Helix Mega Sensitivity

Unfortunately, after my 2nd trip with my Helix 10 G2N, it wouldn’t power back up and it had to be sent in for service. They put a new board in it and updated the software to the lastest version. I don’t have a lot of time with this unit, but it seams different since I got it back. If I switch side imaging frequencies from the 400 htz range to the 800 htz range, it’s very hot, so I have to turn the sensitivity down quite a bit. If I go from 800 to mega, I have to turn the sensitivity up to 20 most of the time in 30’ fow. In 30-40 fow, the highest sensitivity still seems weak. Is that normal? In my first 2 trips, I don’t remember having to turn it up that high. I’m comparing it in the same part of the lake.


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Doesn't sound normal, can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing?

Never have had to adjust mine ! It is lil hot on the mega but just figured that was normal

There were a few complaints with one of the last updates that some were complaining about the way the sensitivity working. I always have my sensitivity up and am constantly changing it as it pertains to bottom hardness and depth.

I can try to get some screen shots on my next trip out. In simulator mode I can adjust the 400 htz range to an acceptable level, then when I switch to the 800 htz range, it’s really hot. It whites out much of the bottom detail. Then when I switch to mega. It goes back to a similar detail of the 400 htz range. Shouldn’t the 400 htz be the hotter setting?


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The lower the frequency you are using the more powerful the return signal will be because the longer wavelength of the lower frequency will transmitt thru the water more efficiently than the higher frequency ........ So I would consider it normal to need to increase the sensitivity with the higher frequency.
Of course this all depends on what the programming in the unit changes when the frequency is changed. It would be possible to automatically compensate the sensitivity range when changing the frequency ... and this could vary from one model to another, one software update level to another, and even the bottom and water composition from one lake to another.
Bottom line is that there are a lot of variables that affect what sensitivity setting is required and as long as you are able to adjust the sensitivity to work well with each frequency, I wouldn't be concerned about it.

The unit was also freezing up and shutting down occasionally. I spoke with Humminbird and they had me remove the waypoints from the unit. This solved the freezing up. She also recommended going back to the factory defaults, since the update to version 1.840 was installed. I’m going to try this to see if it helps. I’m not concerned with the adjustments being different, but I don’t feel like I should have to keep the mega setting on 20 the majority of the time, when in the same areas before I didn’t have to. We’ll see what happens.


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There have been various issues with that update .... some are going back to 1.61 or 1.62. Hopefully they come out with an update soon to resolve the issues in 1.84

I just saw a post that Humminbird has released 1.90 version software for the Helix....May want to keep an eye out for how people are liking that.