 and Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N does not have the MEGA frequency.

Is it "worth it" to you to purchase current equipment or discontinued units new or used?

Wayne P ....., you are not giving us any help
We understand the differences ,,,,, we know the older units are on close out prices
We also understand what the units have / have not
What we are asking ..... without someone answering .... what ever we think about whether it is worth the $$$$
Is Mega a good improvement
Is Mega "worth" additional $$$$
Is CHIRP a good improvement
More like ..... is a blinker trim switch worth it ?
You can still make the motor go up and down with the switch on the throttle lever, but the blinker trim switch is nice
A better question might be ....... HOW MUCH is Chirp and Mega worth

For the waters I fish <40, Humminbird CHIRP has no value---excluding the new Dual Spectrum DI transducer. I don't see any difference using it or not. Recorded fish look exactly the same. Examples at the end of this post.

As far as the MEGA frequency, it is very good for detail but has limited, range, coverage and depth capability. What I do is use 455 kHz for searching since it covers from the water's surface to past vertical on both sides and has more range. THEN if I want a sharper image of a subject, I re-scan it using 1200 kHz to get more detail.
Sort of like using 455 kHz and 800 kHz to do the same---just a little better.

If you are like a lot of others that don't take the time to fully learn how to use your equipment and take advantage of what they can do, you will gain nothing with the extra cost except a lighter wallet.

This is the same fish, same day, almost the same time using dual beam 83/200 kHz and its CHIRP range to show arches.





THEN if you want Humminbird's best CHIRP 2D, you can get a Helix MEGA DI unit
or change the SI or Sonar transducer with a SOLIX to the MEGA DI transducer and have a Low-Q 2D single frequency range of 140-240 kHz. If you don't know about Low-Q, do a web search for it. A current model is the ONLY way to have that feature=$$$$$
THAT is "worth it" for better target separation.

It is worth it to me,if it's in your budget I would go with the nicer unit.