How Fast Can You Operate Your Boat And Still Get Reliable Si With The New Helix

[retiredbosn]

Fairly new to these new fish finders, I've never had a side imaging unit. I am curious at what speed can you run your boat and still get reliable info? How fast is too fast?

[Wayne P.]

You can get "something" up to 60 mph if you have the transducer installed so it can.

 

Typically for sharp/clear images, a speed of less than 12 mph is required.

Most consider imaging an idle speed or slower function.

 

The units are adjustable for boat speed and the Chart Speed range is 1-10

[retiredbosn]

Thanks Wayne you da man! I'm going to replace the transducer with the HD model. I know it won't make a difference regarding how fast I can operate the boat but the image quality will be vastly improved when I get down to business looking for cover and structure. Thinking about just changing it on the bow, do u recommend changing both? Or the stern one first?

[Wayne P.]

"vastly improved" using the HDSI transducer is overstating it quite a lot. Somewhat sharper images is what you can expect. You may or may not notice the difference.

 

I am very familiar with the use of both SI transducer models and the ONIX SI transducer also.

 

If you are going to do the swap, do it when you first get them. Humminbird will exchange an UNUSED transducer and UNOPENED mount package for about $80 including shipping.

Otherwise the MSRP of a HDSI transducer is $270

[Wayne P.]

FWIW I talked Humminbird and was told that there would be virtually no benefit with the HD transducer on the Helix...I bought the Helix SI myself and needed to exchange my transom transducer for the TM puck so I asked etc...I had the thought to pay the extra for the HD with the exchange but after what they told me that halted that idea in its tracks...

 

You got bogus information. The HDSI transducer is 2" longer.

CS will tell you that you cannot use 800 kHz with the Compact SI transducer either, but you can.

 

You can connect the Compact SI transducer to the higher end models and loose some image clairty and you can connect the HDSI to the lower end models and gain some imaging clairty.

Been-there-done-that, got the T shirt.

 

When I just had one SI unit, I used both transducers several times a day since I swtiched the display between the console and bow.

I have several HDSI transducers, a couple of Compact SI transom transducers and a Compact SI trolling motor puck. Plus a unit that is 455 kHz for Side Imaging and units that are 455/800 kHz Side Imaging.

 

It's all about the length of the SI crystals and the thickness of the sonar pulses front to back.

 

Same unit with the two different SI transducers. Not the same location, but you can get the idea since both are of a creek channel.

 

 

 

[Wayne P.]

I'd certainly trust you Wayne vs CS...That kind of irritates me they told me that bogus info, by actually 2 people infact...Would that HD be fine on a TM or am I better off with the puck regardless with the extra shielding on the TM?

 

The XTM 9 SI 180 T Compact SI puck and the HDSI transducer both have the extra internal shielding that the transom Compact SI does not have.

Either is OK for the trolling motor.

The transom Compact SI transducer should be OK for trolling motors that are not variable speed.

 

It is just best to start an installation with the right parts for the application so you have a head start in dealing with RFI IF your motor is broadcasting on the frequencies that the unit uses. 

 

The electronic speed control of the variable speed models is typically the cause of the RFI experienced by some. There are several other causes though.

[J Francho]

I get nothing when on plane, but I set it up that way.

[A-Jay]

You know boats, it might not be the excess speed as much as the Launching Over the Waves . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

[slonezp]

I lose bottom at 30mph.

[retiredbosn]

You know boats, it might not be the excess speed as much as the Launching Over the Waves . . . .

 

 

A-Jay

My wave jumping days are over, fun to do yes, but I have to pay the repair bills now!

[retiredbosn]

 

 

 

I see allot of improvement with the second picture. Some of that have to do with the unit's processing speed and screen resolution? So with the helix it may not be as much of a difference?

[Wayne P.]

I see allot of improvement with the second picture. Some of that have to do with the unit's processing speed and screen resolution? So with the helix it may not be as much of a difference?

It is the same unit, just different transducer.

 

The affect will be exactly the same with any Side Imaging unit. It's all about the SI crystal length, nothing else.

The top screen shot is with the Compact SI transducer and the bottom screen shot is with the HDSI transducer.

I had the Compact SI on the transom and the HDSI on the trolling motor, just placed the display where I was on the boat.

[Wayne P.]

BTW, the next time on the water I am going to do a screen shot with each transducer connected to a 1198c SI Combo of the same subject.

The above was with a 798ci SI Combo.

Someone requested that on another website to get a better comparison.

[retiredbosn]

very cool, also fyi there is  big box store that sells the pucks, the hdsi trolling motor puck is 178 and change for anyone looking to upgrade their transducer

[slonezp]

very cool, also fyi there is  big box store that sells the pucks, the hdsi trolling motor puck is 178 and change for anyone looking to upgrade their transducer

Trolling motor puck? You sure that isn't for DI? The HDSI transducer from HB has an available adaptor mount. Many, including myself, have opted for the TSS trolling motor mount. It's much heavier duty than the HB.

[Wayne P.]

The XTM 9 HDSI 180 T is not a puck. It is the same as the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T.

Just the included mount is different.

[retiredbosn]

The XTM 9 HDSI 180 T is not a puck. It is the same as the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T.

Just the included mount is different.

Thanks, thought it was a different puck. I'm glad you are around humminbird products get confusing to the uninitiated.

[Glenn]

Hey guys!  Here's an excellent video that explains how to graph on plane.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/fishfinder-tips.html

[slonezp]

If you're going to be fishing shallow water where hitting bottom or stumps with the TM is a good possibility, do yourself a favor and get a trolling motor mount from Transducer Shield and Saver and just use the transducer that came with the unit or the swapped out upgrade.

[retiredbosn]

Good point. BTW earlier when I announced the hd tm puck, I was going by the pictures and not actual part numbers. Its 80 to swap, and 90-100 to buy the tm puck. I'm going to buy and have the original as backup.

[retiredbosn]

Hey Wayne, Well I was able to catch my transducer exchange before they sent the SI puck out so I paid the difference for the XTM-9-HDSI-180-T transducer. The CS lady at HB there acted like she wasn't even going to be able to do it, she actually had to put me on hold to ask somebody if she could allow the exchange/pay the difference with that transducer...again, i'll trust your word, experience & knowledge over customer service's

if it gets me that bit of difference in the image quality with crispness/detail like you posted in the 2 screenshot examples of with & without HD, then for me its worth paying the extra...

Thanks Wayne!!

Out of curiosity what was the cost? I've the helix and was thinking of getting the hd puck. Btw my puck was just coiled on the box secured with a wire tie. The box was factory sealed but the puck wasn't in any plastic pouch or anything. E veryone says to call before opening the puck, nothing to open. Will that matter?