That's really useful info on side scanning. I have to admit I was disappointed when I got my Helix 7 and all of a sudden I didn't see trees laying on their sides with perfectly drawn crappie between their branches! I thought something must be wrong because I wasn't seeing anything like the pics on the box! But a year later, I'm slowly adjusting to understanding what it's showing. Schools of baitfish show up well and going past a clearly defined structure like a boat ramp or bridge piling does show up pretty well. I'll try the settings you mentioned as far as depth/scan. I'm still trying to find brushpiles on the water but I think more practice is needed.