Humminbird Helix 5" Side Imaging

[TNRanger]

Congrats. I read somewhere, "The famous last words of a fisherman".

" I hope when I die my wife doesn't sell my fishing gear for what I told her I paid for it"

Hilarious! And so true.

[soopd]

Is the processor speed on these able to handle the Lakemaster maps?

I have an older 798 and when I zoom in it takes about 30 seconds per zoom level with the new lakemaster map.

[Wayne P.]

Is the processor speed on these able to handle the Lakemaster maps?

I have an older 798 and when I zoom in it takes about 30 seconds per zoom level with the new lakemaster map.

I doubt it will equal the 798. 

No one really knows since they were just released this past week.

[pit_boss]

Per the forum rules, could someone please PM me their preferred marine electronics dealer.

 

It looks like my big box store is offering $500 even.

 

Thanks : )

[Wayne P.]

Per the forum rules, could someone please PM me their preferred marine electronics dealer.

 

It looks like my big box store is offering $500 even.

 

Thanks : )

Done

[carlm01]

 Here's the  set up for my sea eagle 285 pro The box is just there to hold the top part of the scotty mount stabile on the boat it's mated to the mount  ....

[MacP]

I went to buy one today, couldn't find it for the base model or DI.  I know Humminbird will change out transducers, but is there anywhere I could order the Helix 5 base or DI model with a trolling motor transducer?

[flyfisher]

IMG_0423.JPGIMG_0424.JPGIMG_0425.JPGIMG_0426.JPGIMG_0428.JPG  Here's the  set up for my sea eagle 285 pro The box is just there to hold the top part of the scotty mount stabile on the boat it's mated to the mount  ....

 

Is that the SI transducer?  

[carlm01]

Yes 

[flyfisher]

Yes 

cool....i thought it would be larger.

[Wayne P.]

I went to buy one today, couldn't find it for the base model or DI.  I know Humminbird will change out transducers, but is there anywhere I could order the Helix 5 base or DI model with a trolling motor transducer?

Not that I am aware of.

You will have to call some dealers and ask.

[carlm01]

MacP I'm not sure about changing transducers , Most only need a different bracket that's sold as an accessory ..

[Wayne P.]

MacP I'm not sure about changing transducers , Most only need a different bracket that's sold as an accessory ..

Actually not.

For the DI or SI version you would want the trolling motor puck transducer rather than adapting the transom transducer for trolling motor use.

The pucks have extra internal shielding to help with possible RFI from the trolling motor.

Bottom line is, use the correct parts for the application.

 

The Imaging pucks look like the larger one.

The regular 2D puck is the round one.

Neither needs an adaptor for the application and come with the stainless steel hose clamp.

 

[carlm01]

Sorry but when I pulled up the transducer on my unit it came up with a bracket and no mention of the other transducers ,maybe because they're still new ?? 

[Wayne P.]

Sorry but when I pulled up the transducer on my unit it came up with a bracket and no mention of the other transducers ,maybe because they're still new ?? 

The Helix models use the same transducers as the other models.

Getting all the correct cross references on the web site may be behind though. That typically happens when Humminbird as a lot of new models come out at the same time.

 

You can even use the HDSI transducer with the Helix SI unit and get sharper images than either Compact SI transducer. It is longer, has longer SI crystals, which produce a thinner SI pulse.

 

There are two DI trolling motor puck versions. The one that is compatable with the Helix DI unit is the XTM 9 DI 25 T.

[BG RTR]

Wayne

Do you have to purchase the trollong motor DI puck or can the transducer that comes with the unit be exchanded fir it?

[Wayne P.]

Wayne

Do you have to purchase the trollong motor DI puck or can the transducer that comes with the unit be exchanded fir it?

Humminbird has a transducer exchange program. Call their customer service to arrange it for an unopened transducer package in the box.

[Xped]

IMG_0421.JPGIMG_0422.JPGOK ran into a serious problem , the transducer mount is a piece of garbage they use a bolt with a hex head the nut didn't fit tried to unscrew it and it stripped out , why they didn't use a regular bolt is beyond me , Don't know what I'm going to do it won't come off ,really stupid design ????

Hey,

Been looking at the helix 5 and came across this post.

Just out of curiosity, you do realize you assembled the bolt and nut on the wrong side of the mount? You see the little pocket on one side of the mount that will fit the nut perfectly? If you place the nut on that side, you won't need a wrench...all you'll need is a hex key as the pocket will hold the nut securely while you tighten. Put it the other way around and you'll have one heck of a time tightening it properly...it will be even harder to loosen as you've experienced.

If I'm stating the obvious here, I apologise and will go back into hiding.

Right now I'm trying to decide between the Humminbird helix 5 and the Humminbird 688. It seems like a no brainer to go with the helix 5 but I wonder if I'm missing anything. Does the 688 have anything the helix doesn't?

[Wayne P.]

Hey,

Been looking at the helix 5 and came across this post.

Just out of curiosity, you do realize you assembled the bolt and nut on the wrong side of the mount? You see the little pocket on one side of the mount that will fit the nut perfectly? If you place the nut on that side, you won't need a wrench...all you'll need is a hex key as the pocket will hold the nut securely while you tighten. Put it the other way around and you'll have one heck of a time tightening it properly...it will be even harder to loosen as you've experienced.

If I'm stating the obvious here, I apologise and will go back into hiding.

Right now I'm trying to decide between the Humminbird helix 5 and the Humminbird 688. It seems like a no brainer to go with the helix 5 but I wonder if I'm missing anything. Does the 688 have anything the helix doesn't?

No, the Helix 5 s a better unit for Side Imaging and the 688 is better for Down Imaging and 2D sonar.

 

Screen WIDTH for Side Imaging, screen HEIGHT for the other technologies.

[carlm01]

XPED, It has the same pocket on both sides , but thanks for the input ....Carl

[carlm01]

 For those interested here's the cover for the Helix 5 

[strvmmer]

I finally saw a Helix 5 in person today and am now leaning towards the Lowrance Gen 2 HDS 7 Touch. To me it was far easier to navigate the menus on the Lowrance. The screen is larger, and the picture seemed crisper for lack of a better term. 

[carlm01]

and 500.00 more

[Xped]

XPED, It has the same pocket on both sides , but thanks for the input ....Carl

Back to my hole I go! Ha ha!

Did you receive another mounting kit from HB? If so, was it different at all from the first one? Different nut?

I just placed an order today...the KVD issued one. Backordered...so I won't have it for some time. It's replacing a Lowrance Elite-4x hdi...should be a nice step up.

Thanks for your thought's on the helix 5.

[carlm01]

No the same thing, But i pre-threaded the nut on before I attached it ,,, Worked perfectly ...And I think you'll be very happy ,It's a nice unit.................