Helix 10 ?

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07-11-2016, 10:26 PM
Dutchman

Helix 10 ?

Title should say Helix 9. Going to upgrade fish finder. I am not very technical , but willing to learn. Helix 9 di si gps Kvd is the one I'm considering,( what the heck is Kvd ?) I've heard they are easier to use than other brands, and that their maps are awesome . Is this the best one for the money? Planning on eventually upgrading to a trolling motor that will link up with fish finder. Is transom transducer that comes with this unit the best choice ? We Fish mostly MS and TN , looks like a lot of options for mapping cards : Lake , Lake+ , Nav., etc ... Which one do you guys prefer ? Thanks in advance !!!
07-12-2016, 04:47 AM
wannabe fisherman

KVD = Kevin Van Dame Bass fishing legend it's the same as the Helix 9 except it has red markings around a couple of buttons and KVD on it. There's also a map card or something different there.
07-12-2016, 12:13 PM
BobB

The 9 comes with the compact SI transducer ..... upgrading to the HDSI ..... before opening the mounting hardware would be a good idea ......If you can stretch your budget a little go with the 10 which comes with the HDSI transducer.
07-12-2016, 01:33 PM
Dutchman

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobB

The 9 comes with the compact SI transducer ..... upgrading to the HDSI ..... before opening the mounting hardware would be a good idea ......If you can stretch your budget a little go with the 10 which comes with the HDSI transducer.

Thanks. Is Lakemaster suitable? BPS does not carry Lakemaster +.
07-12-2016, 01:41 PM
M R Dux

LakeMaster V2 or V3 would be the best bet to get the maximum from your unit.

I have probably sold several Helix 10 units for Humminbird by letting clients watch my Helix 10 DI unit while trolling. Most are amazed at the definition. My puck and transducer are mounted on a Podunk da ducer unit on the bow.
07-12-2016, 01:59 PM
BobB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Thanks. Is Lakemaster suitable? BPS does not carry Lakemaster +.

Lakemaster offers more features for Humminbird ..... such as water level offset.......but, the best mapping for you is dependent on the lakes you will be fishing. If your lake isn't HD surveyed by Lakemaster, it may be a good idea to check Navionics to see what level of mapping they have for the lake you want to fish .... I think the big 4 in Mississippi are all HD surveyed on the newest Lakemaster chip. You can go to their web site to check out what lakes are HD surveyed.

You can check out Navionics web app to see the level of detail you will be getting from them. With Navionics, you can get the whole country and free updates to the mapping for a year
07-12-2016, 03:56 PM
Dutchman

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobB

Lakemaster offers more features for Humminbird ..... such as water level offset.......but, the best mapping for you is dependent on the lakes you will be fishing. If your lake isn't HD surveyed by Lakemaster, it may be a good idea to check Navionics to see what level of mapping they have for the lake you want to fish .... I think the big 4 in Mississippi are all HD surveyed on the newest Lakemaster chip. You can go to their web site to check out what lakes are HD surveyed.

You can check out Navionics web app to see the level of detail you will be getting from them. With Navionics, you can get the whole country and free updates to the mapping for a year

Great info , thanks !!! So should I upgade to Navionics or Lakemaster ? My understanding is the Helix 9 comes with Contour XD . Is this inferior compared to other mapping?
07-12-2016, 05:11 PM
OrangeAgent

If you are willing to drive over the area you want to fish first the helix 9 and up generates its own 1ft contour map while you fish. Doesn't do you much good for pre-trip scouting but if you already know the general areas you want to fish it might be all you need.

I have a helix 9 and love it. I do wish at times I had gotten the 10, even on full screen crappie are teeny little specks on side imaging.

If you do get on I second the recommendation to upgrade to the hd ducer. Better 455 and you get 800 kHz as well which really works well in deeper water IMHO.
07-12-2016, 05:15 PM
BobB

If the lakes you fish are HD, Lakemaster is the best. Here is a link to the midsouth V3 lake list. If your lakes are BOLD in the list, they are HD mapped. http://www.humminbird.com/uploadedFi...IDSOUTH_r2.pdf

If your lakes are not HD, check out the Navionics web App for your lakes. https://webapp.navionics.com/#boatin...c%60nmFf%60mcP

There is also a product called Lakemaster Chart Select that allows you to buy a single lake map. https://chartselect.humminbird.com/
07-12-2016, 05:20 PM
Slabprowler

I would Contact brian@bbgmarine he is a supporter of c.c he can fix u up.
07-12-2016, 06:44 PM
Cray

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Great info , thanks !!! So should I upgade to Navionics or Lakemaster ? My understanding is the Helix 9 comes with Contour XD . Is this inferior compared to other mapping?

There is no comparing the Conture XD to the Lakemaster or Navionocs. If your fishing the big 4 you for sure want the Lakemaster V3.
07-12-2016, 10:44 PM
Dutchman

Quote:

Originally Posted by cray

There is no comparing the Conture XD to the Lakemaster or Navionocs. If your fishing the big 4 you for sure want the Lakemaster V3.

Thanks For the help guys. Bought a Helix 9 today !!! What an improvement this will be over my current 1990s graph . ( Helix 9 cost me more $ than my first boat) Sending transducer to Humminbird in the morning to upgrade to HD transducer. Looks like I'll have to find a vender to buy Lakemaster Plus card . Local BPS does not stock them yet .
07-13-2016, 06:47 AM
Pontoon fishing

I'm not positive but I think if u are Going to get a trolling motor that will link up to your helix it has to be a lake master card. Not sure if all of the cards will or certain ones. But someone on here knows.
07-13-2016, 08:10 AM
Cray

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Thanks For the help guys. Bought a Helix 9 today !!! What an improvement this will be over my current 1990s graph . ( Helix 9 cost me more $ than my first boat) Sending transducer to Humminbird in the morning to upgrade to HD transducer. Looks like I'll have to find a vender to buy Lakemaster Plus card . Local BPS does not stock them yet .

Should be able to buy through them and have shipped to store. I know they sell them because that's where I got mine.
07-13-2016, 11:31 AM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pontoon fishing

I'm not positive but I think if u are Going to get a trolling motor that will link up to your helix it has to be a lake master card. Not sure if all of the cards will or certain ones. But someone on here knows.

Only Lakemaster iLink compatible cards will talk to HB units for Follow the Contour control from the HB unit ...
07-13-2016, 11:49 AM
LowePro

The Helix 9 and the Helix 9 KVD are the same unit with the exception of red buttons. The KVD is a little bit cheaper (its a marketing thing) but as far as cosmetics...both units are the same. Go ahead and upgrade to the HD transducer on the front end! WAY cheaper than doing it on the rear end! Believe it was an additional $85 with the swap when I did mine.
07-13-2016, 11:50 AM
LowePro

Loving my Helix 9 by the way! If I had it to do over...I would make the same decision again for me!
07-13-2016, 02:54 PM
Dutchman

Lakemaster Plus V2.0 has ipilot link. Anyone have any experience with the plus ? Factory said it could take up to 21 days to get my HD transducer exchanged.
07-19-2016, 12:20 PM
Dutchman

Hope the plus card is as good or better than the regular Lakemaster ?? I ordered 1 the other day .
07-19-2016, 10:57 PM
rnvinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutchman

Hope the plus card is as good or better than the regular Lakemaster ?? I ordered 1 the other day .

Lakemaster Plus has the same detail as the regular Lakemaster regional cards ...

Lakemaster Plus has 3 levels of added satellite overlay ...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gAFwszqIffY

Rickie