prjavelin Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 I got one. The only thing where hummingbird screwed up was with the micro sd card while not being prepared for the switch. Meaning that I can't buy autocharts or any other card/map products from them until the come out with the micro sd versions of everything. They lost a 250$ sale a week ago and I'll probably go with reefmaster for now... Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 I got one. The only thing where hummingbird screwed up was with the micro sd card while not being prepared for the switch. Meaning that I can't buy autocharts or any other card/map products from them until the come out with the micro sd versions of everything. They lost a 250$ sale a week ago and I'll probably go with reefmaster for now... Navionics has had micro-SD map cards since 2010. Â Lakemaster has annual issues of maps and they are released at the beginning of each year. This is the first year for the Helix and microSD Lakemaster. 2 Quote
Xped Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 So, I have the helix 5 on order but I'm now second guessing my decison and considering cancelling the order. Wondering if I should be going with a larger screen. Humminbird helix 5 versus 899ci SI. 5 inches versus 7 inches. Other than size, are there more features of one over the other that account for the extra $$$$s? Are the additional 2 inches worth another $400+? I'm not crazy about spending the extra money but I also don't want to be frustrated with SI on a smaller screen. I never thought I'd consider spending just under a thousand bucks on a fishfinder and find it a hard pill to swallow. But...I want to be happy and satisfied with my purchase, too. Thoughts? Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 18, 2015 Super User Posted January 18, 2015 So, I have the helix 5 on order but I'm now second guessing my decison and considering cancelling the order. Wondering if I should be going with a larger screen. Humminbird helix 5 versus 899ci SI. 5 inches versus 7 inches. Other than size, are there more features of one over the other that account for the extra $$$$s? Are the additional 2 inches worth another $400+? I'm not crazy about spending the extra money but I also don't want to be frustrated with SI on a smaller screen. I never thought I'd consider spending just under a thousand bucks on a fishfinder and find it a hard pill to swallow. But...I want to be happy and satisfied with my purchase, too. Thoughts? The concept is simple, BIGGER is better for a Side Imaging unit. Â That is because the size of displayed subjects is based on the SI RANGE setting, not the depth like Down Imaging and 2D sonar is. Â In a 5" unit, the Helix 5 is better than a square screen or the narrow vertical screen of the 698ci HD SI due to screen WIDTH. Side Imaging scrolls across the display from top to bottom using the WIDTH of the screen to display subjects. Â This is Side Imaging showing 100' of coverage left to right on a 5" square screen: The physical screen dimensions are 3.625" X 3.625" Â The Helix display is 2.5" X 4.25" Â Quote
carlm01 Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 The best advice I can give you is to try and see both units side by side .. Quote
Xped Posted January 18, 2015 Posted January 18, 2015 The best advice I can give you is to try and see both units side by side .. Ha ha! I know myself pretty well. I'd be walking out of there with a 12" display! I'm trying to figure out my real needs before up-selling myself. ;-) While I dislike spending extra money, I can appreciate that a larger screen would be better...especially for SI. Wondering out loud if it's $400 better. Keep in mind, I'm coming from a Lowrance Elite-4x...whatever I'm going to get will look better. A 7" screen has roughly double the display real estate of the 5". My eyes are starting to grow older and may appreciate the help. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 19, 2015 Super User Posted January 19, 2015 Ha ha! I know myself pretty well. I'd be walking out of there with a 12" display! I'm trying to figure out my real needs before up-selling myself. ;-) While I dislike spending extra money, I can appreciate that a larger screen would be better...especially for SI. Wondering out loud if it's $400 better. Keep in mind, I'm coming from a Lowrance Elite-4x...whatever I'm going to get will look better. A 7" screen has roughly double the display real estate of the 5". My eyes are starting to grow older and may appreciate the help. Â A Humminbird 5" square screen is 3.625" wide--that is the 500 and 700 series SI units. The Humminbird Helix 5" rectangular screen is 4.25" wide The Humminbird 800 series 7" rectangular screen is 6.125" wide The Humminbird 900 series 8" rectangular screen is 6.875" wide The Humminbird 1100 series 10.4" rectangular screen is 8.375" wide Quote
Xped Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 A Humminbird 5" square screen is 3.625" wide--that is the 500 and 700 series SI units. The Humminbird Helix 5" rectangular screen is 4.25" wide The Humminbird 800 series 7" rectangular screen is 6.125" wide The Humminbird 900 series 8" rectangular screen is 6.875" wide The Humminbird 1100 series 10.4" rectangular screen is 8.375" wide  Appreciate all the info!  I think the 800 series is getting just a tad out of my price range.  In your opinion, considering screen size and all other features, which would be the better unit to go with:  Helix 5 @ $499 (prices Canadian) or 798ci SI Combo @ $699 (prices Canadian)  I understand that screen width is much more desirable when considering SI images...but I'm kind of looking for an overall unit that does all three decently. The 798ci, while being a tad smaller in the screen width, is well over an inch taller and seems to have quite a few more features. Not sure if I'm trying to sell mysefl on the 798 but would be interested to learn your thoughts between the two.  Honestly, I would love to splurge and go with the 899...just can't seem to get over spending that kind of dough! Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 19, 2015 Super User Posted January 19, 2015 Appreciate all the info!  I think the 800 series is getting just a tad out of my price range.  In your opinion, considering screen size and all other features, which would be the better unit to go with:  Helix 5 @ $499 (prices Canadian) or 798ci SI Combo @ $699 (prices Canadian)  I understand that screen width is much more desirable when considering SI images...but I'm kind of looking for an overall unit that does all three decently. The 798ci, while being a tad smaller in the screen width, is well over an inch taller and seems to have quite a few more features. Not sure if I'm trying to sell mysefl on the 798 but would be interested to learn your thoughts between the two.  Honestly, I would love to splurge and go with the 899...just can't seem to get over spending that kind of dough!  I purchase a Side Imaging unit for the Side Imaging feature-the other stuff is very secondary.  Yes, a taller display will do better for Down Imaging and 2D sonar as individual views. But combine them in a dual view, this is what the 798 does.   For the 798: Chart/2D and Chart/DI are side by side. Chart/SI is one above the other.  Your anticipated use should determine which screen layout/ shape you prefer.  The 798ci SI Combo has been discontinued for over 3 years. The 798ci HD SI Combo was discontinued at the end of 2013.  The both 798's can share data with other units, the Helix cannot The 798's have dual card readers, the Helix has one The 798's have 3 short cut buttons for favorite views, the Helix has none. Quote
TNRanger Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 So, I have the helix 5 on order but I'm now second guessing my decison and considering cancelling the order. Wondering if I should be going with a larger screen. Humminbird helix 5 versus 899ci SI. 5 inches versus 7 inches. Other than size, are there more features of one over the other that account for the extra $$$$s? Are the additional 2 inches worth another $400+? I'm not crazy about spending the extra money but I also don't want to be frustrated with SI on a smaller screen. I never thought I'd consider spending just under a thousand bucks on a fishfinder and find it a hard pill to swallow. But...I want to be happy and satisfied with my purchase, too. Thoughts?  I just went through the same decision. Had two Helix SI units on order and cancelled them after deciding screen size would be an issue and I would end up wanting to upgrade anyway. I also really wanted to be able to network between units. I initially decided on the 899/859 combo but ended up going with a 999/859 at the last minute.  My units have not even arrived yet but I am confident that I made the right decision - even though my 999 cost more than the 2 Helix units put together, lol!  BTW - You can get a new 899SI HD combo for $860 online or used for about $600. Quote
Xped Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 BTW - You can get a new 899SI HD combo for $860 online or used for about $600. That's a great price. However, convert that to Canadian and add duty, taxes and shipping...suddenly I'm north of $1100. Not saying I won't spend the extra...just a hard pill to swallow. Quote
TNRanger Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 That's a great price. However, convert that to Canadian and add duty, taxes and shipping...suddenly I'm north of $1100. Not saying I won't spend the extra...just a hard pill to swallow.  Ouch. That is tough... Quote
Xped Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Thanks for all the info!!! Helped me spend MORE money!  I ended up buying the 899ci HD SI combo. The way I viewed it, the 798 wasn't exactly cheap....would hate to spend a lot of money on something that I wasn't totally satisifed with. In the end, I wanted to buy a unit that I could use properly and be happy with.  Besides, doesn't matter which unit I bought....I'm going to be in the same amount of trouble from the wife regardless of whether it was $700 or $1000!!! Just another item to be hidden until it looks a little used...go big or go home! 1 Quote
NJBasstard Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Anybody plan on exchanging there transducer? I've seen in mentioned a few times just not sure how much it'd benefit on a 5" screen. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 21, 2015 Super User Posted January 21, 2015 Anybody plan on exchanging there transducer? I've seen in mentioned a few times just not sure how much it'd benefit on a 5" screen. A sharper image is better regardless of screen size. Quote
carlm01 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Wayne so a different transducer would be better for the H-5 SI ? Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 21, 2015 Super User Posted January 21, 2015 Wayne so a different transducer would be better for the H-5 SI ? The screen shot in post #79 is with the Compact SI transducer. Â This is the same unit with the HDSI transducer----notice any difference in image sharpness? Â Quote
NJBasstard Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for the pic Wayne. I'd been looking for pics to compare without much luck. Am I right in thinking that the HDSI transducer will allow the unit to use DI? This is my first fish finder in about 10 years so this is all new to me.. Quote
carlm01 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Wayne wich transducer is that ? Â I'm not familiar with them .... Thanks Carl Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 21, 2015 Super User Posted January 21, 2015 Wayne wich transducer is that ? Â I'm not familiar with them .... Thanks Carl The Helix 5 SI GPS unit comes with the Compact SI transducer XNT 9 SI 180 T The HDSI transducer is the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. Â The HDSI is 2" longer and has longer Imaging crystals. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 21, 2015 Super User Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for the pic Wayne. I'd been looking for pics to compare without much luck. Am I right in thinking that the HDSI transducer will allow the unit to use DI? This is my first fish finder in about 10 years so this is all new to me..   ALL Humminbird Side Imaging (SI) units do Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D sonar and GPS/mapping.  The dual view DI/2D screen shot in post #84 is from a Humminbird 798ci SI Combo ----Side Imaging unit. You get that with any Side Imaging transducer. Quote
carlm01 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Jesus , that's almost half the cost of the unit LOL Â Â really think they'd make that much of a difference on the H-5 ? Quote
Xped Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 ALL Humminbird Side Imaging (SI) units do Side Imaging, Down Imaging, 2D sonar and GPS/mapping. Â The dual view DI/2D screen shot in post #84 is from a Humminbird 798ci SI Combo ----Side Imaging unit. You get that with any Side Imaging transducer. I know this threat has kind of morphed into different areas but it's a lot of good info in one place. Wayne, I clearly see the difference in image quality with the HDSI. Will it be this way in all different depths of water...in other words, is the HDSI more suited to viewing a certain depth of water? Does the regular SI transducer excel in any scenario? As well, maybe a dumb question but does the HDSI impact (+ or -) DI or 2D image quality? Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 21, 2015 Super User Posted January 21, 2015 I know this threat has kind of morphed into different areas but it's a lot of good info in one place. Wayne, I clearly see the difference in image quality with the HDSI. Will it be this way in all different depths of water...in other words, is the HDSI more suited to viewing a certain depth of water? Does the regular SI transducer excel in any scenario? As well, maybe a dumb question but does the HDSI impact (+ or -) DI or 2D image quality?   Excellent questions.  The HDSI transducer produces a thinner Imaging pulse. That thinner pulse covers less area per pulse (ping) so the detail is "finer" or less blurry than a thicker pulse.  The depth has nothing to do with it, ONLY the coverage per pulse.  The SI and DI is the exact same thing with the Side Imaging units. SI units use the two SI pulses to create the DI view via software by blending the two SI images. A DI (Down Imaging) unit uses a transducer that has a single dedicated downward focused pulse.  2D sonar is the same with both the Compact SI and HDSI transducers--same diameter crystal, same frequencies, and same spec coverage. ONLY the SI crystals are different and only in their lengths. 1 Quote
Xped Posted January 22, 2015 Posted January 22, 2015 Excellent questions. Â The HDSI transducer produces a thinner Imaging pulse. That thinner pulse covers less area per pulse (ping) so the detail is "finer" or less blurry than a thicker pulse. Â The depth has nothing to do with it, ONLY the coverage per pulse. Â Good stuff. If one uses the hdsi on an 899ci hd si (or Helix to stay on topic), can you simply switch between the thinner pulses for detailed images and the thicker pulses for more coverage? Or would you need two transducers to produce the two different types of image? Seems like both can serve a purpose...one to locate, the other for detail. Quote
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