Newer Hummingbird units

I been checking out and thinking about upgrading my current trolling motor depthfinder with a bigger unit with more features(built in GPS) and after doing the research I'm a bit worried that I won't be tech smart enough to work it.The main unit I been looking at is the Helix 9 2D with the GPS and been reading about updating it using a computer and all that and basically I don't have a clue about that kinda stuff coming from my Lowrance x 96 and the little handheld GPS I been using for the last 10 years.My question is can you just use the unit out of the box and have it work right or do you have to do a bunch of computer stuff to it to get it to work?I would really like to upgrade and it looks like a neat unit,but I wanna make sure I'm smart enough to use it before I would buy it.lol

2d is about as simple as it gets, nothing new to learn just good tech. The settings will need to be tweaked a little for optimum performance but if you have owned a sonar before it adjusts the same, sensitivity up down till it looks right. The computer really only comes into play if you want to view and play with your maps, which assumes that you want to generate your own maps with the autochart feature at all. That is what made me buy a new unit and I personally love it, no maps for many lakes i fish and i have learned so much about the lake after rendering my own chart it isnt funny.

I would seriously think about getting a DI unit though. So often you cant tell the difference between a big blowdown or stump complex with or without fish on 2d if they are tucked up into it. DI really makes it easy to see fish and tell their size.

The update thing people blow out of proportion. You download a file, put it on an sd card, and pop it in your unit. There are a few possible snags along the way but only if you dont follow the explicit written instructions.

Most of these new units especially the Helix units are pretty much plug and play. Like OA said I'd get the Di. After using it a little you will wish had bought one long time ago. Don't be intimidated by all the talk you see because it's not that hard. If you got on the computer and signed on here then you can figure it out with ease. Plus you got a whole group of very knowledgable guys here to help you with anything you need. I'll bet there is a member somewhere close to you that could and would help if you needed it.

Thanks for the replys,good to hear the 2d works pretty much the same.I feel comfortable with the 2d on my current unit but would like the bigger,color screen and would really like the GPS feature built right in.I was reading about the autochart feature and that does seem super cool,I think I could use that as well but this is all way ahead of what I'm using now and I'm far from being a tech or computer guy so it's a bit intimidating to me.

As far as autochart goes you just turn recording on and drive around. The map populates as you go. You get 8hrs on the unit then it starts overwriting data. To record more you need a zerolines sd card. It is basically outlines of lakes that you fill in with autochart. Do a google search for the best pricing, they can be had for much less than retail.

The only place it gets weird is if the lake level fluctuates. If it does and you want to record more data at that level you have to use the water level offset to make your depth match the chart, or when you record data it wont blend right with your old recordings if that makes sense. Not hard to do but can be a bit of a pain especially if trying to chart a tidal area.

I would go with the 10 DI it comes with the better transducer plus bigger screen.

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Originally Posted by ad1974

My question is can you just use the unit out of the box and have it work right or do you have to do a bunch of computer stuff to it to get it to work?I would really like to upgrade and it looks like a neat unit,but I wanna make sure I'm smart enough to use it before I would buy it.lol

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I was pretty much in the same boat as you last spring, only thing i knew how to use on my old unit was the depth of water. I upgraded from a really ancient depth finder to a Helix 7 SI, DI with gps. I decided to find a professional who offers a instructional class in your boat with your unit, while on the lake. The instructor i used was extremely knowledgable, set up my menu's and settings, went through the entire unit with me, gave me a detailed print out for future reference. Class was very affordable, and worth every penny! All in all about 5-6 hours worth of instruction. I would highly recommend calling around and looking for a instructor to help you out.

Mike

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Originally Posted by Javelin 180

I would go with the 10 DI it comes with the better transducer plus bigger screen.

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There are times I wish i had gotten a 10 but if you dont have SI i think you can see the screen just fine on a 9. And I know that there is compact vs HD for si transducers but i dont know if the same is true for DI.

I have a Helix 9 SI and it super easy to use right out of the box. I would advise you to get the best you can afford they are worth every penny you pay. The more you use one the more you learn the capabilities it has.

If your going to spring for a new unit I would defenitly spend the extra cash and get a helix si gps unit. You'll be glad you did. They are simple to use and great for finding fish and structure. I've been running one for awhile now and they work great.

If you are going to spend money for a new unit ........ Get SI. The new Helix Mega units have an all-in-one transducer that have excellent imaging. You won't believe what you have been missing.
The Helix 9 Mega would a good unit to start with.

I would give up DI in a heart beat versus having SI if you have SI you will not really need DI at least for me I use 2D more then anything when on structure fishing DI does nothing for you sitting still. DI is a narrow slice so you cannot use it to fish jigs and watch how the fish react to your presentation. Try finding cribs with 2D takes for ever find cribs with SI make one pass and you know where every crib stick or brushpile in that area is, drop waypoints on each one and go fish.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE NOT USING DI TO ITS FULLNESS,DI IS THE BEST THING OUT TO SEE FISH IN BRUSH AND I ALSO USE IT ON FRONT WITH 2D WHILE FISHING BP ,YOU CAN SEE FISH IN BRUSH PILES AND AROUND BP WHILE SETTING STILL,IT WILL SEPERATE CLOSE OBJECTS,IT MAY BE ONLY LINES BUT YOU CAN WATCH THE LINES MOVE .ALSO TODAY WHILE FISHING I WAS FISHING A DEEP DROP OFF AND COULD NOT SEE THE FISH ON 2D BECAUSE 2D PICK UP THE HIGHEST SPOT ON 2D WHEREAS I TURN THE DI AND COULD SEE THE FISH IN THE DROP OFF,DID THE SAME THING ON A BRIDGE PILLING TODAY ,THE 2D PICK UP THE PILLING TOO HIGH TO SEE THE FISH AND THE DI I TURN IT AND COULD SEE THE FISH CLINGING TO THE PILLING AND THEIR DEPTH,MAKE THE MOST OF EACH UNIT YOU HAVE