HELIX 5 TRANSDUCER

Hello all, first post! I have a Helix 5 SI GPS (not the G2) and have been somewhat disappointed with the images I'm getting on SI and DI. 2D and GPS work great. I have the transducer that came with the unit which, I think, uses 455kHZ for SI and DI. I've read that there may be an HD transducer available for this unit which has 800kHZ. Has anyone replaced the "in box" transducer with a better one, and is it worth the money? I also read that you have to exchange the original when new to HB to get the HD. That ship has sailed for me. Is there any other way to buy an HD transducer that will work seamlessly with my unit? Thanks for your help.

I know they will interchange, but I'm not sure if the 5 has the capability to produce the 800 frequency. Give it time and Rickie will see this and give you the correct info. Best place to buy one is watch BassBoatcentral in their electronics forum. They pop up there sometimes at pretty good prices. Little pricy new.

Cray,
Thank you for your service and the info.
Been researching and it looks like HD transducer just gives a stronger signal but not the 800kHz

The XHS 9 HDSI 180 T xducer will work on your HELIX 5 SI but it will not give your unit the 800kHz frequency capability ...

The longer SI crystals in the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T will produce a thinner SI pulse ... Which equates to better detail in the 455kHz frequency capability of your unit ...

Read this ...:
HD vs Compact transducer

The HB transducer exchange program is only applicable to an unused xducer packaged with the unit ...

The XHS 9 HDSI 180 T can be bought directly from HB or most any dealer (and some online box stores) ...

Rickie

I took Rickie’s advice and upgraded my xducer on my Helix 7 to the HD one and although it doesn’t give me what you would see on a Mega unit, I thought it was a huge improvement. I will get pics on my next trip out and will try to post.


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I'm glad I read this thread, I was tossing around the idea of an upgrade. This opened my eyes to something else to look at. Thanks fellers.

Great comparison of the two transducers. To be honest, I would be happy if my unit gave me images as clear as either one of the pictures. I must have something else going on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ifishnc

Great comparison of the two transducers. To be honest, I would be happy if my unit gave me images as clear as either one of the pictures. I must have something else going on.

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What symptoms are leading you to think you have "something else going on" ...??

Rickie

Ordered the HD transducer last night from Amazon and it came today. Will put it on as soon as it stops raining. I am in the process of learning how to take snapshots on the Helix 5 and posting them here. Hope to compare 2D snap of a good brushpile and a DI of the same pile to compare what I've been seeing. Last time out I couldn't see anything but sprays of dim light. But didn't know how to take the snap. It might take me awhile but I'll get it done. I'm hoping the new transducer will make everything all better. Thanks again for the feedback

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ifishnc

Ordered the HD transducer last night from Amazon and it came today. Will put it on as soon as it stops raining. I am in the process of learning how to take snapshots on the Helix 5 and posting them here. Hope to compare 2D snap of a good brushpile and a DI of the same pile to compare what I've been seeing. Last time out I couldn't see anything but sprays of dim light. But didn't know how to take the snap. It might take me awhile but I'll get it done. I'm hoping the new transducer will make everything all better. Thanks again for the feedback

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Insert a blank SD card into the unit ... then press and hold the "Mark" button to create a SnapShot ...

There should be a popup saying "PNGxxxx saved" ...

Rickie

Getting ready to install the new HD transducer and thought I might leave the orignal on the boat too. I looked at the 3/4" thick transom mounting plates and thought I would try one and mount both transducers. Although I would only use one at a time for now (only one head unit) I was wondering if you used both, would they interfere with each other? My second concern is that if I move the new transducer 3/4" further back using the mount would this create a problem with the beam bouncing off the bottom of my outboard? I don't know how these SI beams work so I'm not sure how they miss the motor on that side.

It is common to need to trim the outboard up to keep the lower unit from blocking the SI beam on the affected side ...

Rickie

Some time has passed since I started this thread so I'll review I have a Helix 5 SI/DI gen1 unit on a Crestliner 17' aluminum boat mounted on the transom. I found that I was disappointed with the side image I was getting, so I ordered an XHS 9 HDSI 180T transducer ($200) hoping to improve the imaging. I finally got it mounted and out on the water. The transducer works (although the improvement is marginal). Here is my problem. I lose bottom at about 18mp. The boat maxes out at 35mph so we're not talking high speed. Should I keep fiddling with the new transducer (will it ever work) or should I ADD the old one to the transom and get a Y cable? Since the old puck has side and down imaging, is it even possible to use a Y cable on these two transducers. If it can be done, which Y cable will I need? I think the original ducer is an XNT.
Thanks to anyone who can help me out or refer me to a higher power

It is possible to get high speed depth readings with a SI xducer ...

The challenge is to get "clean un-aerated" water flowing across.the xducer face (Sonar will not read thru air) ...

Have someone drive the boat while you peek over the transom ... (Please don't fall out of the boat) ...

"Clean un-aerated" water will be the same color as the lake water - any white color around or close to the xducer is aerated turbulent water ...

You want the xducer in the "un-aerated" colored water using the following depiction ...:

Attachment 332875

Rickie

Rickie: Thanks for your input, especially the diagram. I have NOT looked over the rear of the boat while running. Since my old ducer worked OK I just assumed the new one would work in the same spot. Also, I have been meticulous about levelling the ducer horizontally, but I did not consider the vertical dimension. This may explain why I was getting such a big rooster tail into my motor if it was angled in that direction. I assumed it was because the ducer was too far down into the water. As soon as the lakes go back into their banks I'll get out and try it again. Really do appreciate your help.

I have a Helix 5 with same problem.I called manufacturer and just ask plan do i have to have another finder just to see bottom when underway. The answer was yes. But they do have a Y cable that will run two transducer to the Helix 5 .Cable was about $70 and Transducer was about $40. You can get the cable at Cabela's . I havent don't it yet but do plan too

Sounds like to me that y'all are putting in more money, time and effort into a real small 5 inch unit. You might be better served to buy someone's bigger used unit. Also with my Helix 10 I only use the one transducer on the transom of my boat and I don't have an issue reading on plane at 35mph. Just my 2 cents.

I would love to have a Helix 10 on my boat and a Helix 7 on the bow. However, the cost of alimony payments would far exceed their cost. I'm lucky if she lets me buy the cable.