Suggestions on a new 7" SI unit

[ScottK91]

I'm looking to get a new fish finder with side imaging. Currently I have a lowrance elite 5 hdi. I would like to upgrade to a 7" and mount the transducer on my trolling motor. I'm looking to spend around $7-800. I fish lakes but also some shallow rocky rivers so if anybody has any suggestions on protecting the transducer I would appreciate it. 

Thanks 

scott

[Darren.]

Can't help with your question, Scott, but welcome to the forums,
if I haven't already given you a welcome  

[Wayne P.]

The Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS is 699.99 MSRP and comes with a transom Side Imaging transducer.

If you get one of those, exchange the transom transducer for the trolling motor puck version or upgrade to the HDSI transducer and mount that with the Transducer Shield and Saver TM-HDsi. Looks like this:

Do your shopping with a marine electronics dealer rather than a big box general sporting goods place like BPS. Typically they sell below MSRP.

If are in no hurry, wait for the black Friday sales.

[ScottK91]

Thanks Darren and Wayne I appreciate it! I was looking at the helix 7 SI but I've heard good and bad things about the hunminbirds. Any input on that? How are the garmins in that price range with SI? 

What's a good marine electronics dealer to go thru? 

[Tim Kelly]

'Bird have are just bringing out a new Helix 5 with map drawing. Might be worth hanging on a month or two and see what they're doing to the Helix 7. Might find it also offers map drawing and maybe networking soon, which would make it a very attractive buy.

[Sprocket]

Garmin 73sv is $849.  Great unit, easy to use and the quick connect/disconnect feature is awesome if you remove your electronics when traveling or storing.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[kayl.]

On 10/18/2016 at 6:06 AM, Sprocket said:

Garmin 73sv is $849.  Great unit, easy to use and the quick connect/disconnect feature is awesome if you remove your electronics when traveling or storing.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

It's now $749 direct from Garmin.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-the-water/fishfindergpscombos/echomap-chirp-73sv/prod529885.html

[Tj87]

Helix 7si is the best for the money. But if I was you I would wait a couple months because that unit has a second generation coming out. Not saying what but it is getting some cool upgrades and the retail price is not going up. Also si units are not the best for mounting on trolling motors. Since they read to the side when you turn the trolling motor you are turning the direction it reads. It can still be done but not really recommended.

[Wayne P.]

16 minutes ago, Tj87 said:

Helix 7si is the best for the money. But if I was you I would wait a couple months because that unit has a second generation coming out. Not saying what but it is getting some cool upgrades and the retail price is not going up. Also si units are not the best for mounting on trolling motors. Since they read to the side when you turn the trolling motor you are turning the direction it reads. It can still be done but not really recommended.

PM sent

 

[webertime]

Garmins are awesome.  Great images and screen.  Link them with a $20 cable (when you get another).  Quick draw is a great feature as well, but better for console mounted units.

[12poundbass]

I too am in the market for a si unit. I'm leaning towards humminbird and waiting for the next generation to come out before pulling the trigger. I've done a bunch of research on using a si unit on the trolling motor. Do some searches on this forum and others and YouTube. I was skeptical about it at first like tj87 said but Wayne P pointed me in the right direction and after plenty of research I'm all in with using a si unit up front.

[ScottK91]

Just got my new helix 7 G2 yesterday and got it put on my boat and wired up. I talked to Wayne P. this morning And he helped me get all my settings and everything all worked out. Wayne has been a HUGE help in helping me out in learning about my first SI uni and he really knows his stuff!! I'm going out tomorrow to try it out I can post a review if anybody is interested 

[Lonny]

I just ordered a new helix7 si g2 also, i have a helix7 sonar right now on the console but want the si for the bow, i have a minn kota v2 with i pilot (not link) hooked up to the helix sonar but have never used an si unit before....so scott definitely give a review! ?

Now since my sonar unit is the original helix, whats the big difference between the original and the g2 si? Thanks 

[Wayne P.]

15 minutes ago, Lonny said:

I just ordered a new helix7 si g2 also, i have a helix7 sonar right now on the console but want the si for the bow, i have a minn kota v2 with i pilot (not link) hooked up to the helix sonar but have never used an si unit before....so scott definitely give a review! ?

Now since my sonar unit is the original helix, whats the big difference between the original and the g2 si? Thanks 

The G2 models have CHIRP 2D sonar and CHIRP Imaging, much faster processor. more View selections, Switchfire 2D and Switchfire Imaging, can handle all layers of the new Chart Select Layers map product, Auto Chart Live, reads all the features of the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum regional map cards, some different ways to change settings, can take a screen shot without creating a waypoint, has a Standby setting, has GLONASS on/off, more tri-views, and a horizontal temp graph. Maybe some other stuff--can't remember all of them without going through all the menus.

Some of these features were only available on the higher end units before and some were not even available before on any unit.

There is also the Helix 7 G2N versions that are linkable via Ethernet and can support the 360 transducer.

[Lonny]

So it sounds like its worth the extra...about 100 bucks i paid over the original 7si....Thanks!

Now I'll just have to figure out how to use/read it.

How about the transducer, is that worth upgrading or is it the same as my original helix7 unit?

Thanks again 

[Wayne P.]

9 minutes ago, Lonny said:

So it sounds like its worth the extra...about 100 bucks i paid over the original 7si....Thanks!

Now I'll just have to figure out how to use/read it.

How about the transducer, is that worth upgrading or is it the same as my original helix7 unit?

Thanks again 

Yes, any SI unit that comes standard with the Compact SI transducer can get sharper images with the HDSI transducer.

I have used both SI transducers on a 798ci SI Combo, 1198c SI Combo, Helix 12 CHIRP SI GPS, and Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2.