helix 7si g2 question

[cootpatrol]

I am going to be purchasing a 7 inch screen, side image depth finder soon and have it down to the helix 7 g2 and the lowrance elite 7-ti. From what I have read the auto chart live comes on the helix 7 gen 2 and was wondering if it is ready to start mapping how it is or will I have to buy a special card also would I have access to put the map on a computer and make a bottom hardness map? What kind of transducer does the helix 7 si gen 2 come with and how durable is it as I duck hunt and trap out of my boat in the fall and have a tendency to run into quite a bit of stuff when I am doing this, I have never broke off my current transducer which is a lowrance x135, the giant one that comes with the lowance 7-ti scares me. I kind of have a idea of what the chirp is from reading stuff and videos but how would this help the si part of the finder, does it make it clearer or just make fish stand out more? Thanks for all help you can give me if you cant tell I am new to this advanced fish finder thing.

[rnvinc]

There are 2 new HELIX 7 SI models ...

HELIX 7 SI GPS G2 (no networking) ...
HELIX 7 SI GPS G2N (networking) ...

Both models come with Autochart Live built in ...which does depth, vegetation, and bottom hardness mapping ...

Both models have 8hrs of built in Autochart Live memory capability ... you must purchase a Zero Line card if you want more than this 8hrs of Autochart Live built in memory ...

The Autochart Live data in the unit memory can be exported to a Zero Line card and imported into Autochart PC software or Autochart Pro PC software for other map manipulation ...

Recording sonar data from the unit (onto a blank SD Card) can also be imported into Autochart PC or Autochart Pro PC for mapping manipulation ...
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Any xducer can be knocked off the transom if it is hit hard enough by something in the water ... most opt to mount the expensive SI xducer a little higher on the transom for protection ... and then also use a cheaper 2d xducer (along with the AS SIDB Y cable) mounted lower for depth readings ...
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CHIRP (in gerenal terms) will give more target separation with less noise on the display ...

Rickie

[cootpatrol]

Thanks for the reply, I would assume the 2d transducer is bought seperatly and I have read some stuff about using a y cable is this correct?

[rnvinc]

Thanks for the reply, I would assume the 2d transducer is bought seperatly and I have read some stuff about using a y cable is this correct?

Correct ...

The 2d xducers come ...:

*Transom mount (XNT 9 20)
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/XNT-9-20/

*Shoot thru for fiberglass boats (XP 9 20)
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/XP-9-20/

*True thru hull (XTH 9 20)
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/XTH-9-20/
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The AS SIDB Y cable disconnects the 2d piezo in the SI xducer and directs the 2d channel to the separate 2d xducer ...
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/AS-SIDB-Y/

Rickie

[cootpatrol]

Thank you for all the info, I went with the helix 7 g2. After doing some reading about the xnt 9 20 transducer I found there might be some trouble that there isn't a temp sensor init, would I be better off with the xnt 9 20 with the temp sensor?

[rnvinc]

Using the AS SIDB Y cable and an additional 2d xducer ...

*SI/DI/Temp will come from the SI xducer ...
*2d will come from the additional 2d xducer ...

The only advantage with the XP 9 20 T is that the XP 9 20 T can be used by itself for 2d and Temp if the SI xducer goes out ...(plugging the XP 9 20 T into the head unit without the AS SIDB Y cable) ...

Rickie