HB998 vs Helix 7

I was curious to what everyone’s thoughts are on these two units. I currently have a 998. I use it mainly for side imaging, 2d and lakemaster mapping. I have not been overly thrilled with the images that this unit provides and I was curious it the helix 7 would produce better images since it’s a newer model and had chirp sonar? Also how much of a difference is there with the screen size between the two? It is hard to tell for me when it comes to how the new units look compared to the bulky older models. I know bigger is better with side imaging but curious on what everyone’s opinion is on the two....

I would stick with the 998, you will be disappointed in the screen size. Also the 7 is not a Mega unit so I don't believe the images will be any better than what you already have.

the g3 helix 7s are mega. but none on the market yet. as for the g2 and g1 i dont think you get much better images than you got now. have you upgraded the transducer on the 998?

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Originally Posted by acwd1950

the g3 helix 7s are mega. but none on the market yet. as for the g2 and g1 i dont think you get much better images than you got now. have you upgraded the transducer on the 998?

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Do you know when they will be available? They can be pre-ordered now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T677A using Tapatalk

What is the transducer that you are talking about?

I think the 998 came with the High def. transducers when first bought. Bowhunter in my experience so far the larger screen size of sonar you have now will be better than the small size 7 helix. Humminbirds are easy to operate but there is still a lot of tweaking to get the best sonar picture out of them. Best way to do the tweaking is to go a day without a fishing pole. Use the day just learning what you are looking for and what it is like either dropping a fish habitat or knowing where one is go back and forth over and around it to see how it looks and whether or not you need to make adjustments with the sonar unit settings or the transducer adjustments. YouTube videos show how and what setting are normally set to but you will have to do the final tweaks yourself and even after that different times even on the same lake your sonar will need setting changes to get the best sonar picture. I tell people to try a different setting and if you mess everything up just go to setting and use the factory default and start over again. You have a good unit just learn to use it. But with sonar screen size bigger is always better.:twocents

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Originally Posted by bowhunter1

What is the transducer that you are talking about?

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Your 998 already has the best transducer you can get for it. I have both 998 and g1 helix7 si with the compact transducer. I feel the 7 has a sharper picture than 998 but not worth the money to buy one just to replace the 998 if it is working good.

I was curious if there was another transducer other then the hd transducer that will work with the 998 that why I asked which one.... thanks for everyone’s input on the subject....I was also curious with they new units, if the display is any better when using lakemaster plus map cards. When I try to zoom in with the 998 on the aerial images the picture is very pixilated...curious if the image would be sharper on the newer units

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Originally Posted by bowhunter1

What is the transducer that you are talking about?

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i didnt realize that 998 came with the hdsi transducer. the g1 and g2 helix 7 SI come with a compact transducer and you can do a transducer upgrade by trading in your new unused transducer and cash to boot for a hdsi transducer

https://www.humminbird.com/support/faqs/HDSIvsCompactSI

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Originally Posted by Crawpee

Do you know when they will be available? They can be pre-ordered now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T677A using Tapatalk

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humminbird store says mid jan.

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Originally Posted by acwd1950

i didnt realize that 998 came with the hdsi transducer. the g1 and g2 helix 7 SI come with a compact transducer and you can do a transducer upgrade by trading in your new unused transducer and cash to boot for a hdsi transducer

https://www.humminbird.com/support/faqs/HDSIvsCompactSI

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Yes it and the 1198. 898 and below came with compact. 999 and 1199 have the HD transducer 899 and below compact.

Not sure on the screen clarity but I have 998 Helix 9 and 10. BUT I use Navionics maps. cost more but I am much happier with the map quality.

If anyone is interested in the Gen 3 HB Helix units or transducers, give Brian at BBG Marine
a call or send him a PM for prices. I've bought from him before and his prices are much
better than the so-called Humminbird Factory Outlet. Brian is also a member sponsor and
you'll get a lot more information from him than anyone else in the business.