Questions on Helix Broadband Chirp/HD, Transducer and Card??

[Lonnie84]

Comparing specs on the Helix 12 to the 10; as for the "Chirp" will I see any noticeable difference from the Chirp on the screen if I am fishing in 50 fow or less?

As for the transducers, It comes with the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T which I think is just for the DI/SI, do I still use the Minn-kota built in US2 for sonar or is there something better?

Cards, since the Helix can now run the "Smart Strike" cards with a software download has anyone tried them out yet?

[OrangeAgent]

I watched a doug v video where he showed off the chirp and then turned it off on the same pass. You have to change the settings around but I didn't really see much difference. I have seen screen shots of brushpiles on 2d from people with airmar transducers not the stock hdsi and it looked pretty awesome. No big cloud, you could see stripes and separation all the way to the bottom. Of course that would take it to something like a 3 grand setup I think.

The hdsi has 2d in it as well. If you are running it on the trolling motor then don't use the us2.

[BobB]

Yep .... don't need the US2. Everything will come from the HDSI transducer if you put it on the trolling motor.

From the images I have seen posted, the 2D is significantly improved with the Helix 12 chirp. It's pretty good with only the stock transducer.

Haven't used Smartstrike .... it has gotten mixed reviews.

[Lonnie84]

Yep .... don't need the US2. Everything will come from the HDSI transducer if you put it on the trolling motor.

BobB - My TM is ulterra and has I-pilot Link was thinking about using a da-ducer mount so I can get my SI info from the front not mounting to the trolling motor but getting the link hooked up of course.

As for the locators I'm thinking of running a Helix 10 SI Sonar/GPS Combo at console and a Helix 12 only Sonar/GPS at bow. With this set up networked would it basically turn the 12 into a SI/DI like the Helix 10 SI? Would I be able to use/see everything on the H12 the same as if it were an Helix 12 SI Sonar/GPS Combo or will it be lacking any functionality or clarity? It's pretty clear on what I'm trying to accomplish so what is your take on this pros and cons or should I be looking at doing a totally different setup with different model of huminbirds?

[BobB]

You will be able to share everything except mapping and the chirp 2D. (Wish Humminbird would step up and do the map sharing on the Helix) I don't know exactly how Humminbird shares the transducer data, but my guess is that it is the raw data.....A little evidence of that is that you cannot share the 2D chirp to a unit that isn't chirp. (You will be able to share the 2D from the 12 to the 10 if you turn off the chirp.) I think you should get the same resolution on the 12 as you would if it was a SI unit.

If You stepped up to the 12 DI at the bow .....You would have an amazing setup.....It's only money

Rickie's apparatus would be a good option.

[Lonnie84]

If You stepped up to the 12 DI at the bow .....You would have an amazing setup.....It's only money

Not opposed to stepping it up to 12 DI, just did not want to double purchase features that were same on each unit if it will run/share it with each other.

On installing a setup like this how many ducer's would be going in the water, would each unit still use it's own or would it just be a single transducer since networking them?

[BobB]

Only suggested because the DI with the dedicated DI transducer will be a lot than you will get from the SI unit.

[rnvinc]

Bob's suggestion of the HELIX DI is to advise that a dedicated DI unit in the networking Setup (along with a 12 CHIRP) will allow you to have access to all the HB technologies available (2d/2d CHIRP/dedicated DI/DI from SI/and SI) ... (360 could be added also) ...

Only the 2d CHIRP and mapping could not be shared (also as Bob mentioned) ...

Rickie

[BobB]

If you do decide to go with the DI .... come back and ask some more questions about the transducer. You would want to swap if for the trolling motor version...There are 2 different kinds of those.