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Getting ready to put a new fishfinder on the boat and had a question about the CHIRP feature with Humminbird. Is it worth it to pay the extra money for this feature if I'm only fishing freshwater lakes? I believe the technology is intended for ocean fishing when going in deep water 100'+. Doubt I will ever be somewhere that deep with my boat.
I'm not sure specifically about the CHIRP but regular sonar is rated for 1500 feet. With DI or SI your depth is much lower since the signal isn't as powerful.
I'm thinking this is like the Humminbird Helix "switchfire" sonar. From what I read its a higher ping rate so you get much more detail and a faster refresh rate on the screen. I've seen most people turn on the switchfire when their jigging below their boat so they can see the depth of their jig on the screen, regular sonar wont show that much detail. On the Helix 7 you can select between sonar and switchfire. I've included a picture from my Helix 7 box, I'll have better info after I use it for the first time tomorrow :)
I could also be completely off on what CHIRP is
Attachment 228264
I just put a new lowrance elite 5 chirp on the boat, but havent tried it on the water yet. Lowrance has $50-100 rebates right now also.
This is a long read, but the best description of chirp i found while researching: CHIRP Sounders/Fish Finder Explained - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum
Thanks. Sporkd2, did you put that on your yak?
I'm thinking of getting the Helix 12 SI but if the CHIRP feature adds no benefit then I would rather save the $800.
kjboggs, that is an awesome article you pointed me to. That really shows the benefits of CHIRP. Thanks again.
This is straight out of the horses's mouth. Just attended a HB seminar last week. Basically if your not fishing really deep water like in the ocean it's useless. They showed several screen shots with chirp and without chirp on 2d. Did not see anything that would make me want to have it even if it was free. And contrary to some discussion I have seen it is only good on 2d not not side or down. Take this for what it's wort to you.
cray, that's what I was thinking and it's interesting they told you that. I figured they would be trying to sell you ever option under the sun. That article really describes it well and you could really see the benefits for deep water fishing. The money I'll save will help pay some of these tournament entry fees. lol Need all the help I can get to compete against some of the guys on this board.
What i took away is that chirp is better in deep water, but may also aid in target separation when multiple fish are close:
”Your ability to resolve individual fish, or separate fish from bottom structure, is now a matter of inches, instead of several feet with traditional fishfinders. See individual fish in groups, instead of a single mass.”
I thought so to. In my own words kinda reading between the lines is they didn't nesseceraly want it but had to do it because the other company's had been selling it. Looks like low is only chirping a couple of frequencies and calling it true chirp which is not true. At least they are chirping 4. True deep water chirp goes from a very low fre to a very high fre hitting quite a few in between. Don't really understand all I know about it but did have a bit of exposure to it in the navy.Quote:
Originally Posted by hockey86