Thread: New Helix 5 Chirp Models ..... Here we go

They had to do new hardware for the Helix 5 to do it ..... I don't think there will be any software release that enables chirp on the older Helix 5......but who knows for sure.....Have to wait and see on the 9 and bigger.

Originally Posted by OrangeAgent

x2, I will be a little sore if I paid a premium for a bigger screen and less technology on my 9 than the base model helix less than a year later.

The Helix9SI was a very nice step up from the 899 I had for the exact same MSRP - you can't be too sore about it ...
I loved my 899 and a buddy of mine still does!
Technology marches forward, either you "get on the bus" and ride, or you stay at the "bus stop" waiting for the next big thing ~ which is always just around the corner.
More RAM and faster processors are what make the new operating system run fast.
Chirp was added to the H12 and the ONIX, now the H5's.
I expect the H7's will be the next to be updated, maybe networking, maybe chirp, who knows isn't talking right now... but change will be coming.

Originally Posted by BobB

They had to do new hardware for the Helix 5 to do it ..... I don't think there will be any software release that enables chirp on the older Helix 5......but who knows for sure.....Have to wait and see on the 9 and bigger.

I think the 1197 had a single or dual core 550 and I'm fairly sure the H12 has a quad 800 under the hood - it's a LOT faster than my 1199.

The Helix 5's used the same exact ancient processor as the 500/700/600 series used... 266MHz...putt - putt- putt...

No wonder they'd choke on a good map card.
I took a 688DI apart & looked up the Samsung ARM processor Bob - but I don't remember the model # offhand, heck it doesn't even have a heat sink !

Originally Posted by sfw1960

The Helix9SI was a very nice step up from the 899 I had for the exact same MSRP - you can't be too sore about it ...

I was careful to temper my response for that exact reason, I still have less than a grand after the HDSI upgrade into a unit that does a lot of awesome things with which I am thrilled. What irks me is that the helix is still their "new" product and if they had come out with an H12 with chirped imaging and let that trickle down into the lower units it wouldn't bother me nearly as much as launching their lowest priced helix with more advanced features than even the current H12. I get the processor is still slower than the higher end units but boy would I be mad if I shelled out 2400 for a H12 to have someone go out this coming spring and spend 600 bucks and get more features than I got on a gen2 H5.