Helix 7 SI HD Transducer Upgrade Applicability

[OperationEagle]

Just got off the phone with Humminbird customer service. I called to exchange for a HD transducer for my new console mounted Helix 7 SI (TD will be transom mounted). 

Reading threads and in pursuit of maximizing the quality of my SI image, I was convinced that going from a XNT 9 SI 180 T to a XHS 9 HDSI 180 T would accomplish just that.

Rep told me that the Helix 7 had different (lesser) processing than the 800, 900, Helix 9, 10 , 12 units and it would be likely that I would not see a difference with this upgrade.  When I pressed her on this, she said it was processing capability not screen size as the limiting factor.

Can someone set the record straight on this?  Want to get the right set up for max image quality.

 

[Wayne P.]

BS, it is true you cannot add 800 kHz to a unit that does not have it. The HDSI is tuned for 455 and 800 kHz.

You can also use the Compact SI transducer with a higher end model that does have both 455 and 800 kHz capability and still use 800 kHz with that transducer---been-there-done-that.

BUT the longer HDSI transducer has longer SI crystals by 2" that produce a thinner SI pulse and sharper images ---FACT. That has ZERO to do with unit processing--its the sonar pulse coverage. I used a HDSI with my former 798ci SI Combo for several years and its standard transducer is the Compact SI transducer.

Most everyone that has seen my comparison of the HDSI and Compact SI transducers have exchanged the transducer for the Helix 5 SI GPS, Helix 7 SI GPS, Helix 9 SI GPS, 899ci HD SI Combo, and every other model that comes with the Compact SI transducer. That is on another website. 

[s freud]

I would love to see the comparison, either here, in the screenshot thread, or at "the other site." How much extra is the upgrade with the exchange credit?

[jb530]

1 hour ago, s freud said:

I would love to see the comparison, either here, in the screenshot thread, or at "the other site." How much extra is the upgrade with the exchange credit?

i just ordered mine and i believe it was $85 plus tax and shipping. It came out to a little over $100 total.

[Bucky205]

On 2/17/2016 at 0:53 PM, Wayne P. said:

BS, it is true you cannot add 800 kHz to a unit that does not have it. The HDSI is tuned for 455 and 800 kHz.

You can also use the Compact SI transducer with a higher end model that does have both 455 and 800 kHz capability and still use 800 kHz with that transducer---been-there-done-that.

BUT the longer HDSI transducer has longer SI crystals by 2" that produce a thinner SI pulse and sharper images ---FACT. That has ZERO to do with unit processing--its the sonar pulse coverage. I used a HDSI with my former 798ci SI Combo for several years and its standard transducer is the Compact SI transducer.

Most everyone that has seen my comparison of the HDSI and Compact SI transducers have exchanged the transducer for the Helix 5 SI GPS, Helix 7 SI GPS, Helix 9 SI GPS, 899ci HD SI Combo, and every other model that comes with the Compact SI transducer. That is on another website. 

Wayne I looked and can't find this.  You've sold me on updrading to the HDSI. Will the AS SIDB Y cable support the XHS-9-HDSI-180T?