Thread: New fish finder

I was getting a helix 10 but I bought the helix 12 floor model for the same cost. I really contribute this unit to greatly learning new lakes with lake mapping and a I pilot trolling motor. It is worth the investment!!!!

I just bought me the Helix 12 Mega and a Minn Kota Ulterra 24volt 80 lb thrust..LOve em both so far..I upgraded from the 1199 and a Co Pilot

Originally Posted by CrappieKidd

I have an Helix 7 and looking at getting Helix 10 for better side imaging.

You look fine from the side

Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Originally Posted by SeaRay

That's my issue with SI on my Lowrance HDS7. The SI transducer is a separate unit and it is huge. I have it on a portable transom mount because I don't dare use it at Santee. I've knocked regular one of on the stumps and I know this one would be toast.
I really need to take the time to learn to use it.
I just today received a Hook7X that I'm putting on the front running off the Ipilot transducer. Got one from Hodges Marine for $300 total, free shipping. I ordered it Tuesday and it came today(Thursday). It's a plain jane but all I needed up front. It has DI and GPS plus regular sonar which is all I'll get from the US2 transducer.

Well here's a heads up .Turns out the X model has GPS tracking ability only. You can save trails and waypoints but there is no built in map at all. I understood you could not use a mapping chip but I thought it had a basic navigation map installed. All you get is a blank screen with active curser. I've had numerous units over the years including an HDS7 currently on my console. Never before have I seen a unit that had GPS with no map. Now got to decide what to do!!

Don't forget E Bay, doesn't hurt to look.

The Helix 10 and 12 are the cats meow. The do anything you ask and still show you more. I truly love my unit and would without restraint say it was one of my best purchases ever.


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Id look for a touch screen unit. Much easier and faster . Very reliable too

Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I guess someone has to be the stick in the mud. I bought a Helix 7 several years ago (gen 1, I assume) and have been completely disappointed in the image quality. The down imaging is faint and grainy compared to even cheap Lowrance units like the Elite 5. I can barely see DI fish and bait on the unit with any color palette selection over than the obnoxious red/green, and even then, the sensitivity has to be cranked all the way to 20. My side imaging is even worse. I can't get it to show brushpiles even a few feet away. I've played constantly with the contrast/sensitivity/etc. I even replaced the standard transducer with the better one that comes with the 9 and 10. Maybe it's just my unit. Even the conventional sonar shows bait schools and spotted bass/striper schools as jagged images like it has way too few pixels. Could I be overlooking something obvious or doing something wrong? I've never seen the images of the trees with branches like is displayed on the box. Maybe it's a lemon or maybe it's good old fashioned operator error!