I can't get Lake Master Smart Strike to work with my Helix 12 (or 10).

I have already upgraded the software on the units to 1.210 (the latest software). How to you access the Smart Strike functions? I am getting the mapping but none of the the Smart Strike functions.

I want to run Smart Strike only on the 12 but tried it on the 10 and no that unit either.

go to your map screen , hit the check mark button, then a drop down will appear with the smartstrike option

Perfect. Thank you very much. I will try this tomorrow! Thanks again.

Before you spend bucks on a new transduer.. go to Fry's Electronics and get a spray can of DE-OXIT. It is the best contact cleaner for oxidation on connector contacts. Follow the instructions on the can.. remove the unit from the base and spray the contacts on both the unit and the base.. let it dry. Exercising the unit into the base connector will clean a little as well.. I would do it a few times after you have used the DE-OXIT.
Hope that does it for you

BD

I just got the Smart Strike also. I have some areas on my lake that are somewhat inaccurate on the Lakemaster maps and I have done lots of mapping with Autochart Live. Is there a way for Smart Strike to include my Autochart mapping data?

I am about to purchase a Helix 7 SI, can this unit be upgraded to the HD transducer?

Wayne gave you a good detailed answer in your other post, but yes it can

I am looking at Helix 12 Si right now. It's a little confusing about its transducer.

Here is the information from Humminbird's website.

*Optional 50 kHz transducers available for extreme deep water use and to obtain 1000 watts.

*Optional Chirp transducer purchase required for 28kHz to 250kHz and maximum 3500 ft depth performance

It looks like I have to purchase the optional transducer in order to make the Chirp to work on the unit, am I right? If the answer is yes, then what is the transducer included with package?

I will just use it for crappie fishing and body of water is not very deep, will it make a big difference to upgrade to the Chirp transducer?

Thanks

The helix 12 will chirp any hummingbird compatible 2d transducer. The stock transducer is the hdsi 180. The optional transducer is a true chirp transducer that is made for chirp and deeper water such as saltwater offshore and cost a good bit more for the airmar chirp transducer . The helix 12 will come with everything you need for 2d chirp straight out of the box. personally on mine I very seldom use it and I am usually fishing deeper water for stripers and hybrids.

Thank you very much. Why are you not using it often? I heard about all the good things about it.

I use 83/200 frequency most of the time and get good enough detail with it. The down imaging shows every bit of separation in better detail than the chirp. I mainly got the helix 12 for screen size more than the chirp. But chirp can and will produce some really good 2d images if you work with it and really get it tuned in.

I have the Helix 12 CHIRP SI GPS and see no difference between CHIRP and single frequency 2D sonar. I have tried to convince myself it is a wonderful thing, BUT it is not supported by on-the-water use.

I spent several hours when I first got the Helix 12 to see some type of difference between the two sonar functions and took lots of screen shots to view on my computer to see if I could tell any difference. NONE for any lakes I fish. It may be good for large fish like stripped bass in deeper water than what I fish. The lakes I have have largemouth, crappie, catfish, shad, smaller sunfish family members, and walleye.

These are some of the comparison screen shots--you can decide how wonderful CHIRP is:















I also got the Helix 12 for its screen size and brightness to run the bow 360.
I use the dual frequency for the two sets of FishID symbols.

Diesel & Wayne, I really appreciate your inputs. It's very helpful.

If I buy the Helix 9 DI...can I later buy an SI transducer so I can do both DI & SI?
I tried searching for this answer but came up short.