Helix 7 Vs ???

[laduckhunter]

I have been giving some serious thought to pre-ordering the Helix 7.  Before I do so, is there other finders in the same price range that do side imaging that anyone would recommend?  The lack of networking capabilities is not a problem as I will have just a Hummingbird 571 without GPS in the front.

[J Francho]

Not much out there that's close to it. I love my 5 with SI.

[laduckhunter]

Not much out there that's close to it. I love my 5 with SI.

 

I almost bought the Helix 5 last weekend.  But when I went to look at it in person, it seemed small and i have poor vision.  The Helix 7 appeared to be the ticket for me.  All the features I want and none of the stuff I would probably use anyway.  Thank you!

[Wayne P.]

I almost bought the Helix 5 last weekend.  But when I went to look at it in person, it seemed small and i have poor vision.  The Helix 7 appeared to be the ticket for me.  All the features I want and none of the stuff I would probably use anyway.  Thank you!

 

If you want to improve the images it produces, exchange the standard transducer that comes with the unit for the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. 

That is handled through Humminbird Customer Service.

[laduckhunter]

If you want to improve the images it produces, exchange the standard transducer that comes with the unit for the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T. 

That is handled through Humminbird Customer Service.

 

Interesting.  I am assuming it is not a free upgrade?  Should I just order this when I purchase the Helix?

[Wayne P.]

Interesting.  I am assuming it is not a free upgrade?  Should I just order this when I purchase the Helix?

No it is not free. It costs the price difference plus shipping-- the last I saw posted was $85.

 

If you just order the HDSI transducer, that is about $270.

 

You cannot order the unit with the HDSI transducer.

 

To do the exchange you contact Humminbird Customer Service and arrange for it. Do not open the transducer mount package.

[laduckhunter]

That sounds wonderful.  Thank you so much for the information!  You probably just saved me $200

[laduckhunter]

My decision just got more difficult.  There is a local sale for the 899 CI SI for $750.  The weekend is also tax free weekend, all of the hunting/fishing/outdoor stores will be having sales.   I think I might as well buy it instead of the Helix 7.

[Wayne P.]

My decision just got more difficult.  There is a local sale for the 899 CI SI for $750.  The weekend is also tax free weekend, all of the hunting/fishing/outdoor stores will be having sales.   I think I might as well buy it instead of the Helix 7.

Good choice, same size screen plus added features such as three quick view buttons and linkable to other Ethernet capable units and accessories.

 

It comes with the Compact SI transducer also. You may still want to do the transducer exchange.

The unit has the 800 kHz Imaging capability that the Helix doesn't. 

[laduckhunter]

Yes sir, I was plan on shipping it in on Monday if I buy this unit locally.  If they still have them on the weekend, I will most likely purchase it.  If they run out I will order a Helix 7.

[laduckhunter]

Regarding the HD transducer, I mostly fish a lot of shallow water and hardly ever more than 15 ft.  Would this change your decision to do the swap?  I have heard the 800Mhz frequency does not do well in shallow water?

[Wayne P.]

Regarding the HD transducer, I mostly fish a lot of shallow water and hardly ever more than 15 ft.  Would this change your decision to do the swap?  I have heard the 800Mhz frequency does not do well in shallow water?

It's about the sharper images the longer transducer produces.

 

I don't use 800 kHz with any of my Side Imaging units.

[laduckhunter]

It's about the sharper images the longer transducer produces.

 

I don't use 800 kHz with any of my Side Imaging units.

 

Once again, thank you for this information.  It turned out tax free weekend was last week, so I went ahead and got the 89 last night.  It was only $800~, $200 less than most places and I get a lot more features.  Super excited.  It is kinda like being a kid at Christmas who received a toy and no batteries.  I can just sit here and look at all its glory

[J Francho]

I just hook it up to a small 12v battery, and work through all the features in the manual while in demo mode. Usually I pop a Star Wars DVD in while I do this. Lol.

[laduckhunter]

I just hook it up to a small 12v battery, and work through all the features in the manual while in demo mode. Usually I pop a Star Wars DVD in while I do this. Lol.

 

LOL,  this sounds like a great idea

[Wayne P.]

LOL,  this sounds like a great idea

Better yet is to turn Demonstration mode OFF and use Simulator. 

That way any settings you make that you want saved will be.

[J Francho]

Yes Wayne, that's what I meant. I think by default it goes to demo mode without a transducer connected, if you don't choose anything on startup. If you're in demo mode, pressing any button takes you to sim mode, so it's not a big distinction. I think it actually goes back to demo if you leave it for a time.

[Wayne P.]

Yes Wayne, that's what I meant. I think by default it goes to demo mode without a transducer connected, if you don't choose anything on startup. If you're in demo mode, pressing any button takes you to sim mode, so it's not a big distinction. I think it actually goes back to demo if you leave it for a time.

If Demonstration is turned off, it will not turn itself on when no transducer is connected. It will start up in Simulator,

 

Demonstration only functions when it is turned on in the Setup menu.

 

There is no need to ever have Demonstation turned on unless the unit is on display to be sold. Demonstration goes through all the views automatically.

[laduckhunter]

You guys Rock!  Thank you!

[J Francho]

Sorry Wayne, that's wrong. I fire my unit up without a TD connected, and it goes strait to demo mode, with a prompt asking to use sim mode by pressing any button. Just tried it on my unit. Maybe there is another setting? You want a picture of it?

[Wayne P.]

Don't need a picture. I sometimes have four units on/near my desk. ALL of mine have Demonstation turned OFF and I never get the Demonstration function. If I don't select Simulator when the unit starts up, it goes to the dialog page and after pushing the EXIT button, it goes to Normal operation with the Snapshot view and no sonar data to view with my 1198's. The 798 and ONIX with internal GPS antennas will have the Snaphot view and Chart view functioning but no data to display for sonar.

Check your Setup Menu.  

 

The only time I see the Demonstration function is at a store with units on display. I don't want my units with that function. In Demonstation, no settings that are changed will be saved, no waypoints created will be saved, NOTHING will be saved. That is the whole point with that function so customers won't screw up the units pushing buttons.

[J Francho]

I have saved way points, settings, snapshots, etc. Mine is from a sealed box. The only thing I've done other than change a few settings is add a Lakemaster chip. I guess since it works fine, it doesn't matter.

[Wayne P.]

FYI, 

 

With the Demo Simulator, you can practice all the unit functions like creating waypoints, taking snapshots, changing settings BUT nothing is saved in the unit's memory.

 

If you want anything saved, you have to use the real Simulator, buy selecting it in the start up menu.

Then you can go to the Setup menu and change Demonstration from Visible to OFF.

 

If you try to create waypoints that you really want to save, it will not happen in the Demonstration Simulator where you push Exit after the Demo is running. None of your settings will be saved either.

 

You can choose to ignore the above if you want. You have the information to operate your unit correctly.