If you are only gonna network the 2 solix units and nothing else you will only need an Ethernet cable. If you add a 3rd unit or accessory such as 360 or I pilot link you would need the 5 port switch


https://www.humminbird.com/Products/AS-ETH-5PXG/

The SM3000 is to add sensors/transducers to the ION display (modular system) and to add CHIRP sonar to the ONIX.
Not needed with the SOLIX or with an updated ONIX.

Engine data is a direct connection to the 0183 NMEA port, no black box needed.

Thanks for the replies!

Can anyone tell me how to upload my way points to my Solix 15 . I have tried several timers without any luck. I can put them on my 1198 and 998 but not the Solix. I have them loaded on a SD card.

the solix has a different format than the core units..try this

https://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/Convert2GPX/

New Humminbird SOLIX 10 announced. Due out in January. Same features as the SOLIX 12 and SOLIX 15.

Wayne P can't you connect to internet on the Solix 15???? I could've sworn I saw Gerald Swindle on the internet watching weigh in at one of the elite events while he was in his boat in line for weigh in... My buddy has a Solix 15 and we got it paired with phone but not sure how to or if we can get internet...?

Not 100% sure but I have accidentally turned off the "sonar" aspect of my unit and it was blank or wouldn't even go to those screens (I don't remember). Act like you are going to turn your unit off and a few things will pop up. One of them will say "sonar" and make sure its "on". May very well not be your problem though but something similar happened to me and that was the fix.

Does anybody know if I can make my Helix 12 CHIRP,SI,DI,GPS sonar have a different color lake bottom on 2D sonar like lowerance does?

You can only use the available color pallets.

I was hoping there was some feature I hadn't discovered. Sad that Humminbird didn't add that practical and obvious feature.

What color choices does Lowrance have for the charts?

Do you have Lakemaster mapping?

Have you used Auto Chart Live?

Are there any pro staff guys on here for Humminbird that can pass along a discount?

I have never owed a Lowerance sonar but have seen the HDS 12 gen 3 unit a few times on a guide's boat (Bob Maindelle of Holdingthelineguideservice)and was super impressed with the performance and clarity of the white bass hugging the bottom, both on traditional sonar and DI. On my Helix it is super easy to OVER LOOK the white bass hugging the bottom when they are not stacked up but rather one fish tall and a little spread out. It would be helpful if Humminbird would make a feature where the bottom displayed as brown like lowerance does to more easily distinguish bottom hugging fish. I kinda regret buying my Helix 12 now after comparison to be honest especially when the price is about the same.

I do not own the lakemaster chip and use the Navionics app on my phone and have been very content with that set up....rather not use sonar screen space to display mapping that my phone or ipad can display, just my preference. I prop my phone up below my sonar.

Autochart live is very cool! That is one reason too I have not bought a lakemaster chip because the few humps and points I want to map I have already autocharted and look at every once in a while.

Have you tried the white line feature?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-c43tpTGREw