Thinking about Humminbird upgrade

Thinking about upgrading from a Humminbird 1199ci HDSI to the Helix12 Chirp Mega SI GPS G2N. I’ve read all the marketing brochures but what I really want to know is if you like the Helix 12 and if you think the upgrade is worth the cost?

Haven’t done the google search yet but I will...do you have any non-marketing brochure images you would be willing to share, if not here, then maybe privately?

This will go on my kayak, I’m a structure fisherman, so I’m on creek channels, points, humps, road beds, submerged bridges, etc. most of the year. I like to look for the sweet spots so I spend a lot of time looking around and testing spots. Do you think this sonar will help improve my search?

Thanks for your input.

Yes it is worth it for the down imaging alone. The 1199 has the blended di. With the new mega helix you will get much better di just from the all in one transducer. Which means it will have dedicated si and di elements along with 2d. Will be able to chirp all 2d and imaging frequencies.

The H12 has about 7000 more pixels per square inch than the 1100 series and a much brighter display.

I don't have a MEGA Helix for an example.
You can use one of the split screens with the H12 with 70% for the SI view and it will be about the same size as the 1100 display and have the extra 30% for another view/s beside it.

All the screen shots are with a bow mounted H12 SI unit with SI transducer on the trolling motor.

Go big or go home! I would definitely say spend the extra few hundred bucks and get the newer mega imaging units. Overall I'm happy with my Helix 12 CHIRP unit but some of the clarity on SI and DI doesn't impress me and definitely has room for improvement which mega imaging has probably stepped in and done. I have seen some of the mega imaging in person and been impressed. I'm hoping to upgrade in a year or two to a mega imaging unit or whatever may be out at that time.

I recently added the same unit you are considering to my 1660 jon boat.
I love it. I upgraded from a Lowrance HDS10 Gen2. I like the bird MUCH
more. Not only the better imaging but the controls are easier for me to use.

The DI and SI on this unit are just outstanding.

As far as if it will make a difference I would say "maybe". The unit you have
is a potent tool. This Helix MEGA is just more refined. Sharper and clearer
imaging. I would confidently say that it would make it "easier" and definitely
more enjoyable. And joy is what it's all about when out on the water.

Chris

I caught some stripers off the tree tops in this down scan off of my Helix MEGA 12

Absolutely! I upgraded and the difference is amazing!!

MEGA Imaging is very good. This is a school of crappie along a timber edge:

Loved my Gen 1 Helix 12, but the MEGA H12 has been great.
Look close and you'll see at least 3 bass at 10 o'clock following the bait ball.


What I assume are crappie and other fish in a tree on a ledge.

Mega Image from Humminbird has been producing some of the best detailed images to date in the industry.

Helix 9", 10" and 12" display.

Here is/was a school of crappie tucked away in the bottom corner of the 1st fish trough. This mage is the old fish hatchery on Lake Lewisville.

All the images I have seen are amazing resolution and clarity.

Any idea if these units will go on sale after Christmas?

What cable or part number would you need to hook this Humminbird XNT-9-20-T Transom Mount Transducer to Humminbird Helix 10 Chirp Mega SI/GPS G2N Combo? Or can you?

https://www.humminbird.com/Products/MSIDB-Y/

That's it thanks

Is this the transducer I need to go with a Helix 10 mega si unit for high speed reading

That's for the solix/onix..

This one is what you need for helix transom mount. https://www.humminbird.com/Products/XNT-9-20-T/


This one is cheaper. It doesn't have temp but you don't need temp from this transducer if you are using the y cable. You will get temp from the si transducer.

https://www.amazon.com/Humminbird-710214-1-Transom-Transducer-XNT/dp/B000MPO8R4

Thanks that's what I needed to know

For high speed epoxy that in the hull.

Another option to see your depth if you loose it at high speeds is to simply follow the depth on your charts. This is what I do as I have an aluminum boat and the in-hull transducer is not an option. Following the depth on my charts works just as well as seeing the depth read-out on my unit.

Alumaducer is the only shoot thru option for aluminum boats

http://www.vexilar.com/pages/home

I simply look at my charts....problem solved.