Could anyone post screen shots of their settings for the Helix 12 chirp SI units (non-mega)? I took mine out today for the first time to do some fine tuning and I cant seem to find the right settings. Also my maps seem to be set-up a little different as if its not showing everything. I am sure there is something I didn't set up right. Just looking for a little help

There are a bunch of settings and not every unit is set exactly the same. It needs to be set while in the water to get the most from the unit.

Start with your sonar on Medium/High frequencies and your Imaging set on 800 kHz. That will get you in the right neighborhood.

There is not a one setting solution. If there were Humminbird would not have given us the options to make adjustments.

On Chart set it on head up. That is what I use. I just find it to work for me better having the map turn vs my boat icon turn.

Set your chart speed to 5

Set your SI range to 75'

When you are in full screen SI (same for DI) hit the menu button once. This will allow for you to make simple, fast changes/adjustment. scroll down to SI or DI Enhance and cursor over to the right. This will bring up what I call the happy box. Remember 10 is factory settings. This is where you will make adjustments to sensitivity and contrast. Bump the sensitivity to 13 and the contrast to 11 to 12. This will change as you move into soft bottom or hard bottom, shallow water or deeper water. Leave sharp off as well as contour mode. If you change frequency to 800 kHz you will adjust the setting in a lower number to enhance the images. The rest of it I simply leave it alone with factory settings.

David, thanks for the tips and advice. But what I think I am asking is what is it with the maps that I'm doing or not doing? Here is the picture that was displayed on the screen Sunday.


Sorry it's upside down. Maybe you can help? Or someone

DO you have a HB Lakemaster or Navionics ship installed? If Yes, go into your setup and change it to read the card. If you don't have a chip, you need to buy one and put it in.

Capt Craig. I have a navionics card

It is not locating the card then. Sometimes the cover will accidentally pop the card out of the locked position. When you put the card in, you push it to lock it. Double check that it has not unlocked itself.

Hit menu twice to open the main menu. Open the Chart tab and scroll down. Chart Detail should be set to - ALL. Map Borders should be set to - MMC/SD Only. This should get it back working. If not, it is possible your card is bad.

With the unit operating in NORMAL, remove the card and then re-insert it.

One of those software glitch things with that model.

BTW, do you have current software installed?

Capt. Craig,

I will try those things that you mentioned.

Wayne P,

I am not sure on the version that is currently on the unit. I will check it tomorrow when I go to the storage unit where the boat is kept. Thanks for all of your help.

I have a Helix 12 and an 898 and they'll both do that occasionally when I insert a card. They have both done it a couple of times since new on both the lakemaster and navionics cards. Removing and re-install as Wayne said always gets the map card to read. It occasionally takes a couple times to get it.

It shows to be over zoomed in the upper right corner....

200' is not too over zoomed to not show any water or contours.
With a Humminbird/Navioincs you can zoom in to the 10' range and not loose any data.

True dat....just pointing it out.

S&f
Thankyou for the set up info,it helped my screen a ton .