Wayne P.

The Helix 5 SI GPS models were selling out as fast as dealers were getting them when they first came out. Yes, BIGGER is better for the side looking imaging technology, no matter which brand.

Down imaging does not have a "cone" shaped pulse. It is very thin front to back and wide to the sides. 2D sonar has the somewhat inverted cone shaped pulse that covers more area as the depth increases. For vertical presentations, only 2D sonar is a suitable tool. All the imaging technologies have to have movement so the sonar pulse can scan create the picture like images. Side Imaging and its copies have the most coverage since the range is adjustable. Down imaging and 2D sonar coverage is dependent on the depth= less depth, less coverage.

Never heard of it. I use the Daiwa Samurai and Saltiga

No disadvantage, for your application that would be the best choice. The SI transducer has to "see" left and right and be submerged. You could not just attach it to the hull with how you handle the boat. You could make a removable mount for it and not put it on the trolling motor.

If you are going to put a SI transducer on a trolling motor, get the proper one for the application. Either exchange the transom Compact SI transducer for the trolling motor PUCK version Compact SI transducer XTM 9 SI 180 T. OR upgrade to the HDSI transducer to get sharper images XTM 9 HDSI 180 T. Both of those have extra internal shielding to help with possible RFI issues from your trolling motor. Contact Humminbird Customer Service for the exchange and do not open the transducer mount package.

Yep it was discussed extensively on another site in November with a quote from Garmin. It is not as simple as the "expert" related and not supposed to affect any units coming on the market. The "discrepancy" was dealt with via software.

BS, it is true you cannot add 800 kHz to a unit that does not have it. The HDSI is tuned for 455 and 800 kHz. You can also use the Compact SI transducer with a higher end model that does have both 455 and 800 kHz capability and still use 800 kHz with that transducer---been-there-done-that. BUT the longer HDSI transducer has longer SI crystals by 2" that produce a thinner SI pulse and sharper images ---FACT. That has ZERO to do with unit processing--its the sonar pulse coverage. I used a HDSI with my former 798ci SI Combo for several years and its standard transducer is the Compact SI transducer. Most everyone that has seen my comparison of the HDSI and Compact SI transducers have exchanged the transducer for the Helix 5 SI GPS, Helix 7 SI GPS, Helix 9 SI GPS, 899ci HD SI Combo, and every other model that comes with the Compact SI transducer. That is on another website.

That would work well. I did that with my first Side Imaging unit. It wasn't much of a hassle since I spend a lot more time fishing than riding around.

1.CHIRP, RADAR, touch screens 2. A new one this year, a new one last year, three years earlier two new ones and the year before that a new one. It depends on what new features are introduced that I may want.

Explain what that means

Even without a sale, the MSRP of the Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS is $699.

Forward Sonar: That was and is available now--Garmin Panoptix and the discontinued Bottomline Side Finder.

1. Clear Side Imaging, large display, ease of operation 2. An array imaging transducer that scans with no moving parts or doesn't have to move to scan

The Solunar tables indicate the most active times each day. Has ZERO to do with weather. If a particular day has lousy fishing/catching weather, the tables will still show the most active times for that day. The fishing/catching may be non-existent, but you will know which part of the day they will be the most active even a little bit. A fish may move it left fin twice instead of once during the active periods.

The 899 and either version of the 859 (859ci HD Combo and 859ci HD DI Combo) will share GPS data, sonar technologies, transducers, temp sensors, and Ethernet accessories. Sonar technology sharing includes viewing Side Imaging on the 859 from the 899. The Helix 9, 10, and 12 series, 9X9 and 11X9 models will do the same.

I would not buy the Smartstrike software. I know to read a map and establish a pattern. It does not work with a Helix unit, only ONIX and ION models.

If you had two ONIX units, you could share mapping.

You cannot attach the bow 360 to a hand steer or electric steer trolling motor. The mount clamp is designed to attach to the upper non-rotating shaft of a foot control cable steer trolling motor. If you want the bow 360 you will have to invent some contraption for that attachment to the hull or purchase a third party invention to do it. Guys on crappie and walleye sites have done that application. The easiest is the transom mount 360. The 360 IS a Side Imaging transducer. It just rotates or not depending on the unit settings.

You don't need a Side Imaging unit to view 360 or have Side Imaging. The SI, DI or 2D models will support the 360 and all three can use the 360 for Side Imaging and Down Imaging. The 360 is an Ethernet accessory and can be shared. I prefer to have a Side Imaging unit at the bow and console since the Side Imaging transducer will produce sharper Images due to the longer imaging crystals in a HDSI transducer. Some just get a 2D bow model and use the US2 transducer in the trolling motor and get 360, SI, and DI from the 360. 360 on a Helix 12 is NICE. This is comparing forward 360 on an ONIX 10 and Helix 12:

Stingers will jam every shot in my SR22. Haven't tried them in the Marks

My Mark II Target bolt stays open after the last shot. It has a bolt release on the left side at the top of the grip. Does the same as the SR22 I have. My much older Standard does not stay open after the last shot.

"No new nav data found" means you have a memory card in the unit with GPS data on it. Remove that card. The data is not read from the card, it is uploaded to the unit's memory. Did you get the proper transducer for the unit you have? There is a 2D and a DI version of that model. The transducers are not interchangeable.

The US2 will not do Down Imaging. It is dual beam 2D sonar ONLY. If you want imaging data from the bow, it will have to be a trolling motor mounted transducer.

Yes, Navionics Mobile App.. I have it on six devices. Navionics Boating annual subscription. The issue is sunlight viewability with your tablet. There is an iOS and Android app. Forgot to add you need a device with GPS or add a blue tooth GPS antenna.

You can do that when sitting still so it acts like the 360 transducer. Takes some practice to get usable images. Imaging has to scan, so you cannot just turn the motor 90 degrees and leave it that way.