Kinda disappointed in the mega 9

I finally got my new Helix 9 Mega installed on my boat and the image quality just didn't jump out at me like everyone says or like they look like on demo mode. I'm hoping the transducer is not mounted correctly but it's level with the bottom the boat and not behind anything that would cause turbulence. Y'all take a look at these pics and see if you can tell me what I might be able to do. I tried adjusting the sensitivity and contrast. Attachment 273255Attachment 273256


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Something is causing the turbulence to the left side of transducer. Setting will not take this out. May help to take a few pictures of your transducer setup and back of boat bottom so Rickie and others can tell you what it may be the problem. May want to try this to level the transducer after you find out the turbulence problem also.:twocents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuYsmJRc_fE

Something looks amiss (besides the blockage to the left of the center line that scrat mentions) ...

Try Restore Defaults and get more pix ...

Then call HB - 1-800-633-1468

Rickie

Attachment 273275Attachment 273276Attachment 273277Attachment 273278

I put a level on it but not like that dude in the video. The quality on the right side still isn't like what they show in the pictures or demos. Honestly just looked like the gen 1 stuff. I hope I have it mounted wrong for it to look like that


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Attachment 273330Attachment 273331
Some day time pics. The second pic is another possible mounting location


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I would try the factory default reset like Rickie suggested first then the leveling of the transducer next before moving it to another location. You can even try raising the back motor up and just running your trolling motor wide open with side imaging slowed down to see if thing get better or to trouble shoot the problem.:twocents

It definitely is picking up your motor. Still doesn't look right. I would go on BBC and post on the Humminbird forum. They can help more with the newer units.

Have you tried another color palette ?? Even with your reflection enhancing the image, the colors look really weak / washed out. But, if they all look that way, you've got a defective unit or you've messed up some setting. IMHO :dono

I started out with the green/yellow palette on my DI unit, but the images were too "busy" ... so I went to the blue palette and left it there, because the images were clearer & easier on the eye.

Here's what I mean :

Green/Yellow Palette
Attachment 273361

Blue Palette
Attachment 273366

Even the Brown Palette was better than the Green/Yellow
Attachment 273367

Next time you take pics try putting camera closer to block you in it for a better pics to help see it.,as for level it do not have to be close to still get good pic at slow speed, you do not need to move it ,need to raise motor some for it is blocking some of unit,I have good pic on my unit and have it tilted to front for high speed.work on default or adjustment,

I had the motor trimmed all the way out in those pics to where I was barely getting water to the motor. Something else is in the way I believe. My biggest concern is the brush and stuff to the right of the transducer was not crisp and clear like shown in all pics and demos


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How wide are you scanning? What are your settings? And are you sure that's brush on the right? The transducer is definitely not level which is an issue but I don't think it's the main issue. It probably could be lowered some for better results but something else off if that is a brush pile for sure on the right. I've saw the Mega 9 in action and its got awesome returns. Give more info so maybe we can find the problem.

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Originally Posted by crappielimits

How wide are you scanning? What are your settings? And are you sure that's brush on the right? The transducer is definitely not level which is an issue but I don't think it's the main issue. It probably could be lowered some for better results but something else off if that is a brush pile for sure on the right. I've saw the Mega 9 in action and its got awesome returns. Give more info so maybe we can find the problem.

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At the time i took the picture it was scanning at 75 feet. I think what you are calling a brush pile on the right is a reflection of something on the screen. Why would I need to be lowered? Seems like that would make it in the path of more turbulence


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There's no discernible cover of any type on the bottom, on either side .... though there is what looks to be a school of Shad (white blob lower left screen).

The only time I've ever had the colors on my DI screen go dim or "wash out" is when the battery was getting low on power. Not saying that's what's causing your problem, but it might be something to check. I still think it's a setting that's off, or else the unit has a software problem.
And I don't know as the transducer angle is at fault, because you are getting a picture ... though, it could be getting a weak return signal from being tilted away from the transom and that might cause the washed out colors :dono?? You could always tilt it down a little and see if the image cleared up any.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

There's no discernible cover of any type on the bottom, on either side .... though there is what looks to be a school of Shad (white blob lower left screen).

The only time I've ever had the colors on my DI screen go dim or "wash out" is when the battery was getting low on power. Not saying that's what's causing your problem, but it might be something to check. I still think it's a setting that's off, or else the unit has a software problem.
And I don't know as the transducer angle is at fault, because you are getting a picture ... though, it could be getting a weak return signal from being tilted away from the transom and that might cause the washed out colors :dono?? You could always tilt it down a little and see if the image cleared up any.

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I will try and level it next time I'm out. The settings were on default in that picture. I tried bumping the sensitivity up to 11 and contrast to 11 with the sharpness on low and off


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by grizzrider09

I will try and level it next time I'm out. The settings were on default in that picture. I tried bumping the sensitivity up to 11 and contrast to 11 with the sharpness on low and off


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You might be able to "level" it while it's still on the trailer ... if you have a scum line on the boat. Check the angle of the scum line with a carpenters level and then the transducer and see if they're in line with each other. You may have to jack the trailer up or down to get the line level, then check the angle of the transducer. You see where I'm going with this ??

But, no guarantees ... as I'm only guessing, and just throwing out some possible causes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

You might be able to "level" it while it's still on the trailer ... if you have a scum line on the boat. Check the angle of the scum line with a carpenters level and then the transducer and see if they're in line with each other. You may have to jack the trailer up or down to get the line level, then check the angle of the transducer. You see where I'm going with this ??

But, no guarantees ... as I'm only guessing, and just throwing out some possible causes.

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I may give it a try tomorrow


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by grizzrider09

At the time i took the picture it was scanning at 75 feet. I think what you are calling a brush pile on the right is a reflection of something on the screen. Why would I need to be lowered? Seems like that would make it in the path of more turbulence


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Personally, I don't see a discernible brush to the right. Just going off you saying you couldn't see the brush on the right. I agree on the power could be an issue. I've always had best luck with SI transducers, closest to center of hull and right at bottom of hull. 40-75 ft is usually good on width. I would definitely get with Doug or Wayne on BBC, they are the foremost experts on Humminbirds and have always helped me run don issues.

I don't think settings are going to fix the problems with that image ... You either have a bad unit or something really strange with the water in the body of water you were on ..... send that image to Humminbird and see what they say .... try a different body of water and see if it is the same.

It looks like you have both interference (or there's a nasty algae bloom going on, excess aeration, roiled water etc.) and the echoes near centerline are likely off the mounting hardware of your motor on the transom.

Granted, mine is a 12 MSI, but my images are considerable cleaner....


https://misportsman.s3.amazonaws.com...9832f730c5.PNG



https://misportsman.s3.amazonaws.com...dd2de13f18.PNG

Went this morning and leveled the transducer and got some better pics but I still need to move it because of some interference. The last picture looks like a turtle but could be anything Attachment 273667Attachment 273668Attachment 273669


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Have you updated your software on the unit? Even though it's new it needs the latest software update when you first install it on your boat.


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I have not updated it no


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Turn your depth finder on & go to system statistics it will have a software version # write it down on a piece of paper then go on humminbird's website register your unit then you can look at the updates & download them for your unit.


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You can also increase the Mega Chirp sweep range in the settings tab (change the spread to 1125-1300Khz (1.125-1.3Mhz) for the most detail.

The latest version software is v1.460, which adds support for the new HB basemap (a 9GB download) that adds 10,000 lakes to the unit's built in memory.

If you move the MSI XDCR, you can probably get rid of the centerline echo if you can get below it without the XDCR getting in the way of hitting the motor.