Helix 5si vs. garmin striker 7sv

[Canam13]

Hello all,

Im in the market for my first fish finder and need some advice. I've read many post on the site and decided I want one with side imaging. I fish out of a small 10ft. Bass raider and mostly fish 20-200 acre lakes that are 6-20 ft. Deep.  The unit will be Trolling motor mounted. I don't want to spend more than $500, so the helix5si and the new garmin striker 7sv, seem to be my best choices. 

The helix seems to have more features than the garmin( chart plotter, maps, sd card recording).. The helix also seems to have more options as far as tweeking the unit for better imaging. But has a 5" screen  

I've read the online manual for the striker7sv and doesn't seem to have as many options to tweek the units imaging. No maps, just map plotting and doesn't use any men card for recording or expansion of the unit. Plus side for the striker, seems to be that it does have down vu chirp and a 7" screen.

So is the larger screen and DI chirp more valuable, than the added functions of the helix?

i know it's a pretty open question, but like I said, first time buyer just looking to get the most bang for my buck.

thanks for any help guys!

 

 

 

[Bass newb]

Spend $550 on the 73sv at bass pro shops spring sale this weekend. It has everything maps gps si dv ....

[Canam13]

1 hour ago, Bass newb said:

Spend $550 on the 73sv at bass pro shops spring sale this weekend. It has everything maps gps si dv ....

Newb,  

Saw the 73sv, but $500 is my limit max. Going to BPS tonight to check out some units. Thanks for the info! 

 

[Scott F]

1 hour ago, Canam13 said:

Newb,  

Saw the 73sv, but $500 is my limit max. Going to BPS tonight to check out some units. Thanks for the info! 

 

Wait until tomorrow, the 73di will be on sale for $399 and the 73si for $549 at BP

[Bassman37]

Is that at Bass Pro the Garmin Echo Map 73sv that lists for $999 on Garmin's website?

[Scott F]

42 minutes ago, Bassman37 said:

Is that at Bass Pro the Garmin Echo Map 73sv that lists for $999 on Garmin's website?

The one that will be on sale is last year's model that does not have the Chirp technology

[Bassman37]

Thanks for the clarification Scott.

From what I have been reading the chirp technology is a gotta have!

[DanQS13]

Actually not completely true, the 2D sonar just isn't chirp, but it has dual beam which is plenty for bass fishing.  The Down and Sidevu is chirp on the GT40 transducer.

[Bass newb]

On 2/11/2016 at 9:47 AM, Canam13 said:

On 2/12/2016 at 11:31 PM, Bassman37 said:

Thanks for the clarification Scott.

From what I have been reading the chirp technology is a gotta have!

I haven't gotten that impression unless you also want panoptix which is $1000-1500 in itself. The prior non chirp technology is sufficient  otherwise. 

On 2/11/2016 at 9:47 AM, Canam13 said:

Newb,  

Saw the 73sv, but $500 is my limit max. Going to BPS tonight to check out some units. Thanks for the info! 

 

You really should rethink your limit, in that case.

[Bassman37]

Went to Cabela's and Bass Pro yesterday and neither have the Garmin Striker 7sv. I was told by the "expert" at Cabela's that Garmin will not be shipping this model as a result of a patent violation lawsuit brought forth by Navico, the parent company of Lowrance regarding their DownScan imaging technology. According to him the ITC has banned Garmin and their distributors from selling equipment that includes this in the US.

Has anyone else heard anything on this? Thanks.

[Wayne P.]

5 minutes ago, Bassman37 said:

Went to Cabela's and Bass Pro yesterday and neither have the Garmin Striker 7sv. I was told by the "expert" at Cabela's that Garmin will not be shipping this model as a result of a patent violation lawsuit brought forth by Navico, the parent company of Lowrance regarding their DownScan imaging technology. According to him the ITC has banned Garmin and their distributors from selling equipment that includes this in the US.

Has anyone else heard anything on this? Thanks.

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.

[Bassman37]

Thanks for the update Wayne.

I really want to be able to check this model out in a store before I make a purchase as it looks to be what I need but with the weather around here it will probably be a month or so before I do so.

[Canam13]

On ‎2‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 0:43 PM, Scott F said:

Wait until tomorrow, the 73di will be on sale for $399 and the 73si for $549 at BP

Went to BPS last week and checked both the Helix5 SI/GPS and the Garmin 73SV. Got lucky and talked to a saleman that charters out of local marina that is familiar with both companies and their product. The 73sv was a nice unit, with a easy to use menu and a very nice 7" screen. The helix5 had more options for adjusting the sonar and had map/chart plotting. Tough choice, but the Helix fit my small boat better. Found the Helix5 si/gps online at Imarine for $432.00 Tuesday and ordered it.

So I guess I have a couple weeks to play with it in demo mode before the weather gets nice enough to get on the water with it. Any advice for intial setup for a first time FF user?

I also want to get a trans shield for the trolling motor, does anyone know where to buy the "WEE-VEE " transducer guard? Going to be running a motor guide TM and the skeg is behind the transducer mount.

 

 

[Wayne P.]

1 hour ago, Canam13 said:

Went to BPS last week and checked both the Helix5 SI/GPS and the Garmin 73SV. Got lucky and talked to a saleman that charters out of local marina that is familiar with both companies and their product. The 73sv was a nice unit, with a easy to use menu and a very nice 7" screen. The helix5 had more options for adjusting the sonar and had map/chart plotting. Tough choice, but the Helix fit my small boat better. Found the Helix5 si/gps online at Imarine for $432.00 Tuesday and ordered it.

So I guess I have a couple weeks to play with it in demo mode before the weather gets nice enough to get on the water with it. Any advice for intial setup for a first time FF user?

I also want to get a trans shield for the trolling motor, does anyone know where to buy the "WEE-VEE " transducer guard? Going to be running a motor guide TM and the skeg is behind the transducer mount.

 

 

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.

 

[Canam13]

51 minutes ago, Wayne P. said:

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.

 

Thanks for the info Wayne!

Is their a disadvantage to mounting the proper transducer to the TM, that I should be aware of ? With fishing out of my bass raider, I figure that the safest place for the mount would be the TM, since I carry the boat in and out of the back of my pickup truck. 

[Wayne P.]

45 minutes ago, Canam13 said:

Thanks for the info Wayne!

Is their a disadvantage to mounting the proper transducer to the TM, that I should be aware of ? With fishing out of my bass raider, I figure that the safest place for the mount would be the TM, since I carry the boat in and out of the back of my pickup truck. 

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.