3 Attachment(s)
Helix 7 G2 DI GPS transducer location help
Hi all. I have a Helix 7 G2 DI/GPS and was hoping to get some feedback with regards to getting a better image at high speeds. I've been in contact with Humminbird but have not heard from them in over a week. My boat has smart tabs on the outside of the transom. There is also a pitot installed so I was limited on where I could install the transducer. I originally had it installed closer in toward the motor (within the 15"). It was near a strake but I thought far enough away that it would not create a problem. It worked fine with the gas motor off and at trolling speed. However, the screen would eventually fill with red as I increased speed. I thought this was due to turbulence (prop wash or the strake) so I swapped the position of the pitot and the transducer.
The current position further away from the motor/prop but is still within 15". However, the transducer is now clear of any strakes and there is nothing in front of the transducer to create turbulence. With the current transducer location I can keep bottom reading up to about 20mph. The screen starts out normal but as I increase speed the screen seems to wash out or loose the image. This is the opposite of what I saw originally when the screen filled red. I used a split screen of 2d and DI. The 2D screen loses bottom completely and often shows depths that are not reflective of what I know they should be (e.g., in water of 30ft but it may read 75ft or higher). The DI screen seems to always keep bottom but is very fuzzy. I thought the transducer may not have been low enough so I lowered it a little but got the same results.
I have attached a few screenshots. The screenshot at 20mph is the best I can get at that speed. The 2D will completely wash out above that speed but the DI is still slightly readable. Since the DI is still picking up the bottom it seems the transducer is in the water. Is it possible the transducer is too low? Any suggestions based on the attached screenshots?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Screenshot at 20mph (2D washes completely out above this speed):
Attachment 262989
Screenshot at trolling speed 5mph:
Attachment 262991
Screenshot with gas motor off (drifting or using trolling motor):
Attachment 262990