Thread: Helix chirp vs helix megs

Originally Posted by gotta_fish

I'm just about ready to step up to a new unit . Can someone that owns or used a helix mega tell me what makes it worth the $300 + over the non mega units. Will the difference in the units really make a recreational fisherman like me find more fish and structure. Give me the advantages and disadvantages. Thanks in advance.

IMHO yes it will most assuredly. I had an HB 899 unit for 4 years and it helped me catch a lot of fish. But the Helix 10 Mega si takes it to new limits. I am a multi species fisherman........I fish a lot for crappie but fish for anything that will stretch some 2# test line. The clarity and target separation of the Mega units are superb. The image of the tree has KY bass on top and bluegill are under the tree. I know that because that is what I caught. The other image is a lock discharge with what I assume is catfish but also a few white bass in between the grates......I caught white bass so I know that was some of the fish in the image. I have many more images that show great detail but am on way to bed as I am fishing again in the morning.

Regards


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Originally Posted by gotta_fish

I'm just about ready to step up to a new unit . Can someone that owns or used a helix mega tell me what makes it worth the $300 + over the non mega units. Will the difference in the units really make a recreational fisherman like me find more fish and structure. Give me the advantages and disadvantages. Thanks in advance.

That is a GREAT question! We've seen some of the picture differences and they are great to look at but perhaps it boils down to would you have fished a particular spot if the picture wasn't as sharp? Would you have still found the structure with a unit costing $300 less?

I'll be watching this thread with interest.

Another question that comes to mind would be are these the raw, real time images (like what Alphahawk has posted) or have these been adjusted carefully, at home after the fishing was done? On the water real time images might paint a different picture of each unit.

Too many pics have been displayed on the Hummingbird Mega’s to be doctored to look better. Hummingbird took top honors again,this year at ICAST for the Mega Units over all other depth finders also. Yes, they cost more but your paying for technology and more power to the transducer for a crisper pic if you learn to use the unit and adjust its settings to deliver these images that the users have been posting. How many times am I going to buy a depth finder? you have to ask yourself. What do you want it to give you? How easy is it to use? What can you afford? Will you USE the Mega to the fullest of its ability to deliver what you want in a fishfinder? Nobody has what Hummingbird has right now and so I ordered ordered a 9” Mega myself to add to my depth finders on my Jon boat. If I were fishing a larger boat, probably would have gone larger. If it gives me a little edge in my fishing and improves my catch, with fishing pressure the way it is and as tough as it’s getting on our small lakes in Indiana, I am all for spending alittle more and trying the Megas out. I also have been pro Lowrance for a lot of years so it’s been hard for me to jump ship and get a Hummingbird, but they all work if you learn to use the fishfinders to the fullest of their offerings to you. The user manual on the Mega is 250 pages detailed, and I have read it twice now to learn its offerings. Check it out in Support on Hummingbird’s website. Good luck in your decision.

Alphahawk. Great shots, I also fish multi species of fish. I leaned toward the helix 10 non mega , but research has me interested in the mega unit. I need all the input I can get. I currently run a 998 s/i

In addition to the mega frequencies the new units have chirp 2D, DI, and SI. They also have the dedicated DI element in the transducer that makes for a LOT better DI image.
I believe those who think these images are doctored to make them look better just haven't been seeing enough of the images that regular folks like alphahawk have posted. Multiple forums I follow have regular folks posting some tremendous images....With the solix and the Helix series .... especially the Helix 12. A guy I talk to that runs all brands as part of his business says that the Helix 12 he has is absolutely awesome and that the images posted are actually not as good as seen on the unit since the .jpg picture file looses some of the detail.
I don't currently have a mega unit, but when I get ready to buy there is not doubt in my mind that it will be one of them.

Are the mega unit the only ones with dedicate di element

I Had the H7 G2N chirp and bought a 9 mega there is enough difference I feel like that I bought another mega.