Humminbird HELIX 10 Mega SI G2N GPS?

Looking to upgrade my electronics. I currently have Lowrance HDS 5 at the console and at the bow. I also have a US2 built in my trolling motor that I probably will not use. So my question is if I get a Humminbird HELIX 10 Mega SI G2N GPS for the console what do I need for the bow if I'm linked to the console? Can I get a less expensive Hummingbird for the bow or will it not read what the other Helix is showing? I'm trying to avoid dropping $1,699 twice if I don't have to. I'm basically just needing a screen that will show what the other unit is showing. I don't need a second transducer for the bow. What would you guys put at the bow? I'm also thinking about not adding a unit to the bow and just rotating the Helix 10 around on a ram mount from the console so I can read it from the bow. Thoughts?

I think as long as you stay with the new model, ( not the cores, 1199, 898 etc ) and the units are either G1 or G2 models, that are networkable, you should be fine. I am not sure if all of the models are networkable.

I have the cores that are networked. My front graph receives the SI and DI as well as 2d, from the Console graph, ( I have a helix 7 G2 upfront that I use for DI and 2d )

Good question, I'm looking forward to the answers also

Rotating units and looking backwards is a PIA. Why not use the built in transducer if you have it? You can share way points with any other unit that is network capable. The networking doesn't share screens, it shares transducer so you'd have to have one that the mega transducer is compatible with. But you are going to always be showing what is 15-20' behind you depending on the size of boat.

Buying a smaller g1 Helix and using the built in transducer is a cheap route, or one of the core units but you give up screen brightness.

Wayne P should be along at some point to answer your question. Listen to what he has to say.

I asked Slade for his recommendations. Helix 9 or 10 Mega SI G2N GPS on the console. WIth another 9 or 10 on the bow with GPS Sonar combo. With Lakemaster map chip.

If you get a G2N unit it will only link with another G2N unit. They make non mega G2N units that are 4-500$ cheaper

So I'm assuming the Helix at the bow would be a non Mega unit. I think I can use my US2 trolling motor transducer with it or will I need to use the transducer that comes with it? I think this might be the route I take.

You should be able to use the US2 with it. It will only be 2D that way. As far as linking, you should get the waypoints but it won't link witht he mega transducer unless you turn off CHIRP on the chirp unit which would defeat the purpose of paying the money for the chirp. If you are keeping it at the bow, you'll want to contact Humminbird about trading in the transducer that it came with for a trolling motor transducer before you open the transducer package. You have to decide how you want to use it and what is important to you at the bow. If linking units isn't then get a smaller helix g1 unit.

Here's a Helix 10 G2N that is mapping, networking and 2D that would link up to your Mega and would share the 2D chirp on the mega's transducerfor $1100. That's all you really need at the front and still have the large screen.

https://www.universalmania.com/products/humminbird-helix-10-chirp-gps-g2n-combo

That's what I was looking at for the bow but a 9 (chirp model) instead of 10. But I will need to get a trolling motor transducer for it as it won't work with my US2, correct? That is what you are saying I need to trade in the one in the box for a trolling motor transducer? Or just use the linked transducer from the console mega helix 10 but the drawback is everything is behind me when I'm on the bow? Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to make the right purchase the first time.

So Humminbird HELIX 10 Mega SI G2N GPS at the console linked to HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G2N at the bow and either share the transducer mounted at the transom or have a separate bow transducer for the helix 9 mounted on the trolling motor which I will need to trade for.

If you just want 2d at the bow then you can hook up to the us2. But if you want SI/di at the bow then you would need to trade in transducer like Bobby mentioned to get the trolling motor specific transducer.

Ok. I thought to take advantage of the CHIRP technology I would need a different transducer than the US2 but it looks like I can use it. I could get the regular Sonar unit but the CHIRP is only $100 more and seems to add a lot of detail. I'll have SI at the console but just 2D on the bow.

If you want to share MEGA Imaging at the bow, you need a G2N version to do that. There is a G2N Helix 7, Helix 9, Helix 10, and Helix 12 Sonar and DI model. If you want to use the US2, any of the Sonar models will CHIRP the US2. All G2N models have CHIRP Sonar and CHIRP Imaging.
The only first generation Helix that has CHIRP is the Helix 12 series and that is only CHIRP Sonar, not Imaging.

If you want to use a non-G2N model to share 800/455 Imaging and Sonar from the MEGA SI unit, that can be a 8X9, 9X9, 11X9, or the first generation Helix 8, 9, or 12 in any model.

The only transducer exchange you would need to do for a bow unit and trolling motor application would be the Compact SI that comes with the 899ci HD SI Combo, first generation Helix 9 SI model and the Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N or any Down Imaging model.

Thanks for all the input. The next question would be the mounts. I'm thinking about a ram or balzout at the console and a dek-it at the bow. Any suggestions? It will be going on a skeeter zx 190.

I have mine on a ram mount and and a precision sonar mount....they work great!