Why such slack on several models under this label?
Everything is Helix this Helix that
I have a yak that doesnt require a billboard size sonar
Where does one go to find any sort of tips or tricks?
Humminbird CS was less then worthless on everything but thanks for your purchase.
Anyone run a 197,197C before moving to Helix?
Search for your self,there is NOTHING outside of unboxing a unit.
TIA!

The Helix is a series of units. The smallest is the Helix 5" screen sonar only at $200, which I think is a deal for a kayaker that doesn't need GPS! If you need something smaller, there is the HB PiranhaMax 4. It has a 3.9" screen at $150.

So what was customer service not able to help you with? Settings or how to use or interpret? What tips are tricks are you wanting?

The PiranhaMax uses Dual Beam sonar 200/455 kHz with the 200 kHz only a 28 degree coverage and the 455 kHz even smaller at 16 degrees. You would have to be directly over a fish for it to even show!

The Helix 5 uses the common 83/200 kHz frequencies. The 83 kHz is the key frequency to have as it provides a 1:1 coverage depth to width on the lake bottom at 60 degrees. The two units aren't even comparable. At a $50 difference, the Helix 5 is the clear winner.

Last time (after graphs)Humminbird came out with fish ID
Yeah that dates me with tech gizmo's
Being in West Texas,fishing gets tuff when the weather warms to over night 90's
Takes months for bank fishing to pick back up,so I opted to go after them with modern tech instead of guessing over 3-5 trips out(Old school experience)
Ive worn youtube out the last few days and I think I have enough to get my 4DI running on a Yak.
That DI is what Im most after,no need for SI on a 12 foot boat for my needs
The khz (kilohertz) is pretty much greek to me
The PM 4DI is a step up from the PM 4 according to HB
I like the vertical over the horizontal(Helix) as its less of a snag at boat level(compact)
Tuff teaching old dogs new tricks yah know

The 200 kHz sonar cone is going to be about 3-4 feet wide at 30 feet of depth, so if you see fish on the sonar, they are directly under you.


Good news is the DI can be great for locating structure such as trees and other subsurface hard objects. Bad news is that DI doesn't do a great job of showing fish returns on such a small screen. I do hope you get it worked out so that it gives you the info you are looking for.

Yes Sir,Im getting that much(I think)
I pretty well know all my lakes I just need a little looky under the water to follow channels and humps
Pretty much all west Texas lakes are flat bottom with man made brush piles and such.
Thanks,