New Humminbird Helix 5 DI/SI/gps thoughts?

[Buckrub]

Anyone seen one of these?

Thoughts?

[Buckrub]

Here's another question.......

I just went out and looked at my boat. The current depthfinder was installed when I got my boat I have no clue how they did it........the cables are hidden up under the gunwales. And routed through spots that could only have been done with some special tools.

It'd be no problem to get the old one out IF I cut the cables at transducer and the three cables coming into the unit with large sized plugs. But then what? Can those cables be spliced back together? And then I have the same issue installing a new one......the danged transducers and head-end plugs are built-in, NOT removable. No way to get them through the tight spaces and small console hole.

Surely, folks have bought and installed new depthfinders before!?!?!? How?

Any help to a pea brain would be appreciated.

BRM, if I take you fishing, would you know how to do this? I lost the boat mechanics license I told you that I had!

[Crappie Greg]

an electrician snake works great for pulling wires, i had to drill new holes in order to get the big plugs on the new units through, every boat is different, i cut the cords on the old units and trashed em

[cache22]

I mounted it on the trolling motor. With fish finder up front, you don't have to make long (sometimes seemingly impossible) cable runs. Wish boat manufacturers would provide user accessible wiring runs to make electronic and accessory installations easy.

Use a 3/4 inch hole saw and most plugs will pass...... I wouldn't cut cable unless it was the only way!

[uaagr]

I'm interested in a review of the helix unit... Thinking about one for my boat and want to see a real world review

[monkeywrench]

I have the KVD edition ordered. It will ship Jan. 31. I will post how it works. It looks great on the internet but I've been fooled before...

[warhawk]

I have yet to see one of these Helix units, but I'll share my experience with Humminbird on the boat I bought last year.

It it came with a little black & white 2D unit that I had replaced before I took delivery of the boat. I put n 859 DI unit on the console, and a 687 DI at the bow.

I was anxious to finally have a unit with GPS, only to learn that HB's' Lakemaster maps for Arkansas are terrible. For example they don't even have Lake Ouachita mapped. The unit will also accept Navionics maps, which is what I did. Much better coverage, but doesn't have all the goodies.

The down imaging works great on both units, amazing detail. I can't say the same for the 2D sonar. A Humminbird expert on another forum said that I really need to add a 2D transducer for best results. This would also require a switch. I haven't tried this yet, probably won't.

The 678 at the bow gets so much interference in 2D mode that it's unusable. So it stays in DI all the time. The transducer is mounted at the stern, so it isn't trolling motor interference.

All in all I'm disappointed in these HB units. I'm going to be watching the review on the new Garmin 73sv and 93sv. If the reviews looks good I'm planning to upgrade. One thing is for sure, Garmins lake mapping for Arkansas blows away the competition. I have an older garmin 531 stand alone gps unit. I installed it and the mapping is so much better even on the old Garmin unit.

[shane1980]

they are small. I would recommend putting your eyes on one before you order one. I was disappointed at the size when I seen one. I know that BPS has them in now.

[arkcrappie]

Doesn't the Helix have a 5" screen?? Same as a 698??

[wjohn432]

Doesn't the Helix have a 5" screen?? Same as a 698??

I have the new helix kid unit with si and love it,it does have a 5 in screen,for the money I am very happy.