New Helix Fish Finders and the Competition

I've seen some adds on here and got an e-mail that Humminbird is coming out with a 9, 10, 12 Helix. The 9" should be right in my price range with side imaging at $1k. I've been looking into the Garmin 73/93 and Lowrance HDS 7/9 Gen 2 and want a 7" or larger. Does anyone think the Helix prices will force Garmin and Lowrance to drop prices a little? If not it'll make my fish finder search a little easier choice. Hard to beat a 9" screen with SI for $1k.

Garmin is coming out with a new line of stuff also.

http://www.bbcboards.net/garmin-sonar-gps/655688-2016-product-lineup.html

http://www.bbcboards.net/garmin-sonar-gps/655647-garmins-new-striker-chirp-fish-finder-gps.html

I think Lowrance is as well

Interesting. I really want a 9" but a 7" garmin for $500 is worth a look. I wonder what Lowrance is coming out with. I'm probably not going to buy until early next year anyway. I wonder if the Lowrance Gen2 is going to be discontinued soon.

The one thing I like is now that garmin has stepped up it's game the rest will follow and fishermen will benefit. I have a Garmin 1040xs and love it.

Competition is a good thing.

Anxious to see Lowrance's answer to Panoptix

I think we saw Lowrance's version with the spotlight scan, failed miserably. They are actually trying to give them away

I just bought three Helix 7 units. They are "ok". Nothing new about the technology used in them. The best thing about them is the features and screen for the price. The screens are EXCELLENT. Very easy to see in bright sunlight. And easily dimable for night use. I bought a regular sonar with GPS and a regular DI unit for the bow. I bought a SI with GPS for the console. They do not link. They can accept, and I've yet to buy, an external GPS antenna. They take a minute or so to lock on to a GPS signal. Maybe it would be faster with an external antenna? Don't know. Also, I am using the standard SI transducer. It is "ok". It will likely be better when I get the HDSI transducer. For now the side imaging is about average. The sonar unit up front is the most used. I like to drop shot and it is extremely fast and accurate with showing what's down there.

I went with two separate units up front since I didn't want to have to squint my eyes to see DI and sonar at the same time on a split screen. By having two units side by side, I can have sonar 7" sized and DI 7" sized at the same time. And by having one of them GPS I can mark a waypoint from the front as well as the back. Then combine them later when I get home.
I also use an older IPad on a ram at the console. I use it for Navionics, camera, and TFF when the fishing is slow. Lol.

Thanks for the info SteezMacQueen. This is what I've been told and read. The Humminbird 9 and larger will have MOST of the features of the units they are replacing so they will have networking. The 12 will be the only one with chirp. Just curious what are you comparing your side imaging to say it's just OK? I've never had side imaging so it will be a huge upgrade for me regardless. I think the 9 and 10 will have the same SI transducer as the 7.

I was told that Lowrance is coming out with a new transducer that will have more cyrstals and be similar to the Panoptix. It will only work on the Gen3 from what I was told.

I put a Helix 7 si up front on my boat and really like it. I am new to side imaging so can't compare it to anything, but from I have seen so far it is great. It is very clear, I can tweak on it and see limbs, stumps on creek channels, to me it is amazing. And as far as I am concerned, the screen is huge and I have no problem seeing in daylight whether sitting or standing on the front deck.
Just my thoughts on it.

later...don

The new Humminbird Helix's are awsome!

You will, starting in January...


As far as the original post, contact me if you are looking for deals on Lowrance or Humminbird Graphs. 254-629-8877

-Link Lowrance

You have a PM

I have the Helix 7 Si and Di. I got one of the two graphs they had at Bass Pro shops when they first came out. The quality and definition of the screen is amazing just on the 7 inch screen. The Helix 12 would be amazing, its on my list!!!!

I will be adding the Helix 7 on my bow and a 10 or 12 on the console. The price is too right not to for me.

I can not find the pricing on the new humminbirds. I spoke with garmin about the new 94sv. They are not capable of being linked together. (garmin help line)

Garmin can't be linked at all?

There are some prices on line already.

Mark, I have done some reading on them . Are the picture/processor supposed to be that much better? Or is it the size of screen your getting for a stripped down unit at a great price?

Way I understood it is you are getting the new versions of the 900 and 1100 units basically. Better screen etc. My boat is due for new depthfinders and since I am not the biggest offshore nut I kinda thought these just made sense for me.

10-4 that's kinda what I got out of it as well

The big difference is the brightness on the new humminbirds. They are going from 1000 for 1500 nit.

Looking at the new Garmin offerings. They have the striker 7 sv for $500 but it doesn't appear to have maps on it even though it has a GPS. Kind of weird. Garmin is coming out with chirp versions of the 7x/9x with chirp.

From my understanding the " chirp" that they're putting on these units is more of a sales gimmick than anything . From the people that know , a true chirp system is thousands of dollars . I don't know though this is just from reading

The new helix screens will be wide like the 998,898, but will be brighter and sharper with better pixel resolution. The chirp is probably gonna be what they refer to as "cheap chirp". They seem to be using the same transducer hdsi 180. You may have the ability to use one of the airmar tducers which would be over a thousand dollars just for the ducer. Still a lot of unknowns about the Helix 12 chirp. They should be out in Feb. 2016

http://www.bbcboards.net/humminbird-sonar-gps/653038-helix-9-10-12-information-reource.html

Just got my new Helix 7 di today. Not off to a good start, ordered it online from BPS and they told me the transducer would mount to the TM but I'm finding out that's not the case Good price on it and in demo mode the picture is great. But looks like it's going to be more cost to have a way to mount to TM

Donovan has the part. I believe the mount along with stainless hose clamp is 15$ or less. I'll get you a part number in the morning.

I have an extra Tm mount. I'm in red oak. If ya want it...come get it. It's BNIB.

Thanks for the offer Steez but I'm over a 100 miles from the Metromess, that's the reason I ordered online and was trying to get it ready for a tournament this weekend. I ordered a transducer shield but it's the wrong one. BPS says the one I need is $79.

http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Technology/CHIRP/

It is an option available in the Helix 12, Onix and Ion series. They have it available if you so choose to go that route. It is not needed in our local lakes.

*Optional Chirp transducer purchase required for 28kHz to 540kHz and maximum 3500 ft depth performance

The HELIX 9, 10 and 12 are net-workable.

The Helix 9 SI/GPS combo will have the same transducer as the Humminbird 899ci HD SI combo

The Helix 10 and 12 SI/GPS combo will have the same transducer as the Humminbird 1199ci HD SI combo

And very much affordable comparing....

Humminbird keeps it Simple and the 360 is Unmatched.

Use the proper transducer for the trolling motor application, not a mount for the transom one.

XTM 9 DI 25 T it is a trolling motor puck with extra internal shielding and comes with a hose clamp.

All Humminbird units come with the transom transducer (standard)

TM = Transom Mount
T/M = Trolling Motor

Humminbird has the transducer exchange program where you contact them direct and they will tell you where to send the "new/unused" transducer to them and they will send you the trolling motor transducer for your unit. There is a cost difference between the two transducers that you will have to pay plus shipping.

Contact Humminbird

Contact Us

Corporate Headquarters:
678 Humminbird Lane

Eufaula, AL 36027

Phone:
1-800-633-1468

Hummingbird told me it was a 14 day turnaround on the transducer exchange I
need the unit this weekend so I have no choice but to make the transom style work.

http://www.transducershieldandsaver.com/product/tm-di/

Check with Bass Pro Shops. They have a small selection of the transducer shield and saver brackets available. They may have the one you need.

TM-DI fits Humminbird Down Image XNT 9 DI T xDucer for Trolling Motor, Jack Plate or Set Back

The Boater Sport bracket that I have used along with the helix 5s (assuming the transducer is the same). The part number is 52648. Cost is 6.99 plus Tax. I have one in Lufkin Texas.

Thanks for the help fellows I've got it on with an old bracket. Hopefully it will survive till I can get the right set up I'm really impressed with the unit