helix guestion.

i recently put a helix 9si/di/gps g2, helix 5 gps/di and ultrex wit universal sonar. the 9 is working fine. i have the 5 hooked to the tm. no i know the di is not going to work hooked to US. my problem is no arches. if im on top of fish im just seeing blobs and specks that may be green or red. i have went to my big unit a sure nuff its fish. i have it on factory settings but i cant tell what i'm looking at in the water column. the speed, temp, depth, and bottom contour are all fine. any thoughts

To start with, it could just be that the Helix 5 DI is not compatible with the US2. Here is a list of the units Humminbird says are compatible:
https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn...?LangType=1033
Now, I've heard that you should be able to run sonar only on a DI unit with the latest update, but I can't say this is true or not.

Assuming the US2/DI compatibility is not the issue, understand that fish don't always look like well pronounced arches. Sometimes they may look like blobs or very subtle arches. Play with your settings. Adjust sensitivity, contrast, and color. Adjust your chart speed to match your boat speed.
Under sonar menu you may try the different sonar frequencies. If you're in deep water, try Max Mode for the Switchfire setting.

Rickie and others my do this better than me but I'm going to try. On 2d to get arches its relative to how fast the fish is swimming throug the cone or how fast you are crossing over the fish. As you pass over a fish it first shows op and signal increases as you get closer to fish then tapers off as you pass by thus creating the arc you see. If your sitting still or going real slow it's pretty rare to see anything but that blob. The lighter color is going to be to outside edge of cone and darker is going to be more in center of cone. Remember, 2d is nothing more than a cartoon image of what's under you. Plus I'm not convinced the installed transducer on trolling motor are best quality to match your unit. Anything made for universal applications is not great for compatibility.

Here is correspondence with Humminbird pertaining to DI units and US2 ...

the adapter for the US2 sonar for the Minn Kota motors DOES NOT include any DI models and include a not below the Humminbird units of:

NOTE: Minn Kota motors with built-in Universal Sonar 2 (including those with i-Pilot Link) are not compatible with Humminbird's Down Imaging Sonar. An external XTM 9 WIDE DI 20 T (83/200) or XTM 9 DI 25T (200/455) is required for all sonar readings with all 1100, 900, and 800 Humminbird Down Imaging units. An external XTM 9 DI 25T transducer would be required for the DI models.

Good Boating and Fishing!
Dawn Turner
Humminbird Customer Service Representative
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc.
A Subsidiary of Johnson Outdoors Inc.
678 Humminbird Lane
Eufaula, AL 36027
Toll Free: 1-800-633-1468
Phone: 334-687-6613

And further correspondence ...:

The software update will not allow the DI units to use the US2. It’s not a software reason it will not work but a mechanical. The US2 transducer will PHYSICALLY damage your DI unit if it’s connected.

Good Boating and Fishing!
Dawn Turner

Rickie

thanks guys